New System advice

[arkpol007]

Hi guys,

My name is Eric, I am new on forums. I have some experience with overclocking [started with Pentium 450Mhz long time ago ] This is going to be my 7th system. I was not following hardware news for some time and last 2 weeks I was updating info) My PC died about 4 weeks ago and I decided to build new one. I am using my notebook now and I am getting frustrated because of its performance. I need some advice about few parts.

Approximate Purchase Date: December 2010
Budget Range: 1500 - 2000$
System Usage: web designing, some Photoshop, watching movies, some gaming, surfing the internet,
Parts Not Required: I have: keyboard, mouse, Power Supply - RBR 1000-M 80+ bronze 1000W,
monitor- Dell UltraSharp U2711 has a 2560x1440-pixel native resolution, 3 eSata HD, speakers, OS
Overclocking: Yes, I am going to overclock but it must be quiet.
SLI: after price drop I will get second video card for SLI
Monitor Resolution: (2560x1440)
Additional Comments: (I would like a quiet PC, I am going to make it dual boot PC/Mac)

Parts Preferences:

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R
What is with GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R and GIGABYTE GA-X58-UD3R ? Is it same motherboard?

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz

CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm

ASUS ENGTX570/2DI/1280MD5 GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi)
I am not sure if I should buy overclocked. I am going to buy other GTX 570 for SLI when price drop more

OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II
I wonder what size SSD is recomended as boot drive for secend OS (is 90GB OK?)

Corsair Graphite Series 600T Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I don't know what memory should I get for my system. I need 12 GB I was reading articles about memory but I noticed that recommendations are based on experience. So please help me make my choice.

I was using corsair configurator and it recomended for enthusiasts CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) for 250$ and for overclockers CORSAIR DOMINATOR CMT6GX3M3A1866C9 360$ for 12GB

I founded G.SKILL Trident+ Turbulence II 12GB (3 x 4GB) for 399$ , why it is so expensive?

also 12GB CORSAIR XMS3 N82E16820145235 12GB for 179$ this price is nice but I don't know if this memory is OK

I don't want to pay too much for memory and also don't want to have my new system slowing down from slow memory...

Preferred Website for Parts: newegg.com
Country of Origin: (USA)

 

[gkay09]

^ Well you have started on the right track,...
But before I give you suggestions, you should know that Intel is going to launch their newer CPUs on Jan 5th - Though they are not the replacement for the LGA 1366 socket, but even the lower-end Quad(i5s) perform as good or better than the current gen i7s,...
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row

Now as for the config -
CPU Cooler - As far as I have seen on the reviews, the fans on that H70 are not quiet,...you would need to do some tweaking inorder to get the sound levels down,...
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=25823&page=6
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/35225-corsair-hydro-h70-cpu-cooler-review-10.html
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/3491/corsair_hydro_series_h70_cpu_cooler/index6.html
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/09/09/corsair_h70_highperformance_hydro_cpu_cooler_review/3

RAM - Always populate lesser slots, if you want to overclock, as it is easier to set the RAM speeds when 3 slots are populated compared to 6(The bandwidth will be shared by the 6 sticks)
So the best option if you want to 12GB is 3x 4GB kits, also allows for future upgrade,...
Best of the lot if you want to overclock - Dominators,... Though they have loose stock timings and slower speed, but am sure you can set tighter timings or faster speed,...

SSD - 90GB will be OK if you wont install many apps on the boot/ C: drive,...
Or how about this - You can get 2 of these 60GB drives for the same price as a 120GB drive and do RAID 0,...
$15 off with promo code HARDOCP1222A, ends 12/28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542
The additional space would be useful as a scratch disk for PS,...

Video Card - Get EVGA - ~$10 more, but you get Lifetime Limited warranty,...

 

[arkpol007]

Thank you for your replay. So you think its worth to pay 250$ for CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) its 70$ more than 12GB CORSAIR XMS3 N82E16820145235

and what is with GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R and GIGABYTE GA-X58-UD3R ? Is it same motherboard? Is GA-X58A-UD3R never version?

I was checking H70 reviews and it looks to me like the best closed system water cooling unit. I didnt find any better one.

 

[joelmartinez]

For the CPU cooler I would actually recommend the hyper 212+ it is a very quiet cooler and if you add a second fan for a push pull setup you will be able to get a decent overclock (4 range).
H70 is just a little expensive.

The difference between the boards is the x58a has sata 6gbs and USB 3.0 it is newer

 

[gkay09]

@arkpol007 As for the RAM, I suggested the Dominators only if you will be overclocking very high, but even this would be good enough for a normal overclock -
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226100
And I have explained the reason why I suggest 3 sticks over 6 sticks in my above post.

Mobo - joelmartinez is correct,... the X58A has SATA 6GB/s and USB3.0

CPU Cooler - Frankly for a normal overclock you wont need a H70, the 212+ would be pretty good or Scythe Mugen 2 Rev.B with 2 fans(You get very good ones which will perform very good, but low on noise) will offer very good performance,...

 

[arkpol007]

Best answer selected by arkpol007.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar