Top-end Gaming rig

[sightbain]

I am buying myself essentially a beast of a computer, the price tag is up there but if i keep it for 5 years its a reasonable deal. I am basically looking to get the best desktop computer available. I am having some trouble figuring out what ram would be best for my motherboard since a couple of the corsair products are NOT on the mobo's compatability list, however they seem to be identical in specs except a larger GB set.

My parts list so far is:

motherboard: Asus Rampage III Formula
CPU:Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition
graphics card: nividia geforce gtx 580 x2 (sli config)
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-1000HX
monitor: Dell U2410 24'' (wanted a decent 2500x1600 but the price tag is silly)
case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
*the case may not be the best option so any suggestions appreciated*

i really want some input on ram suggestions, hard drive choice and cases and keep in mind i want to get as much performance out of this as possible (OCing is not a priority but i will get around to doing it)
(for ram i want atleast 12gb, and im not looking to get the penny saver stuff either)

Thanks so much for any helpful or informative suggestions / advice!

 

[batuchka]

I would really just hit a quadcore and look to hit something like HD 6950CF for GPU set up for a near top end gaming rig

The Game Rundown: Finding CPU/GPU Bottlenecks, Part 2
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Conclusion: A Trend Toward 3+ Cores

The average optimal number of CPU cores suggested by the test results is 2.75, showing a clear trend towards at least three CPU cores.The question of whether the CPU or GPU is most important is easily answered. If you don't have a multi-core CPU, then upgrade it. If you have a dual-core CPU at around 3 GHz, then invest your money into a graphics card, as most games are GPU-limited. This is not something that will change with new DirectX 11 games.

HD 6950CF review
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/3744/his_radeon_hd_6950_2gb_video_card_in_crossfire/index.html

 

[sightbain]

Ive also seen several comparisons when running directx11 games with maxed out graphics settings (heavily multisampling, realtime shadows etc etc, and the i7 980 greatly improved framerates when compared to around 8 other high end cpu's. also nvidia is my preferred brand, and the 580 also slightly outperforms the 69XX's in average framerates and performance. (would dig up links but i need to sleep, couple of them are on this site somewhere lol)

 

[mdd1963]

The EE version of Intel's top tier cpu might indeed get you a 2-3% increase in framerates, for only $500-$600 additional dollars; a 'mid range' quad core cpu at 200 less MHz, coupled with a 2nd GTX580 would net you a 70-80% increase in framerates at 1920x1080...

You decide which is more cost effective...

 

[jaguarmatt]

Here would be a great set of ram, they should be in stock soon after the holidays.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145311&cm_re=dominator_gt-_-20-145-311-_-Product

If you're looking for extreme performance, look into an SSD raid 0.
2 SSD's can easily beat 10 veloci-raptor drives.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
Two of these would give you insane performace, but for a storage drive I would recommend a Caviar Black/Spinpoint.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136456&cm_re=caviar_black-_-22-136-456-_-Product

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I am buying myself essentially a beast of a computer, the price tag is up there but if i keep it for 5 years its a reasonable deal. I am basically looking to get the best desktop computer available.

A top end $4000 machine today will easily get beat out by a $1500 box 2 years from now. But your performance at $4k won't differ much from one at $2.5k

Twin GFX cards deserve a full tower case.

Case - $300 - Antec DF-85 w/ CP-1000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.572596
Case Fan - $18 - Antec Red 120 mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013
MoBo / CPU - $1,325 - Asus Rampage 3 Extreme w/ 980X http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.564028
Cooler - $62 - Prolimatech Megahalems http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001
TIM - $5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
CPU Fan - $11 - Scythe SY1225SL12LM-P http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10026/fan-639/Scythe_Slip_Stream_120mm_x_25mm_PWM_Mid_Speed_Fan_-_SY1225SL12LM-P.html?tl=g36c365s936
CPU Fan - $11 - Same
Fan Cable - $8 - Akasa PWM AK-CB002 http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10350/cab-183/Akasa_PWM_Splitter_-_Smart_Fan_Cable_AK-CB002.html
RAM - $175 - 3 x 4GB Mushkin CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226100
GFX - $530 - EVGA GTX 580 Black Ops http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130589
GFX - $530 - Same
HD - $70 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - $275 - Crucial RealSSD C300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
SSD - $275 Crucial RealSSD C300
DVD Writer - $80 - ASUS BR Model BC-08B1LT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135220
OS - $139 - Win 7-64 Pro OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758
Keyboard - $130 - Logitech G19 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126053
Mouse - $80 - Logitech G9x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104261

Cost $4,024

 

[sightbain]

thanks for the input, mouse and keyboard im good on but jack thats basically what i have been looking for thanks, and i know it will be outperformed in a couple years, but im planning on keeping it for a while and it wont be bottom end for atleast a couple years, then ill upgrade again(unless there is some crazy breakthrough)

 

[Niklas_13]

IMO i would save the 2K and just build a nice 2K system, llike the other people have said your not going to gain that much for the 2K more price tag.

Also your eyes wont see any FPS over 30, its your money tho.

If your building this rig for work with, auto cad , photoshop, video editing, i could see spending the money then.

 

[joelmartinez]

Get Arctic Silver 5 at your local Radioshack

 

[Formata]

Be interesting to see if spending $2K every 2-3 years rather than $4K every 5 years results in better gaming machines... My guess is it would!

@ JackNaylorPE Last post = crazy build!

 

[sightbain]

Best answer selected by sightbain.