New to Building: Feedback on a WELL RESEARCHED attempt

zab329

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I really appreciate your help. I did my research I just don't want to pull the trigger with out getting some more experienced feedback! Thanks.

Edit: Ppdated Motherboard, Hard Drive, and power supply

Le setup
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 Pro

Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K

Video card: (Gonna try to see if one is powerful enough, if I need to upgrade later, I'll add a 2nd): GTX 560

Power Supply: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Gold Series 800w

Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB 7200 RPM

SSD Hard Drive(Just for Windows): Corsair 30 GB

Case: COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper

Dvd Drive: Asus DVD

Ram: Corsair Vengeance 3 X 4Gb

Things I think I understand and questions I have from what I've learned from research today:

p67 vs z68
z68 chipset is coming out within the month and it has added support for SSD and OC, though it has on board memory and doesn't support SLI or Crossfire. Because I intend to leave my options for upgrading open I want SLI capabilities even if I am not currently using it, hence the ASUS deluxe with p67 chipset. If I wanted I could wait till the end of the year for "x68" which would provide the extra features of z68 as well as multi GPU support. But I don't want to wait that long. Do I have that figured out alright?

Power supply
I understand my power supply is an over kill, (though I got a killer deal on it) again I want to leave my options open for potentially adding a second GPU, is it still an overkill? Can I save money by cutting back?

GPU
That said about potentially doubling my GPU, maybe you all with more experience can help me out? Will I definitely need it? Will I definitely not need it? Use Bf3 as a benchmark, I do not require highest settings, but I do not want lowest settings.

Cooling
This is where I am dead in the water. All this water cooling, fans etc. I don't know what I need, at all. I was warned to not skimp on the case, make sure it's solid well cooled and well set up. I think I did it, as $160 makes it one of the more expensive items. But is this enough cooling? What if I add a second GPU?

I really appreciate your help. I did my research I just don't want to pull the trigger with out getting some more experienced feedback! Thanks.
 
ok, the 1000W is overkill even with a pair of 560s. A high quality 650W to 750W is all you need for that.

If you overclock, I'd suggest a Thermaltake Frio cooler, at $58 its one of the best coolers on the market. If that's too much for a CPU cooler, try a Coolermaster hyper 212+ at about $30.

Rather than the WD Caviar Black, I suggest the Seagate 500GB, which is a single platter drive, thus faster, and less expensive, or pay a few dollars moer for a Samsung spinpoint F3 1 TB drive.

 

zab329

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This shows 2 580s in SLI using 777. I know 560s aren't 580s but is there that huge of a difference? For $50 less I can go with an 800, would that be able to handle overclocking the 560s? It wouldn't be able to handle overclocking the 580s. In fact I would want more leeway that if I was just straight using them in SLI.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4008 [...] gtx-580/17
 

genghiskron

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here are some things to consider. as far as performance goes, the asus p8p67 pro gives you everything the deluxe does, for less (including x8/x8 pci-e lanes for sli). the deluxe comes with silly features you dont need. if you decide to go with the deluxe, theres a combo for that too, but i say you save your money for other things:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.636497

id be truly surprised if a single 560ti cant play BF3 on high. Not highest with max AA, but high.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.630565
the fan favorite factory overclocked 560 ti is more expensive, but you may want to consider it as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.632378

the 750TX will handle 2 overclocked 560TI's with no problem. And its on sale (with promo code).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=750tx-_-17-139-006-_-Product

while you can feel free to spend as much as youd like on a case. these two cases, for example, will provide more than adequate cooling in combination with a good cpu cooler (the extra $70 or so really doesnt give you better cooling):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&cm_re=storm_scout-_-11-119-196-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

before you buy a cpu cooler, id make sure that it will fit with 4 sticks of that tall ass ram.

edit: The BF3 Gameplay Videos are purportedly recorded using a single GTX 580. If this is true, then a gtx 580 build would be a great choice (there are even better combos for that build, matey.) You may want to consider a build that is not SLI capable, but uses a single gtx 580. This will bring the price down considerably, and will eliminate any problems that SLI setups can run into.
 

zab329

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I've already switched to the pro after realizing that. Thanks! Should have updated it.

Can I personally overclock the 560 and receive the same results?

I've dropped down to the 800 gold series it was part of a bundle, but I'll compare prices with the 750tx.

I am building 2 identical computers, so I'll be putting 12 GB of ram in, I'll edit that so it's clear.

Would you still suggest a cooling unit with the original case I selected? I have kinda grown keen to it and could justify spending a little more for it if I knew I could forgo a cooling unit.

Thanks, for your help!
 

genghiskron

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i think you mean 8gigs :) You can personally overclock that 560ti and receive the same results. However, the MSI Twin Frozr will probably allow you to go a little higher (past its factory overclock) because it has a superior cooling system.

If you like modular PSU's also consider this one (quality/price with the promo code is superb:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&Tpk=x750

ScrewySqrl recommended 2 great cpu cooler to you.
 

zab329

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There is that crazy deal on the vengeance ram but they only allow 3 sets of 8 GBs purchased, and since I'm am buying two computers I figure I'll get 3 X 8 = 24 / 2 = 12gb per =). Sorry confusing.

Also my head hurts after figuring it out but with the combo below the $150 storm sniper case and the 800W gold Corsair is $30 more than the $100 case and the Sesonace as they are not combo-ed. Damn-it marketing win they got me to spend more, but I think the value is greater. Unless I missed something you'd or another reader wouldn't mind pointing out.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.636711

As far as the factory overclock am I right to conclude that "a little higher" is not worth the $70/machine increase? The single 560 manually OC should be able to handle everything until it doesn't then I'll get another and be good until 2014-15. =)

So now that I've settled on this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194 b/c of the combo, and have 12 GB of "tall ass ram" do I need and can I fit a cooling unit?

Finally Genghiskron you mentioned if I switched to a non SLI it would save me money. I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. The 580 is going to cost an extra $245(with all the rebate craziness), I'd be able to save on the non-pro mobo, so -20 other than that I'd still want the 800W PS, maybe I could lower that, but everything else would be the same. so I'd be spending 225 more. That is roughly the cost of a 560(with rebate) and I hear 2 560s are slightly faster than a 580. Plus when I need an upgrade in a couple years the 560 will be dirt cheap, and I'll have the capacity to upgrade, yes?
 

genghiskron

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you dont want 12gbs per computer. you need to run ram in dual channel which means you need 2 or 4 ram sticks, not 3. you would be better off with 8gb per. 8gb is more than enough ram. Many will argue you only need 4gb.

You seem like a good candidate for an SLI build. Sorry i dont have more time otnight.
 

mortonww

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You might be able to shift the money around a bit to get a faster gaming rig. The 560 Ti is fast, but you have $100 stored up in the processor category that is giving you zero gaming benefit, so here's something to think about:

i5 2500k ($230)
ASUS P8P67 PRO ($190)
Same RAM (nice find!) ($75)
GTX 570 Superclocked ($310 AR)
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB ($65)

As for the SSD, 30 GB will not be enough. Windows 7 64 bit takes up 20 GBs. And you don't want your SSD completely full as that will slow it down. Leaving just 10%, will give you only 7 GBs of space after the OS and before any formatting is taken into consideration. I wouldn't even bother with a 30 GB SSD.

It might be a better idea to partition your OS onto a samsung drive with plans to mirror that partition onto an SSD at a later date when you can get one that's maybe 120 GB or 100 GBs. By then they may even be cheaper and faster than what's available now.

HAF 922 ($90)
Corsair 950 TX ($125 until 4/21)


This totals just $1085 and will outperform the build in your original post. You could also consider this card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127579&cm_re=msi_lightning-_-14-127-579-_-Product

It's the $525 MSI GTX 580 Lightning. It's ridiculous. Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWs01pMrzuE

That would bring your total to $1300 but would be fast as, well, lightning.
 

zab329

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With the i5 can I still SLI at a later date? Whats the main difference between the i7 and i5?

My goal was to use the SSD for just my OS and use the other HD for all the storage needs, games, music etc. I understand you don't want it too full or it will slow down, but what if I increased it to a 40 GB? Then it'll be 75% full at max? Also I don't need 1tb, whats the difference between the samsung t3 500gbs and the seagate 500GBs, everyone seems to be suggest the samsung?

Yeah I've been bouncing back between the 560 and the 570 a lot(the 580 seems unnecessary, though if I had infinite $s, yes please). My final thought was this, if the 560 can run everything fine now why do I need the 570? When the 560 can't run everything fine, the 570 wont be able to either. At that point I will SLI my 560s. Is my logic flawed with inexperience?
 


the samsung is a little faster for a few more dollars, basically.

as for SLI, my reccomendation is do it up front, or withing 3-6 months. By the time a 560 won't cut it, it'll be better to buy a whole new system instead. You don't see people recommending you SLI your 9800GTX or HD4850 anymore
 

mortonww

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Yeah, I agree with Scewwy Sqrl. If you SLI right away or very soon, it'll make more sense to sli. But waiting a year and a half or so would be like me SLI-ing my gtx 275 or 260 now. That setup would be slower than the upper mid-range and lack newer features and optimizations of more recent hardware.

But one point in favor of a single fast card is that there are some games that have trouble with multi-gpu setups. Whether it be scaling, flickering issues (see Crysis 2) or just flat-out non-support, you run the risk of having trouble in some games.

Also, inherent to all multi-gpu setups is "microstuttering"

See: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1317582

 

zab329

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Around $1300 would be optimal.

After researching I really don't need faster processing for gaming huh? The bottleneck will always be with the videocards/monitor? So that means it makes much more sense to go with the i5.

With that decided I am still unsure why it's necessary to SLI two 560s or get even a single 570 when a single 560 will perform just fine? Yeah it'll be badass to SLI but I think unnecessary?

You all have been fantastic helps btw! Please excuse my ignorance!
 

mortonww

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For $1300, seriously consider the build in my post above.

A single Lightning will perform very well at 1080p (this is your monitor's resolution, right?) for a looooong time with higher graphics settings than a 560 Ti. I guess my philosophy on this is: if you want purely a gaming rig, get the best gpu solution you can afford without making the build unbalanced. And I think a 580 + i5 2500k is a very good gaming option.

But what games are you looking forward to playing? Mass Effect 3, Elder Scrolls V, Batman Arkham City (which will make good use of PhysX if its predecessor is any indication), Crysis, Crysis 2, Battlefield Bad Company 3?

 

zab329

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Why are so many people bothering with crazy SLI shenanigans and 580 lightnings? It makes me feel like that's the norm. This isn't even my money I'm spending and I'm taking a step back and saying wait a second is this all really necessary?


Verdict: I guess I'll still keep the Asus Pro and 800W PS leaving me the option to upgrade it's only a total of $70 more.

Thanks again guys!!
 

mk-ultra

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I would go with the Spire Thermax Eclipse II It gives me temps in the 15C region. http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm rated number 1 in frosty tech.

The PSU is fine, 1000W is overkill but gives him very much upgrade room, and peace of mind.