New build budget have a few questions

[matcauthon]

This my first time building a PC from scratch(ignoring the other parts)
Approximate Purchase Date: some time next month


Budget Range: 3000(after rebates and taxes), willing to go a bit more if necessary.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming(mainly WoW), surfing, and movies


Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon, zap(locally)

CPU: intel core i7 950 (http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37150) 280$

CPU Fan: Noctua NH-D14 (http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=34&lng=en&set=1) 95$

MOBO: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 (http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1366/P6T_Deluxe_V2/#specifications) 210$

GPU: X2 Radeon 6970 HD 2GB (http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6970/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6970-overview.aspx#2)740$
OR
X2 NVIDIA Geforce GTX 480 (http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_480_us.html) 680$

RAM:Kingston HyperX 12GB Kit (3x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 DIMM KHX1600C9D3K3/​12GX (http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1600C9D3K3_12GX.pdf) 140$

PSU: Corsair Professional Series™ HX1000 80 Plus Certified Modular Power Supply (CMPSU-1000HX)(http://www.corsair.com/power-supplies/modular-psus/professional-series-1/hx1000w.html) 240$
OR
Corsair Professional Series Gold High Performance 1200-Watt Power Supply CMPSU-1200AX (http://www.corsair.com/power-supplies/modular-psus/professional-series-gold-2/ax1200.html) 290$

HDD: X3 Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD10EALX(RAID 5)(http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=110) 210$

SSD: OCZ Technology 80 GB Vertex 2 Series SATA II 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (SSD) OCZSSD2-2VTX80G​ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227685)(it's newgg just for the details) 165$

Case: THERMALTAKE XASER VI BLACK + WINDOW VG4000BWS (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1303&ID=1421#Tab1)(locally)186$

Network: DWA-547 RangeBooster N™ 650 PCI Adapter (http://www.dlink.com.au/products/?pid=792)(locally) 43$

DVD-ROM:ASUS DVD-E818A6T (http://www.asus.com/Optical_Storage/Internal_DVD_Drive/DVDE818A6T/#specifications)(locally) 30$

System: Windows 7 Home premium 64 bit (locally) 115$

Monitor: Samsung 2443BWT-1 24-Inch LCD Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001371)
(it's newgg just for the details) 335$

Total: 2839$ - 2729$ including shipping

Country of Origin: Israel


Parts Preferences: CPU - intel for certain, MB - gigabyte or asus, HD - Western digital, PSU - CoolerMaster or Corsair. dont mind trying new companies though.


Overclocking: Yes(CPU, and maybe slightly GPU)


SLI or Crossfire: Yes


Monitor Resolution: 1920X1200


Additional Comments: My room has usually very high temp, and i had several heating problems in all of my previous computers(no OC), so i dont mind the noise, as long as my cooling system do the job. that's also the reason why i dont want to OC the GPU.
1) is this even compatible with each other?
2) should i go with the 1000 or 1200 PSU? i want to be able to use my system to all it;s worth for then just one year, but unnecessary overkill is not my desire.
3) which one is better, the 6970 ir GTX 480? both fall within my budget range, but the 480 have much higher wattage. does the difference in performance(if exists) justify the increase in power consumption?
4) If i build a PC with CF or SLI, do i need to connect both if the graphic cards to the monitor?
5)(i know, it's stupid, but i want to make sure) can DVD-ROM also read discs?
6)should i instal wow in the SSD for better performance(if it'l affect that at all) or will it damage the efficenty of the systeam software?

answers, comments and advices would be much appreciated. thanx in advance.

 

[jerreddredd]

Additional Comments: My room has usually very high temp, and i had several heating problems in all of my previous computers(no OC), so i dont mind the noise, as long as my cooling system do the job. that's also the reason why i dont want to OC the GPU.

Then dont do SLI or CF Lots of Heat there. Also it way overkill:

Tom's on WOW CPU and GPU perfomance:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-directx-11-performance,2793-5.html

2) should i go with the 1000 or 1200 PSU? i want to be able to use my system to all it;s worth for then just one year, but unnecessary overkill is not my desire.

you should go with a single GPU and a corsair HX650 even if you still want to SLI or CF, 850w is enough (Corsair HX850)

3) which one is better, the 6970 ir GTX 480? both fall within my budget range, but the 480 have much higher wattage. does the difference in performance(if exists) justify the increase in power consumption?

6970, but the GTX 580 is more the competition, not the 480, its old tech. and I would go with a 580 given the choice, as nvidia is better at driver support.

4) If i build a PC with CF or SLI, do i need to connect both if the graphic cards to the monitor?

no, the cards connect internally via a bridge cable/adapter.

5)(i know, it's stupid, but i want to make sure) can DVD-ROM also read discs?

yes

6)should i instal wow in the SSD for better performance(if it'l affect that at all) or will it damage the efficenty of the systeam software?

you should have enough room. I would bump up to a 120gb or bigger SSD though so that you can put a few more games on it.

Other thoughts on your build:
If you really want raid 5 don't use those WD Blue series HDD's. Select drives that are made for Raid. Western Digital RE3 or RE4 series or Seagate Constellation series.

Also the MB and CPU is you selected is old Tech. Socket 1366 is a "has been" and the performance to cost ratio it easly beaten by the newer Sandy bridge CPU (LGA 1155) and the P67/Z68 Motherboards. I would reconsider your selections.

there are plenty of articles on Tom's that back up this recommendation

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. I'd abandon the 1366 platform as the 1155 Sandy bridge platform is much more robust as a gaming platform

2. Your storage is last generation SSD and slow Blue energy saving HD's ... RAID offers no benefit for your applications. 3TB Barracuda will serve you better (fastest 7200rpm drive).

3. You mention WoW which greatly favors nVidia cards. The twin 560 Ti's will outperform the twin 6970's at 1920 x 1200. Guru3D uses the following games in their test suite, COD-MW, Bad Company 2, Dirt 2, Far Cry 2, Metro 2033, Dawn of Discovery, Crysis Warhead. Total fps (summing fps in each game @ 1920 x 1200) for the various options in parenthesis (single card / SL or CF) are tabulated below along with their cost in dollars per frame single card - CF or SLI:

$355.00 6970 (526/825) $0.67 - $0.86
$220.00 560 Ti - 900 Mhz (495/862) $0.44 - $0.51

If you go to a 30" (2560 x 1600) monitor, stick with the 6970, but the 900Mhz is the better performer and far better deal at 1920 x 1200.

4. I wouldn't use wireless on a desktop box, run a cable.

Case - $170 - Antec DF-85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
Case Fans - $15 - Antec Red 120 mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013
PSU - $120 - Antec CP-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024
MoBo - $465 - ASUS P8P67 WS Revolution http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660792
CPU - inc - Intel Core i5-2500K included in above combo
Cooler - $40 - Scythe SCMG 2100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
TIM - $5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $125 - (2 x 4GB) Mushkin CAS 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178
GFX - $220 - EVGA GTX 560 900Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130651
GFX - $220 - Same
HD - $214 - Seagate Barracuda XT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148736
SSD - $270 - OCZ Vertex 3 2.5" 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706
DVD Writer - $90 - Plextor BR Combo Drive w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249055
OS - $100 - Win 7-64 Pro OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758
Monitor - $350 - ASUS VG236HE Black 23" 1920X1080 2ms http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236104
Card Reader $35 AFT XM-35U http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820176016
Keyboard - NA - Logitech G510 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126100
Mouse - NA - Logitech G500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168n6104318

Cost $2,499

The Case / PSU is a stunning combination. The DF-85 is an upgrade of the 1200 and the combination's performance is well described in the link below. The CP-850 also receives a 10.0 perofrmance rating from jonnyguru.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article971-page7.html

The MoBo will give you full x16 x16 use of the GFX lanes which can produce almost a 10% increase in frame rates in some games at 1920 x 1200 (i.e STALKER goes from 91 to 99 fps). Interestingly enough however , turn AA off and performance drops slightly at x16 x16 but who would do that ? The real impact tho, as with better memory, is in minimum frame rates which the THG article didn't address.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p67-gaming-3-way-sli-three-card-crossfire,2910-7.html

Cooler - There are better coolers (i.e Thermaltake Silver Arrow) but for $40 this comes so close to the top coolers that ya may find it hard ti justify doubling the cost.

SSD / HD - The Vertex 3's 550 MB's read / 510 MBps write wa schallenged by the Corsair Force 3's but that Force 3's have been recalled. The Barracuda XT boots to Windows in 21.2 seconds, Vertex 3 in 15.6

The optical drive will write DvDs and play BR movies.

CAS9 RAM is $50 cheaper but since budget allows, lower CAS RAM, while not having a big impact on average frame rates, has been shown to increase minimum frame rates in games.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2792/12

22.3 % (SLI) increase in minimum frame rates w/ C6 instead of C8 in Far Cry 2
18% (single card) / 5% (SLI) increase in minimum frame rates w/ C6 instead of C8 in Dawn of War
15% (single card) / 5% (SLI) increase in minimum frame rates w/ C6 instead of C8 in World in Conflict

GFX - SLI is overkill for most games but games like Metro 2033 humble even the 580. One 560 gets you 26 fps in Metro 2033 which is a bit low .... twin 560's get 49 fps.

 

[genghiskron]

$2500 on a WoW box? You could always max it out with an $800 computer and spend the rest paying a warden to force chinese prisoners to farm gold for you.

 

[Nicoma]

If you plan on playing WoW and just WoW then I agree with genghis (although not with the way he put it) you are spending far to much when you can max the performace on a much lower budget. Though if you plan on playing other games in the future (Battlefield 3, Metro 2033, Crysis 2) you may want to spend that much.

If I were to make a suggestion it would be go with the above build BUT, a single 560 ti (still a bit overkill for WoW even with DX11), keep the nice Mobo and PSU for future upgrades such as SLI, Overclocking, ect. Unless you are planning on playing some 3D games in the future I'd also find a cheaper ASUS monitor, there are quite a few and they are all quite nice.

Doing all of that will cut down on cost but leave you plenty of headroom to upgrade and add to your machine in the future. Though like I said that's only if you plan on playing just WoW

 

[matcauthon]

thanks for replying guys. after reading your comments, and practicularly the article http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 793-5.html, i decided to make a few changes:


CPU: intel i5 2500k 285$(locally)

MOBO: gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449#sp) 289$(locally)

GPU: just one NVIDIA GEforce 580 gtx (if needed in the future, updrading the PSU & MOBO and adding second one) 685$(locally)

PSU: Antec CP-850W (http://www.antec.com/Believe_i/product.php?id=NzIw) 115$

RAM: 6 GB Kit Triple Channel Kit 1866 (PC3 15000) DDR3 SDRAM (http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1866C9D3T1K3_6GX.pdf) 145$

HDD: X3 Western Digital RE3 Enterprise 1TB SATA/300 7200RPM 32MB Hard Drive RAID(5) (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=50) 240$

monitor: ASUS VG236HE Black 23" 1920X1080
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236104) 354$

rest remains as it is. total including shipping: 2550$

i decided of one graphic card as a result of two considerations - heating( 2 cards produce far more heat then one) and power consumtion. just today a switch jumped in the second floor, where my computer is located, while it had just a 500W PSU. i certainly dont want to put in say, 1200W PSU and have the computer shut down just because someone else turned on the lights.
since all the house's inhabitants(me included) had grown tired of tripping and falling over the wires which go down from the second floor to the first one to connect the computers to the modem, i decided to use wireless connection this time.

- is the build compatible?(first time building one on my own, mistakes are more then possible)
- are 6gb enough for this system? mabe enough for wow, but i might play other games as well.

and again, i ask for your thoughts and comments - thanks in advance.

 

[genghiskron]

youll want a dual channel kit for this system, 8gb (2x4gb) is the right choice.

 

[brpeden82]

is it me or is too much on the cpu mainboard and graphics card. i know it bought localy. but online prices are way better for them items

 

[brpeden82]

you save $380 dollars if you buy them from newegg

 

[brpeden82]

opps i didnt see ure from isreal that explains alot

 

[matcauthon]

you save $380 dollars if you buy them from newegg

i cant buy it from newegg, as they only ship within the USA and Pureto Rico. Even in Amazon, which supposely can ship to Israel, there are many products which cannot be shipped outside of the USA. That forces to to limit myself to partially amazon and local stores(which are sometimes 25%-50% more costly).

G.Skill ECO Series F3-12800CL8D-8GBECO - Memory - 8 GB : 2 x 4 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR3 - 1600 MHz / PC3-12800 - CL8 - 1.35 V - unbuffered - non-ECC http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=320 is this RAM ok?

 

[jerreddredd]

i cant buy it from newegg, as they only ship within the USA and Pureto Rico. Even in Amazon, which supposely can ship to Israel, there are many products which cannot be shipped outside of the USA. That forces to to limit myself to partially amazon and local stores(which are sometimes 25%-50% more costly).

G.Skill ECO Series F3-12800CL8D-8GBECO - Memory - 8 GB : 2 x 4 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR3 - 1600 MHz / PC3-12800 - CL8 - 1.35 V - unbuffered - non-ECC http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=320 is this RAM ok?

I would stick with 1.5v Ram on a Sandy Bridge MB. and yes you need a dual channel kit and not a triple channel one. 8 Gigs is way plenty, you could get by with 4 though.

 

[matcauthon]

after some more reserch and reading, i got to this build:

CPU: intel core i5 2500k 285$ (locally)

CPU Fan: Noctua NH-D14 90$ http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=34&lng=en&set=1

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 280$ (locally) http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449#sp

GPU: NVIDIA GEforce 580 gtx 685$(locally)

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws - Memory - 8 GB : 2 x 4 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR3 - 1600 MHz / PC3-12800 - CL9 - 1.5 V - unbuffered - non-ECC 110$ http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=239

PSU: Antec CP-850W 115$ http://www.antec.com/Believe_i/product.php?id=NzIw

HDD: X4 Western Digital RE3 Enterprise 1TB SATA/300 7200RPM 32MB Hard Drive w/Caddy for HP Server (RAID 5)(http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=110) 360$

Case: THERMALTAKE XASER VI BLACK + WINDOW VG4000BWS 186$ http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1303ID=1421#Tab1 (locally)

Network: DWA-547 RangeBooster N™ 650 PCI Adapter 43$ http://www.dlink.com.au/products/?pid=792(locally)

DVD-ROM:ASUS DVD-E818A6T 30$ http://www.asus.com/Optical_Storage/Internal_DVD_Drive/DVDE818A6T/#specifications (locally)

System: Windows 7 Home premium 64 bit 115$ (locally)

Monitor: ASUS VG236HE Black 23" 1920X1080 355$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236104&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=155fxb2zmwylj

total shipping included: 2654$

I left out the SSD because as far as i could see, it's only porpuse is to speed up booting and a littlle map loading and such in games. 4 HDD's in RAID5 system are capable of doing that just fine, and 120gb SSD are much more expensive.

so far seems good to me. if you see anything flawed, dont hesitate to point out. thanks in advance.

 

[jerreddredd]

after some more reserch and reading, i got to this build:



I left out the SSD because as far as i could see, it's only porpuse is to speed up booting and a littlle map loading and such in games. 4 HDD's in RAID5 system are capable of doing that just fine, and 120gb SSD are much more expensive.

so far seems good to me. if you see anything flawed, dont hesitate to point out. thanks in advance.

Either go with a small SSD 40-64 Gb or another single fast HDD for a boot drive. you do not want to boot from a Raid system. Trust me on this one. if you have a system crash, the rebuild time on the raid is long and the system will slow to a crawl. if the raid is set as a secondary drive this will mitigate the probability of the raid getting corrupted and having to rebuild after a system crash and if it does need to rebuild, its not tying up the system drive/files when doing so.

Also to consider: Raid 5 is much slower than raid 0 and only slightly faster than a single drive the main benefit is redundancy.

 

[matcauthon]

Best answer selected by matcauthon.