Need critique of GTX 590 build

spingadus

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Feb 18, 2007
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18,510
Usage: Getting back into gaming and 24/7 folding/boinc.
Approximate Purchase Date: asap
Budget Range: $1500
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com, tigerdirect.com
Country of Origin: USA
Overclocking: Yes, but no voltage modifications.
SLI or Crossfire: In the future
Additional Comments: I want it to be as quiet and cool as can be, short of full water cooling.(for now).


EDIT: Updated parts...

CPU:
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop $314.99

CASE:
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case $189.99
or
SilverStone 0.8 mm Steel SSI CEB / ATX Full Tower Computer Case with Side Window RV02B-EW (Matte Black) $179

MEMORY:
[strike]16GB G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (2 sets) $139.98(total)[/strike]

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $124.99

MOBO:
ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $189.99

HD:
Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $223 with promo code

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM $99.99

PSU:
CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified $279.99
or
OCZ ZX Series 1250W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Gold High Performance Power Supply $239.99

I already own all other components including:

GPU:
EVGA GTX 590 Classified(already own it,using it in my i7 920)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130630

COOLING:
corsair h100 (Unused, was for my hot i7 920)

and/or

Noctua NH-U12P (was to be replaced by the h100)

keyboard/mouse/monitor/data drive/speakers.

---
Total price: $1,464.92



Reasoning:

cpu: I need ht for boinc/folding projects, so I went with the 2600k. I understand that ht it doesn't really help with gaming.

case: I want a large case that has good airflow and plenty of room for another GTX 590 and possible water cooling in the future. I like the industrial look.

mobo: I want the virtu z68 feature and pcie-3 future proofing. Only question is 'What performance hit will I take in (8x,8x) mode if I add another GTX 590'? Should I get a (16x,16x) board?

hd: Had great reviews and I just want to go ssd!

psu: Enough power if I wish to go dual 590's and water cooling if needed. Supposed to be decently quiet and cool due to great efficiency.

ram: 16GB for virtualization stuff. I expect the 1.25v ram to generate less heat. 1600mhz is supposed to be the sweet spot from what I've read.

Summary:
I'm concerned about heat and noise because this will be running 24/7, so my picks have reflected that. I plan on waiting for the 590 prices to drop when the new Nvidia gpus come out in 2012 and then I will buy another. On the other hand I may just get one for Xmas. If I am incorrect in any of my reasonings, please don't hesitate to point it out. You won't hurt my feelings.

So, what do ya think!
 
Solution
case- http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Steel-Computer-Window-RV02B-EW/dp/B004BDOGSO/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312779730&sr=1-4 it cools much better than the haf x because of its unique design

ram- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429 the low voltage ram is weird i dont think it helps heat at all

ssd- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191 quality corsair ssd for less after promo code. (it is also based on the new sandforce controller)

PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341046&Tpk=zx%201250 bigger and much cheaper

so you already have the h100?

what keyboard/mouse/monitor/data drive/speakers are you getting?

mjmjpfaff

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case- http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Steel-Computer-Window-RV02B-EW/dp/B004BDOGSO/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312779730&sr=1-4 it cools much better than the haf x because of its unique design

ram- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429 the low voltage ram is weird i dont think it helps heat at all

ssd- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191 quality corsair ssd for less after promo code. (it is also based on the new sandforce controller)

PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341046&Tpk=zx%201250 bigger and much cheaper

so you already have the h100?

what keyboard/mouse/monitor/data drive/speakers are you getting?
 
Solution

spingadus

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Feb 18, 2007
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18,510


Thanks for replying mjmjpfaff.

You've given me some homework to look into. I like the price cutting you've provided, I just want to make sure that the parts are of equal or better quality if I choose them.

I'm switching the ssd to what you provided and most likely the ram as well. I'm not a ram expert, but I read some people making comments about low voltage=less heat so I went with that. I'm ok with just going for normal tried and true ram for this build.

I picked the ax1200 because it gets rave reviews from everyone minus the price tag. Any technical differences to note between the corsair vs the ocz? Corsair supposedly has great customer service, how is ocz?

Nice case, I like the look and the space. Not completely sold on it yet though, but will read up.

Yes, I bought the h100 for my i7 920, which runs extremely hot mostly due to bad case airflow and 24/7 boinc crunching. I liked the fact that I could put the fan cooling outside of the case if needed. It was to replace my noctua. Unfortunately, I decided to just get a new rig after I had already made the purchase. It's in the mail and should be here tomorrow.

I'm reusing my current old g15 keyboard, g5 mouse, swan 200 speakers, seagate barracuda 500gb drive and westinghouse 37" monitor. I haven't decided on what new monitors to get when i go dual gpu's. The excessive gpu power will go to crunching boinc/folding for the time being.

btw, any idea on whether dual 590's will be ok with a 16x,8x slot config?

 

mjmjpfaff

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nevermind that psu i recommend this psu- http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-ATX12V-EPS12V-Supply-ST1200-G/dp/B004GGUATA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312784027&sr=8-1 or this one- http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Silent-Modular-Supply/dp/B003O8J11Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312784146&sr=8-1 . the ax 1200 is a great psu with a 7 year warranty. the other 2 have a 5 yr warranty. ill tell you if your psu has made it through 5 yrs you are good for the rest of its life.

look at the new review on tomshardware the raven rv03 cools better than the haf x and the rv02 cools better than the rv03.... also look into the corsair 650d so you can actually fit the h100 in your case.

monitors- http://www.amazon.com/23-6-Screen-Multi-Display/dp/B003HHK6KW/ref=sr_du_1_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1312784455&sr=8-1 this breaks the bank a little haha

3 of these- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176141 total=840$

or this- http://www.amazon.com/Super-Hex-Monitor-Stand-Monitors/dp/B0036Q30HK
with 6 of these- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051 total=1100$

they will be ok w/ 8x/8x
 

spingadus

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Feb 18, 2007
9
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18,510
You are a fountain of info mjmjpfaff!

Just as I was coming around to the Raven 2 it looks like my decision is made for me by the h100. Based on some searches, it appears both the raven 2 and 650d have issues with it, but the haf x doesn't. So, I'll stick with the haf x. An alternative would be the corsair 800d, but it's more expensive.

As for the psus, I think I'll stay with the corsair ax1200 as I don't see any advantage to the others except for a lower price on the cooler master who's reviews aren't as great. Also, I like the 7 year warranty of the ax1200. The only possible downside is that it's a single rail.

Oh and the links to some of those monitor setups... insane. Don't drop that 6 monitor setup, it weights 111 lbs!

And and quality headphones > speakers. :)

Thanks for you help!