3k-3.5k build.

[shaqxolotl]

Hi there, I have posted here recently but need some final advice. Here is what I know.

Approximate Purchase Date: November 1st-31st.

Budget Range: $3000-$3500 AUD.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, gaming and more gaming.

Parts Not Required: Need everything.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.PcCaseGear.com

Country of Origin: Australia.

Parts Preferences: I want liquid cooling and not sure if its worth it to get AMD Bulldozer or Intel's Sandy Bridge?

Overclocking: Yes.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080.

Additional Comments: I want to wait for the new line up of GPU's but I really don't want to wait until 2012 and I'm not sure whether to get Bulldozer because if I do I want an AMD GPU, but if I go with Intel, I want a NVIDIA GPU and don't really want to wait for NVIDIA or AMD's new GPU's.

This is currently what I'm thinking of:

Thermaltake Black Chaser MK-I Full Tower
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17340

EK-Supreme HF Acetal+EN Nickel
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18181

EK Full Cover VGA Block EK-FC580 GTX+ Acetal
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_160_878_880&products_id=17971

Black Ice SR1 280 Radiator
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15843 (in place of the 200mm top fan)

Swiftech MCP35X 12V Pump
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16185

XSPC Dual Bay Reservoir UV Blue
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13519 (in 2 front 5.25" bay)

Koolance Fluorescent Blue Liquid Coolant 700mL
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17655

Bitspower UV Reactive Smart Coil Ice Blue
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11744 (do I need two?)

XSPC High Flex Hose, 1/2, Blue/UV Blue
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17027 (do I need two?)

Intel Core i5 2500K
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16531

CoolerMaster 140mm Silent Blue LED Fan
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8136 (x3)

CoolerMaster 120mm 2-Pack Silent LED Fans
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6580

Lamptron FC5 V2 Fan Controller
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17216

EVGA GeForce GTX 580
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17006

Western Digital VelociRaptor 600GB WD6000HLHX
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14837 (primary for games)

Corsair Force Series 3 60GB SSD
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17788 (windows and small applications)

Logitech G510 Gaming Keyboard
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15700

G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM (2x4GB) DDR3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16934

Razer Lachesis V2 Gaming Mouse Blue
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16287

Razer Kabuto Gaming Mouse Surface
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12980

ASUS ML239H 23in IPS Widescreen LED Monitor
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17786

ASUS P8P67 EVO Motherboard B3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16805

Samsung SH-B123L 12X Blu-Ray DVD Combo Drive with Lightscribe
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16331

Corsair HX-750 Power Supply
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12110 (maybe the 850W version for SLI/Crossfire?)

Bullguard Internet Security Gamers Edition Retail
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12926 (Will the OEM version work?)

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64bit with SP1 OEM
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17032

Creative Tactic3D Sigma Gaming Headset
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17174

Sub-Total=$3258.50 + $178 Shipping

Total=$3436.50

Any feedback on the components will be great and please let me know if anything will not work together.

Thanks, and I'm looking for a best answer.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

a few changes- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Crucial+M4+SSD+128GB get a bigger ssd
hdd- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12711
maybe one of these for the cpu and the 280 for the gpu- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15842
you probably need 4 of those tubes
i dont see why you would need those 2 120mm fans and the 3rd 140mm
save 10$- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17662
the internet security thing is useless.
for crossfire you need 950w on the safe side

 

[shaqxolotl]

a few changes- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Crucial+M4+SSD+128GB get a bigger ssd
hdd- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12711
maybe one of these for the cpu and the 280 for the gpu- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15842
you probably need 4 of those tubes
i dont see why you would need those 2 120mm fans and the 3rd 140mm
save 10$- http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17662
the internet security thing is useless.
for crossfire you need 950w on the safe side

Apparently Swiftech make better pumps and it also looks better than the pump you suggested. I don't need a 128GB SSD because I will only be booting windows off it and "small" applications. I'll consider that 140mm radiator for the CPU as well, but is it really worth the price? Or will the 2x140mm radiator be enough?

This is the fan setup I was thinking of with this case:

The top 200mm fan gets replaced with the 2x140mm radiator, front 200mm fans (stock), 2x140mm fans on the radiator (can you mount 2 140mm fans on that radiator?), back 140mm fan (or the radiator you suggested with a 140mm fan mounted on it if possible?), put the 200mm fan that was taken of the top and put it on the side and finally 1x120mm fan on the bottom? Is this a good setup and is it possible to put fans on those radiators?

Thanks!

 

[mjmjpfaff]

the pump you listed is a low end swiftech and the one i listed is a higher end coolance. how good a pump looks does not matter since they are hidden.

no bottom 120mm. the 140mm fan that it comes with is a good fan. post something in the Water cooling section in the forums see what they say about how many radiators you should get.

the 128gb ssd will allow you to put many games on it along with your os and your most used applications. with wuicker loading games it means you are first on the server which gives you an advantage.

 

[shaqxolotl]

the pump you listed is a low end swiftech and the one i listed is a higher end coolance. how good a pump looks does not matter since they are hidden.

no bottom 120mm. the 140mm fan that it comes with is a good fan. post something in the Water cooling section in the forums see what they say about how many radiators you should get.

the 128gb ssd will allow you to put many games on it along with your os and your most used applications. with wuicker loading games it means you are first on the server which gives you an advantage.

Thank you very much! But for me, i don't need to spend the extra money on a 128GB SSD. Maybe I'll get two SSD's instead of the 600GB VelociRaptor. How many games can a 120GB SSD hold on it, and I mean games like BF3 and MW3?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

you should be able to hold your os and 6-8 games like that on it. i only play first person shooters myself too. the only fun games to me

 

[shaqxolotl]

you should be able to hold your os and 6-8 games like that on it. i only play first person shooters myself too. the only fun games to me

So do you think this will be a better option?

Corsair Force Series 3 60GB SSD
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_909&products_id=17788 (operating system and applications)

and this

Corsair Force Series 3 120GB SSD
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_909&products_id=17369 (for all of my games and stuff)

I also save $70.

Is that a better idea? I also wont download to many games anyway, just the major titles like I said before.

Thanks!

 

[shaqxolotl]

So is 120GB enough for maybe 5-10 FPS games?

 

[Why_Me]

If your going to build a gaming rig, do it right the first time. Put your money to where it counts the most, not in an over priced water cooling system. This build down below will get you at nor near 5.0Ghz although you any gain past 4.4Ghz in regards to FPS is minimal at best. Also you want a gaming monitor...like in a 120HZ monitor. You want a psu that will allow you to push two of those cards, and you want a case that cools good and gives you plenty of room to work with. Just add the mouse, keyboard, etc...

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_961&products_id=18307 $159.00
Corsair Carbide 500R Case - Black

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_305&products_id=17426 $219.00
OCZ Technology ZX Series 1000W Power Supply

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=18136 $315.00
ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 Motherboard

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16531 $229.00
Intel Core i5 2500K

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18376 $59.00
CoolerMaster Hyper 612 PWM CPU Cooler

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=16510 $65.00
G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (2x4GB) DDR3

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16331 $79.00
Samsung SH-B123L 12X Blu-Ray DVD Combo Drive with Lightscribe

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=12711 $59.00
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_909&products_id=17685 $239.00
Crucial M4 SSD 128GB

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1170&products_id=16738 $549.00
MSI GeForce GTX 580 Twin Frozr II Overclocked

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=375_974&products_id=17003 $95.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with SP1 OEM

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1210&products_id=18232 $389.00
Samsung S23A750 23in 120Hz 3D Widescreen LED Monitor

Total: $2,456.00 AUD

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme7%20Gen3 <----- A better look at that board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/ <----- PCI-E 3.0

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4272/asrock_z68_extreme7_gen3_intel_z68_motherboard_review/index.html <----- Review of that board with benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z68a-gd80-p8z68-deluxe-z68xp-ud5,3025.html <----- Review of that board done last week here on Toms. It earned Tom’s Hardware Best Enthusiast-Class Award

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009 <---- another look at that case

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=Corsair+Carbide+500R+review&oq=Corsair+Carbide+500R+review&aq=f&aqi=g1g-c1g-b1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=66371l66371l1l71333l1l1l0l0l0l0l746l746l6-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f14d857693f2309a&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- reviews of that case

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+review&oq=CoolerMaster+Hyper+612+PWM+r&aq=0s&aqi=g-s1&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2285l7501l0l9995l9l9l3l0l0l0l1781l6204l5-1.3.1.1l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f14d857693f2309a&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- reviews of that CM cpu cooler

 

[shaqxolotl]

If your going to build a gaming rig, do it right the first time. Put your money to where it counts the most, not in an over priced water cooling system. This build down below will get you at nor near 5.0Ghz although you any gain past 4.4Ghz in regards to FPS is minimal at best. Also you want a gaming monitor...like in a 120HZ monitor. You want a psu that will allow you to push two of those cards, and you want a case that cools good and gives you plenty of room to work with. Just add the mouse, keyboard, etc...

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_961&products_id=18307 $159.00
Corsair Carbide 500R Case - Black

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_305&products_id=17426 $219.00
OCZ Technology ZX Series 1000W Power Supply

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=18136 $315.00
ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 Motherboard

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=16531 $229.00
Intel Core i5 2500K

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18376 $59.00
CoolerMaster Hyper 612 PWM CPU Cooler

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_215&products_id=8135 $12.00
CoolerMaster 120mm SickleFlow Fan 2000rpm

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=16510 $65.00
G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (2x4GB) DDR3

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16331 $79.00
Samsung SH-B123L 12X Blu-Ray DVD Combo Drive with Lightscribe

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=12711 $59.00
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_909&products_id=17685 $239.00
Crucial M4 SSD 128GB

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1170&products_id=16738 $549.00
MSI GeForce GTX 580 Twin Frozr II Overclocked

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=375_974&products_id=17003 $95.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with SP1 OEM

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1210&products_id=18232 $389.00
Samsung S23A750 23in 120Hz 3D Widescreen LED Monitor

Total: $2,468 AUD

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme7%20Gen3 <----- A better look at that board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/ <----- PCI-E 3.0

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4272/asrock_z68_extreme7_gen3_intel_z68_motherboard_review/index.html <----- Review of that board with benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z68a-gd80-p8z68-deluxe-z68xp-ud5,3025.html <----- Review of that board done last week here on Toms. It earned Tom’s Hardware Best Enthusiast-Class Award

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009 <---- another look at that case

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=Corsair+Carbide+500R+review&oq=Corsair+Carbide+500R+review&aq=f&aqi=g1g-c1g-b1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=66371l66371l1l71333l1l1l0l0l0l0l746l746l6-1l1l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f14d857693f2309a&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- reviews of that case

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+review&oq=CoolerMaster+Hyper+612+PWM+r&aq=0s&aqi=g-s1&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=2285l7501l0l9995l9l9l3l0l0l0l1781l6204l5-1.3.1.1l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=f14d857693f2309a&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- reviews of that CM cpu cooler

It does look good, but I really like the idea of water cooling and have read a lot about it. What build out of yours and mine are better? The MoBo you suggested is expensive, and the SSD isn't as good as the one i listed, except for more space, which i stated before that i don't need it.

Thanks!

 

[Why_Me]

It does look good, but I really like the idea of water cooling and have read a lot about it. What build out of yours and mine are better? The MoBo you suggested is expensive, and the SSD isn't as good as the one i listed, except for more space, which i stated before that i don't need it.

Thanks!

Seeing how the Crucial SSD's don't use the Sandforce controller, and they have a 20% boost with the new firmware update, they are the top selling SSD atm. You posted a build that has a psu that's over kill for a single card yet not near enough to push two of those cards. If you don't need water cooling...which nobody needs with a Sandy Bridge build, then no need to waste the money. With an older Intel build or any current AMD build the water cooling would be a plus, but with a Sandy Bridge build it's a waste of time, money, and hassle. Put that money towards a better board, monitor, psu, etc... put it to where it counts. You want a 950+w psu to push two of those cards in SLI and leave you juice left over for o/c. That board I posted has the NF 200 Bridge allowing dual cards to run @ x16 instead of the usual x8, and it's set up for Ivy Bridge and the new generation vid cards with the PCI-E 3.0 slots. I posted the links in that build.

 

[shaqxolotl]

Seeing how the Crucial SSD's don't use the Sandforce controller, and they have a 20% boost with the new firmware update, they are the top selling SSD atm. You posted a build that has a psu that's over kill for a single card yet not near enough to push two of those cards. If you don't need water cooling...which nobody needs with a Sandy Bridge build, then no need to waste the money. With an older Intel build or any current AMD build the water cooling would be a plus, but with a Sandy Bridge build it's a waste of time, money, and hassle. Put that money towards a better board, monitor, psu, etc... put it to where it counts. You want a 950+w psu to push two of those cards in SLI and leave you juice left over for o/c. That board I posted has the NF 200 Bridge allowing dual cards to run @ x16 instead of the usual x8, and it's set up for Ivy Bridge and the new generation vid cards with the PCI-E 3.0 slots. I posted the links in that build.

Thank you so much for your help, it was a waste of money and your right, I will spend the money towards something that's WORTH it.

Thanks!

 

[shaqxolotl]

Best answer selected by shaqxolotl.