$2400 Max Budget I7-2600K Rig

[adensolus]

I've been reading through the forums for a few hours and can't seem to find a thread that puts all the pieces to my puzzle together. Ideally I'd like to keep my price under $2000 with shipping but going over would be worth it for the stability and comfort that they machine will hold its own for a while.

The rig is primarily for gaming and despite the back and forth between I5-2500K and the I7-2600K I'd like the hyper threading for possible future use, seeing as it can be turned off for now.

I do not wish to use the on chip GPU, so from what I understand from other threads I'm best off with multiple video cards with SLI feature on the Mobo.

I'll be purchasing on newegg for all the hardware.

I will not need speakers/mouse/keyboard, and currently my "monitor" is a 50" Panasonic Plasma tv hooked up via HDMI. The sound card would be connecting to a home theater system via a digital in input.

I'm not sure if I'll be purchasing another copy of Windows 7 Pro or just transferring the license and scrapping this machine.

I would like to use an SSD to contain the OS and some games that have a permanent home on my PC. This is in addition to a non SSD HD for the majority of games, files, programs, etc.

However I'm up for suggestions on everything, case, graphics cards, sound cards, power supply, RAM, etc. Please keep in mind aside from the speakers/mouse/keyboard if I need any particular items such as cables, particular thermal paste, or additional hardware that may not be included in a bundle, just to include what you can think of. I'd like to be able to start assembly right out of the boxes without making any addtional trips to a local store for last minute buys. Thank you so much in advance for your help.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <--- this is the sticky topic at the top of the New Build forum here. It cuts right to the chase. Please copy and paste that on here.

 

[AWDGOD]

Now's not the time to build a new gaming rig with the new Intel chips coming in the next 2 months
with quad channel ddr3 and also new PCIE 3.0 cards coming at the same time!

 

[cutebeans]

I have a feeling that Hyperthreading may be incorporated into games in the future but by that time the i7-2600k would be obsolete.

Games can't even fully utilize the quad cores yet.

 

[adensolus]

Approximate Purchase Date: Now

Budget Range: $1000-$2400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Blu-Ray

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Neweggg

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences:by brand or type: Intel / Nvida

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: SLI Yes

Monitor/TV Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (currently for monitor) would like triple monitor set up

Additional Comments: SSD for OS, HDD for games and media, possibly looking into water cooling, going with PCIe 3 board and would like to SLI Nvidia GPUs at x16/x16

Parts List:

Cooler Master HAF X 942 $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119239

ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 $274.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269&Tpk=N82E16813157269

I7-2600K SB 3.4GHz $314.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Noctua D14 $85.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=noctua%20d14

PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKII 950W $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=xzs2sxaelhog

Crucial m4 128gb 198$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=f3%201tb&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1giymshq5axt0


(x2) MSI Geforce Lightning Extreme Edition GTX 580 3072mb $594.00
but not playing well with my budget
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127589

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $51.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-233-144&SortField=0&SummaryType=1&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=true&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&chkPurchaseMark=on&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=2

ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM $58.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1eeh1bgkldhnu

 

[cutebeans]

Hey, it's up to you. It's practically the same with the i5-2500k. It's just that you can do alot with $100 dollars.

 

[adensolus]

Hey, it's up to you. It's practically the same with the i5-2500k. It's just that you can do alot with $100 dollars.

Thanks, if I were to go with the I5-2500k is there a particular mobo / graphics cards set up you would recommend?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

have you ever thought of a tri monitor setup?

 

[adensolus]

have you ever thought of a tri monitor setup?

What would the advantage be to having that setup? I usually game using a 50" Plasma, I could switch to that type of setup as it would reduce my need for using a laptop to run IE and teamspeak as I would have a seperate monitor for it...but whats the purpose of the third screen? Does a tri monitor setup offer any benefits to performance? Great now ya got me curious

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the other option is running essentially a super wide screen across all three monitors (5760x1080), very top end gpus can handle this:

 

[PepitoneConQueso]

Now's not the time to build a new gaming rig with the new Intel chips coming in the next 2 months
with quad channel ddr3 and also new PCIE 3.0 cards coming at the same time!

Ivy Bridge and PCIE 3.0 cards are being released Q1 2012, probably March.

The only thing worth waiting for right now is AMD Bulldozer which is set to release next week. They might be faster than some sandy bridge chips and the release may also trigger a price drop for intel.

With all the games coming out over the next 2 months do you really want to wait until next year to build a PC?

 

[adensolus]

Ivy Bridge and PCIE 3.0 cards are being released Q1 2012, probably March.

The only thing worth waiting for right now is AMD Bulldozer which is set to release next week. They might be faster than some sandy bridge chips and the release may also trigger a price drop for intel.

With all the games coming out over the next 2 months do you really want to wait until next year to build a PC?

The Bulldozer sounds promising if it can significantly out perform the I7-2600K, maybe I'll have to think out seperate AMD and Intel builds. And as far as waiting for the Ivy Bridge that is slightly out of my time frame, thanks for updating me on that.

Crap now I supose I should hold out planning for a couple weeks waiting for some remarks on the Bulldozer and see if Intel decides to push their I7-2700K. Thanks Pepitone.

 

[adensolus]

the other option is running essentially a super wide screen across all three monitors (5760x1080), very top end gpus can handle this:

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww270/slipstream_uk/PC/SNC11310.jpg

Thats pretty good motivation for tri monitors thank you, I'll have to see where I'm at after sorting out the rig to look into something like that. Does that require three SLI linked graphics cards?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

no. one Eyefinity top end (6950/6970), or 2 NVidia in SLI. technically even a 6670 could drive three monitors like that, but at unplayable FPS (like 5) (NVidias maxes monitors to 2 per card except 590s)

 

[adensolus]

OK so, assuming I stick to the I7-2600K, disabling onchip GPU and HT, what is going to be the best motherboard choice to run single monitor with ability to go tri? I also want to be able to easily OC and disable the onboard GPU if there is one, as well as being able to house all the expansion cards comfortably.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

a Z68 with at least 8x/8x PCIe-16x slots.

here are the least expensive such boards:

GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128495

MSI Z68MA-G45 (B3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130612

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[mjmjpfaff]

What would the advantage be to having that setup? I usually game using a 50" Plasma, I could switch to that type of setup as it would reduce my need for using a laptop to run IE and teamspeak as I would have a seperate monitor for it...but whats the purpose of the third screen? Does a tri monitor setup offer any benefits to performance? Great now ya got me curious

it lets you see more than everyone else since it doesnt just expand the pricture. and it looks awesome 😉

 

[adensolus]

Nice, so now I have motivation to try to make the tri-monitor setup work.

And planning on using the
I7-2600K assuming theres no significant benefit to another processor aside from price.

a Z68 with at least 8x/8x PCIe-16x slots.

here are the least expensive such boards:

GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128495

MSI Z68MA-G45 (B3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130612

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157271

Thank you Screwy, it looks like at a quick glance that these support PCIE 3.0 so I can grab down the line, the new cards Pepitone and AWDGOD mentioned. Now is there a particular motherboard that has x16/16x PCIE slots? Otherwise one of these will be great when I get the chance to really look them over.

Yay progress! It's funny that when I want to spent money there is waiting involved and when I don't have money there is no waiting...stupid release dates.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

my suggestion is pret a 2500K built using the AS Rock board (the only one of the three with PCIe 3.0) and a pair of 570s.

And prep a 990 FX board build with the expectation of a 8120 ($205) or 8150 ($245) if they benchmark as fast or faster than the 2500K.

(basically, the only thing you'd change between them is the CPU & mobo)

 

[mjmjpfaff]

Gateway 21.5" 2ms- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 x3=450$

i5 2500k- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 220$

Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264 200$

PowerColor 6970 2gb- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131391 x2=700$

Silverstone Raven RV03- http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Extended-90-Degree-Motherboard-RV03B-W/dp/B004X19B02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318039212&sr=8-1 140$

Pc Power and cooling 950w- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028 130$

Corsair Vengeance 8gb 1600mhz- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144 49$ use the 2 & 4 ram spots so the cpu cooler doesn't hit the heatsinks

Hyper 212 Evo- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&Tpk=hyper%20212%20evo 35$

Lite On 24x DVD burner- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 19$

Samsung f3 1tb- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=f3%201tb 60$

Crucial m4 128gb- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442 198$

Total=2201$

 

[adensolus]

Alright, update time. I'm trying to work something out for the monitors so they're off the shopping list for now.

Looks like the bulldozer is a let down so I'll sit tight for a few days and see if Intel announces anything with the I7-2700K if not, looks like I'm back to the drawing board.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

Alright, update time. I'm trying to work something out for the monitors so they're off the shopping list for now.

Looks like the bulldozer is a let down so I'll sit tight for a few days and see if Intel announces anything with the I7-2700K if not, looks like I'm back to the drawing board.

for gaming the 2600k and 2500k will not be beaten even by the sandy bride-e cpu's. they are not worth it

 

[adensolus]

for gaming the 2600k and 2500k will not be beaten even by the sandy bride-e cpu's. they are not worth it

Well that solves that heh. OK so I've done as much research as I can process for the moment on motherboards, and your suggestion sounds awesome thank you!

So with I7-2600K

and

ASRock Z68

that leaves me happy with these as long as I'm understanding correctly that two PCIe 3 GPUs will run at x8/x8 (when they are made available) but in the mean time I can use two PCIe 2 GPUs...I'd prefer two cards @ x16 but doesn't look like any motherboards do that yet.

Next question is the GPUs, it seems there is much support for 570s in SLI...why not 580s? Can it be done, is it better then two 570s, what benefit is there to two 570s instead of two 580s. With a 580 do I even need two? Can I still use a tri-monitor set up with one 580?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

ok, 580s are much more expensive than 570s:
a 580 starts at $480. two would be $960.

570 starts at $320, so $640 for two.

the 580s only give about a 10% improvement, so its not worth a 50% increase in cost.

 

[adensolus]

ok, 580s are much more expensive than 570s:
a 580 starts at $480. two would be $960.

570 starts at $320, so $640 for two.

the 580s only give about a 10% improvement, so its not worth a 50% increase in cost.

cheaper is a good reason, now is that 10% @ both cards or 10% @ each card. I thought I read somewhere that a 580 was like two 570s.

as far as mfr goes who puts out the best cards?

I started looking into cases and I'm leaning towards the HAF X, is there a particular model case that stands out from the others in performance and neatness. I saw one that came with a 1000w power supply that looked good but wasn't sure on the quality of the brand of PSU...that and the blue light cases seem to hold a bit more appeal to me then the red but I'll cave if its a solid purchase.