My last build was 7 years ago. Things have obviously changed a bit, and I'm going Intel this time. I'm looking to put together a performer that might last for 7 more years. I have a handful of questions below.
Here's the parts list of what I have in mind: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15427091
Approximate Purchase Date: Dec 2011 or Jan 2012
Budget Range: 1100 to 1500 after rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, Netflix, light compiling, surfing
Parts Not Required: reusing kvm, keyboard, mouse, drives (might eventually add SSD), monitor is Acer h243h 1920 x 1080 - might buy #2 at same resolution (seems like the right price point)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: have quite a few HD's, so want a full tower case. replacing a Silverstone Temjin 6 silver full tower, which was gorgeous in it's day, but only 2 fans seems risky with this new build?
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, but might talk myself into bigger and better over the next couple of years
Additional Comments: specific questions about parts are in the wishlist notes (http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15427091), and below, but would also appreciate some warnings or advice, since the market is so different from when I did my last build.
Processor Question 1: Or maybe I should get the i5-2500K and save $95??? Is an integrated memory controller the only real difference? What does that buy me?
Video Question 1: I may start with zero video cards, add one, then add another. Gradually build up. The newegg description says no onboard video, but then there are 2 HDMI ports... So, there really is onboard video, right?
Video Question 2: This isn't on the ASRock website support list, but has anyone had issues wth 2-waying this? Has anyone had proven success with this or two other 6950s of similar price? AT $300, I may start off with just one, then add another...
Video Question 3: Or, for about the same price (2 x $159.99), am I better off getting two of these from the ASRock approved list? ASUS EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5/V2 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Memory Question 1: Is this memory with 1600 cas latency 7 good? Or would 2133(oc) w cas latency 9 be better? (G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH for $179.99)
Memory Question 2: If I choose frequency over latency, and take the Ripjaws Z, that's also not on the ASRock website support list. Has anyone had this work OK?
Thanks in advance for any answers, pointers, thumbs ups, "that combo worked for me," and other comments.
Here's the parts list of what I have in mind: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15427091
Approximate Purchase Date: Dec 2011 or Jan 2012
Budget Range: 1100 to 1500 after rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, Netflix, light compiling, surfing
Parts Not Required: reusing kvm, keyboard, mouse, drives (might eventually add SSD), monitor is Acer h243h 1920 x 1080 - might buy #2 at same resolution (seems like the right price point)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: have quite a few HD's, so want a full tower case. replacing a Silverstone Temjin 6 silver full tower, which was gorgeous in it's day, but only 2 fans seems risky with this new build?
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, but might talk myself into bigger and better over the next couple of years
Additional Comments: specific questions about parts are in the wishlist notes (http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15427091), and below, but would also appreciate some warnings or advice, since the market is so different from when I did my last build.
Processor Question 1: Or maybe I should get the i5-2500K and save $95??? Is an integrated memory controller the only real difference? What does that buy me?
Video Question 1: I may start with zero video cards, add one, then add another. Gradually build up. The newegg description says no onboard video, but then there are 2 HDMI ports... So, there really is onboard video, right?
Video Question 2: This isn't on the ASRock website support list, but has anyone had issues wth 2-waying this? Has anyone had proven success with this or two other 6950s of similar price? AT $300, I may start off with just one, then add another...
Video Question 3: Or, for about the same price (2 x $159.99), am I better off getting two of these from the ASRock approved list? ASUS EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5/V2 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Memory Question 1: Is this memory with 1600 cas latency 7 good? Or would 2133(oc) w cas latency 9 be better? (G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH for $179.99)
Memory Question 2: If I choose frequency over latency, and take the Ripjaws Z, that's also not on the ASRock website support list. Has anyone had this work OK?
Thanks in advance for any answers, pointers, thumbs ups, "that combo worked for me," and other comments.
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