Need some advice for a 2400USD Gaming rig.

[willfred86]

Hello,
So I am ready to get rid of my core 2 duo. I looking for something that will last me at least 5 years.
I ll start with the standard questionaire.

Approximate Purchase Date: 2 weeks

Budget Range: USD 2500,00 (price does not include monitor)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: CAD (AutoCad, CATIA, Nastran), matlab, Gaming, Internet, Videos.

Parts Not Required: Buying everything, including monitor.

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

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: CPU Intel i7, no preference for the rest.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: Dell ultrasharp 30" (2560 x 1600)

Additional Comments: A rig able to play most games max out at 2560 x 1600 for 5 years and strong for FEA analysis.

I have built these specs using new egg.

Corsair Graphite 600T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139007

WD caviar black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136793

XFX HD7970 3gb 384-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150585

SeaSonic 1050W 80 plus gold
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110

G Skill 16gb (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

MSI z68-gd80 LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130610

Intel Core i7 2600K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Crucial M4 128GB SATA III
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442



Sooooo what do you guys think about the setup. Will this setup hold well with a 2560x1600 screen for a few years?
I might get the Corsair Hydro H80 for my CPU cooling, but not sure.

One last question, I am thinking of buying a sound bar as speakers, and wanted your opinion, because since the sound bar is going to be on top of the table maybe there wont be enough space between the sound bar and the position of the chair to get the surround sound effect. Has anybody used a sound bar with a computer? Also has anyone used the audio optical out of a motherboard? Is the sound quality descent or should I buy a sound card?

The manual of the sound bar doesn't say if there is a minimum distance.
http://www.samsung.com/us/video/home-theater/HW-D450/ZA-specs

thanks

 

[a4mula]

I think the budget is extreme for a 1155 build.

For that kind of money you could easily put together a 3930K Z79 build.

A lot of what you have listed, while premium in selection is overkill. 8GB dimms are still very expensive. The PSU is well beyond what is required even with 2x 7970. I just have a hard time understanding how you made it to $2500 based on what you've listed.

I've been doing a lot of research at the $2500 range and I've come up with 5 or 6 builds that include everything from triple IPS monitors to 4xSSD + RAID cards to a solid 3930K build that are all within $100 of this budget with monitors included.

I'd either scale back your budget or look towards Z79. Just my thoughts.

 

[willfred86]

Thanks for the reply a4mula
I was thinking on sandy bridge-e but all the reviews and tech websites recommended getting the 2600k i7 instead of the 3930k, since all of them talk about the value and how little gain I would see with a 3930k compared to 2600k.
Thats the main reason why I went with z68 chipset.

Now with the current configuration I have 2100usd but I need to get a cpu cooler and some other accessories like case fans, cables, etc.

Also I choose the 1050W PSU so in the future I can get another AMD 7970 and do crossfire.

I see your point in the 2x8gb being to expensive, I saw a 4x4gb going for 80usd, which isnt bad.

So you think it is best to go with the 3930k? I'll see how the new configuration comes up to.

Thanks for the help.

 

[a4mula]

I think it just depends on which direction you want to take the build. 1155 is a highly functional platform. I do however think that it's a limited platform that isn't nearly as future-proof or capable as 2011.

The 3930k is no doubt an amazing processor. There are some instances in certain cpu bound games in which the extra cache and processing power would be utilized, but for the most part you're not going to get the most of its 6 core power in everyday or gaming use.

The 3820 is the 3rd SB-e cpu that will launch Feb 13. It'll perform much more similar to the 2600K/2700K. It's a quad-core hyperthreading cpu that will launch at 289.99. At this price point it's going head to head with the 2600K.

You still have to keep in mind that the lowest priced X79 motherboard is currently $209.99 which puts it well ahead of most Z68 offerings. But with X79 you get full pci-e 3.0 support on all pci-e lanes and 40 ondie pci-e lanes versus the 20 of 1155 (20+20 with NF200).

Do either of those things matter? It just depends on what you're planning on doing with your pc. If you're looking at 3x gpus, or 2x gpus + a RAID card, or future gpus that could saturate pci-e 2.0 x8 lanes, then yes. If you're building a computer today that you'll never upgrade, probably not.

For me personally, the price gap between 1155 and 2011 (3820) is close enough that I'll opt for 2011 all day long. With the budget you're working with, I'd recommend it as well.