Goal: BF3 Ultra

[Tequila Stud]

Hi all,

I've been tossing and turning with a new build this last week and I think I've finally come to a final list with kickass prices from NCIX (Thanks guys!). Before I list that, let me say that I'm upgrading from a ...

Intel Core2 Duo 2.4ghz (6600)
4MB RAM
Geforce 9800 GTX+

So needless to say, I'm pretty excited about this build. However, please advise if there are any items that could/should be tweaked. My intent with my processor is to upgrade to IB-E in 16-24 months, and add a second GTX 680.


Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth X79
CPU: i7-3820 (OC'd to 4.1ghz)
CPU Cooler: H100
RAM: Mushkin Redline Frostbyte 16GB (4x4GB) PC3-17000 (2133mhz)
GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX 680 Superclocked (1058mhz)
PSU: Seasonic X-1250 ATX 80PLUS Gold
Case: HAF X with Blue LED mods
SSD: Intel 520 180GB
OS: Win7 Pro

Total price with taxes/build in... $2650.

Cheers

 

[johnpaul182]

Should have no problem running BF3 on ultra.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

A 1250w power supply is just insane unless you plan on running 4 x GTX 680s. For 2 x GTX 680s a quality 750w power supply is more than enough even factoring in overclocking the rest of your computer heavily.

 

[Tequila Stud]

Yeah - the goal with the PSU was to use it for several years while I go 680 SLI, and eventually triSLI. Rather spend the money now than have to upgrade later.

But point taken. Appreciate it anort

 

[azeem40]

As the years go on, power requirements are expected to decrease, so for Tri-SLI, 950W is enough.

 

[Tequila Stud]

Even with GPUs? Do you have any sites to substantiate that? I'd be very inclined to making the move if this was the case. I figured with all high end components in multi-GPU config, the power requirements would be steep and continue to be.

Interesting! Cheers azeem.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The GTX 680 uses less power than the GTX 580. Every new generation uses less power due to the die shrink. Same for CPUs and GPUs.

 

[azeem40]

I believe Guru3D did a power requirements test for the GTX 680 in dual, tri, and quad-sli.

 

[mortonww]

Power consumption for gtx 680: http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-680-review/9

It's a 195 W TDP card. Two in SLI wouldn't require more than an 850 Watt power supply to run comfortably with the rest of your system.

Why LGA 2011? Adds cost but no gaming performance. An i7 3820 on an X79 board will perform just like an i7 2700k on a Z68 board and an i5 2500k will perform just as well or better in gaming.

My advice would be to wait for Ivy Bridge to be released in 3 weeks and do something like this:

i5 3570k
Asus P8Z77-V or -V/PRO, or Gigabyte UD3H z77
8 GBs of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226295&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1h0i4osi388sh

Corsair TX 850
Patriot Pyro SE or Intel 520 series 120 GB SSD for booting Windows and most-used programs

1 TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 for storage and other programs

And a GTX 680

That build would perform just as well in games as the one you have in the original post, but would cost maybe $1000 less. There is no benefit to having 16 GBs of RAM in a gaming rig.

Case is personal preference. Can't go wrong with the HAF X.

 

[Tequila Stud]

Power consumption for gtx 680: http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-680-review/9

It's a 195 W TDP card. Two in SLI wouldn't require more than an 850 Watt power supply to run comfortably with the rest of your system.

Why LGA 2011? Adds cost but no gaming performance. An i7 3820 on an X79 board will perform just like an i7 2700k on a Z68 board and an i5 2500k will perform just as well or better in gaming.

My advice would be to wait for Ivy Bridge to be released in 3 weeks and do something like this:

i5 3570k
Asus P8Z77-V or -V/PRO, or Gigabyte UD3H z77
8 GBs of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226295&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1h0i4osi388sh

Corsair TX 850
Patriot Pyro SE or Intel 520 series 120 GB SSD for booting Windows and most-used programs

1 TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 for storage and other programs

And a GTX 680

That build would perform just as well in games as the one you have in the original post, but would cost maybe $1000 less. There is no benefit to having 16 GBs of RAM in a gaming rig.

Case is personal preference. Can't go wrong with the HAF X.

Hey, thanks for the reply. I chose LGA2011 so I can upgrade to the IB-E in 16-24 months when it gets released without having to get a new mobo, etc.

 

[mortonww]

Ivy Bridge E and Sandy Bridge E get you quad-channel memory and a bunch of PCI lanes as well as access to six core processors, all of which you don't need for gaming. Also, getting a quad core sandy bridge on X79 will make it absolutely indistinguishable from an i7 2600k on a Z68 motherboard as soon as you close the case.

 

[ismaeljrp]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I chose LGA2011 so I can upgrade to the IB-E in 16-24 months when it gets released without having to get a new mobo, etc.

Seriously Tequila Stud listen to these guys , they know what they are talking about...2011 looks better on paper, but gaming wise....it's a bit of a waste....
Go with 1155 Ivy Bridge..... much smarter choice, and also I'd go with a corsair 850w PSU instead, either TX or AX series.... and get a larger SSD like 240gb sandforce drive....

 

[airborne11b]

Both the current SB-E chips, and the IB-E future chips will not net you "gaming performance.

If you do other things like 3d modeling or other professional apps with tons of threading, then sure, it might be worth it.

But right now most games only use 1 or 2 core, and the 1155 sockets are extremely low price + equal performance to the new SB-E and future IB-E.

Basically, by the time a CPU comes out that will be worth the upgrade, you will need a new mobo anyway. And you're spending a lot of extra cash on junk where you don't need too. Consider the cost 1155 board + a 2500k / 2550k, and you can almost buy another 680 GTX! LOL.

You can build what you want, and there are reasons to have SB-E / IB-E, but gaming is not one of them. I just went on newegg and built a fulltower system, 1155 mobo TRI SLI capable, 240gb SATAIII SSD, 2550k, and 680 GTX for $1650. Hell for $500 cheaper then what you have selected, I could throw in a 2nd 680 GTX.

I'm sorry but you're wasting you money if you do anything other then 1155 for gaming atm. It's sad, I know. I wish there was something truly better out there.

I've been gaming on an OCed 4.4ghz i7 X58 system for over 3 years now lol. I have lots of money saved up, and if there was anything worth the upgrade, I would buy it.

Rethink your build, please.

 

[xunicronx]

Hi all,

I've been tossing and turning with a new build this last week and I think I've finally come to a final list with kickass prices from NCIX (Thanks guys!). Before I list that, let me say that I'm upgrading from a ...

Intel Core2 Duo 2.4ghz (6600)
4MB RAM
Geforce 9800 GTX+

So needless to say, I'm pretty excited about this build. However, please advise if there are any items that could/should be tweaked. My intent with my processor is to upgrade to IB-E in 16-24 months, and add a second GTX 680.


Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth X79
CPU: i7-3820 (OC'd to 4.1ghz)
CPU Cooler: H100
RAM: Mushkin Redline Frostbyte 16GB (4x4GB) PC3-17000 (2133mhz)
GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX 680 Superclocked (1058mhz)
PSU: Seasonic X-1250 ATX 80PLUS Gold
Case: HAF X with Blue LED mods
SSD: Intel 520 180GB
OS: Win7 Pro

Total price with taxes/build in... $2650.

Cheers

9800GTX+? OMFG, I thought I was the only one...

 

[caseynelson]

Hello,

I saw your reply listed below and I am in the midst of building a computer that is similar to this one. You mentioned that you built one on newegg for $1650?

I would love to get some of your advice, here is my current build

I already have bought
GPU: EVGA GTX 680 $510
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 120 GB $110

What I need reviewing on would be:
Processor: I5-2500k $220
PSU: Corsair AX850 gold

RAM: 8GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Ripjaw Series (9-9-9-24) Dual Channel kit for Intel LGA1156/AM3 (Going to be buying 16 GB worth) $110

What I really need help on is the Motherboard for the gtx 680, and a good solid case

Here's what I am thinking:
Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $120
Case: Cooler master HAF X Blue edition

Also any suggestions on a seperate cooler if I need it??

It all adds up to about $1400. I know I'm missing a few parts but I have everything else just need some help on the mobo and case.

Both the current SB-E chips, and the IB-E future chips will not net you "gaming performance.

If you do other things like 3d modeling or other professional apps with tons of threading, then sure, it might be worth it.

But right now most games only use 1 or 2 core, and the 1155 sockets are extremely low price + equal performance to the new SB-E and future IB-E.

Basically, by the time a CPU comes out that will be worth the upgrade, you will need a new mobo anyway. And you're spending a lot of extra cash on junk where you don't need too. Consider the cost 1155 board + a 2500k / 2550k, and you can almost buy another 680 GTX! LOL.

You can build what you want, and there are reasons to have SB-E / IB-E, but gaming is not one of them. I just went on newegg and built a fulltower system, 1155 mobo TRI SLI capable, 240gb SATAIII SSD, 2550k, and 680 GTX for $1650. Hell for $500 cheaper then what you have selected, I could throw in a 2nd 680 GTX.

I'm sorry but you're wasting you money if you do anything other then 1155 for gaming atm. It's sad, I know. I wish there was something truly better out there.

I've been gaming on an OCed 4.4ghz i7 X58 system for over 3 years now lol. I have lots of money saved up, and if there was anything worth the upgrade, I would buy it.

Rethink your build, please.

 

[airborne11b]

Well the 2500k abd 2550 oc very well on after market air and stock air coolet. The h100 is good if you want to try and push it a little harder, but remember, the price / performance ratio. You might only get an extra 100 or 200 mhz going ftom stock to h100, which wouldn't make any noticable diffetence. (i like after market coolers and watercooling mainly for looks though

My advice is just go with stock cooler, and if you're not happy with oc then get a h100 or real wc loop.

As for mobo, just get a z68 from your favorite brand.