New Ivy Bridge Build - $3500 Budget

neo2083 · Apr 26, 2012

I am starting mostly from scratch. The only things I am using from my current system are my mouse and my monitor.

Usage of the new rig: Gaming/Development/Day-to-Day

Must Haves

Intel CPU (OBVIOUSLY)
Nvidia GPU
SSD Boot Drive(Big enough to install programs on)
Mechanical Storage Drives at least 2X 2TB in raid for speed.

Things that I have selected to include already:

Case: Blackhawk Ultra
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147157

My monitor that I am keeping is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

!!!I am adding two more of these so please include those in your pricing!!!

For GPU I'd prefer the new Nvidia 680 X 2. Which brand is up for discussion

For the motherboard I prefer to have one that is capable of supporting both video cards at 16x PCIe.

For RAM please make sure to include at least 16 GB.

Overclocking:

I would like to overclock the cpu to at least 4GHz and I know that is a very easily obtained number.

FINAL NOTES
I know alot of what I am insisting on is OVERKILL. That is ok. This is something that I am treating myself to for a graduation gift and celebrating a new job. I have built many systems in the past but I like to see what others can come up with. So have at it! Spend every penny of the 3500 if you want, or spend less. Either way is OK. Have Fun.

vitornob · Apr 26, 2012

Did you ever thought about buying a 3D monitor with a 3D Vision Kit?

aevm · Apr 26, 2012

I'd start with an i7-3930K (6-core CPU, $570) and an X79 MB, e.g. ASUS P9X79 WS ($380)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116492
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131798

Or wait a few weeks for the new i7-3770K and the Z77 motherboards. The i7-3770K has only 4 cores but it will match or even beat the 6-core i7-3930K in some areas. The 3930K will still win in multithreaded programs (e.g. encoding videos). The choice really depends on what you need to do with this PC.

SSD: I've read some very good reviews of the Intel 520 series. The 180GB and 240GB models are faster than the smaller models in the series.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167115

Brand of the 680GTX: eVGA is my favorite, and they have several flavors. They differ by clock speeds and cooler type. This one is probably the most popular:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

For my own new computer (in August), I'm actually waiting for the Asus "DirectCU II" version of the 680 GTX. It will take 3 slots instead of the usual two, but it will be quiet and cool.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-geforce-gtx-680-asus-directcu-ii-top-review/

Since you're interested in CPU overclocking, you need a good cooler. I think Noctua makes some of the best, i.e. you get silence and excellent cooling. Of course, the price is rather high too.

You need a decent PSU to support two high-end graphics cards. For one GTX 680, eVGA recommends a minimum of 38A. Add another 20A or so to cover the second card (TDP is 195W officially, let's say 240W with OCing, that's 20A at 12V). Minimum of 58A. The Corsair AX750 can deliver 62A, for example. That's a minimum though. You want to leave yourself room to add more parts, and you don't want to push a PSU close to max because it becomes noisy and less efficient. Get an AX850, or a Silencer MkII 950W.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028

aevm · Apr 26, 2012

About the mechanical storage now... Actually, that's the one that gives me most trouble now for my own build.

HDD prices are still rather high. For example a WD Black 2TB (WD2002FAEX) is $250 now, and I bought two of those for $140 before the floods in Thailand last year. I think prices will go down eventually. Maybe start with a single drive and add more later as needed.

Also, with your budget, you should probably look at 3TB drives. They tend to be faster than the 2TB drives, thanks to higher density platters.

g-unit1111 · Apr 26, 2012

aevm :

That's why I'm not recommending the WD Black drives right now. Sure they're quality products but with the prices they are right now you're paying ridiculous premiums for them. It's not worth it right now. The HD prices are slowly trickling back down to what they were but it will be a long time before they're pre-flood prices.

neo2083 · May 6, 2012

angaddev · May 6, 2012

Why are you spending so much on your computer!!??

neo2083 · May 7, 2012

angaddev :

Is there a reason I shouldn't?

azeem40 · May 7, 2012

No, there isn't. Don't mind him.

neo2083 · May 7, 2012

azeem40 :

I am still looking for a motherboard suggestion...

keprofscritz · May 7, 2012

Asus P8z77 WS $329.99 @NICX US
4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16, x8, x8 or quad x8) *2
*2: PCIe 3.0 speed is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Core™ processors.

You will need to rethink the RAM selection though as this mobo is a dual channel.
My suggestion would be the G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 Memory $59.99 (per kit) @Newegg

neo2083 · May 8, 2012

keprofscritz :

neo2083 · May 8, 2012

I am wondering what suggestions others might have for a few things...

First, What would be a good alternative to the hard drive I have selected?(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136792) I want something the same size with the same reliability.

Second, I am air cooling and I am wondering what reccomendations for fans others might have. If you look you will see that the case I chose can handle a whole bunch of fans. I am looking for something that will last a long time and is very quiet. I should note that I would like to change the LED coloring to a blue instead of the included red.

That's all for now, looking forward to everyone's suggestions.

azeem40 · May 8, 2012

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834 is $100 cheaper. You could add a CM 120mm fan to the EVO for better temps.

Tavo_Nova · May 8, 2012

actually I my self would suggest the lga2011 just a few moments ago I listed down some price (using my local store) and the intel i7 3770k using gtx680 is actually the same price as my build on my sig (our prices here are more expensive than those in the US) but for US counter part I would advise the i7 3930k.

but moving on.

i7 3770k with dual gtx680 with corsaira hx-1050 80plus silver or seasonic p-1000 80plus platinum or seasonic x-1050 80plus gold or seasonic x-1250 80plus gold or corsair ax1200 80plus gold (go 1250/1200 if your planning on getting a 3rd gpu) but with dual gtx680, a 850/860 watts is good but if you want bigger headroom and the ego that a 4digit psu gives go with platinum 1000W or hx-1050 corsair or x-1050 seasonic

samsung f3 1TB for 109.99$ or samsung f2 2TB 119.99$ imo this is better than those wdcb 2tb price wise.

azeem40 · May 8, 2012

No need for a 1050W PSU. For 2 7950s, 750w is plenty of power.

neo2083 · May 10, 2012

Is there any extra gear needed to hook the 3 monitors up to the two nvidia cards? Specific connection type perhaps? DVI? or another one?

Why_Me · May 10, 2012

neo2083 :

Nice build.

All you need now is a quality psu for that build. One that gives you a bit of headroom for whatever.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207017 $154.99 - $134.99 after mail-in rebate card
XFX PRO850W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80 Plus Silver Certified 850 Watt Active PFC Power Supply

And this is just something to look at. It should be hitting the shelves by next week.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z77%20Extreme9
ASRock Z77 Extreme9 5 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots (PCIE2: x16 mode; PCIE1/PCIE3/PCIE5/PCIE7: x16/0/16/0 or x8/8/8/8 mode)

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/intelz77/Z77-Extreme9.html <----- and here's another look at the goodies that board has to offer

neo2083 · May 10, 2012

**LATEST UPDATE**

I have added a few things and changed some others. I will be keeping an eye on that ASROCK board to see if it is a better option than the ASUS P8Z77 WS. Also, I need recommendations on a good keyboard for gaming.

PART ------------NAME--------------------LINK----------------------------------------------------AMOUNT-------TOTAL PRICE
Case------------Blackhawk Ultra-------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147157------------1---------------189.99
MB---------------ASUS P8Z77 WS------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131822------------1---------------339.99
CPU-------------i7 3770K----------------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116501------------1---------------349.99
RAM-------------G.SKILL Ripjaws X-----http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231445------------2---------------119.98
Video Card----GeForce GTX 680------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130768-------------2---------------999.98
Optical----------ASUS DVD Burner-----http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204------------1----------------17.99
CPU Cooler----CM Hyper 212----------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065------------1----------------29.99
Monitor---------ASUS VW246H---------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049-------------2---------------399.98
SSD-------------Crucial M4 256 GB-----http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148526---------**BOUGHT**------------
HD--------------WD Cav Blck------------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284-------------2----------------269.98
PSU-------------KINGWIN LZP-1000---http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817121089-------------1----------------229.99
Keyboard
Headset-------Logitech G930----------http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6826104399-------------1----------------119.99

TOTAL: 3067.85

noideawhatimdoing · May 10, 2012

You may know this already in having built computers before but in case you don't you should check the manual at asus.com for the qualified ram lists. I was using 16gbs of unqualified ram on a $300 mobo and Asus said i was stressing my board and now it won't boot : /.

neo2083 · May 12, 2012

New Ivy Bridge Build - $3500 Budget

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