System Builder Marathon: TH's $2000 Hand-Picked Build
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Page 1:The Better Way To Spend $2000?
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Page 2:Processor And CPU Cooling
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Page 3:Motherboard And Graphics
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Page 4:Case And Power
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Page 5:Memory And Storage
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Page 6:Hardware Installation
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Page 7:Overclocking
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Page 8:Test Settings
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Page 9:Benchmark Results: 3DMark And PCMark
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Page 10:Benchmark Results: SiSoftware Sandra
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Page 11:Benchmark Results: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
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Page 12:Benchmark Results: Crysis
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Page 13:Benchmark Results: DiRT 2
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Page 14:Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat
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Page 15:Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
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Page 16:Benchmark Results: Productivity
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Page 17:Power And Efficiency
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Page 18:Value Conclusion
Hardware Installation
Our collection of how-to articles would make a complete builder’s guide redundant, so today we’ll cover only the highlights of this particular build.
We started with a basic CPU installation and moved on to the more intricate cooler assembly.
Scythe’s Mugen 2 Revision B includes several brackets for use with AMD- and Intel-based motherboards. Threaded inserts screw onto the outer hole positions of its universal LGA brackets, which are then screwed to the base as shown. As the protective sticker says, remember to remove it!
After adding a small amount of thermal paste as shown in our “how to build” guide, it was time to mount this monster to our motherboard. We joked in our previous build that we needed four hands to hold the cooler, motherboard, screwdriver, and non-magnetic screws. But placing the cooler upside down on a bench and carefully positioning the board over it will eventually lead to success. That is, at least for anyone with moderate dexterity.
Our motherboard’s chipset heat sink is close to the same height as our memory, and the fan clips hit both. This will force some of its air to bypass the top of the cooler, rather than the bottom where it would cool additional components. We expect only a miniscule drop in overall cooling performance however, and would rate the fit as a nine out of ten.
Because our graphics coolers have radial fans in the center, we moved the lower intake fan to the side panel. The alignment was perfect, thanks to the design team at Antec.
Remaining components are installed in a traditional manner, though clearance between the graphics card's power connector and hard drive would make cable management more of a challenge if additional drives were added. Spare power cables lay nicely upon the floor of the chassis.
With no side-panel window to reveal our extra cable, placing it on the bottom did not create an unsightly mess.
- The Better Way To Spend $2000?
- Processor And CPU Cooling
- Motherboard And Graphics
- Case And Power
- Memory And Storage
- Hardware Installation
- Overclocking
- Test Settings
- Benchmark Results: 3DMark And PCMark
- Benchmark Results: SiSoftware Sandra
- Benchmark Results: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Benchmark Results: Crysis
- Benchmark Results: DiRT 2
- Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat
- Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Power And Efficiency
- Value Conclusion
Actually I proposed that for an upcoming SBM, but it couldn't be included this time since the former systems had already been decommissioned for shipment to the contest winners. So, who's up for an ATI EyeFinity/Nvidia Surround SBM?
The story has the numbers to *prove* the improvements made to this build. This is a solid configuration that we have no problem recommending.
Aside from that, we enjoy the luxury on the editorial side of operating completely separately from sales. In this case, our follow-up system was a good move editorially, and we get to give it away, to boot.
Best,
Chris Angelini
With an i7-930, a better heatsink, 2 470s and maybe an extra fan or 2 for the case is in reach.
Click the link in the announcement?
Actually I proposed that for an upcoming SBM, but it couldn't be included this time since the former systems had already been decommissioned for shipment to the contest winners. So, who's up for an ATI EyeFinity/Nvidia Surround SBM?
The story has the numbers to *prove* the improvements made to this build. This is a solid configuration that we have no problem recommending.
Aside from that, we enjoy the luxury on the editorial side of operating completely separately from sales. In this case, our follow-up system was a good move editorially, and we get to give it away, to boot.
Best,
Chris Angelini
Someone not wanting to spend an extra $1000 on monitors.
How about bouild with 930 instead and some nice SSD?
Also I'd rather a case with proper PSU bottom mount, like Cooler Master does.
1.) The SSD is mentioned in the article. The problem is, it increases only synthetic test scores and the value analysis only uses "real world" benchmarks so it's basically a non-starter.
2.) The i7-930 is nice, and would normally have been used if this build hadn't been designed as a direct alternative to the former six-core build. It will probably be used next time!
3.) The Antec Three Hundred is "proper bottom mount", please check the photos!
Appreciate the feedback on this, guys. This is something we'll consider for the next SBM in the planning stages now!
I accidentally clicked the thumbs up icon on your message, and welcome the slamming of this comment as punishment. The case in this article was chosen for its excellent cooling-to-noise ratio, where the cases you picked are noisier and don't cool as well. It's all in the case reviews at this very site, really. None of the cases you picked even support dual front fans, and the original plan was to pair the dual front fans with graphics cards that vented externally.