System Builder Marathon, June 2011: $2000 Performance PC

By Thomas Soderstrom
published

Secondary Storage And Power

Mass Storage Drive: Samsung F3 HD103SJ 1 TB

SSDs are fast and BD-Rs are great for archiving. But like most users, we also needed a handy place to put large files that we’re still using. Samsung’s 1 TB F3 drive first grabbed our attention a couple years ago for its good performance, and a slowly dropping price continues to make it our choice at $55.

Read Customer Reviews of Samsung's F3 1 TB

Anyone looking for more storage will find a lower cost-per-gigabyte on a higher-capacity unit, but we didn’t really need more. If we wanted to spend more money on mass storage, we’d have gone with the added data safety of RAID 1 rather than buying a larger drive.

Power: Seasonic SS-850HT

One of the most respected names in the power supply industry, Seasonic delivers its SS-850HT at an exceptional price by cutting back on features rather than quality. Lacking modular cables or a pretty finish, the only thing that prevents this high-capacity unit from destroying the “look” of our system is the fact that our system doesn’t have a window.

Read Customer Reviews of Seasonic's SS-850HT

Two 40 A 12 V rails
give this unit 840 W of 12 V capacity, which is far more than we actually need. Meanwhile, an 80 PLUS Silver rating gets us that excess headroom without destroying efficiency.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
115 Comments Comment from the forums
  • regenon
    I gess u wanted to say:
    A pair of Radeon HD 6950s beats a pair of GeForce GTX 570s at our 2560x1600 target resolution, and the HD 6970 is even faster.
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc
    Finally you made a decent choice regarding the case. I could not believe you went with the Antec 300s on previous builds of this category.
    Reply
  • buzznut
    I agree, though some may care less for what's on the outside I can't see putting together a $2000 PC with a 50 dolla case.
    Reply
  • Yes, I am pleased to see a classy looking Lian Li case being used and not one of those gargoyle-inspired transformer-looking abominations that appeal only to google-eyed children and pimply-faced teenagers. That an adult might actually purchase that sort of monstrosity damped my hope for the future of the supposedly mature population of this world!
    Reply
  • amk09
    I would do anything to get a rig like this, sucks growing up in a poor family :(
    Reply
  • hmp_goose
    So it's now considered "safe" to RAID 0 SSDs? I thought Tom's once had a big "here be dragons" label for that practice …
    Reply
  • compton
    I too like the upgrade to a Lian Li. I didn't have a problem with the SBM method of fitting into a tightly constrained budget - but it's still good to see an attractive system as well as impressive performance. If someone is building a $2000 system, they can pony up a couple extra bucks for a better case. The System Builder Marathon is one of the best things going.
    Reply
  • dragonsqrrl
    Again, another great high-end build (very similar to previous build), and my only real complaint (albeit a small one) from the last $2000 system was also addressed, the case.

    Are you guys satisfied with your decision to go with a higher-end case? Have you noticed any tangible benefits? For example, lower system temps, better build quality, better cable management, more interior room to work, additional features, etc...?
    Reply
  • JohnnyLucky
    Great looking case. Looks better than my own Lian Li/Lancool Dragon Lord case.
    Reply
  • whysobluepandabear
    Todd SauveYes, I am pleased to see a classy looking Lian Li case being used and not one of those gargoyle-inspired transformer-looking abominations that appeal only to google-eyed children and pimply-faced teenagers. That an adult might actually purchase that sort of monstrosity damped my hope for the future of the supposedly mature population of this world!

    You give vivid details describing children and teenagers, but might I add something for the adults? Something like: "That a wrinkly, weaker and deteriorating adult might actually purchase". Something along those lines - we must make those adults look like old fuddy-duddies, whom are at the brink of a midlife crisis any moment now!
    Reply