Widescreen Gaming Forum

This is something I do about every six months (you know, just in case I have the money lying around...) and I thought I'd share. I had the chance to build my dream machine about three years ago and I'm hoping to be able to do it again in the near future.

A couple of things to note about this list. Yes, I know Sandy Bridge has unlocked multipliers. The only problem is I can't find a good motherboard with all the features I want that supports it. Also there are a couple of components which I already own, so while it may seem overboard it's actually using resources intelligently. Keep in mind while looking at this that this is a dream build.


Estimated price: $6,000

This is $2,000-$4,000 cheaper than a similar build from various boutiques.

Swap the Velociraptor's for some SSD's, unless you need the space.

And I am not certain your PSU would be up to the job, 4 graphics cards and a 6 core chip would be pushing things IMO.

I would also personally go with a SB build, but cannot argue if you want to drop big $ on a 990.

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P8Z68-V Pro | 2600K | HR02 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB M4 + 6TB | X-Fi > HD595 | AX850 | Tai Chi | PB278Q | G110 + Deathadder 2013
P8Z77-V | 3570K | Mugen 2 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 500GB | X-750 | Fractal R3 | U2212HM | G110 + G400
P8H77-I | G860 | 4650 | 2x2GB XMS | 320GB | CX500 | Prodigy | T22B350EW | MX518
DC3217IYE | 1x4GB Vengeance | 64GB M4 | TX-42VT20E

Nominal load to my calculations here is about 700W-800W, maximum load somewhere around 1000W. It is 80+ Gold certified, so I am confident that it can handle it. The important thing about the PSU is that it has 8 separate +12V rails, each providing 30A each (the 580's require at least 24A on each rail for a total of 48A each, while the 8800GTX requires 40A combined). A 1600W PSU would provide more cushion for the pushin, though. My current system with the QX6700 and two 8800GTX has a 850W PSU with 4 +12V rails and it has never failed me. Combining just the spec numbers for the CPU and GPUs in this system equals about 700-750W, but the power load while I'm playing games never rises above 600W.

A disclaimer about the CPU is mentioned before the list. I have seen the 990x around for $600-$700, but a Sandy Bridge 2600K would reduce the cost of the system by at least $400 ($700 at current MSRP). I also mention the fact that I can't find a motherboard with the features I want that supports SB.

It's funny you mention SSDs when you mention the cost of the 990x. My problem with SSDs at this point is the short amount of time current memory specs remain viable. Newer technologies are being released this year, but that also means even more cost. Though the main reason for the HDDs is the space as you rightly mention. Just with the games I frequently play installed I am using nearly 400GB. A striped RAID array with the Velociraptors means I have the space along with the performance. I posted before about never doing RAID again, but I was stupid and never backed my data up, but I have learned my lesson.

Yeah, I guess you would be looking at 2x 240GB SSD's which are not cheap, just a lot people use V-raptors for small amounts of data, but have them in RAID for pure speed, which with the modern and future SSD's is quite silly IMO.

I guess you could be right about the PSU, I was thinking more of a Corsair AX1200 ish, I remember a pair of 480's and a Overclocked i7 980 took nearly 900w, and you would have another 2 cards.

But yeah, can't argue with your reasoning!!! I myself am fine with a 90GB SSD infact, so I will be adding one to the machine as a matter of course :P

_________________
P8Z68-V Pro | 2600K | HR02 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB M4 + 6TB | X-Fi > HD595 | AX850 | Tai Chi | PB278Q | G110 + Deathadder 2013
P8Z77-V | 3570K | Mugen 2 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 500GB | X-750 | Fractal R3 | U2212HM | G110 + G400
P8H77-I | G860 | 4650 | 2x2GB XMS | 320GB | CX500 | Prodigy | T22B350EW | MX518
DC3217IYE | 1x4GB Vengeance | 64GB M4 | TX-42VT20E

The problem with the Corsair is it has a single combined +12V rail with maximum output of 100.4A, plus it only has 6 PCI-E connectors. I see your point about the power draw of that configuration, so my calculations may be off. Silverstone has a Silver-certified 1500W PSU I'll have a look at. Only problem I see with it is each +12V rail only has a maximum output of 25A, while the Antec is 30A each. That is pushing it for the 580s.

Sorry I actually misread the first post, I didn't notice you were looking at that 1200W Antec. It is a solid unit from what I have read over at Anand, so ignore what I said about the AX1200 :P. The Silverstone PSU is very high power, but as you say, I don't know how much you will actually need :P

_________________
P8Z68-V Pro | 2600K | HR02 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB M4 + 6TB | X-Fi > HD595 | AX850 | Tai Chi | PB278Q | G110 + Deathadder 2013
P8Z77-V | 3570K | Mugen 2 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 500GB | X-750 | Fractal R3 | U2212HM | G110 + G400
P8H77-I | G860 | 4650 | 2x2GB XMS | 320GB | CX500 | Prodigy | T22B350EW | MX518
DC3217IYE | 1x4GB Vengeance | 64GB M4 | TX-42VT20E