Building a new rig

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 01 May 2009, 03:33

Ok, so I'm about to buy a brand new setup to change the actual. I already have the screens, TH and I keep the same case. I just change the internal components. I change because I need better performances, I have 2 burned USB ports and my sister needs a new rig too and I'll give her my actual.

What I do with it :
- Gaming (FSX, GTA4, CoD, ... )
- HD video editing (so lot of video conversion)
- Professionnal drawing (Autocad) but that's not demanding a lot ...

My actual setup :
- Asus Crosshair
- AMD Athlon64 X2 5200+ 2.66ghz
- Kingston DDR2 2gb 800mhz kit
- 2x 8800GTX in SLi
- OCZ 700W

I want to change for all new generations like DDR3, PCIe 2.0, etc...

What I had in mind:
- Asus Rampage II
- Intel Core i7 920 2.60ghz
- Corsair DDR3 6gb 1333mhz kit
- Nvidia GTX295 (possibility of 2 more later)
- Antec 1000W

At this time, nothing is bought, so I'm open to any suggestion.

And do you guys think I'd better get 3x GTX260 in SLi instead of GTX295 ? I mean, powerful single card versus moderate triple cards ...

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 01 May 2009, 05:26

the GTX295 is already an SLI card (internal) so you'd only be able to add one latter. I would personally go for 2 gtx285's (if you can afford it). Other wise the 295 will be fine.

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 02 May 2009, 01:13

the GTX295 is already an SLI card (internal) so you'd only be able to add one latter. I would personally go for 2 gtx285's (if you can afford it). Other wise the 295 will be fine.

Damn ! I didn't realized that ! So does that mean it won't be as powerful as it should in unoptimized sli games like FSX ? So I should go with 2x GTX285 with possibility of adding a third one instead of 1x GTX295 and possibility to add a second one.

PS: I can afford but I don't spend money uselessely !

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 02 May 2009, 01:39

I would go 2x285 then (maybe) latter go 3rd, my 5 cents :)

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 07 May 2009, 00:08

Finally, after reading many many many reviews and comparisons, and learning about SLi and 3-way SLi, I ordered it today.

I gave the OK to my computer seller guy for those specs:

- Gigabyte EX58-UD4P
- Intel Core i7 920
- Kingston DDR3 6gb 1333mhz
- 2x Gigabyte GTX285
- Antec Skeleton
- Antec Quattro 1000W

Everything was in stock at his providers so I should be good to have them on friday :D I'm so excited :D

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 07 May 2009, 00:15

cool rig, just remember with the Antec Skeleton there in no room for a big CPU heatsink so don't splash out on one of those until you have done some measuring!

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 07 May 2009, 00:44

cool rig, just remember with the Antec Skeleton there in no room for a big CPU heatsink so don't splash out on one of those until you have done some measuring!

I read some reviews about that lack but I'm not planning to OC it right now.

But, do the heatsink made for socket 775 fits the socket 1366 ?

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 07 May 2009, 00:57

Nope totally dif the 1366 is MUCH bigger, wider holes etc. A lot of coolers come with both now, or you can buy (or even get a free) bracket to fit the new socket with some older coolers.
if u ain't overclocking stock and the skeleton will be good

Sir Drip · Post by **Sir Drip** » 07 May 2009, 06:47

I still think the Antec 1200 is the best case...

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 08 May 2009, 00:07

I still think the Antec 1200 is the best case...

Yeah, I looked at it but, it is not compatible with the 3-way SLi ! For 3-way Sli, you need 8 expansion slots while this case has 7. Only the Skeleton and the Nine Hundred Two has 8 slots !

Sir Drip · Post by **Sir Drip** » 08 May 2009, 02:23

[quote]I still think the Antec 1200 is the best case...

Yeah, I looked at it but, it is not compatible with the 3-way SLi ! For 3-way Sli, you need 8 expansion slots while this case has 7. Only the Skeleton and the Nine Hundred Two has 8 slots !

I beleave you are wrong....I have the old Antec 900 and I have enough slots for Tri SLI! And I had a clan member check to see if his 1200 case had enough slots, and he dose. You must be using a odd MB???? Are you trying to use Tri SLI and a sound card?

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 08 May 2009, 03:51

I beleave you are wrong....I have the old Antec 900 and I have enough slots for Tri SLI! And I had a clan member check to see if his 1200 case had enough slots, and he dose. You must be using a odd MB???? Are you trying to use Tri SLI and a sound card?

Yeah the UD4P mobo looks like having a weird design. The 3rd pci-e slot is very low on the board. If you count the connectors (2 for each pci-e) you'll need 8 slots. So maybe it depends of the mobo.

You can see here that the 3rd card is in one slot only (and the 7th) !

Sir Drip · Post by **Sir Drip** » 08 May 2009, 06:14

[quote]I beleave you are wrong....I have the old Antec 900 and I have enough slots for Tri SLI! And I had a clan member check to see if his 1200 case had enough slots, and he dose. You must be using a odd MB???? Are you trying to use Tri SLI and a sound card?

Yeah the UD4P mobo looks like having a weird design. The 3rd pci-e slot is very low on the board. If you count the connectors (2 for each pci-e) you'll need 8 slots. So maybe it depends of the mobo.

You can see here that the 3rd card is in one slot only (and the 7th) !

Well that explains it! Damn Gigabyte boards are looking better these days...Hey Antec....Make a 1200 black Ed. Also if your Cpu HS dosen't fit the new case (skeleton) then take a look at this one....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

Has a push/ pull fan setup.and you can change the fans out for higher "CFM" 120mm fans.....

inteljoc · Post by **inteljoc** » 09 May 2009, 18:32

I received all the stuff yesturday and I built the monster ... nothing works !

I've been on it all the night and still not working, I don't even have any screen displayed. The CPU cooler gets hot really quick and the fan is running at very very low speed. I noticed that when I don't plug the 12Vx2 connector, the CPU fan runs at normal speed ...

Now I browse forums to find a solution before RMA.

It's like the 10th computer I build and they always booted perfectly first shot. :?

EDIT : Never mind, I found it. I've put the memory modules in the wrong slots. Slots are inverted, it goes like that : 2-1-4-3-6-5. So I had to put them in the second slot of each channel to get in 1-3-5 (white slots)!!

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