Waiting for Goku Advice

[Chaff]

Budget:
$2,500 (flexible – could go another thousand)
...and spending LESS is no problem.

Location:
San Diego, CA

Computer Purpose:
Planetside2 & various MMOG, MS Office, Pinnacle Video Editing, Photoshop, web, music,…

Parts:
Complete build

Monitor/Resolution:
Looking at Planar 27” PX2710 / 1920X1080
(have 2 nice 24” Samsung already)

OS:
Need W7, 64bit
(ran XP on old machine)

MB needs:
USB 3.0/Sata 6.0 Gb/s
SLI / Firewire option would be nice
OC compatability w/2500K or 2600K (have my eyes on: ASUS P8P67-M PRO)

SSD:
Corsair 128GB SSD
(Model: Performance 3 Series CSSD-P3128GB2) (SATA 6Gbps)

OC:
YES. Both CPU & GPU
...the MUSHKIN Enhanced Redline I referenced over on that other thread was for 8GB at 1600 MHz. I just like that brand - dunno what's actually the best. Was 7-8-7-24. $95 seemed good for that much Mushkin.

Timeline:
Flexible / would like machine for Beta / best to wait until October/November

NOTE:
Some overkill on MB or video card(s) is fine – soon, I may want to run multiple monitors, SLI,….

The price and 7ms response time on the Dell U2711 put me off. The super-high resolution is impressive.
Seems more optimum for graphics than gaming.

[Goku]

Just a couple more questions. What kind of specs are you coming from? Part of the reason the U2711 has a slightly higher response time is due to the IPS screen as that has much better colors compared to a TN. With your budget I would seriously consider it. I see many gamers using that monitor and swear by it. The response time isn't that bad considering just a few years ago these IPS screens had 20 ms + response time. Out of all the time I have been helping people with builds they never spent your budget on 1920x1080. Have you considered getting another 24 inch monitor like the ones you have to do a multimonitor setup?

[Chaff]

Good questions.
Just cuz I start at 1920 doesn't mean I'll stay there long
It's just where my current monitor(s) stops

How can I know which I'd prefer unless I've seen both setups ?
3 X 24" at 1920X1080
vs
1 X 30" at 5760X2160 (or whatever it actually is)

Will those super rediculous resolutions of the Dell pay dividends in PS2 ?
(btw, I HATE Dell)

All things being equal - I tend to think a 30" monitor is as big as I'll ever want
and that one monitor will be easier for my BB to focus on than three.
The quality of the picture will probably freak me out - in a real good way.

[Goku]

BB = ?

I really have no opinion on Dell. The last product I personally bought from them was a Desktop like 10 years ago. Many highly regard them in the monitor market though.

I never used a huge 30 inch or multi monitor, so I cannot comment on either setup. I would recommend reading up on peoples opinions. I have seen people going from multi monitor to a 30 inch screen and preferring that, but others have the exact opposite.

Really can't go any further till then as there is a huge difference between a 1920x1080 vs big/multimonitor setups.

[Chaff]

BB = SIZE of my brain


I think you (or I) might have sold me on the big Dell monitor. Before I respawn, my corpse will be that much more impressive there on the ground....

Not sure who I will/can get to build this thing. More importantly, I want to know the small details of a good build are all pre-handled before I take delivery. If I spend a few grand, I want a sytem 100% done.

I will need help dialing in the monitor and game settings. I want to keep my FPS up. Running high FPS is what made me think of staying at 1920. I did not run that high of a resolution on PS1, so I might be very happy at 1920.

I might be wise to never see what I've been missing - with a monitor like the big Dell you like.

[Goku]

It is not hard assembling a computer either. If you could do a lego set when you were a kid then you are in the clear.

This is higher end then those tri 6950s you were thinking about, but check this review out to see how tri 580s/6970s perform at multimonitor/big resolutions.

Check this write up/video out for more input on multi monitor.

[Bags]

Originally Posted by Goku

It is not hard assembling a computer either. If you could do a lego set when you were a kid then you are in the clear.

Not quite; the difference being is if you snapped a lego you were out $.30 versus being out ~$200 if you snap something here.

[Chaff]

It's not the assembly. It's the the compatability within the small details that scares me away. Too many nuances of campatability between components - especially with serious OC - which I want. My son helped me build two machines. We did no OC. We did alright. Luckily, he had no fear of failure.

Interesting. I actually had some clue (thanks to reading reviews on Anandtech on some dif systems they have tested) as to the OC of the processor being essential to making the 580 work. That's how I ended up married to the idea of the 2600K.
Now, I have some new questions.

I'll get back to this in a day or two. Work to do. I may be back on tonight.

Thanks for your time & the knowledge - very cool !

....I'm left wondering if only TWO of the 580s would essentially pull the same numbers
as the tri-SLI.

....upon review of all the different test scores....
the resolution settings (2560 X 1600) on the big (30" ?) single monitor
and the accompanying high FPS struck me as the happy medium
that I think will best suit what I want on all fronts. Would only TWO 580s still work ?

[Goku]

Computers are designed for multiple parts being put together, so I would not worry about that fine details. Only major compatibility issues you may find is between ram, cpu, and mobo. All is easily avoidable if you know what parts you are getting.

GTX 580 SLI should be plenty for 2560x1600 in my opinion. If you find yourself needing more throw in another down the road to bump the FPS up more.

Are you leaning towards the U2711 or U3011 at the moment, since you keep talking about 30 inchers?

Do you only want Nvidia for this build, no ATI? I wish the 6970s where still around as you could get 3 for like $100 more and beat the GTX 580 SLI in terms of performance by about 30%.

For ya to get a idea here is a build I came up with:

Corsair HX1050 -
MSI P67A-GD65 Motherboard -
Dell UltraSharp U2711 -
(2X) EVGA GeForce GTX 580 Superclocked 1536 MB - (2X)
Sony 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive -
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit -
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB -
Intel Core i5-2500K -
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 -
Crucial M4 128GB SSD -
SILVERSTONE RV02B-W 0.8 mm Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case -

Total = $3,049.17 not including shipping. You are not paying any taxes either, since it is from Amazon.

We can trim this down a lot if you want to stick with 1920x1080 to keep your frame rate more stable and lower the cost.

[Goku]

Hmm true. Thankfully I never snapped a computer part before. I came close snapping a motherboard when putting on a heat sink as the damn thing was bending quite a bit. Was fine in the end though.

[Bags]

Yeah, my last video card literally popped right in. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Chaff]

.
....still mulling things over, but I'm not going to go the U2711 route. Read dozens and dozens of reviews of U2711 buyers. IMO, the high-res quick-response gaming console market has not throttled-up yet. I suspect it will soon enough. When I see a high-res gaming monitor I think is worth anywhere near $1,000 - I'll get it - and upgrade my video card(s) to match. The fact I like to do photo work led me to temporarily over-value the double bonus of the super resolution of the Dell. Besides, I hate Dell. I'd rather buy from just about any other company.

Currently, I'm leaning into going with the 2500K or 2600K and building for high FPS and minimal lag. I like the 27" Planar running at 1920X1080 (the $300 ballpark is a plus).

I have a homemade machine mothballed in my sons old room. Nice solid mid-tower Lian Li case - usable with a P67/68 MB ?
Or, I have my old CyberPower built gamer that sits in a big full tower. MB fried. I can still use the optical drives. It's a CM STACKER. Well-vented mesh sides, mesh bottom, and mesh/fan top. Aluminum case. No windows. Circa 2004-ish. It's a monster.

I shall start gutting the CoolerMaster in preparation of a rebuild.

Looks like one (or 2 ?) 580s will be fine to run ONE 27" at 1920X1080. Or, instead of one 580, perhaps 2 AMD cards. 8GB memory seems like more than enough there as well. I'm a little stuck on the 580 card because I've goten this impression that they work best with the very high OC'd machines. Your prior link (HardOCP) and other Anandtech tests I've read seem to verify this belief.

Ignoring price - G Skill vs Mushkin - which do you think is better ? When my son and I built our first machines, I went with Mushkin. They seemed to reek of quality vs. other sticks we saw later.

Want to Super OC everything I can .... going for speed. Where do I go to get help/info on HOW to do it and what to watch for ?

COOLING the CPU, drives, MB, and cards are a priority and concern. I may buy a little 10,000btu wall/window air conditioner - and plumb it to flow around the case. Less than $250 on NewEgg and prob find cheaper elsewhere. Might be cheaper than a liquid cooling system anyway. Maybe a steady flow of 65 degree air flowing directly at the Stacker and lots of case fans circulating it thru will suffice. I don't know squat about installing liquid cooling - and don't trust myself to do it right.

I feel like I'm finally zeroing in on a saner system for the short-run .... and then I can essentially follow your "upgrade every year (or two)" mantra....
.

[Mutant]

Originally Posted by Chaff

Still hoping for your recomendation on a good/best air cooler.

Also, If I decide to run triple 24" screens at 1920X1080
how many 580s will be needed to keep FPS high ?

2 ?
.

Take a look at the corsair hydro cpu coolers at the high end, very good cooling but not silent.

the H100 gives near custom water loop cooling with ease of air installation.

http://www.corsair.com/cooling/hydro...aign=FrontPage
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/425...ew/index1.html

Originally Posted by Chaff

.
....still mulling things over, but I'm not going to go the U2711 route. Read dozens and dozens of reviews of U2711 buyers. IMO, the high-res quick-response gaming console market has not throttled-up yet. I suspect it will soon enough. When I see a high-res gaming monitor I think is worth anywhere near $1,000 - I'll get it - and upgrade my video card(s) to match. The fact I like to do photo work led me to temporarily over-value the double bonus of the super resolution of the Dell. Besides, I hate Dell. I'd rather buy from just about any other company.
.

It seems you have been drawn away from the 30" idea but just to point out there are several options that are not Dell.

The following has my attention as good price/performance;
HP ZR30w 30-inch S-IPS LCD Monitor
http://hothardware.com/Reviews/HP-ZR...Review/?page=1
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3754/a...zr30w-review/1


It is worth pointing out that refresh rate is not that important in itself. Input lag however is and it is incredibly frustrating that it is never on a monitors spec sheet.

The last gen of IPS panels were poor with quite a bit more input lag over TN.
The newer IPS panels with better image processors get input lag down to levels comparable to decent TN panels.

It should also be noted that IPS panels do not have inherently more input lag over TN planels as it is largly the image processing on the monitor that adds to the lag and some TN panels give much more input lag over good IPS.

[Goku]

One GTX 580 is overkill for my standards on 1920x1080, but if you want to keep high FPS with max settings it is the best way to go. If you wish to do that just get the 580 and do not bother with multi gpu cards.

The Stacker is a good case to with plently of room with lots of fans. What Liani Li case do you have?

Neither ram company in my opinion is any better then the ones you listed. Most of these guys buy ram from the actual maker then bin them to get the kind of product they want be it lower ram timmings or higher MHz.

I have read issues with using Air conditioners for cooling computer due to the condensation as it can cause a short circuit on the components in the interior. Factoring in cost it would cost way more on electricity and noise level too. Water cooling is the best way to overclock while having next to nothing for noise. To be honest a good high end air cooler will get the 2x00K series to their maximum overclock, so neither ACs or water is needed.

Anyway you can continue figuring out parts, but since you do not want to do this for another 2-3 months do not worry about finalizing anything. There is going to be new CPUs from AMD and Intel by then and possibly video cards. Whatever you come up today for a build will likely be far different by then. If you have any questions feel free to ask in this thread of course.

[Chaff]

.
Damn - you are like a Ninja on these pages - quick, silent, skilled, and deadly. I like it.

I'm listenting - don't think I'm not. Still reading. Closing in on final config....

Thanks man !
.