[ivanlyf_2011]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to build my desktop soon and hope to have it ready by Aug/Sept 2011. This desktop is primarily for work with a secondary role for gaming and music/movies.

For work, I'll be handling programs such as flowjo and axiovision which deal with larger file sizes (~50MB / file) and are also optimized for multi-threading. Apart from these 2 programs, I'll also be using Adobe Photoshop and MS Office 2010 with a typical Word/Excel/Powerpoint document taking up at least 8MB. My main aim is a smooth computing experience; no need for a blazing fast experience with the i7-980X/990X

Gaming wise, I hope to hit a minimum resolution of 1600 X 800 on high settings for 2010-2012 games but gaming is a secondary role for the computer. Finally, for movies and music, I intend to use a sound card and then pair it up with a decent pair of speakers.

Given these requirements, I have 2 setups for your review and comments:

LGA 1366 system

Asus Sabertooth X58 + Intel i7-960 + CM V6GT (hoping for a 600 MHz overclock)
6GB 1600MHz Corsair Vengence 6GB kit
Palit GTX 570 Sonic Platinum
Corsair AX-850 / Seasonic X-series 850W
CM HAF 922
Intel 320 series 120GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Creative XiFi Titanium Fatality Pro

LGA 1155 system

Asus P8P67 Deluxe + Intel i7-2600K + Noctua NH-D14 (hoping for a 600 MHz overclock)
8GB RAM that's compatible with the Noctua
MSI GTX 580 Lightning
Corsair AX-850 / Seasonic X-series 850W
CM HAF 922
Intel 320 series 120GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Creative XiFi Titanium Fatality Pro

Which setup is better suited for my needs? My budget is between 3,500-4000 although this is flexible.

Many thanks everyone!

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[sentinel011]

If you're doing more work than gaming, I suggest that you consider AMD's upcoming bulldozer line of AM3+ chips, since your work will benefit from the multiple cores. LGA1366 will be out of production very soon from the time you're going to buy your new PC.

Also, you definitely won't need Seasonic X-series 850W if you're going to run only 1 graphics card (unless you're intending to SLI the GTX580); a simple 600W 80+ bronze PSU from seasonic will do.

Another thing is if you're looking to do work on this PC, don't bother doing overclocking, no matter how stable it might seem with aftermarket CPU coolers - you never know when your CPU/chip gets affected by it and loses its reliability in years to come.

Another thing is based on your gaming requirements, you also don't really need the GTX580; the GTX560TI will suit your needs just fine.

For SSDs, I don't know that much about them, but I generally find their price point still a bit high. Maybe when it hits 120GB to SGD$250 and below then I consider.

[davidwong89]

definitely the i7-2600k. both have 4 cores and HT but the SB has better architecture and efficiency (work done per cycle).

you can cut down on expenses with a lower end MB like the p8p67 pro since max OC depends on processor not MB. PSU is also way overkill. you can run everything here on a good 500w+. just grab a 600-700w psu, maybe the x-750.

[shaoz2388]

Originally Posted by sentinel011

If you're doing more work than gaming, I suggest that you consider AMD's upcoming bulldozer line of AM3+ chips, since your work will benefit from the multiple cores. LGA1366 will be out of production very soon from the time you're going to buy your new PC.

Also, you definitely won't need Seasonic X-series 850W if you're going to run only 1 graphics card (unless you're intending to SLI the GTX580); a simple 600W 80+ bronze PSU from seasonic will do.

Another thing is if you're looking to do work on this PC, don't bother doing overclocking, no matter how stable it might seem with aftermarket CPU coolers - you never know when your CPU/chip gets affected by it and loses its reliability in years to come.

Another thing is based on your gaming requirements, you also don't really need the GTX580; the GTX560TI will suit your needs just fine.

For SSDs, I don't know that much about them, but I generally find their price point still a bit high. Maybe when it hits 120GB to SGD$250 and below then I consider.

agree with that =D but if you cant wait go for SB

[ivanlyf_2011]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your comments so far, it's very helpful!

I'm still undecided on whether I should try AMD Bulldozer so let's discuss the LGA 1155 system for now. Since I'll not be overclocking, I'll remove the CPU cooler and downgrade to a lower tier motherboard. PSU wise...I think I'm leaving it at a 850W just in case I decide to do a SLI setup.

So here is the setup, version 2:

LGA 1155 system

Gigabyte P67A-UD4 B3 + Intel i7-2600K
G.Skill Ripjaws-X 1600MHz 8GB Kit
Palit GTX 570 Sonic Platinum
Corsair AX-850 / Corsair AX-750
CM HAF 922
Intel 320 series 120GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Creative XiFi Titanium Fatality Pro

Does G.Skill offer a lifetime warranty for RAM? Do soundcards suck uo a lot of juice?

[Hairyworm]

When the time comes. Then decide. When you really need it, buy what the market offers.

Because by the time, things would have been whole lot different.

You will have X78/X79, AMD or even Cougar Point.

[taeyeon89]

Originally Posted by ivanlyf_2011

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your comments so far, it's very helpful!

I'm still undecided on whether I should try AMD Bulldozer so let's discuss the LGA 1155 system for now. Since I'll not be overclocking, I'll remove the CPU cooler and downgrade to a lower tier motherboard. PSU wise...I think I'm leaving it at a 850W just in case I decide to do a SLI setup.

So here is the setup, version 2:

LGA 1155 system

Gigabyte P67A-UD4 B3 + Intel i7-2600K
G.Skill Ripjaws-X 1600MHz 8GB Kit
Palit GTX 570 Sonic Platinum
Corsair AX-850 / Corsair AX-750
CM HAF 922
Intel 320 series 120GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Creative XiFi Titanium Fatality Pro

Does G.Skill offer a lifetime warranty for RAM? Do soundcards suck uo a lot of juice?

Yup.. G.skill is lifetime warranty..
And soundcards don suck a lot of juice.

I would recommend you to get a 3 year warranty graphics card. Palit is 2 years onli.. If you want to SLI, you can consider 2x gtx 460 or 2x560 if your budget allows. For info, 2xgtx 460 1gb is same performance as a single gtx580 but price point of $500. 2x leadtek is $470 now..

And for ssd, you might want to grab a ocz vertex 3. Or any other sata 6-G ssd to make full use of the native support

[ivanlyf_2011]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your comments this far.

Keep them coming!

[sentinel011]

To be honest, for SLI, it's either now or never. At the very least, it must be within 6 months, as cards these days get out of production very fast. Furthermore, SLI still consumes more electricity and produce more heat than single card solutions.

Since you are getting GTX570, I assume you're going to use it for at least 1.5 years before changing or SLI-ing - of which by the time the GTX570 would have been out of phase (just look at the GTX480 for example), unless you're getting a 2nd hand card in the marketplace.

Another thing is, you don't need SLI for the things you do currently, especially given your current monitor resolution at 1600 X 800; it's very, very small resolution, as even a GTX460 1GB will run things at max (better than high) at a higher resolution of 1920 x 1080. The GTX570 will run things perfectly, even for 2550 x 1600 resolution.

I strongly advise you to reconsider your budget based on your requirements - don't splash out on parts unnecessarily just because you have 3-4k to spare.

The CM 922 is also a dust magnet unless you have many dust filters.

Below is the adjusted system based on what you require - bold items are those that have been edited:

Gigabyte P67A-UD4 B3 + Intel i7-2600K
G.Skill Ripjaws-X 1600MHz 8GB Kit
MSI GTX 570 Twin Frzr II
Corsair AX-750 / Seasonic X 620W
CM HAF 922
Intel 320 series 120GB SSD (OS)
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB (storage)
Creative XiFi Titanium Fatality Pro / ASUS Xonar Essence STX

[ivanlyf_2011]

Hi Sentinle

Thanks for the changes to my setup. Could I trouble you again on this issue;

If I intend to game at 1920 X 1080, should I get the 570 still or upgrade to a GTX 580?

How about the PSU rating? Should I leave it at 750W for a GTX 580 system? Power calculator shows that my total use is at 600W

Finally, if I mount the Asus Xonar Essence STX, will it drastically reduce GPU performance because it consumes PCIe lanes?

[sentinel011]

A GTX570 will suffice for 1920x1080, unless you want to play games max settings with 16xAF + 8xAA, of which you will need GTX580 or higher (SLI high end cards)

But don't forget, high end cards consume a lot of electricity.

750W is enough, don't worry. 600W 80+ bronze PSUs are the minimum requirement to drive highest end single card rigs, without overclocking of course.

Sound cards merely occupy the 1x bus lane without affecting the speed of the gfx card, so no worries.

[bryanwu]

You can get 80+ Gold at 80+ bronze prices now.

[taeyeon89]

Originally Posted by bryanwu

You can get 80+ Gold at 80+ bronze prices now.

Which brand and model?

[K-Dash]

LGA 1155 system

- Asus P8P67 PRO + Intel i7-2600K @$716 (SLI READY)
- Noctua NH-D14 @$139 (PROVEN TO GO 4.6GHZ)
- G.SKILL RIPJAW-X 1600MHZ CL7 4GBx2 @$249 (FUTURE UPGRADE TO 16GB)
- MSI GTX580 1536MB LIGHTNING @$789 (REMAIN, AMPLE AMOUNT OF CUDA CORES)
- FSP AURUM 600W 80+ GOLD NON-MODULAR @$135 (VALUE FOR MONEY)
- SILVERSTONE RV02 B/WINDOW @$255 (LOOKS BETTER THAN HAF)
- SONY 24X DVDRW @$30 (CHEAP)
- Intel 320 series 120GB SSD @$330 (REMAIN)
- Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB @$68 (REMAIN)
- AUZENTECH X-FI FORTE @$249 (RECOMMENDED)
- CREATIVE GIGAWORKS T3 @$278 (RECOMMENDED)
- DELL U2410 IPS 1920X1200p @$649 (Photoshop color accuracy) OPTIONAL*

TOTAL: $3887


Within your budget of 4K.

[bryanwu]

Might want to be careful loading 4x4GB of overclocked rams.

Sometimes, the northbridge/memory controller on the sandybridge proc might not be able to take it. It'll be better to go for 4x4GB 1333 standard KVR or Crucial (or whatever is on the motherboard's QVL) if 16GB is needed.
Performance difference is small for most applications.

edit: anyway i think you might as well just get a ~2k system then upgrade again in half the time..
probably get better overall performance over time