Build Help/Advice

[KebabBandit]

Hello,

I'm looking to order the 3XS X58 Performance GTX with a few changes - This is my custom build.

- Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W Tower Case Black
- Asus Sabertooth TUF - Cerm!x Heatsinks - USB3 & SATA6 Support!
- Intel i7 950, Quad Core, 3.06Ghz, 4.8GT/s QPI, 8Mb Cache
- Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced BK014 CPU Cooler
- 6GB (3x2GB) Corsair Vengeance, DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600), CAS 9
- 1280Mb EVGA GTX 570 HD, 797MHz GPU, 480 Cores, 3900MHz GDDR5
- 850W Corsair HX Series V2, Modular (Dual GTX 580 & ATI 6970)
- 500 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache
- 450GB Western Digital VelociRaptor, SATA 6Gb/s, 10000rpm, 32MB Cache
- x2 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green, 64MB Cache
- x4 Pioneer DVR-S19LBK DVD Writer
- Sharkoon 4" UV CCFL 2in1 Kit
- *Operating System Not Required* (System Tested under Windows 7)
- Norton Internet Security 2011

1. If I get 12GB (3x4GB) Corsair Vengeance, would it be a waste? I would be doing some gaming on this PC, not a great deal.

2. Would I be able to purchase a copy of Windows 7 Retail instead of OEM?

That's all I can think of at the moment - Is their any other advice you can give me?

Thank you,

KB

[eyezpy]

Hope you don't mind me putting in my 2 cent

12GB would be too much for gaming, you will only use 4GB if that.

How about considering a Sandy Bridge build instead? They are faster cooler and more overclock can be done.
2500k or 2600k CPU.
An SSD instead of the Raptor; Crucial M4 or Corsair F3 (Sandy Bridge have faster SATA3 then X58 as well).
8GB (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR3.

[KebabBandit]

Thanks for the advice eyezpy.

I was thinking 12GB of RAM was a little excessive, I was told anything over 8GB is a waste.

I've looked at the Sandy Bridge build but customizing it to my liking, it gets a little too expensive
I was thinking of upgrading the processor to LN36731.

I was looking into one of these SSD drives, is it OK to use it as my C:? Installing software and games? Like what a normal harddrive can do?

My plan was:

C: 450GB Western Digital VelociRaptor
D: 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green
E: 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green
F:/G: 500 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3 (Partitioned) This drive will get an absolute pasting!

Thank you,

KB

[eyezpy]

Even 8GB is a lot for today. I am using Win 7 x64 and looking at my task manager, I am only using 1.45GB normally and with SC2 running it goes up to 2.8GB.
Other than that, unless you know you will use more ram, even 4GB will be enough. One advantage of having more ram is you can turn down/off the page file on your hard drive. But if you have an SSD that is even less concerning.

Yes, you would definitely want to use the SSD as your boot drive ('C:') and install all the applications and games you use most on it.

If price is an isssue then go for the 2500K (LN36726), the main difference comparing to the 2600K is it does not have Hyper-Threading. Again unless you know you have programs that can take advantage of HT, then I say save your self £75.

[KebabBandit]

Thats OK then I've saved a little extra on less RAM

I've been doing a little Youtubing on the SSD's - I'm most definitely getting me one of those, roll on a few years when they get bigger and better, oh and cheaper!

When I decided to order it, I realised it just turned closing time Got to wait till Monday now - I can't sign up to the site either, says I've already got an account - I remember Scan setting something up many years ago when I called into the shop for the first time.

Nothing comes through when I submit forgotten password

Anyway I've asked them to contact me Monday (Fingers crossed)

Thank you,

KB

[Jasp]

As others have mentioned I would be looking towards a sandy bridge system, 0 reason to go with a X58 unless you plan on triple or quad sli.

[KebabBandit]

OK I've done a little tweeking and got it to roughly the same price as I had it - Just need to buy Windows 7 Retail.

- Intel Core i7 2600K, 3.4Ghz, Quad Core, 8Mb Cache
- Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P, Intel Z68 Chipset
- Corsair H80 Hydro Series - High Performance CPU Cooler

I've downgraded the graphics card to what I originally chose.

Thank you,

KB

[Jasp]

Unless you plan on doing heavy video encoding or 3d work drop the 2600k for a 2500k and spend the extra on you GFX card. As mentioned the 2600k adds hyper-threading which doesn't do a awful lot in current games.

[asdaw3as]

Personally I would get a SSD as a cache if 2TB is sufficient for storage or you could have external storage and it might save some space inside and allow better cooling? And yh 12gb is probably too much for gaming as most won't be used and your graphics card is already sufficient.

[KebabBandit]

I've had another go and I think you'll be proud of me, I've even made it cheaper I'm liking this one.

- Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W Tower Case Black
- Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P, Intel Z68 Chipset
- Intel Core i5 2500K Cough!
- Corsair H80 Hydro Series - High Performance CPU Cooler
- 8Gb (2x4Gb) Corsair Vengeance LP, DDR3, 1600Mhz Out of Stock - Was going to change it anyway
- 1536MB EVGA GTX 580 SC, 797MHz GPU, 4050MHz GDDR5
- 120Gb OCZ Vertex 3 SSD, Read 550MB/s, Write 500MB/s
- 500 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache
- x2 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green, 64MB Cache
- x4 Pioneer DVR-S19LBK DVD Writer
- Sharkoon 4" UV CCFL 2in1 Kit Or NZXT CB-LED10-BU Blue LED Cable 100cm
- *Operating System Not Required* (System Tested under Windows 7)
- Norton Internet Security 2011

Right I need some advice on power supply's, I'm not going to at another graphics but might upgrade in the future.

- 650W XFX Core Edition (Dual 560's Graphics Cards)
- 850W Corsair HX Series Modular (Dual 570's Graphics Cards)

I'm getting all excited now

Thank you,

KB

[Domestic_Ginger]

iirc the XFX core is a single rail seasonic and a very nice unit which should be fine.

I would get the 1tb HDD if possible as the price should only be slightly more and I can say my 1/2 gig is not big enough!

[Jasp]

Corsair HX 850 no questions asked, two 580s in Hexuses rig pulls 624watts, your going to be pushing it considering the fact your running 1 SSD & 3 HDs and lights.

Build looks solid tbh, and for the love of all things holy don't dare put Norton internet security on the rig.

[KebabBandit]

I would get the 1tb HDD if possible as the price should only be slightly more and I can say my 1/2 gig is not big enough!

Do you mean changing the 500 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3 too a 1TB? I won't be using it for storage, in fact 500GB is a little too much for what I'm going to use it for - It probably will need replacing in 6/12 months of I've killed it.

Corsair HX 850 no questions asked, two 580s in Hexuses rig pulls 624watts, your going to be pushing it considering the fact your running 1 SSD & 3 HDs and lights.

Build looks solid tbh, and for the love of all things holy don't dare put Norton internet security on the rig.

After I posted, it hit me to get the Corsair HX 850 - I got a little carried away with re-choosing the GFX, so I'm gunna stick with the EVGA GTX 570 HD.

Any suggestion's on internet security? I've always used Norton since day one, it's going to be really hard for me to charge.

So roughly, how long will it take for me to take delivery of this?

Silly question! Do you get all the accessories out of all the parts you've ordered?

Would I be able to tell Scan how I want the machine laid out?

Thank you,

KB

[jim]

If you're having one GTX 570 then the XFX PSU will be fine.

Every time the question of internet security comes up, the vast majority (myself included) are running Microsoft Security Essentials. It comes as a download via Windows Update if you don't have any AV installed, or you can download it direct from the Microsoft site. Really lightweight and keeps to itself. Norton has got an awful reputation as a resources hog.

[KebabBandit]

Thanks snooty,

I'm not really that clued up on PC's, I just have basic knowledge - Even that what you have just said has slightly gone over my head. I have got some time to my head round it before I get my new machine.

I'm still stuck on XP, so Windows7 will be a whole new world for me.

[drharvey12]

I found SCAN to be very helpful when I ordered my system. They took me through all the components and confirmed that the build would work well together and do what I wanted. They did the layout form me but there wasn't too much that could be put in different positions in my order anyway.

It's always worth checking out the benchmarks from sites such as tomshardware, hothardware, anandtech, guru3d & Hexus of course to see what kind of frame rates you will get in the current crop of games. A single 570 should be fine though for pretty much anything out at the moment although Crysis 2 on DX 11 Ultra settings with the high res texture pack will probably strain even your system quite a bit to get to 60 fps at 1920 x 1080. You'll probably need to drop some settings down a bit or accept a lower frame rate. Depends on your preference really.

Your system looks really good to me - I agree with the others that the 2500k is the best CPU to go for and I definitely agree with Snooty that you should avoid Norton Internet Security. Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Firewall are fine if you're mostly just gaming and they don't tend to conflict with games at all. Turning off user account control is quite helpful too.

There's a fair few things to set up in Windows on a gaming rig such as high performance power profiles and other tweaks to get windows running at it's best. Scan will do this for you if you get a system with Win 7 from them but if you're not getting an OS you'll have to do this yourself. If you're not 100% up on this stuff be sure to look into it beforehand. There's some good articles on in the 3XS aftercare forum to put you on the right path with these though.

http://forums.hexus.net/scan-3xs-sys...ocked-pcs.html

Good luck with it and hope you enjoy the system when it comes. I've been very happy with mine!!!