Long time coming... PC buildin' time!

LinkedKube said:
I've been saving $100usd+ a month for the passed 3 for this build. Yes I know it will be overkill but this is why I only overhaul every 2-3 years.
Click to expand...

Going for an overhaul with an "overkill" objective once every three years sounds like a fantastic -- and ultimately sensible -- upgrade program to me. I imagine it takes some discipline, though.

I would agree with xcylent on the GPUs. Three or four 4gb 680s sounds so sick it gives me the goosebumps! But yeah, I think you'll need some VRAM to play at the resolutions you want -- and on a multi-monitor setup at that.

I'd sure love to see pics of this big, beautiful monster once it is up and running. Sounds like it's going to be one kickass rig.
 
Dawn1113 said:
Going for an overhaul with an "overkill" objective once every three years sounds like a fantastic -- and ultimately sensible -- upgrade program to me. I imagine it takes some discipline, though.

I would agree with xcylent on the GPUs. Three or four 4gb 680s sounds so sick it gives me the goosebumps! But yeah, I think you'll need some VRAM to play at the resolutions you want -- and on a multi-monitor setup at that.

I'd sure love to see pics of this big, beautiful monster once it is up and running. Sounds like it's going to be one kickass rig.
Click to expand...

I've order a cross desk from redharbringer. Been watching this guy with a prototype for 2 years. Cost me 1900 bucks but the desk is too cool. He opened up ordering for a week, but I wont get mine until December :(

http://redharbinger.com/
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dawn1113
Have you considered 2 7970s in crossfire? they have 3GB frame buffer and cost a lot less than the 680s and are just as fast.
 
Considering your budget I'd go with your original idea of 4GB 680 SLI, I can tell you first hand that 7970 CF suffers pretty badly from microstuttering in some games, and given that this is a no expenses spared build you don't want to be let down by microstuttering or bad driver support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cliffordcooley
There are 6GB versions of the 7970 and crossfire scales better than sli so idk what you mean slh28. Micro stutter has not really been a problem for most people in a long time.
 
klepto12 said:
There are 6GB versions of the 7970
Click to expand...
Sure are...the Toxic and Vapor-X are available (on occasion) - the larger frame buffer won't help with microstutter. It would help with extreme resolutions when using higher levels of game I.q.
Unless LK is planning on keeping the cards for a while (in which case I'd suggest a reference design + waterblock), I'd look at a GTX 670 4GB - $120 (or more) cheaper than the equivalent GTX 680/HD 7970 with comparable performance, which means recouping a bigger chunk of the initial outlay when the GK 114/HD 8000 arrives in March (give or take). This is also the timeframe for the GeForce version of the GK 110 -if it eventuates after HPC orders are filled.
klepto12 said:
and crossfire scales better than sli so idk what you mean slh28.
Click to expand...
While true as a general rule, when Crossfire fails it usually fails big time- so something to note is how long it takes for multi-GPU driver fixs to appear
klepto12 said:
Micro stutter has not really been a problem for most people in a long time.
Click to expand...
That depends on if you notice it in game- some do, some don't. The fact that it exists is not a matter for dispute
uks8Y.jpg

[source]
A more graphic example might be video showing the effects
----------------------------------
 
Sorry for the double post. For some reason, editing the post above I couldn't add links.

So, as for the build...
CPU: i7-3930K @ $570
Mobo: Asus R4F @ $370
RAM: 32GB (4x8G) Corsair DDR3-1866C10 @ $190. A little overkill but cheap enough. I know from first hand experience that this kit works fine with the R4F/R4E
GPU: 2 x EVGA GTX 670 SuperClocked 4GB @ $860
GPU blocks: 2 x Aquacomputer AquagraFX GTX 670 @ $218
LGA 2011 CPU block: XSPC Raystorm Copper w/aluminium hold down bracket @ $95 (conversely a standard delrin top Raystorm + aluminium hold down @ $65 total). The standard delrin Raystorm ships with a plexi hold down plate which can flex under pressure- doesn't instill a lot of confidence. Standard Raystorm w/ supplied 2xblue LED's (can be swapped out for any other 3mm light colour), and with the optional aluminium hold down as fitted to my Z77

If you're looking at blocking the board I'd suggest going with the Rampage IV Extreme since there are no full cover blocks for the Formula. (EK's block set $118)

Should run you about $2k ( 2-and-a-half for tri-SLI). Should leave some budget for storage, RAID card if needed etc.
As for monitor- 30" 2560x1600, I guess the ubiquitous U3011 @ $1100, or if the anti-glare coating on the Dell is a problem, a Korean iCinema clone. The Crossover features DisplayPort as well as HDMI, DL-DVI, Component etc. Only a one year warranty though, although eBay offer an extended warranty...for a few extra dollars naturally
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dawn1113 and LinkedKube
I really like corsair ram when budget isn't an issue. I'd be willing to use another 670 even though I know there's only a 20% increase in frame rates in the best situations. Need the gpu setup, motherboard, and ram to last at least another 2-3 years.
 
A tri-SLI might not do too much for your overall framerate, but it should smooth out the gameplay- both raising minimums and reducing any microstutter, although at 2560x1600 there should still be instances where you can gain more than incrementally in GPU power while not running into CPU limitation.
 
Yeah I know tri sli wont help the bottom line TOO much, but I am concerned with another 30" monitor upgrade one day.
 
klepto12 said:
Micro stutter has not really been a problem for most people in a long time.
Click to expand...
It's pretty bad in Dirt Showdown and Sleeping Dogs. It's not unplayably bad, but it is definitely noticeable and annoying. FPS's like BF3 seem fine for the most part though.

LinkedKube said:
Yeah I know tri sli wont help the bottom line TOO much, but I am concerned with another 30" monitor upgrade one day.
Click to expand...
You can't really game on an even number of monitors, there will be bezels right in the middle of your FOV. So you'd be looking at 7680x1600, and from what I've seen no existing setup (not even OC'd Quadfire 7970) can run that maxing all games out there. But if you're only playing MMOs then 4GB 670 SLI might be able to do that resolution.
 
@ slh28 ,TBH all the mmo's I've played I just go in windowed mode on one screen of my setup. Rift, Aion, GW2, and Lol. Haven't tried to play anything across both screens in a long while. I didn't think about your above post and the issues concerning a bezel or two or four... Again this is the reason why I'm here to make sure I don't skimp on on the small stuff.
 
dividebyzero said:
Sorry for the double post. For some reason, editing the post above I couldn't add links.

So, as for the build...
CPU: i7-3930K @ $570
Mobo: Asus R4F @ $370
RAM: 32GB (4x8G) Corsair DDR3-1866C10 @ $190. A little overkill but cheap enough. I know from first hand experience that this kit works fine with the R4F/R4E
GPU: 2 x EVGA GTX 670 SuperClocked 4GB @ $860
GPU blocks: 2 x Aquacomputer AquagraFX GTX 670 @ $218
LGA 2011 CPU block: XSPC Raystorm Copper w/aluminium hold down bracket @ $95 (conversely a standard delrin top Raystorm + aluminium hold down @ $65 total). The standard delrin Raystorm ships with a plexi hold down plate which can flex under pressure- doesn't instill a lot of confidence. Standard Raystorm w/ supplied 2xblue LED's (can be swapped out for any other 3mm light colour), and with the optional aluminium hold down as fitted to my Z77

If you're looking at blocking the board I'd suggest going with the Rampage IV Extreme since there are no full cover blocks for the Formula. (EK's block set $118)

Should run you about $2k ( 2-and-a-half for tri-SLI). Should leave some budget for storage, RAID card if needed etc.
As for monitor- 30" 2560x1600, I guess the ubiquitous U3011 @ $1100, or if the anti-glare coating on the Dell is a problem, a Korean iCinema clone. The Crossover features DisplayPort as well as HDMI, DL-DVI, Component etc. Only a one year warranty though, although eBay offer an extended warranty...for a few extra dollars naturally
Click to expand...


I'm looking into the monitor you suggested, also experience with my 305t samsumg 30" I think I'll pay for that extended warranty.

Anyone have experience with duel or even trip 30" monitors? Wondering if the jump in resolution will kill my setup from 27" 1080P Asus monitors.
 
LinkedKube said:
I'm looking into the monitor you suggested, also experience with my 305t samsumg 30" I think I'll pay for that extended warranty.

Anyone have experience with duel or even trip 30" monitors? Wondering if the jump in resolution will kill my setup from 27" 1080P Asus monitors.
Click to expand...

warranties arent that crucial with monitors... it costs more to repair than to buy
 
UNKNOWN9122 said:
Dude!!! Ivy bridge E incoming, wait a bit!!!
Click to expand...
No it's not, it's coming after Haswell so Q3 13 at the earliest. Even if it was coming out in the next couple of months a 3930K build wouldn't be a bad idea because IB-E uses the same 2011 socket as SB-E.
 
LinkedKube said:
I'm looking into the monitor you suggested
Click to expand...
The Crossover? The Korean monitors really are a nice option ( Yamakasi Leonidas, Achieva Shimian QH300 both have the same panel), although the sweet spot are the 27" 2560x1440 models - I think the general feeling is that 3 x 27" both works out more cost effective, the model range is greater- a few of which happily run at 85-100Hz refresh (The Yamakasi Catleap 2B is 120+Hz capable- see LNCPapa's posts for some more info), and being non-scalar have very low input lag. I notice nil difference between by Achieva Shimian 2560x1440 S-IPS and a VS or Asus 24" 1980x1080 with supposed 2ms GTG response.
LinkedKube said:
Anyone have experience with duel or even trip 30" monitors? Wondering if the jump in resolution will kill my setup from 27" 1080P Asus monitors.
Click to expand...
Check out the enthusiast forums (EVGA forum thread >>here<< Same setup you'd be looking at. 7680x1600, tri (and quad) SLI'ed GTX 670 4GB.
7680x1600/1440 is still too esoteric for the most part, so your best bet might be the pro benchmarking crowd at EVGA, OCN, XS etc.
 
slh28 said:
No it's not, it's coming after Haswell so Q3 13 at the earliest. Even if it was coming out in the next couple of months a 3930K build wouldn't be a bad idea because IB-E uses the same 2011 socket as SB-E.
Click to expand...
nope, it is Q1 13 if I am not mistaken. :). it has full pci e certification and it is rumored to have 8 cores
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ivan Franco
Zotac Magnus EK71080 Mini PC Review
Replies
4
Views
2K
Stark
Stark
Jos
Origin Chronos Z review: A mean, compact gaming PC
Replies
8
Views
2K
Guest
G
E
First time building a new gaming PC -- want to cut cost.
Replies
4
Views
4K
slh28
slh28

Latest posts

Back