New build advice please

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Hi,

Been out the loop for a while and it's been a couple of years since I built a rig (6600/Asus P5K).  Anyway I'd like to build a new gaming rig (W7/air cooled) and would like some help with where it's at right now in terms of best h/w.  Cost isn't an issue so if you guys could fill in the blanks below that would be great:

Mobo:

CPU:

RAM:

Gfx (x2 SLI or Xfire):

PSU:

Case::

Case fans:

CPU cooler:

SSD for OS:

Storage drive:

TIA

  

TOG

 

[tinytomlogan]

Hi,

Been out the loop for a while and it's been a couple of years since I built a rig (6600/Asus P5K).  Anyway I'd like to build a new gaming rig (W7/air cooled) and would like some help with where it's at right now in terms of best h/w.  Cost isn't an issue so if you guys could fill in the blanks below that would be great:

Mobo: Rampage 3 Extreme

CPU: Intel 970

RAM: Mushkin 2000mhz or Corsair Dom GT

Gfx (x2 SLI or Xfire): (november should see 6000 series ATI's so wait)

PSU: Corsair AX850w

Case: Toughy as this is personal prefference but look at Lian Li's or Cooler Master 840

Case fans: Noctua

CPU cooler: Noctua NH-D14

TIA

  

TOG

All above

Welcome to the madhouse btw fella

 

[Diablo]

Go for RAM without the tall heat spreaders and go for a noctua D14 if you can as that will no doubt give you the best air cooling you can get.

 

[AMDFTW]

i would assume the mushkin has low heatspreaders or they can be removed like the doms

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Go for RAM without the tall heat spreaders and go for a noctua D14 if you can as that will no doubt give you the best air cooling you can get.

What's the best RAM to go with the D14 that won't physically interfere?  Is the Mushkin or Corsair Dominator that TTL recommended OK?

TOG

 

[AMDFTW]

with you doms you just remove the heatsink close to the noctua fan.

i dont no with the mushkins its ither the same or they fit fine

the redlines dont look like they will fit but the ridgebacks do

 

[alienware]

Legend ! Do you still have the world record for sticking marshmallows up one nostril?

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Legend ! Do you still have the world record for sticking marshmallows up one nostril?

Check the link in my sig  

TOG

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Just to add, forgot hard disks in OP. Doh!  Edited to add to list. Please keep the ideas coming.  Ta

 

[Diablo]

In terms of actual disks, 1TB F3 Samsungs are one of the best options. A corsair C300 or two would prbably satisfy your SSD needs. Don't bother RAIDing SSDs as you lose TRIM.

 

[AMDFTW]

corsair c300 dont you mean crucial

or the kingston V+ variety

but yes a samsung 1tb f3 is the best for storage

 

[Diablo]

Yeah sorry, I meant crucial...think then type, think then type

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Thanks for the replies so far. Very helpful.  No real alternate suggestions to TTL's list so is it really that clear cut?  Looks like for the DDR3 Dominator GTs I can just move the DH14 fan up or unscrew one of the RAM stick heatspreaders.  Searching round the web on ATI 6000s it seems they could be delayed til next year and they're retaining the 40nm die so is it worth the wait?  What's the current best SLI or Xfire pair?  Who are the preferred vendors for latest gfx cards (custom bios/cooling/oc'ing)?

TOG

 

[tinytomlogan]

Asus or MSI GPU's at this current point tbh dude. And ATI 6000 series might be sooner than you think

 

[AMDFTW]

2 460's for the nvid rout (any vendor tom posted)

or

2 5770's

they are the best bang4buck cards IMO

both would need to be overclocked tho

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Probably gonna go with the i7-950 rather than the 970.  £230 vs £655 - I'm never gonna feel with the 970 that the extra performance is worth over 400 quid more. 

  What speed DDR3 do I need to get?

 

TOG

 

[AMDFTW]

2000mhz would be good,have a look at dominators GT's and mushkins

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

2000mhz would be good,have a look at dominators GT's and mushkins

Seems there's issues with the Rampage 3 Extreme and Dominator GT 2000.  Can't find Mushkin triple chan 2000 in UK.

Anyone already running this set up?

TOG

 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

  Is this DDR3 worth a pop with a Rampage 3 Extreme and i7-950?

http://www.mushkin.c...ine/998834.aspx

  

TOG

 

[tinytomlogan]

  Is this DDR3 worth a pop with a Rampage 3 Extreme and i7-950?

http://www.mushkin.c...ine/998834.aspx

  

TOG

I use Dom GT's with the RE3 so dwai dude. Mushkin ram is epic if you are willing to overclock it.

You can run 1600mhz with tighter timings though and it still ties in to a 200BCLK overclock (4ghz with a 20 multiplier)

Id just buy this:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...+6-8-6-24+Ridgeback+-+998826+?productId=41788