New Sandy Bridge Build

[aawitek]

Hello, long time lurker first time poster. I am just about ready to pull the trigger on purchasing new components to build a new pc. Since this is the first time I am going to assemble from scratch, I figured that I would run this build by the community and gather any information/advise on the components I am selecting. My primary use will be gaming (all settings to the max) and some video and photo editing. I also plan to overclock as much as I can. I am going to connect the computer to my Denon AVR (4308CI) receiver via HDMI, set up in 7.1 surround, which then connects to my Sony LCD (52xbr5) via HDMI.

CPU: i7-2600K

MB: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO

CPU Cooler: Antec Kuhler H20 920 or Noctua NH-D14

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 580 3072MB X2 in SLI

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1866 (2 X 4GB) CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9 or G.Skill Sniper 8GB DDR3 1600 (2X 4GB) F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR or G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 2133 (2 X 4GB) F3-17000CL11D-8GBXL

SSD: OCZ Vertex 3 128GB

HDD: WD Caviar Blue SATA 2 1TB X 2 in RAID 0

PSU: Corsair AX850

CASE: HAF X

OS: Windows 7 64bit Pro

So just a few questions:

1. I am thinking that the audio though the HDMI connection is sufficient for my home theater system and that I do not need a sound card, or should I get one?

2. I am having a hard time choosing the CPU Cooler. If I go with the NH-D14, I will go with the G.Skill. Or if I go with the 920 I will go with the Corsair Vengeance. I prefer the clean look with the 920 installed as opposed to NH-D14. I will be overclocking. I know that the NH-D14 will most likely be quieter than the 920 and might keep it cooler at higher overclocks, but I haven't been able to find any review comparing the two noise levels and overclock temps. Please convince me which way to go with the cooler/RAM.

3. The front fan is connected to a front panel on/off switch to control the LED. I love this feature. Case fans going, and if streaming something or watching a move, the LED can be turned off. I plan on replacing/adding additional LED (or UV) case fans. Any out there which can also be connected to the on/off switch on the front of the case (i.e. more than one fan with on/off LED)? I know Bit Fenix is coming out with some LED fans with a separate LED controller (which fits in an expansion slot on the back of the case) and I think NZXT makes fans that are wired the correct way. Any info on this is highly appreciated.

4. Is a fan controller nessary or are the headers on the MB or conneing directly to the PSU sufficient? There will be a total of 1 X 230mm (front), 3X 200mm (one side pannel, two top). To tidy up the inside and not have the fans going full blast, I am thinking that the NZXT Sentry 2 or LX would be good.

5. Also looking for good wired and wireless recommendations on a keyboard and mouse. Since I will be using the PC on the couch in my living room, I wanted to go wireless if possible.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions, as they are greatly appreciated. Also, thanks for reading through this long post.

 

[SieB]

1. Don't know tbh.

2. As it is the D14 is the best air cooler there is and most RAM will fit under it even corsair dominator if you take the heatspreaders off, the vengeance won't fit though. There is RAM that is just as good you can get that will fit under it though like any of the Mushkin RAM. Another CPU cooler you might want to check out is the Alpenfohn K2 LINK there are no reviews for it yet but it is a similar design to the D14 and is the same price so performance wise it should be around the same plus it has better RAM clearance than the D14.

3. Don't know.

4. On Asus motherboards you can control fans that are plugged into the motherboard using the Asus AI Suite that you can use in windows there are a few different profiles like Silent, Turbo, Intelligent and a few others. Fan controllers are good if you want to have control all your fans from one place though.

5. Don't know about keyboard i'm happy with a normal HP one but a good gaming mouse is the steelseries XIA, best mouse I have ever had and i use it on the arm of my couch no probs.

Also if this build is for gaming you might as well save some money and change the 2600K for a 2500K you won't notice the difference in games the 2600K is only good if you do Video editing and 3D modeling or similar stuff to that.

 

[Jamsand]

I'd always recommend a soundcard specially if you've got some high-end kit attached m-audio 24-96 is a great soundcard and lil more balanced than the gamers cards *cough* soundblaster*cough*

 

[Pat123]

Get the noctua cooler and then mushkin ram if you can find it, ridgebacks are a good choice.

The 850W will likely be enough, only just, but i would seriously consider upping it to the 1200W incase you add any more gear in the future.

Everything else seems fine to me.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Mind if I ask why your going with the 3GB graphics cards but a mobo that only supports SLI at x8/x8?

It's just that the 3GB cards are normally for those running multiple monitor setups so the cards have enough ram to handle the large resolutions. x8/x8 SLI is fine for single monitor setups but the performance really suffers with multiple monitor setups so its really the only time where it's worth going for a mobo that can give you x16/x16. That's how I understand it anyway.

Sorry if you already know this or are aware of something I'm not but I thought I should at least check.

 

[Chaney579]

Mind if I ask why your going with the 3GB graphics cards but a mobo that only supports SLI at x8/x8?

It's just that the 3GB cards are normally for those running multiple monitor setups so the cards have enough ram to handle the large resolutions. x8/x8 SLI is fine for single monitor setups but the performance really suffers with multiple monitor setups so its really the only time where it's worth going for a mobo that can give you x16/x16. That's how I understand it anyway.

Sorry if you already know this or are aware of something I'm not but I thought I should at least check.

I agree with this ^, Also may i say that you should not spend that much money on 2133 ram or anything over 1600, mhz, In many reveiws the conclusion came out to be that 1600mhz was the max and per say the "Sweet Spot" For gaming. They found that going higher to 1866+ 2000+ Made performance actually drop. Even in comparisons 2133 (16gb) vs 1600 (8gb) that 1600 got better fps. Now unless you are running two+ monitors and want to be able to play two different games at once. Or watch a movie/ play a game at the same time. Then get the higher mhz thats where it shines. Other then that 1600mhz ram will get you the best performance.

Hope that helps

 

[aawitek]

Mind if I ask why your going with the 3GB graphics cards but a mobo that only supports SLI at x8/x8?

It's just that the 3GB cards are normally for those running multiple monitor setups so the cards have enough ram to handle the large resolutions. x8/x8 SLI is fine for single monitor setups but the performance really suffers with multiple monitor setups so its really the only time where it's worth going for a mobo that can give you x16/x16. That's how I understand it anyway.

Sorry if you already know this or are aware of something I'm not but I thought I should at least check.

There was a thread at EVGA regarding the memory usage in CIV 5 indicating the demand was at 2GB. I do play CIV a lot, so i figured at 3GB it will help with that and for some future games.

Good point on the x8 vs. x16, how I overlooked that, I don't know. I probably will go with the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme. Or wait till the Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z, but I have no idea when that is going to come out, or if it will be worth the wait. Any info on the Extreme-Z?

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

There was a thread at EVGA regarding the memory usage in CIV 5 indicating the demand was at 2GB. I do play CIV a lot, so i figured at 3GB it will help with that and for some future games.

Good point on the x8 vs. x16, how I overlooked that, I don't know. I probably will go with the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme. Or wait till the Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z, but I have no idea when that is going to come out, or if it will be worth the wait. Any info on the Extreme-Z?

If your looking for a Maximus then you do need to wait for the Z68 version as believe it or not the P67 version is only x8/x8 when using two cards, I **** you not. If you want a mobo that does x16/x16 now then I'd look at either the BBM or one of the UD7's but if you don't mind the wait then with the new Z68's coming out I'd personally hold out to see what's around the corner.

Yeah, I heard Civ 5 was quite demanding. As long as you have a reason for wanting the 3GB version cards then it's all good and if your only running one monitor than x8/x8 will be fine. It's only really worth paying more for a x16/x16 mobo if your going to use more monitors later, or extremely high resolutions. I just wanted to mention it.

 

[aawitek]

If your looking for a Maximus then you do need to wait for the Z68 version as believe it or not the P67 version is only x8/x8 when using two cards, I **** you not. If you want a mobo that does x16/x16 now then I'd look at either the BBM or one of the UD7's but if you don't mind the wait then with the new Z68's coming out I'd personally hold out to see what's around the corner.

Yeah, I heard Civ 5 was quite demanding. As long as you have a reason for wanting the 3GB version cards then it's all good and if your only running one monitor than x8/x8 will be fine. It's only really worth paying more for a x16/x16 mobo if your going to use more monitors later, or extremely high resolutions. I just wanted to mention it.

I appreciate the information. I will wait for the Maximus-Z then, i am a fan of the ASUS boards and really have no interest in the others, unless I can be convinced. I eventually plan on going with a high resolution monitor or two at some point within a year...so x16 will be a factor to consider. Just want the Maximus-Z out so I can build the computer since all other components have been decided on...well except for the cooler.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[daniSAUR]

I know you're video editing, but if your primary uses for the PC are gaming, wouldn't a 2500K be more suitable? It's got amazing OCing potential too.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Your welcome.

I can understand you wanting to stay with Asus to be honest. I'm just hoping the Maximus Extreme-Z doesn't take after the P67 Maximus. If that happens I suppose the work around would either be an X58 board or a GTX 590 but lets just keep our fingers crossed and hope the Extreme-Z supports x16/x16.

Did you know Gainwood to a 3GB version of the 580 Phantom? I hear EVGA are suppose to be damn good but I just don't like stock coolers. I tend to have perspex side panels though. The trouble with the Phantoms though is that they require two and a half slot spaces so on a Maximus Extreme-Z they wouldn't leave you any room for any other PCI-E cards.

As for the CPU cooler I'd personally go with the D-14 out of the two you've listed as I know that you need to be careful with the Corsair H50/60/70 as if you overclock too high then with them just having a 120 rad then the water stops being cooled properly and you just end up with hot water being pumped round and the CPU overheats, and I'm expecting the Antec version will have the same problem. If you don't like the look of the D-14 though there is the K2 coming out which looks more or less the same.

 

[aawitek]

Your welcome.

I can understand you wanting to stay with Asus to be honest. I'm just hoping the Maximus Extreme-Z doesn't take after the P67 Maximus. If that happens I suppose the work around would either be an X58 board or a GTX 590 but lets just keep our fingers crossed and hope the Extreme-Z supports x16/x16.

Did you know Gainwood to a 3GB version of the 580 Phantom? I hear EVGA are suppose to be damn good but I just don't like stock coolers. I tend to have perspex side panels though. The trouble with the Phantoms though is that they require two and a half slot spaces so on a Maximus Extreme-Z they wouldn't leave you any room for any other PCI-E cards.

As for the CPU cooler I'd personally go with the D-14 out of the two you've listed as I know that you need to be careful with the Corsair H50/60/70 as if you overclock too high then with them just having a 120 rad then the water stops being cooled properly and you just end up with hot water being pumped round and the CPU overheats, and I'm expecting the Antec version will have the same problem. If you don't like the look of the D-14 though there is the K2 coming out which looks more or less the same.

I heard or read somewhere, that the board does x8/x16/x16, so, as long as something (like an audio card) is in the first slot, the GPUs can do x16/x16 with the NF200 chip.

As for the stock coolers on the GPU...That is why I am going with the HAF-X. It has a 200mm fan as intake on the cards on the side pannel. Also, it has a 230mm fan as intake at the front and an additional 120mm fan can be added via VGA duct that blows fresh air right into the cards.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

I heard or read somewhere, that the board does x8/x16/x16, so, as long as something (like an audio card) is in the first slot, the GPUs can do x16/x16 with the NF200 chip.

As for the stock coolers on the GPU...That is why I am going with the HAF-X. It has a 200mm fan as intake on the cards on the side pannel. Also, it has a 230mm fan as intake at the front and an additional 120mm fan can be added via VGA duct that blows fresh air right into the cards.

OFC, can't believe I didn't think of that. Don't get me wrong, I don't like how you have to frig the board to get 2 x16 lanes but if you where going to install a sound card anyway well at least this will give you the performance you want. Hopefully the Z68 version you won't need to use such tactics though.

With the GPU's, for me personally it's as much about noise and looks as it is about temperatures, but that's me and this is your rig and if your happy that's all that matters.

So which CPU cooler you going for and what you gona do about the mobo?

 

[aawitek]

OFC, can't believe I didn't think of that. Don't get me wrong, I don't like how you have to frig the board to get 2 x16 lanes but if you where going to install a sound card anyway well at least this will give you the performance you want. Hopefully the Z68 version you won't need to use such tactics though.

With the GPU's, for me personally it's as much about noise and looks as it is about temperatures, but that's me and this is your rig and if your happy that's all that matters.

So which CPU cooler you going for and what you gona do about the mobo?

Going to go with the NH-D14. As for the mobo...i am going to wait for the Maximus IV Extreme-Z.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Going to go with the NH-D14. As for the mobo...i am going to wait for the Maximus IV Extreme-Z.

Both good calls imho.

 

[daantjuh44]

Please check if the NH-D14 is going to give you problems with running a side panel fan !

The NH-D14 is a really tall cooler.