Sandy Bridge-E Build, need advice.

[chronaden]

Hello, im putting together a fairly high-end build for gaming and overclocking, but I have some questions and would like som generel input.

The build:

CPU: INTEL CORE I7 3930K

Cooler: Corsair H100

Motherboard: ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME

RAM: CORSAIR 16GB DDR3 VENGEANCE QUAD 1866MHZ CL9 (4X4GB)

Graphics: 2 x ASUS GEFORCE GTX 580 DIRECTCU II 1536MB

Monitor: ASUS VG278H 27" WIDE TFT LED 3D 120HZ (1920x1080)

Tower: CORSAIR MIDITOWER OBSIDIAN 650D

PSU: CORSAIR AX 1200W PROFESSIONAL SERIES MODULAR

SSD: INTEL 510 SERIES 2.5" 250GB SSD SATA/600 MLC 34NM

Optic: LG BLURAY BD-R 12X RETAIL INTERNAL BLACK

Keyboard: CORSAIR VENGEANCE K60 FPS MECHANICAL GAMING KEYBOARD

Mouse: CORSAIR VENGEANCE M60 FPS GAMING MOUSE

Question 1:

I have the option to go 3 x 6970 instead of 2 x 580. What will this give me in raw gaming performance?

Question 2:

Will the Rampage IV Extreme take a dedicated soundcard in between my 2 x triple slot 580's (See picture here: http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/articles/2011/11/11161824731l.jpg) - The cards will go in the 1st from top and the 3rd PCI-E slot.

Question 3:

If I can fit a dedicated soundcard, can you recommend a good non-creative that have optical out?

Question 4:

Will it give me anything (in terms of overclocking) to upgrade the RAM from the Vengeance 1866 to Dominator 2133 ($150 extra)

Question 5:

Is there any real alternative to Corsair 650D, i've been doing alot of research, and this case seems to be the best around that can fit both an e-atx and the Corsair H100

And please write if you have suggestions to different components or etc!

 

[JackyBoy]

I woul suggest going for the 3gb 580s. I have seen with those cards that the main bottleneck is the memory for textures etc. I don't know how much it will effect it with 3d but it definitely makes an impact at high resolutions.

Also what cooler are you going for? As I watched tiny toms video and he said that it was an extreme overclockers board so if you are going to be sticking with stock cooling it will be a waste tbh

 

[chronaden]

I woul suggest going for the 3gb 580s. I have seen with those cards that the main bottleneck is the memory for textures etc. I don't know how much it will effect it with 3d but it definitely makes an impact at high resolutions.

Also what cooler are you going for? As I watched tiny toms video and he said that it was an extreme overclockers board so if you are going to be sticking with stock cooling it will be a waste tbh

I forgot the Cooler, i've added it now, the Corsair H100

I've been reading about 3Gb vram vs 1.5Gb, most reviews I found said that it was only helpful in resolutions OVER 1920x1080.

 

[yassarikhan786]

I forgot the Cooler, i've added it now, the Corsair H100

I've been reading about 3Gb vram vs 1.5Gb, most reviews I found said that it was only helpful in resolutions OVER 1920x1080.

Yeh. For a single setup you don't need 3GB, but the games that will be released next year may require more than 1.5GB, so a 3GB card may be a better investment.

 

[stevenwright6379]

if you put your GPUs in the 1st and 3rd red PCI-E slots then you can put a sound card in the black one inbetween as long as it uses PCI-E not PCI.

there are loads of cases out there that support the H100 (any which support a dual 120mm rad in the roof) just the 650D was designed with the H100 in mind seeing as they are both made by corsair.

as already mentioned the R IV E was built with one thing in mind and one thing only and that is subzero overclocking you will be best off saving your money and just getting a mid range board. this will also save your hearing as the fan on the heatsink is stupidly loud

if you must get a ROG board then wait for the formula.

the extra Vram will come in handy if you are using resolution above 1920x1200 or gaming in 3D as the card has to render everything twice

 

[stevenwright6379]

by the way i am also going to move this thread to the correct section as it should be in the new build advice section

 

[Bladehawk]

For the 5th question "case options"

I'm also planning on making a sandy-bridge E build when the nvidia 600's will be out

I was also in your place i was torn between :

NZXT pantom ~125$

CORSAIR 500r ~130$

CORSAIR 650d ~190$

CM storm trooper ~190$

but then i saw Thomas's CM storm trooper review and i fell in love.

hope you also like it.

 

[chronaden]

For the 5th question "case options"

I'm also planning on making a sandy-bridge E build when the nvidia 600's will be out

I was also in your place i was torn between :

NZXT pantom ~125$

CORSAIR 500r ~130$

CORSAIR 650d ~190$

CM storm trooper ~190$

but then i saw Thomas's CM storm trooper review and i fell in love.

hope you also like it.

Maybe the CM one would have catered to me 10 years ago, but it's way to nerdy/lan looking for me know, im looking for stylish subtle towers.

 

[yassarikhan786]

Maybe the CM one would have catered to me 10 years ago, but it's way to nerdy/lan looking for me know, im looking for stylish subtle towers.

The 650D is a good choice mate. I've got one and I couldn't be happier

.

 

[Bladehawk]

Yup then go with the 650D, great looking case, it was my 2nd choice.

 

[chronaden]

Thank you for all the replies, I've decided to go with the Dell U2711 and 3x6950 instead.