Tough times, tough choices

[TMaksimov]

Hey guys, as some of you may know I'm quite new here and as promised earlier.. here come the questions! I'm really into computers and can't wait for my first proper build. I have a couple of issues though, hope you fellas can help.

I'm looking for an "above-average" gaming computer and right now I'm quite confused. Thing is I was almost certain things couldn't get more complicated until the Crosshair IV came out some time ago and now I'm just stunned. I don't know what to do anymore. There's two choices, really.. the all time Intel vs. AMD strikes once again.

Right now a Crosshair IV Formula is 169 GBP on overclockers and the 1090T 205.. I swear it was like 180 yesterday. I was wondering what ram and cooler would be suitable to strap to that. Would the famous NH-D14 do with those massive heatsinks around the socket on the Crosshair or would it just.. not fit. And does DDR3 work well with the 1090?

930, P6XD-E, OCZ Gold, NH-D14 is pretty much the other choice.

Also.. GPUs. I'm looking for something in the region of 5770/GTX460. Buy one then Crossfire in about half a year or so. Would the GTX460 CF work as well on the AMD platform or would I have to stick to 5770?

Also I'm looking for the thing to last me. How long would it be until games start truly using the power of all six cores on the 1090? Do you think then it would beast the 930 or is it even worth waiting?

Cheers. Thanks for reading.

PS: Pretty much settled on an In-Win Maelstrom and a modular PSU in the region of 750-850.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Hey guys, as some of you may know I'm quite new here and as promised earlier.. here come the questions! I'm really into computers and can't wait for my first proper build. I have a couple of issues though, hope you fellas can help.

I'm looking for an "above-average" gaming computer and right now I'm quite confused. Thing is I was almost certain things couldn't get more complicated until the Crosshair IV came out some time ago and now I'm just stunned. I don't know what to do anymore. There's two choices, really.. the all time Intel vs. AMD strikes once again.

Right now a Crosshair IV Formula is 169 GBP on overclockers and the 1090T 205.. I swear it was like 180 yesterday. I was wondering what ram and cooler would be suitable to strap to that. Would the famous NH-D14 do with those massive heatsinks around the socket on the Crosshair or would it just.. not fit. And does DDR3 work well with the 1090?

930, P6XD-E, OCZ Gold, NH-D14 is pretty much the other choice.

Also.. GPUs. I'm looking for something in the region of 5770/GTX460. Buy one then Crossfire in about half a year or so. Would the GTX460 CF work as well on the AMD platform or would I have to stick to 5770?

Also I'm looking for the thing to last me. How long would it be until games start truly using the power of all six cores on the 1090? Do you think then it would beast the 930 or is it even worth waiting?

Cheers. Thanks for reading.

PS: Pretty much settled on an In-Win Maelstrom and a modular PSU in the region of 750-850.

First off forget OCZ ram now its pants and if it goes wrong an rma will take months as they dont make ram anymore.

Two you can ONLY use DDR3 with the 1090T.

The only thing the CH4E has going for it is the fact you can mix and match GPU's but seeing as your looking at matching pairs I would honestly go the Intel route matey. The P6X58D-E is a stonking board and a decent overclock on a 930 with the NH-D14 will be an above average rig, if you add to that a pair of 460's youll have a little screamer.

Maelstrom is an interesting choice but at the end of the day its you that has to look at it so buy what YOU like.

PSU wise buy a Corsair simple as really.

Hope that helps initially fella.

 

[TMaksimov]

Hey, Tom, thanks for the fast reply. Well about the 1366 socket dying soon.. is that just somebody's wild guesses or is there some truth to it as I really can't afford another build such as this in say a year or two ( Maybe I will, who knows

). And Bulldozer.. will it really make much of a difference.

Oh and about the Maelstrom.. its a compromise and seems to be one of the best value cases around right now plus I was thinking some green LEDs instead of the blues on the side and it would look pretty wicked. Add to that maybe an NZXT Sentry 2 or something like that. Also what's your opinion on F3 1tb Spinpoints? They seem to work rather well.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Hey, Tom, thanks for the fast reply. Well about the 1366 socket dying soon.. is that just somebody's wild guesses or is there some truth to it as I really can't afford another build such as this in say a year or two ( Maybe I will, who knows

). And Bulldozer.. will it really make much of a difference.

Oh and about the Maelstrom.. its a compromise and seems to be one of the best value cases around right now plus I was thinking some green LEDs instead of the blues on the side and it would look pretty wicked. Add to that maybe an NZXT Sentry 2 or something like that. Also what's your opinion on F3 1tb Spinpoints? They seem to work rather well.

Well the current AM3 socket wont work with Bulldozer as AMD are changing to AM3+ so that needs to be considered.

Also yeah Intel do have plans for a new socket but its not on the road map for the next year so its not to be worried about.

Have a look at the NZXT Phantom matey.

HDD wise the F3's are good drives, Ive got 12 in my server

 

[TMaksimov]

Well the current AM3 socket wont work with Bulldozer as AMD are changing to AM3+ so that needs to be considered.

Also yeah Intel do have plans for a new socket but its not on the road map for the next year so its not to be worried about.

Have a look at the NZXT Phantom matey.

HDD wise the F3's are good drives, Ive got 12 in my server

If I could get a Phantom for 90 odd quid it would be ok but 40 over is a bit meh :/

 

[tinytomlogan]

Ahh didnt realise you had a set budget, the NZXT is wrth a lot more than they charge tbh. Take a look at the Xigmatek Utgard fella, thats a nice chassis and its cheaper too.

 

[TMaksimov]

Ahh didnt realise you had a set budget, the NZXT is wrth a lot more than they charge tbh. Take a look at the Xigmatek Utgard fella, thats a nice chassis and its cheaper too.

The one they have at overclockers is different than the one you've tested (Well the side panel) and looks a bit odd. I'll have to agree with you that for the ammount of money you pay for it its... nothing short of awesome really. Still prefer the size advantage of the Maelstrom though. I just hope the Noctua clears the 220mm fan on the side panel. I noticed you used the Utgard on your server, that's a hell of a nice build tbh. Great job on that.

 

[tinytomlogan]

The one they have at overclockers is different than the one you've tested (Well the side panel) and looks a bit odd. I'll have to agree with you that for the ammount of money you pay for it its... nothing short of awesome really. Still prefer the size advantage of the Maelstrom though. I just hope the Noctua clears the 220mm fan on the side panel. I noticed you used the Utgard on your server, that's a hell of a nice build tbh. Great job on that.

The NH-D14 wont fit with the side panel fan matey. Case would have to be huge for both.

 

[TMaksimov]

Thought so.. Noctua Dimensions(with fans): 160 x 140 x 158mm ( H x W x D)

Maelstrom Dimensions: 225 x 550 x 601 mm

Utgard 222(W) x 515(H) x 490(D) mm

What if I move the 220 on the bottom right... I think that would work. What I'll do is order the case, check it out and I may remove the 220 for some 140/120s

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thought so.. Noctua Dimensions(with fans): 160 x 140 x 158mm ( H x W x D)

Maelstrom Dimensions: 225 x 550 x 601 mm

Utgard 222(W) x 515(H) x 490(D) mm

What if I move the 220 on the bottom right... I think that would work. What I'll do is order the case, check it out and I may remove the 220 for some 140/120s

I doubt youll need them tbh dude

- less is more some times.

 

[TMaksimov]

Thanks for all the help, Tom, really couldn't ask for more 'till I actually get the components. Love people that actually help you on the internetz!

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thanks for all the help, Tom, really couldn't ask for more 'till I actually get the components. Love people that actually help you on the *OC3D*!

Made an edit....

 

[Puunakki]

Xigmatek Midgard is also a nice case if you're on a budget. Had it in for a review and my brains almost exploded when i saw all the features

Here is some pictures.

 

[TMaksimov]

Good case, not my cup of tea though. Tom's looks way better than whats on overclockers right now.

 

[TMaksimov]

Hey guys, sorry about this but another question.. Do two GTX460s even fit on a P6XD-E? I mean on the PCI x16 slots as I don't want any limitations. I heard two slot cooling just wont fit on there. Any ideas? I just saw your review on that awesome MSI board, the 870 A Fuzion. Wouldn't that be a better option in my case then?

 

[alienware]

I googled for pics and the P6XD-E doesnt seem to exist. You sure you have that right?

The 870a Fuzion is an AMD board, but, as far as I can tell seems to support SLI (for Nvidia, scaled link interface) and Crossfire (AMD) or a mixture (that doesn't seem to work very well yet).

But it's confusing 'cos I thought you were going with the 930.

If you can make your mind up 100000% what CPU you want this will be a lot easier.If you don't? it's going to get rather muddy and confused.

 

[TMaksimov]

I googled for pics and the P6XD-E doesnt seem to exist. You sure you have that right?

The 870a Fuzion is an AMD board, but, as far as I can tell seems to support SLI (for Nvidia, scaled link interface) and Crossfire (AMD) or a mixture (that doesn't seem to work very well yet).

But it's confusing 'cos I thought you were going with the 930.

If you can make your mind up 100000% what CPU you want this will be a lot easier.If you don't? it's going to get rather muddy and confused.

Sorry mate, P6X58D-E is its full name. Well I can't make my mind up about the CPU, thats the whole thing. Even though what Tom says is nearly religion for me right now I'm still not sure. But then again you can probably expect that - my first ground up build

My two choices are either the 930 or 1090T BE.

 

[alienware]

X58 boards (all) support both Crossfire (ATI) and SLI (Nvidia).

Tom knows his stuff, he really really does mate. But at the end of the day it's your decision.

Core support could go in favour of the 1090, but then it may not.

I don't know how long you were thinking of making this system last, but if you don't have upgrade OCD then the 1090t could serve you well, long into the future.

The 930 is an absolute corker of a CPU but yeah, your choice man..

I don't know if you have ever heard the saying "s**t or get off the potty" but you do need to make a firm CPU choice. Ram will be the same of course, but motherboards won't.

There are very strong cases for either CPU, but in all honesty both of them are blisteringly fast. They have what you need and more.. If you are doing incredibly heavy tasks then both will carry them out, and the over all differences would be impossible to spot with the naked eye. In that league of CPUs both are flyers.

Edit. Sorry man there is one last thing of course - money. The AMD route saves you a small fortune on a mobo. That new MSI has what you need and more, and costs hardly anything. It's not a cheap brand, it doesn't look ugly and it has serious overclocking capabilities. There really is nothing wrong with it and no weak side. It also has lucid..

Now you go and try and find me a board that meets all of the above that takes an Intel for that much money.. Im..possible.

 

[TMaksimov]

You know what.. I won't rush it. Will wait until the 6series ATI(AMD) graphics cards come up around the end of this year, get it all together in the space of a week or two and then share the love with you guys. Thanks for the help!