Help me build my dream system

[thefabe]

I'm finally in the position to afford to build the Ultimate multi monitor dream system.
No budget.
Just looking for some input on what you would build if budget wasn't restricted.

I'd like to have 2 24in LCD's and a say 32in flat screen TV for monitors.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Fabe

 

[rap33042]

Here's a link that will get you going: Dream Machine 2010 | Maximum PC

 

[thefabe]

Thanks for the link. I'm actually looking for members who have high end systems time tested hardware and their suggestions.
I want to build this myself with a single CPU say i9xx and a high quality motherboard on the cutting edge. a couple of GPU's, a add-on sound card and would like a full tower case.
I don't really want to get into water cooling but it's not out of the question.

Was just trying to get a feel for what others would do if they could build a system and money not be a restriction.
I've been waiting a long time to upgrade and hoped that I could get some good recommendations from our members.
I'm thinking maybe this is coming off in the wrong way but I'll have the money and it's really the only thing I want for. Other than to take care of my Mom.
Fabe

 

[hunuok]

Where to begin? lol.

From experience, multimonitor setups has pros and cons.

Pros:

larger real estate,
games look fantastic.

Cons:

expensive,
bezels can be distracting (personally I don't notice this),
games may not scale properly (ie poor performance)-the VGA is trying to process 3 times the amount of pixels,
games (ex FPS) may look "squashed", needing an FOV hack.

For multimonitor setups, it's best to have the same brand/res to reduce conflicts. Although I have listed more cons than pros, get it right, and you will never go back to single monitor setups.

ATI or NVIDIA? I have tried both, Eyefinity and NV Surround. I gave up using Eyefinity because of driver issues and poor performance. I was an early adopter, but IMO, active displayport flickering, powerplay issues, poor performance made me trash the lot.

NV Surround worked first go. Performance is great. Near perfect scaling.

As for other items:

1. I prefer Intel CPUs. Better performance. Wait for Sandybridge (i72600K).
2. Get an SSD. Two if possible. Capacity may be an issue, but worth the performance. Sandforce controllers have good performance.
3. VGA. ATI 6xxx series in crossfire or NVIDIA 5xx series in SLI. Quadfire/quad SLI scales terribly. Eyefinity you can run using a single card but you will run out of "juice" ie VRAM. NV Surround you need to run in SLI. You probably will want to run dual cards anyways to get the performance.
4. Motherboard-P67. Asus or Gigabyte IMO.
5. Watercooling-Good performance but IMO only use if overclocking/benchmarking. It can be unnerving to instal/maintain.
6. Get a good PSU. I made this mistake. A good 80+.
7. Get a good full size tower. Coolermaster (HAF X), Corsair (800D). Good airflow is a must. Cable management is important also.

If going for Sandybridge you will need to wait as it's just being released. Although reviews seem quite positive. Also, 6990 and 595 dual GPUs will be released Q1.

Personally, I am waiting for more reviews on Sandybridge CPUs, P67 motherboards and dual GPU solutions from both camps before upgrading. Q1 is going to be exciting.

Sites such as hardocp have good reviews on Eyefinity/NV Surround performance.

Keep to a budget. The best and most expensive today will only become "obselete" next month.

Good luck.

PS. Opinions are based on my own experiences. I am not intending to start flame wars or fanboyism.

 

[thefabe]

Thanks for your input as I won't be building this until around the end of Febuary but most likely sometime in March. Your information really helped.
Fabe

 

[hunuok]

No prob. See edit above.

I am waiting for Feb/Mar before upgrading.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

The new AMD bulldozer line might be out by then...

 

[ignatzatsonic]

From what I read, the next generation of SSDs is imminent, but no one knows exactly how imminent--maybe in February. I think the Consumer Electronics Show is this week in Las Vegas and there might be some word from Intel during that event. I'd guess if you are 2 months from building you have a good chance of getting the newest stuff.

Even if budget is no object, I'd try to wait on the SSD for the new technology alone.

I saw an article on projected RAM prices that contended the trend in DDR 3 prices for the year is still down.

All I can find on the Sandy Bridge processors indicates noticeably less heat, so you may not have to go overboard on cooling--if you intend to overclock at all.

 

[DocBrown]

New Build for The New Year
Built a new computer for 2011

Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5 Top of the line MB at the time $ 179.99

AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.3g AM3 CPU Top of line CPU $ 265.99

Four x 4gb GSkill F3-12800CL9D Memory (16gb) $ 219.98

OCZ PSU Mod-X-Sream-Pro 700w $ 69.99

EVGA GeForce 210 512mb DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 (just used this on sale for now )
( Since I'm not into gaming, I'll upgrade this GPU later )

Samsung 1tb Sata HD, WD 2TB Sata HD, LG-DVD R/W Sata Optical drive

( I like HD's with lots of space, for all my junk/stuff )

Off Brand Red Computer case from eBay $ 9.99 Priceless Red Hot :devil:


Pics in this thread :ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/104136-show-us-your-rig-2-a-55.html#post1157908

 

[ionbasa]

I envy him:

and him:

The EVGA SR-2 dominates. all you need is 5 gtx-580s= 4 way SLI +1 Physx

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Eric,
For sure I would use the EVGA mobo and then Tri-SLI the EXGA GPU's with factory water. I would think you could use just one 1500watt PSU and get all into a Corsair 800D. Premium Corsair ram and then go with two 258gb Real C300 in raid and then several 3tb WD's in raid.

 

[whs]

In terms of SSDs, I would use a normal e.g. Vertex2 of 60 to 90GBs for the OS and then a Revo drive for fast data operations (e.g. video editing). For the OS, a Raid setup does not buy you a lot because the access time is always 0.1ms - Raid or no Raid. And a single SSD is plenty fast for the OS.
There are much bigger Revo drives, but they cost real money. For the bulk data a couple of Raptors may do fine. But I would not buy HDDs over 500GBs - too fragile and also slower than smaller ones.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Just buy a Murderbox and make us all jealous.
murderbox

 

[crazyeyeschase]

Just buy a Murderbox and make us all jealous.
murderbox

Coming from the site

Question: How much does a murderbox cost?
A complete murderbox starts at $6,000USD and goes up from there, depending on the amount of custom work involved.
A well appointed murderbox with a single liquid cooling loop, GPU and a few drives typically comes in around the $7,000USD mark while something on the level of Daniel's 008 build is in the neighborhood of 2-3x that. Every murderbox is executed to perfection – it really comes down to degrees of "ultimate".

HAHAHAHA umm :banghead:

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Wild stuff. Makes sense to build one's own but without the custom cnc'd and laser etched box or the cool led drive displays and acrylic up lighting.

 

[thefabe]

I envy him:

and him:

The EVGA SR-2 dominates. all you need is 5 gtx-580s= 4 way SLI +1 Physx

OK we have a winner i want one. Not sure I'd go with alll the cards but everything else is VERY impressive I think.

It has the right manufacturers, well at least the ones I prefer especially the Mushkin I've always like it since my DDR500 Redlines in my first 939 build. Evga well as far as I'm concerned enough said there.

Now if I could just get him on the phone I'd be all set except for the LCD's
Even sounds like he might be somewhere near Texas lol.
Thanks. Fabe

 

[ionbasa]

OK we have a winner i want one. Not sure I'd go with alll the cards but everything else is VERY impressive I think.

It has the right manufacturers, well at least the ones I prefer especially the Mushkin I've always like it since my DDR500 Redlines in my first 939 build. Evga well as far as I'm concerned enough said there.

Now if I could just get him on the phone I'd be all set except for the LCD's
Even sounds like he might be somewhere near Texas lol.
Thanks. Fabe

The guy in the first video will build you a custom PC if you leave him an e-mail.

 

[thefabe]

The guy in the first video will build you a custom PC if you leave him an e-mail.

Is it on the video I didn't get to watch it all the way through got interupted 3/4's through? Guess I'll have to watch it again or are you just messing wth me and not going to PM it to me? LOl
Fabe

 

[pparks1]

I guess I have never understood the desire to build a computer with no budget whatsoever. Regardless of what you buy, in 3-4 years time, it's outdated. So, why not build something solid that lasts 3-4 years and then rebuild something then? It sure will save lots of money now.

 

[thefabe]

Well 3-4 years is a long time.
I've had this one ever since the socket 775 came out. I don't have any desire to continue to build system after system and one like showed would last me at least 5 years so by then I'm hoping I'll be in a position to need office systems and a server.


Besides I just really wanted to see what was out there. In a couple of months the CPU's will be last years news and the graphics are already.
So I can see your point as well.
Fabe