New Build

[James7679]

So, I'm bored with my current build. I am looking at a new build. I currently have two 580 3gb cards and was going to sli mod my board but couldn't get it stable. I'm looking for a little input from any MIVE-Z owners. So I am looking at the following;

Intel I7 2600k
ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Corsair Obsidian 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower
SeaSonic X Series X-850
Noctua NH-C12P SE14 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
Two Spinners I already have

Question about RAM; checking the charts, I don't see a large amount of compatible ram @2133. I want 8gigs for now. If you have this board, what are you using?

Question about the SSD; much like memory compatibility issues, SSD has compatibility issues with MoBos. It is, after all, essentially the same thing. So, if you have this board, and are using an SSD that you are happy with, what is it?

Your input is appreciated.

James

 

[Maguscreed]

I am boycotting ASUS, not because of a specific product issue, but because of a general support one. (basically it's everythings fault but their hardware approach to customer support)

I actually purchased the board I am using because I didn't want to go back to asus after the way they treated me.

To be honest this Asrock is a awesome board (see specs)
...and the microatx budget board I got to replace the old asus.
It scores waaaay better on the windows experience index and in benchmarks.
The only thing I changed was the motherboard. ...and it was a very expensive asus republic of gamers board.

Anyhow any Z68 board should be able to do both crossfire and sli without any problems.

Didn't see anything else there that made me want to scream 'no don't!!!"

 

[essenbe]

these list the Asus Maximus IV extreme as being Qualified. I have an Asus Z68 board and use the first one.

G.SKILL-Products

G.SKILL-Products

G.SKILL-Products

 

[f1andy83]

I7 ivy bridge just came out. I ordered one but didn't get to use it yet as I am also putting a new buld together.

 

[Maguscreed]

yeah only reason I didn't bring that up is because by all indications unless you are specifically after the 4000hd for video converting or something you really are better off with the sandy bridge. ...cost wise that is.

 

[Chrisb647100]

+1 for checking out the new i7-Ivy Bridges. The most improvement was in the graphics performance onboard the new i7, but since you will be SLI'ing a couple graphics cards, that is probably not important. The new i7s are said to have about a 15-20% improvement in general processing power, though, and that is still a significant improvement. The new i7's are MSRP'ed at $313.

 

[bobkn]

I tried a Noctua NH-C12P SE14 on an I7-3930k. Its cooling performance was significantly inferior to the NH-D14 I eventually replaced it with. (For the NH-C12P SE14, I tried the stock fan and a third-party PWM one. For the NH-D14, I used only PWM fans.)

The NH-D14 clears RAM heat spreaders shorter than 44 mm. I'm using RAM from the QVL (qualified vendors list) for an Asus P9X79 Pro:

G.SKILL-Products

It's 40 mm tall. There are no clearance issues. (I'd have to remove the heat sink/fans to add or remove RAM, though.)

The NH-D14 is HUGE, though. Largest air cooler I've ever used.

 

[James7679]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have made the final decisions on the new build. A lot of research went into this. I have built a new system for myself, every year, for the past 6 years. I'm hoping I can make this one last about 2.5 years.

Case; Newegg.com - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MoBo; Newegg.com - ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU; Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73930K
RAM; Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-19200CL10Q-32GBZHD
CPU Cooler; Newegg.com - Cooler Master TPC 812 RR-T812-24PK-R1 120mm Sleeve with Dual Vertical Vapor Chamber TPC 812 CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
SSDx2; Newegg.com - Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F240GBGT-BK 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
HDDx2; Newegg.com - Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1000DHTZ 1TB 10000 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
GPUx2; Newegg.com - EVGA 02G-P4-2685-KR GeForce GTX 680 SC Signature+ w/Backplate 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
PSU; Newegg.com - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Keyboard; Newegg.com - RAZER BlackWidow Ultimate Battlefield 3 Edition Black USB Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse; Newegg.com - ROCCAT Kone[+] ROC-11-801 Black 8 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser 6000 dpi Gaming Mouse

I will also be replacing the 3x140mm case fans with the Noctua 140mm fans and adding 4x120mm Noctua fans to the remaining holes in the case.

Before putting this reply together, I had the joy of clicking the "confirm payment" key at Newegg. The only thing that I was not able to order is the 2x680s, waiting on the "alert" from them to order those as well. This is the most ridiculous build I have ever undertaken. It was inspired by a friend of mine, who's build is identical to mine, except he is using 2x7950s. I've always considered him a maniac, even nick named him "The Mad Scientist." My attempt is to now dethrone him. Wish me luck.

I will be documenting this build, so as soon as I start to get everything together, I will be updating with pictures and maybe video.

I tried a Noctua NH-C12P SE14 on an I7-3930k. Its cooling performance was significantly inferior to the NH-D14 I eventually replaced it with. (For the NH-C12P SE14, I tried the stock fan and a third-party PWM one. For the NH-D14, I used only PWM fans.)

I went ahead and tested the NH-C12P SE14 on my 2500k rig(overclocked to sub 4500 w/ 1.28volts).
212+ Idle 26 deg Celsius
NH-C12P Idle 21 deg Celsius

212+ P95/full 70 deg Celsius after 4hrs
NH-C12P P95/full 68 deg Celsius after 4hrs

Now, the biggest disappointment came with I.B.I.
212+ 5 extreme passes Peak temp 72 deg Celsius
NH-C12P after two minutes I hit my max safe @ 78 deg Celsius, which caused CoreTemp to shut everything down.

I completely understand the reason for the weird temperature differences. This single 140mm fan runs at 1200rpm, period. So, at low load, it cools the crap out of the processor, far better than the 212+. But when stressing, the 212+ revs up to almost 2000rpm, allowing for more(faster) air flow.

So, in conclusion, I will definately agree with you bobkn. The 212+ is a better performer.

 

[Thorsen]

Man thats an impressive setup!

 

[essenbe]

Great set up, James. I know you will be happy with it. But, be advised, we expect a lot of pictures.

 

[James7679]

Man thats an impressive setup!

Great set up, James. I know you will be happy with it. But, be advised, we expect a lot of pictures.

Thank you both. I have been extremely pleased with my 2500k rig. I am hoping that I will have the same experience with the 3930k. My friend is peaking at around 5.0 with great temps with the new C.M. TPC 812.

I was going back and forth between the EVGA Signature GTX 690, and the Dual Signature 680s. I was finally able to nail down some numbers. I found that the power consumption was actually lower on the SLIed 680s than the 690. Also, the frames were, an average, of 4.9 higher with the SLIed 680s over the singel 690.

On the Corsair Force GTs, well, as far as SSDs go, these are pretty high up on the ratings. There were some that were higher, but my personal experience with Corsair products have been great. Of course I had to get the dual 1tb VRs. My heart fluttered when I saw these drives.

At first this setup will be feeding a single 46" Samsung Smart LED tv. I am hoping to get some consultation for doing 3x Projectors for Surround. This rig will be replacing the 2500k rig in the Living Room, also the entertainment hub of the house.

And, yes, there will be pictures. No need to worry about that. I might just do a whole video when I get everything and record the build from unpack to first boot to OC and beyond.