Time to build a monster

[Lava King]

The release of Haswell-E has given me the motivation to finally build a new machine, and I think that it should be a monster, or at least a potential monster.

Prices are high, but I think that a top of the line (consumer grade, anyway) system will be relevant for many years. Besides, in 1994 I paid $2500 for a true blue IBM 486 DX 33 with 8 MB of ram and running OS/2 so I'm not opposed to forking over the cash

Barring any unfortunate occurrences in the next month or so, this build will definitely happen. It's not a "pie in the sky" dream. DDR4 RAM seems to be in short supply right now so I'm willing to wait for a bit so that supplies can stabilize.

Here's what I'm considering:


CPU: i7 5960X - Though I don't see the need for 8 cores today, they'll be needed down the road.

Motherboard: Toss-up between Gigabyte and EVGA, more research needed.

RAM: 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) - Here's where I'm going to "cheap out" for now. RAM is a definite upgrade path

Cooling: Cooler Master Glacer 240



The rest of the components will come from my current build (GPU, PSU, SSD, HDD, Case) though I may get a new optical drive with a black face to replace the white faced drives currently in the system.


Suggestions and comments are welcome!

 

[kbrady1979]

I honestly would go for the 5930K(or whatever the $500-ish CPU is) because it's still a MONSTER CPU and will be a powerhouse for years to come. Unless you are doing some heavy rendering or running scientific programs you'll likely never need the extra 2 cores even a few years down the road. Save $500 and put it elsewhere.

I like the new EVGA boards that are out, as well as the Gigabyte boards, but don't overlook Asus motherboards.

Once you start pricing DDR4 RAM, you'll quickly see you aren't cheaping out lol......that stuff is crazy expensive. A 16GB kit will be plenty.....unless you are doing heavy graphical work like I mentioned above.

The only other issue is your current power supply. It needs to be up to the task of running the new beast you put together. The new CPU's still get power hungry, especially once you start OC'ing them.

Keep us updated on this rig, it sounds like it's gonna awesome.

 

[AddRAM]

Ya, the 5960X is a lot of coin :shock:

Intel Core i7-5960X Haswell-E 8-Core 3.0GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W Desktop Processor BX80648I75960X - Newegg.com

Intel Core i7-5930K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.5GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W Desktop Processor BX80648I75930K - Newegg.com

Here`s a board you could spend some cash on

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132260


8 Memory slots, 5 PCI Express slots

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The CAS latency on DDR4 sticks I've seen is pretty bad--13 to 17; compared to maybe 8 or 9 for the typical DDR3 stick.

Choose Memory - PCPartPicker

Not sure how that affects performance in most cases, but the CAS specification may improve over the next few months as DDR4 production ramps up.

 

[kbrady1979]

The CAS latency is what it is. It will never be the same as DDR3 CAS latencies. For the most part, the higher the frequency, the higher the timings.

 

[Lava King]

While it's true that I may never put the 5960X to full use, it's what I want. I'll never be able to afford a Ferrari or Lamborghini, But I can afford this

Still haven't decided on a motherboard. On the Gigabyte side I'm looking at the G1 Gaming and the SOC Force. On the EVGA side I'm looking at the X99 FTW. Guess I'm going to have to make a list of Pros and Cons (and then flip a coin)

RAM considerations: A moot point for now since vendors don't seem to have any RAM actually in stock, everything is "1 to 5 weeks" or "1 to 2 months" out. I'm still thinking 16 GB will be a good starting point and I would be quite happy with 2133 MHz but I'm sure that there will be some good deals on faster RAM once stocks start building up.

Power: The 5960X is rated at 140 Watts, my current cpu (Core 2 QX9650) is rated at 130 Watts, so not that big of a difference. I have no plans to OC right off the bat, I'm sure that my PSU will be able to handle the load. When I do plunge into OC land then I'll probably get a new PSU.

For now I'm saying that the build is a month out, maybe two. Unless, of course, the parts suddenly become more readily available.

 

[Lava King]

OK, not exactly a fair comparison (DDR3 at 2000 MHz, DDR4 at 2400 MHz) but it does give you a feel for the difference between DDR3 and DDR4.

 

[paulpicks21]

Sounds like you are going to get some wicked new parts Kent. It will also finally allow you to use all the power of your GPU. I look forward to it

 

[Dude]

That is going to be one great rig, I'm looking forward to it

 

[Lava King]

Uh oh, lots of bad reviews of the Cooler Master Glacer 240L on NewEgg. Looks like pump failure could be a problem.

New choice for CPU cooling is Corsair H105.

 

[Ishraq]

Get the rampage v extreme or the px99 e ws

 

[paulpicks21]

Uh oh, lots of bad reviews of the Cooler Master Glacer 240L on NewEgg. Looks like pump failure could be a problem.

New choice for CPU cooling is Corsair H105.

I tell you what is supposed to be a great cooler. It's not released in the UK until the 22nd of this month and I am hoping to get one. It may already be out where you are Kent. Better check if it will fit your case first.

The NZXT Kraken X61

Kraken? X61 - NZXT

 

[Ishraq]

Check out the swiftech h220x or see Linus tech tips on YouTube for pretty good cooling reviews. If you want to max out, build your own loop, only if you are confident. I am not urging you to try it.

 

[kbrady1979]

I'll also recommend the two coolers mentioned above........if you have to use 240mm units(120mm x2) try out the Swiftech H220x. If you can use 240mm or 280mm(140mm x2) then get the NZXT Kraken X61

 

[NoN]

Swiftech H220-X (reviewed) , nice one with latest Apogee XL waterblock but you'll have to care of the integrated Reservoir measure.

 

[N00berG00ber]

Idk if you are gaming on this rig looking at your GPU, but ideally, games like fewer faster cores rather than more slower cores. From tests, that 8 core can really only oc to 4-4.2. It produces a LOT of heat. So having a lower clocked cpu will give u less perform a than the 6 core in which u can turn off HT and clock it MUCH higher than the 8 core.

 

[paulpicks21]

Whilst some of what you say is true Noober, obviously newer games are being made to make use of additional cores.

Regarding the HT off and clocking higher, that is only necessary for extreme overclocking just to squeeze a few more MHz when you reach a complete wall. My 6 core runs just fine at 4.6GHz at 1.265V with HT on. I don't think many people run much higher speeds than that for gaming.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I'm using the Kraken X60 (original version) and I can testify to it's greatness !

 

[N00berG00ber]

Whilst some of what you say is true Noober, obviously newer games are being made to make use of additional cores.

Regarding the HT off and clocking higher, that is only necessary for extreme overclocking just to squeeze a few more MHz when you reach a complete wall. My 6 core runs just fine at 4.6GHz at 1.265V with HT on. I don't think many people run much higher speeds than that for gaming.

i mentioned HT off because it reduces heat a little more allowing for better OC. i honestly don't think games will support more than 4 cores any time soon giving that it took them forever to just switch to 4 core support.

 

[Lava King]

Parts ordered and on the way (from 3 different locations!).


CPU: i7 5960X

RAM: 4 x 4GB G.Skill DDR4 2400

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-SOC Force

Cooling: Corsair H105


plus a few other little goodies.

All other parts required will come from the current rig in my spec below.

Can't wait to get this monster assembled and begin taming it!