Building a gaming desktop

AndrewLL · 11-07-2009, 05:10 AM

I am planning to build a gaming desktop. Because it is my first time building a computer, I do not want to try to overclock the finished product. I know the same performance can be achieved for less money by overclocking but money is NOT an issue. I would rather spend more money to achieve the same performance than worry about overclocking my first time around.

Here is what I have picked out so far:

Processor: Intel Core i7-965 Processor Extreme Edition
Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 4-Way SLI
Memory: Mushkin 998731 Blackline (mushkin.com newegg.com)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 (nvidia.com newegg.com)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black (wdc.com newegg.com)

Besides opinions on optical drives and power supplies, I have several questions.

1.1) I heard the Xeon processors are the i7 processors under a different name. Is that true? If so, why would the same processor be sold at a different price?

1.2) For a gaming desktop, which processor should I choose: i7 or Xeon? Remember money is not an issue. I am willing to spend more money for even a nominal performance increase.

2) I heard the EVGA X58 motherboards are as good as (if not better than) the Intel DX58SO for Intel i7 processors. Wouldn't the Intel motherboard work best with their own processor?

3) Out of two memory modules offered by Mushkin, the only difference is the heatsink. What exactly is the difference between the heatsinks, which are Ascent and Frostbyte?

4) I read using multiple graphics cards is better (in terms of available graphical power). Is that true? If so, does the available graphical power 'max out' at, let's say, 3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 GPUs or would a fourth contribute even more?

5) Is the hard drive I already chose a good choice with which to implement RAID 10 'The Striped Mirror'? If not, then what is a good hard drive with which to do so.

6) Are there any differences between the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions of Windows 7? If there are any extra features in the more costly editions that I, as a gamer, may use from time to time (however rare), then I am willing to spend the extra money to get those extra features.

Please excuse me if any of those questions were stupid. Thank you for your help. =]

FairDoos · 11-07-2009, 07:43 AM

Whats your budget?

linkin93 · 11-07-2009, 10:57 AM

Well money is not an issue so let's see.

Cpu: You have
Mobo: some X58 motherboard
RAM: 3x2GB (6gb) from a good brand (corsair, g. skill, kingston, etc)
GPU: Ati Radeon 5870 (or wait for the 5870x2 to be released)
Case: Antec 1200, Antec 900, Thermaltake V9, CM Storm Scout, CM Storm Sniper (all good cases)
PSU: Corsair TX750 (or something similar)

Gunna be one heck of a computer.

daisymtc · 11-07-2009, 12:43 PM

i7 965...Good but too expensive
Money not an issue...

Mobo: ASUS Rampage II Extreme
RAM: G.SKILL Perfect Storm 6GB DDR3 2000
Video card - SLi GTX295
PSU - PC Power and Cooling T12W 1200W
HDD for main OS - SSD OCZ Vertex / Intel X25-M
May be get a water cooling system??

funkysnair · 11-07-2009, 12:49 PM

Corsair Obsidian 800D Full Tower Case
i7 920
EVGA Classified Intel X58
Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz)
ati 5870
corsair hx850 psu
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB SATA-II 32MB Cache
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Dual Fan Quiet CPU Cooler
sata dvd rw

**bomberboysk** · 11-07-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewLL

I am planning to build a desktop computer for gaming purposes. I have already chosen an Intel Core i7-965 Processor Extreme Edition (unless anyone objects). I would appreciate opinions on the memory and motherboard. Money is not an issue.

Thank you.

Unless you plan on running dry ice or LN2, return the cpu and get a W3520, and a nice watercooling system, will overclock much nicer than a 975ee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkin93

Well money is not an issue so let's see.

Cpu: You have
Mobo: some X58 motherboard
RAM: 3x2GB (6gb) from a good brand (corsair, g. skill, kingston, etc)
GPU: Ati Radeon 5870 (or wait for the 5870x2 to be released)
Case: Antec 1200, Antec 900, Thermaltake V9, CM Storm Scout, CM Storm Sniper (all good cases)
PSU: Corsair TX750 (or something similar)

Gunna be one heck of a computer.

Dual GPU Single PCB cards are the 59xx series now vs ----X2 Edition iirc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkysnair

Corsair Obsidian 800D Full Tower Case
i7 920
EVGA Classified Intel X58
Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz)
ati 5870
corsair hx850 psu
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB SATA-II 32MB Cache
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Dual Fan Quiet CPU Cooler
sata dvd rw

Eh, id get a mountain mods case. The obsisian is meant for that corsair h50 cooler more or less. dont like the corsair case at all....

Definately go for Mushkin memory, the 2000mhz redlines are killer.

funkysnair · 11-07-2009, 03:10 PM

that case has some serious quality.....

how is it designed for the h50 cooler?

The Obsidian Series 800D has pre-drilled support for top-mounted single, dual, and triple radiators!!

the h50 is one single 120 rad which goes on the rear fan (which %99 of casses have) and a cpu block with pump internaly!

this case is intended for some serious cooling using air or liquid

i do agree with mountain mods, they do nice casses but i cant let you get away with saying "The obsisian is meant for that corsair h50 cooler more or less"

**bomberboysk** · 11-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkysnair

that case has some serious quality.....

how is it designed for the h50 cooler?

The Obsidian Series 800D has pre-drilled support for top-mounted single, dual, and triple radiators!!

the h50 is one single 120 rad which goes on the rear fan (which %99 of casses have) and a cpu block with pump internaly!

this case is intended for some serious cooling using air or liquid

i do agree with mountain mods, they do nice casses but i cant let you get away with saying "The obsisian is meant for that corsair h50 cooler more or less"

There isnt enough airflow...sure you can mount a triple rad on top, the case has two intake fans, bottom(in the psu compartment) and if you flip the rear around its intake as well. This in turn leaves you with two options, have a highly negative pressure environment pulling warm air through the radiator, or setting to intake and pushing warm air to all other components. Ill have to try to find it, but there is a review where even corsair stated they designed the case with it in mind that users will be running the h50.

Overall, for their first case its alright....but i wouldnt buy it.

Not to mention its $299 for a steel case....at that price i would be expecting a nice aluminum case.

funkysnair · 11-07-2009, 06:19 PM

i just took it from the description

- Cooling: 3 x 140mm fans (included)
- Cooling: 4 x 120mm fans (optional)

seemed like alot of cooling but i looked closer and it seems like the psu is in a chamber with its own intake fan, same goes for the hard drivebays.

although they will be nice and cool in there own bays i think corsair has over looked the motherboard and cpu

seems like the only intended intake is 1x140mm fan at the bottom

**bomberboysk** · 11-07-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkysnair

i just took it from the description

- Cooling: 3 x 140mm fans (included)
- Cooling: 4 x 120mm fans (optional)

seemed like alot of cooling but i looked closer and it seems like the psu is in a chamber with its own intake fan, same goes for the hard drivebays.

although they will be nice and cool in there own bays i think corsair has over looked the motherboard and cpu

seems like the only intended intake is 1x140mm fan at the bottom

The build quality of the case however is....

I cant wait to see what the second revision looks like.

11-07-2009, 05:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
AndrewLL New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 12	Building a gaming desktop I am planning to build a gaming desktop. Because it is my first time building a computer, I do not want to try to overclock the finished product. I know the same performance can be achieved for less money by overclocking but money is NOT an issue. I would rather spend more money to achieve the same performance than worry about overclocking my first time around. Here is what I have picked out so far: Processor: Intel Core i7-965 Processor Extreme Edition Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 4-Way SLI Memory: Mushkin 998731 Blackline (mushkin.com newegg.com) Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 (nvidia.com newegg.com) Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black (wdc.com newegg.com) Besides opinions on optical drives and power supplies, I have several questions. 1.1) I heard the Xeon processors are the i7 processors under a different name. Is that true? If so, why would the same processor be sold at a different price? 1.2) For a gaming desktop, which processor should I choose: i7 or Xeon? Remember money is not an issue. I am willing to spend more money for even a nominal performance increase. 2) I heard the EVGA X58 motherboards are as good as (if not better than) the Intel DX58SO for Intel i7 processors. Wouldn't the Intel motherboard work best with their own processor? 3) Out of two memory modules offered by Mushkin, the only difference is the heatsink. What exactly is the difference between the heatsinks, which are Ascent and Frostbyte? 4) I read using multiple graphics cards is better (in terms of available graphical power). Is that true? If so, does the available graphical power 'max out' at, let's say, 3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 GPUs or would a fourth contribute even more? 5) Is the hard drive I already chose a good choice with which to implement RAID 10 'The Striped Mirror'? If not, then what is a good hard drive with which to do so. 6) Are there any differences between the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions of Windows 7? If there are any extra features in the more costly editions that I, as a gamer, may use from time to time (however rare), then I am willing to spend the extra money to get those extra features. Please excuse me if any of those questions were stupid. Thank you for your help. =] Last edited by AndrewLL; 11-08-2009 at 05:55 PM.

11-07-2009, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
FairDoos Diamond Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 16 Posts: 1,264	Whats your budget? __________________ CPU:AMD Phenom II 955 BE X4 @ 3.4GHz GPU: ASUS ATi 4890 HDD: 1TB Seagate Barracuda RAM: 4GB (2 X 2GB) Dominator GT RAM CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower 120 Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair Formula III

11-07-2009, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
linkin93 Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NSW, Australia Age: 16 Posts: 2,330	Well money is not an issue so let's see. Cpu: You have Mobo: some X58 motherboard RAM: 3x2GB (6gb) from a good brand (corsair, g. skill, kingston, etc) GPU: Ati Radeon 5870 (or wait for the 5870x2 to be released) Case: Antec 1200, Antec 900, Thermaltake V9, CM Storm Scout, CM Storm Sniper (all good cases) PSU: Corsair TX750 (or something similar) Gunna be one heck of a computer. __________________ System CM Storm Scout - Asus P5N-E SLI - Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 3.02Ghz - 2x1GB Corsair XMS2 @ 900mhz - Sapphire HD 3870 - WD 250GB Caviar SE16 - SHAW 860W - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Perhiprials Logitech G5 Mouse - Logitech R-10 Speakers - Targus Keyboard - HP L1470 17" 1280x1024 Monitor

11-07-2009, 12:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
daisymtc Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,918	i7 965...Good but too expensive Money not an issue... Mobo: ASUS Rampage II Extreme RAM: G.SKILL Perfect Storm 6GB DDR3 2000 Video card - SLi GTX295 PSU - PC Power and Cooling T12W 1200W HDD for main OS - SSD OCZ Vertex / Intel X25-M May be get a water cooling system?? Last edited by daisymtc; 11-07-2009 at 12:50 PM.

11-07-2009, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
funkysnair VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newcastle-England-uk Age: 27 Posts: 2,729	Corsair Obsidian 800D Full Tower Case i7 920 EVGA Classified Intel X58 Corsair Dominator 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) ati 5870 corsair hx850 psu Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB SATA-II 32MB Cache Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Dual Fan Quiet CPU Cooler sata dvd rw __________________ intel i7 920@3.6ghz-foxconn flamingblade-6gig gskill ddr3 1600mhz-ati 4890-coolermaster 700watt psu-intel mx25-m ssd 80gig-samsung spinpoint f1 1tb-custom liquid cooling-windows7 64bit Last edited by funkysnair; 11-07-2009 at 01:01 PM.

11-07-2009, 03:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
funkysnair VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newcastle-England-uk Age: 27 Posts: 2,729	that case has some serious quality..... how is it designed for the h50 cooler? The Obsidian Series 800D has pre-drilled support for top-mounted single, dual, and triple radiators!! the h50 is one single 120 rad which goes on the rear fan (which %99 of casses have) and a cpu block with pump internaly! this case is intended for some serious cooling using air or liquid i do agree with mountain mods, they do nice casses but i cant let you get away with saying "The obsisian is meant for that corsair h50 cooler more or less" __________________ intel i7 920@3.6ghz-foxconn flamingblade-6gig gskill ddr3 1600mhz-ati 4890-coolermaster 700watt psu-intel mx25-m ssd 80gig-samsung spinpoint f1 1tb-custom liquid cooling-windows7 64bit

11-07-2009, 06:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
funkysnair VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newcastle-England-uk Age: 27 Posts: 2,729	i just took it from the description - Cooling: 3 x 140mm fans (included) - Cooling: 4 x 120mm fans (optional) seemed like alot of cooling but i looked closer and it seems like the psu is in a chamber with its own intake fan, same goes for the hard drivebays. although they will be nice and cool in there own bays i think corsair has over looked the motherboard and cpu seems like the only intended intake is 1x140mm fan at the bottom __________________ intel i7 920@3.6ghz-foxconn flamingblade-6gig gskill ddr3 1600mhz-ati 4890-coolermaster 700watt psu-intel mx25-m ssd 80gig-samsung spinpoint f1 1tb-custom liquid cooling-windows7 64bit

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