Need some expert advise

P

paintguy

New Member
I am a novice configuring a rig for my 13 yr old son. Been doing a lot of reading for the last few months trying to understand what I need. I have kids starting college soon so I need this build to be expandable in the future: 2nd or 3rd video card, sound card, SSD, 2nd optical drive or blue ray, not sure what else. I'm definately not comfortable building myself and have selected digital storm as my ideal builder. I understand this will cost more but at least I'll get a well constructed/fully operational rig. Here's my first attempt:

DS Ticket Number: 413718
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=413718

Chassis Model: Ironclad
Processor: Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 FTW3 Edition 3X SLI
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Optical Drive 1: DVD�R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm Radiator)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set
Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Gaming USB Desktop (Multimedia Keyboard)
Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade)
Here's my reasoning:
Case - I live in the country, dusty, this case has max filters
processor - as most advise worth the investment
MB - capable of 6 core in future
PS - capable up to 3 GPU's
HD - basic for now
GPU - liked the Geforce 480 but heat is a concern o n the MB, especially if upgrading to 2 or 3. 5870 lower heat and power needs.
H2O - like the heat reduction capability, not sure which Asetec unit DS uses
Upgraded fans - heat kills electronics, more is better
Keyboard/mouse - is this worth it?

As my kids say I'm a paint nerd and not computer wise. Any help would be appreciated.
 
i praticly have the same setup minus the liquid cooling and love it i personally whould get rid of the liquid cooling and just use the extreme amount of fans ur puting in their
 
FOR A 13 YEAR OLD! I see you're the 'GO BIG OR GO HOME' type haha.

Thats a beautiful build, BUT:

Power Supply is overkill a 750W would still be plenty, i'd go with a nice air cooling setup as opposed to liquid, don't know who's ram their using but it's probably ok judging by the rest of the hardware they use.

I'm gonna guess they want $5k for this system? It's a pricey build but will do you well.

Its gonna be great for gaming. If you want a second opinion on price check out my site posted below.

If price is a factor here however, you could get alot more machine for your money (or same specs for way less) going with AMD.
 
Are you buying this for yourself or what!!!!!??? D,
very nice build, don't forget to get the 100/200 Mb internet connection and you will be sorted. Just to warn probably will be very loud setup, i think capable of future upgrade stay with socket 1366 on MB, i think it is a bit future proof, One thing for your OS drive, buy a faster one, SSD, or velociraptor would do the trick, and you say basic setup for now, does not look basic and if does not look basic should really go for the best straight up, less to change later as it would be pain in the ass to change anything later if doing by yourself.
 
no sense in getting an sli motherboard if you are going to use ati cards. get a gigabyte ud3r or ud5r if they offer it. ud7r if u want to go extreme
 
paintguy said:
I am a novice configuring a rig for my 13 yr old son. Been doing a lot of reading for the last few months trying to understand what I need. I have kids starting college soon so I need this build to be expandable in the future: 2nd or 3rd video card, sound card, SSD, 2nd optical drive or blue ray, not sure what else. I'm definately not comfortable building myself and have selected digital storm as my ideal builder. I understand this will cost more but at least I'll get a well constructed/fully operational rig. Here's my first attempt:

DS Ticket Number: 413718
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=413718

Chassis Model: Ironclad
Processor: Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 FTW3 Edition 3X SLI
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Optical Drive 1: DVD�R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm Radiator)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set
Keyboard: Razer Lycosa Gaming USB Desktop (Multimedia Keyboard)
Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade)
Here's my reasoning:
Case - I live in the country, dusty, this case has max filters
processor - as most advise worth the investment
MB - capable of 6 core in future
PS - capable up to 3 GPU's
HD - basic for now
GPU - liked the Geforce 480 but heat is a concern o n the MB, especially if upgrading to 2 or 3. 5870 lower heat and power needs.
H2O - like the heat reduction capability, not sure which Asetec unit DS uses
Upgraded fans - heat kills electronics, more is better
Keyboard/mouse - is this worth it?

As my kids say I'm a paint nerd and not computer wise. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

1.No need to go for an i7 960 go for an i7 920 and overclock if you need to but I bet you wont be needing it.
The i7 960 is the same chip architecture with just higher clocks.
and save some money from it
2.Go for this board see if its available or not in digital storm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131390
or the gigabyte ud7
3.Choose a branded PSU like corsair or antec or seasonic etc and go with an 850W PSU which would be more than enough for crossfiring
5.Check the brand of the RAM go for something like corsair or GSkill or mushkins
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=413718
check it out now
and as for cooling go with the Noctua NH-D14
and go for a bigger case like the HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018
 
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