Advice on my gaming rig Build

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 09:30

Hello overclockers, I'm looking for some advice and ideas for a gaming rig I’m planning.
I basically I want to build a top end gaming pc and should have about 1k ish to spend on the build. I already have things like mouse, keyboard, monitor and hard drives that I can salvage from my machine at the moment.
My shopping list will consist of
Processor,
Mobo,
Ram,
Small 6 GB/s SSD.
Video card/s
Power supply
(Also considering water-cooling and overclocking)

So I’d like to pick your brains on subjects like Sandybridge vs. Nehalem processors and mobo and even if it’s worth waiting to see what the bulldozer has to offer.
Also what you think the best choice of video card setup would be (SLI or single GPU, etc. etc.).
Basically any input would be greatly appreciated and I’m very interested to hear what you guys think

My details are quite vague I know but as I’m still saving up its very much a fluid project at the moment.

EdwardTeach · 9 May 2011 at 09:34

I assume you mean 60gb SSD?

With your budget I would suggest going for an i5 2500k, for gaming there is no better processor.

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 09:41

60gb is a nice size that i would consider but i was refering to the sata speed 6bg pes sec( purely for my current game and OS) the rest of my data can just stay on my 2tb i have.
is there much of a gain if i was to push the boat out a bit more and get the i7 2600k?

thatavguy · 9 May 2011 at 09:48

Depends on your use. If its for gaming then you don't have any use of the hyper threading. So the i5 2500k will perform the same. Use the extra cash towards a bigger ssd.

olivier renault · 9 May 2011 at 09:56

Go Sandybridge now. Don't know enough about Bulldozer, and the Sandys are a good step forward. The 2700K has an edge if you do a lot of CPU intensive stuff (video transcoding, folding) or just looking for bragging rights. The 2500K is recommended. You can spend the extra on better graphics, an extra display, better case... Although a grand just for the guts gives a lot of room.

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 10:03

Well my primary use will be gaming but i do quite a bit of graphic design for work at home and just the general playing movies, music and stuff. But will look into bigger ssd. I guess it will save me copying back and forth games and most used programs. Thanks

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 10:11

olivier renault said:
Go Sandybridge now. Don't know enough about Bulldozer, and the Sandys are a good step forward. The 2700K has an edge if you do a lot of CPU intensive stuff (video transcoding, folding) or just looking for bragging rights. The 2500K is recommended. You can spend the extra on better graphics, an extra display, better case... Although a grand just for the guts gives a lot of room.

I think i would like to lean towards the 2700k tbh, if not for bragging rights so it will serve me longer into the future. But mostly for bragging rights! This brings me on to the next point then….. Mobos!!!
I’ve read abit about asrock and instant boot and find the info and peoples input on them a bit on the vague side. But apart from that it’s still an open playing field for me on the choice of mobo.

J-FRO · 9 May 2011 at 10:24

As you're spending so much, I'd wait it out a few more days and see what happens with the new Z68 mobos.

Have a little read up on them here and here to see what it's all about.

Any q's about it just post them here or have a little search on the forums and I'm sure somebody will be able to get back to you.

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 10:42

ahhh cool thanks m8! this is the kinda info im looking for!

dammaddavid · 9 May 2011 at 11:30

J-FRO said:
As you're spending so much, I'd wait it out a few more days and see what happens with the new Z68 mobos.

Have a little read up on them here and here to see what it's all about.

Any q's about it just post them here or have a little search on the forums and I'm sure somebody will be able to get back to you.

i'v had a quick look (at work atm so will look in more detail later) and it looks like your right on that one mate! looks like some good features coming with it and i guess it will be reliable seeing as it could be classed as the second gen mobos for the sandys.

now if any one could cast some light on possible video card set ups. again im looking near top end here. best proformance for price.

and tnx for the input so far.

Cleeecooo · 9 May 2011 at 11:36

dammaddavid said:
Well my primary use will be gaming but i do quite a bit of graphic design for work at home and just the general playing movies, music and stuff. But will look into bigger ssd. I guess it will save me copying back and forth games and most used programs. Thanks

Have a look at my build log. Something along those lines should serve you well. The 2GB RAM on the 6970 should help with video editing. Liquid cooling will keep it all cool.Maybe get a 2600k instead of the 2500k.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=19088815&posted=1#post19088815

olivier renault · 9 May 2011 at 12:56

dammaddavid said:
i'v had a quick look (at work atm so will look in more detail later) and it looks like your right on that one mate! looks like some good features coming with it and i guess it will be reliable seeing as it could be classed as the second gen mobos for the sandys.

now if any one could cast some light on possible video card set ups. again im looking near top end here. best proformance for price.

and tnx for the input so far.

6950 2GB or GTX 570 I'd recon. Single cards have plenty of poke for anything current. Best price perfomance would be a GTX 480 though, preferably with custom cooling design rather than reference design (SOC, Twin Frozr, ...).

Best overall but expensive, a GTX 580.