New rig needed(to last 3 years.)

[Streetlight]

Am looking for a new rig, and need a little help with it.
My old rig will be giving to my kids when the new one turns up.
Only things coming from the old rig will be my 2 screens(SAMSUNG 22" Wide SM225BW and SAMSUNG 22" Wide B2230H 5ms DVI HDMI) so need a whole new set up.

Would like to add a 3rd Screen to the set up(2 Graphic cards needed), as i use all 3 for work. Not a big gamer, but would like something good when BF3 comes out and last for a while.

Would like your help as i seem to go over the budget when look at my basket(seem to over spend on things i don't need)

Have a budget of 2k.

am at wits end, not sure what to do. help would be great.

 

[Alasdairhurst]

Asus ATI Radeon HD 6950 DirectCU II 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £239.99
(£199.99) £239.99
(£199.99)
OCZ Vertex 3 120GB 2.5" SATA-3 Solid State Hard Drive (VTX3-25SAT3-120G) £196.99
(£164.16) £196.99
(£164.16)
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Corsair Professional Series AX750 High Performance 750W Modular '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply (CMPSU-750AXUK) £146.98
(£122.48) £146.98
(£122.48)
Cooler Master HAF X Gaming Tower Case - Black (RC-942) £145.99
(£121.66) £145.99
(£121.66)
Gigabyte Z68X-UD4 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £144.98
(£120.82) £144.98
(£120.82)
Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1156/LGA1155/LGA775/AM2/AM2) £72.98
(£60.82) £72.98
(£60.82)
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARX) £65.99
(£54.99) £65.99
(£54.99)
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT51264BA160A) £49.99
(£41.66) £49.99
(£41.66)
Samsung SH-S222AB/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99
(£14.16) £16.99
(£14.16)
Sub Total : £1,042.40
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £14.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £211.43
Total : £1,268.58

100% over-Ample for what you need and supports up to 5 monitors on a single card.

unless you really want to spend 2k on a rig that isn't for gaming.
What else are you uing it for at work?

Don't really see how you can go over 2k on a build like this

 

[stulid]

Well im not sure about the above,

The graphic card does support upto 6 moniotrs but 4 of these need to be Displayport inputs.

It has 2 DVI for the other two.


If you went a FLEX card - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=gx-272-sp&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

you can pretty much do anything.
-----------------------------------------

gigabyte boards are not very good at all - http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/gigabyte-ga-z68x_3.html#sect0

And it doesnt even have two of the three things that makes a Z68 board what it is,

Lucid Virtu and Quicksync.


Get a Gen3 board = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-054-AK&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

Much better and has PCI-E3.0 support when Ivybridge comes out.
------------------------------------------------------------

And ditch the over priced Noctua for the Silver Arrow - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-078-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395
-------------------------------------------------------------

And buy the same case with a free PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-233-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29 - then just sell it immediately.

 

[stulid]

So heres the better version using the improvements above,


Your basketProduct Name Qty Price Line Total
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 FLEX 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with upto 5 Monitor Support & with FREE DIRT3 Game £239.99
(£199.99) £239.99
(£199.99)
Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
(£133.32) £159.98
(£133.32)
Cooler Master HAF X with Coolermaster GX 750W PSU £149.99
(£124.99) £149.99
(£124.99)
OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARS) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3) £50.99
(£42.49) £50.99
(£42.49)
Samsung SH-S222AL/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
(£13.32) £15.98
(£13.32)
Sub Total : £980.73
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £16.85
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £199.52
Total : £1,197.10


And just keep the £800 in your pocket for monitors and future upgrades etc.


This is the FLEX card - http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1041&pid=1099&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

And it has these outputs,

1 x Dual-Link DVI
1 x HDMI 1.4a
2 x Mini-DisplayPort
1 x Single-Link DVI-D
DisplayPort 1.2

And these accessories to turn outputs into other types,

DVI to VGA Adapter
Mini-DP to DP Cable
HDMI to SL-DVI Adapter
HDMI 1.4a high speed 1.8 meter cable(Full Retail SKU only)


Theres abosultely no need to spend more than this amount and you get money back with the sale of the GX750 PSU that comes with the case.

 

[Streetlight]

Would the ATI Radeon HD 6970 do the same job?

 

[stulid]

Would the ATI Radeon HD 6970 do the same job?

You cant get FLEX versions of this.

If you didnt get a FLEX card, you would have to make sure the third diplay is Displayport input on it.

Or buy a ACTIVE dispalyport adapter - http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=4&gid=1010&sgid=1011&pid=357&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

But it must be "active" and not pasive.

 

[stulid]

Dont forget these specs enable you to add a second card in a crossfire mode to double (almost) the power.

So you can pick up a second hand card when one starts to struggle on its own when future games are released.

 

[Streetlight]

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor £247.99
(£206.66) £247.99
(£206.66)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 FLEX 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with upto 5 Monitor Support & with FREE DIRT3 Game £239.99
(£199.99) £239.99
(£199.99)
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
(£133.32) £159.98
(£133.32)
Antec 1200 Twelve Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £119.99
(£99.99) £119.99
(£99.99)
OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)

So this is what i have so far....

Do i really need the I7? happy to have to last over time.

Need to add soundcard, keyboard,ect ect aslo

 

[stulid]

The i5 2500K is all you need - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=287

You dont need a sound card, the motherboard has Realtek HD 7.1 audio built in.

And the Antec1200 is ancient, there are much better cases for the money.

For example,
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092

 

[Reaper 392]

isnt battlefield 3 suppost to favour Nvidia cards quite a lot?

i know you would need two graphics cards for that, but its not as though the OP hasnt got the money for it. also, to last three years a second 6950 would surely be needed later on

heres a low(ish) end Nvidia spec that will do what you want just fine:
YOUR BASKET
2 x MSI GeForce GTX 560Ti Twin FrozR II 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £173.99 (£347.98)
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £169.99
1 x Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
1 x Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £62.99
1 x Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARS) £59.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT51264BA160A) £49.99
1 x BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222AL/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £1,127.88 (includes shipping : £12.50).

stulid, i'm 99% sure the PSU is fine for those cards, but a go/no go from you would be much apreciated


and heres a high end one:

YOUR BASKET
2 x MSI GeForce GTX 570 OC Twin FrozR III Power Edition 1280MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £254.99 (£509.98)
1 x Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £169.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
1 x Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
1 x Silverstone Raven 2 RV02B Full Tower Case - Black £129.98
1 x OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £99.98
1 x Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARS) £59.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £59.99
1 x Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3) £50.99
1 x Samsung SH-S222AL/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
Total : £1,444.56 (includes shipping : £14.75).

however, i will agree with what stulid said, theres very little reason to spend more than what ive recommended

*edit*
i see great minds think alike for the case (well, one great mind and my mind think alike anyway )

 

[Jonners]

oopsie

 

[stulid]

also, to last three years a second 6950 would surely be needed later on

And he just gets a cheap one later on when the first starts to struggle, I have explained this above.

, theres very little reason to spend more than what ive recommended

Even what you have suggested is too much, £1444, the OP can keep the money in his pocket for ATI 7 series or Nvidia Kepler by spending £1200 on the 6950 build.

 

[Reaper 392]

And he just gets a cheap one later on when the first starts to struggle, I have explained this above.

yes, but when i pressed the reply button (before i had made the specs) the post where you said that wasnt there, so i thought i'd make sure the OP knew a second one would more than likely be needed for it to last three years.

you beat me to it though (curse my slow fingers)

*edit*
just seen your edit. must you be right every time

 

[stulid]

Well £800 is £800, thats a lot of change in your back pocket.

Ivybridge upgrade when it comes out.
Latest ATI/Nvidia next gen card/cards or another 6950.
He wants a monitor.

 

[Streetlight]

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

here is what i have so far now......Fire away at it.....


Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 FLEX 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with upto 5 Monitor Support & with FREE DIRT3 Game £239.99
(£199.99) £239.99
(£199.99)
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
(£133.32) £159.98
(£133.32)
Silverstone Raven 2 RV02B Full Tower Case - Black £129.98
(£108.32) £129.98
(£108.32)
Samsung B2230H 21.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black £129.98
(£108.32) £129.98
(£108.32)
OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
LG BH10LS30 10x BluRay-RW / 16 x DVD±RW Drive - Black (Retail) £78.98
(£65.82) £78.98
(£65.82)
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARS) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Logitech X-540 5.1 Speaker System (970223-0120) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £59.99
(£49.99) £119.98
(£99.98)
Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3) £50.99
(£42.49) £50.99
(£42.49)

Sub Total : £1,276.52
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £27.55
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £260.81
Total : £1,564.88

 

[stulid]

Mouse,
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-060-LG&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=1257
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-200-LG&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=1257

Keyboard,
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-140-MS&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=1258

Not sure you need 16GB yet, 8GB is a massive amount.

 

[Streetlight]

Thanks for all your help, Looks like we are done and under the total.

final call.....



Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 FLEX 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with upto 5 Monitor Support & with FREE DIRT3 Game £239.99
(£199.99) £239.99
(£199.99)
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive £169.99
(£141.66) £169.99
(£141.66)
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
(£133.32) £159.98
(£133.32)
Silverstone Raven 2 RV02B Full Tower Case - Black £129.98
(£108.32) £129.98
(£108.32)
Samsung B2230H 21.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black £129.98
(£108.32) £129.98
(£108.32)
OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £99.98
(£83.32) £99.98
(£83.32)
LG BH10LS30 10x BluRay-RW / 16 x DVD±RW Drive - Black (Retail) £78.98
(£65.82) £78.98
(£65.82)
Logitech X-540 5.1 Speaker System (970223-0120) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £59.99
(£49.99) £119.98
(£99.98)
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA-II 64MB Cache - OEM (WD20EARS) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3) £50.99
(£42.49) £50.99
(£42.49)
Logitech G400 3600DPI Gaming Mouse (910-002279) £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Microsoft SideWinder X4 Gaming Keyboard - Retail (JQD-00006) £29.98
(£24.98) £29.98
(£24.98)

: £1,345.64
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £27.55
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £274.64
Total : £1,647.83

Think thats all?

Need to update the ram also.

 

[stulid]

Retail blu-ray drive for playback software = check

Gen3 board for PCI3.0 and Ivybridge upgrades = check

Monitor with HDMI for the FLEX card = check

Gold efficiency PSU with massive power for any card or multiple cards = check

Retail CPU for longer warranty = check


Looks like you have a winner.

 

[Nemesis379]

Would take any corsair psu over ocz any day.

 

[Reaper 392]

Would take any corsair psu over ocz any day.

that OCZ PSU is great, and not overpriced like the corsair stuff.

lets see if i can dig out a few reviews of it

*edit*
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=167

the good:
- the efficiency
- very good ripple and noise suppression
- stays fairly cool and quiet due to not adding much heat of its own to ambient temps

The bad:
- price
well, OcUK fixed that didnt they

the mediocre:
- loose ATX connector pins
oh god, my life is ruined, my ATX connecter pins are loose