Tri Monitor SB Build - Trying to balance components

bassface

bassface

bassface

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Sandy Bridge Build with Three Monitors : advice appreciated

Hi Guys,

New to the forum. Am trying to put together a machine to use for programming and the odd bit of Google Sketchup. I won't need bleeding edge performance because I won't be gaming (except to test the machine when I first set it up :D) - but I will be driving three monitors.

A 27" IPS display (2560x1440 ) and two 19" Monitors in portrait (1440 x 900). So I figured I needed a reasonably decent Graphics card, and choose the ATI because of eyefinity. I'm not opposed to changing the graphics card though (what else lets me run three monitors?). Here's what I've got so far...

Large amount of memory because I run VM's and some hungry applications, I chose the mATX board to save a few quid but maybe I should just pay the extra for a full size board? I already have Windows 7.

I've tried to balance the components and have read a fair few threads on here but I know there is probably some finer details that I'm missing - advice appreciated. Cheers.

sb2300spec.png
 
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Added an SSD

Sorry for the bump but been reading some more threads - looks like an SSD would improve performance a lot.

Any pointers? My trigger finger is itchy over the buy button but i'm holding off for some feedback:confused:

sb2300spec2.png
 
Hi there,

Considering you uses the 6850 isn't really required. The HD 5770 is a great card, does eyefinity fine and saves you almost £50.

With this in mind I would strongly suggest you use the money saved to go for the extremely overclockable i5 2500K. A P67 board like this will allow you to overclock the CPU and not add to your costs. With a half-decent cooler this CPUs reliably hit 4.5GHz.

As for the SSD - I imagine for programing and image edititing it will be very useful. However, the cheap Intel drives are not the best - for £23 more you get 50% more storage and a much faster drive.

Good choice on the PSU - but considering the spec even the 400W version will be fine. Should help pay for the better SSD.
 
3rd Revision

Thanks for your help.

I've taken what you said into account. The only difference was the ASUS mobo - I like the look of the UEFI bios and I'm willing to pay more for the ASUS, I perceive it to be a higher quality board (is this incorrect?) - changed it for the cheapest P67 board.

To be honest I'm not really sure what the difference between the boards is, even within one manufacturers range. The difference between the price of the Asus P67 boards, is this just down to number of available pci-e slots etc? Are there any other features that I would be missing out on by choosing the 'LE' board (cheapest).

As for the PSU, why are other similar builds sticking in 650/750/850w PSU's if less is acceptable? Is there any risk in getting a 400w PSU as opposed to the 520w - the difference is a tenner...

Price of the build has crept up a little :)

sb2500kspec3.png
 
Going for the ASUS board - I think thats fair enuf. Its £17 extra and you are getting a what is supposed to be a better UEFI implemention and as you say - you feel better going with an ASUS board (a known quanity) which makes sense.

As for comparison between different asus p67 boards - its something of a minefield. The main differences are dual GPU capability, onboard cooling, power system robustness, USB3.0 controller type and SATA 6G controller type. To be honest - for your uses the LE should be fine.

About the PSU, most other builds you see are for gamers. This means a high-power graphics card and often a power headroom to add a second card in the future. However, when you are running a 95W TDP CPU (like the i5) and a 108W graphics card (like the 5770), then you don't need anything more than a solid 400W PSU. However, if you want the extra headroom for upgrades - then absolutely go for the £52, it doesn't cost much more.
 
bassface said:
A 27" IPS display (2560x1440 ) and two 19" Monitors in portrait (1440 x 900)
Click to expand...

I was under the impression Eyefinity only supported monitors with the same resolution? I think you could connect all three monitors but would not get 'one big one' in Windows...
 
I'm pretty certain that you can run three mismatched monitors off one HD 5000/6000 card - however you can't play games in "eyefinity" (ie monitors stitched together to make one massive virtual monitor).

However, as the OP is using the machine for programming and CAD then this shouldn't be an issue. And if he wants to game - then playing on just the 27in should still look pretty awesome.
 
4th (final?) spec

Thanks for all the input. Finished messing around. Had to add a copy of windows in the end (long story) - Ideally I would have ditched the optical drive (it will likely be used once - for installing windows) but it seems that it is cheaper to buy an OEM version on disk plus a dvd drive than it is to get it via a digital download (a bit backwards but there you go).

As for the eyefinity - I don't mind about not being able to use it straight away - maybe in the future when the price of the 27" monitors comes down a bit I'll replace the smaller screens (at that point I could use eyefinity).

Was still tempted to get a better graphics card but common sense prevailed.

Any obvious objections? Will all this kit come with the cables/thermal compound etc I'll need to put this together without leaving the house to go and get bits and pieces?

Another thing (off topic) do you recommend buying surge protecting plug (fourgang) for using with your rigs? I've always thought it was a racket, but I've never spent anywhere near this amount on a machine before (my last computer was an athlon 64 that cost less than £200 at the time).....

Thanks again for all the tips.

picture1rsh.png
 
Looks good

The cooler comes with thermal paste and all the wires you need should come with the motherboard and PSU.

However, I would suggest getting a 8 pin CPU power connection extension cable, as with a case like the Antec 300 where you mount the PSU at the bottom - it is usually a stretch to get this connected.

I would also suggest going for a full wireless N wifi adapter like this.

Finally, I would strongly suggest you get this case. It cost the same as the 300, is arriving tomorrow and is a better case.
 
Is the 100 the replacement for the 300? If it's a matter of looks, then I prefer the 300. The big logo and ashtray looking thing on top of the 100 are FUGLY IMO. Why is it better? Am I missing something?

I get the extended PSU cable as you suggest - thanks for the tip.

Also why is a USB wifi card better than integrated? I don't like the idea of a dongle sticking out the PC the whole time...
 
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Well its in the same price range and has better features (black interior, SSD mounts, better cable managemnt) - have a look here.

But if you like the look of the 300 better then go for it - it's a good case.

I went for that USB option because that model is faster, doesn't take up a PCI slot and it is deigned to be used with the included USB extenion cable so you can get it away for the PC which often shields the signal - so you get better reception/more range.
 
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