Very High End Gaming PC assembly

[sabya]

Dear Friends,

I am about to build a very high end gaming rig which I believe will let me play games in ultra settings in the coming years. However though I am concerned about the config, whether they are available in India and/or compatible with each other. Please guide me appropriately via your valuable suggestions. Also let me know a good gaming keyboard mouse combo to purchase with this system. Please also suggest any items I have missed out. My budget will be INR 1.5-2.5 Lakhs

My Configuaration

1.Processor - Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor

2. Motherboard - ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

3. Memory - G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (8 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)

4.Storage - Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F180GBGT-BK 2.5" 180GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

5. Graphics Card (Two Nos in SLI configuration) - ASUS GEFORCE GTX 590 (FERMI) 3072MB 768-BIT GDDR5 PCI EXPRESS 2.0 X16 SLI SUPPORT

6. Cabinet - Thermaltake Level 10 GT (VN10001W2N) Black Steel SECC / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case with Four Fans

7. PSU - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified

8. CPU Heatsink - CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

9. Monitor - 27 inches Samsung/LG


---------------------------------------------------------
PC Build Questionnaire

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run?
Ans: Purely gaming (FPS, Third Person Shooter/Adventure, Racing)

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: INR 2 - 2.5 lakhs (Tax inclusive)

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans: Yes (CPU only as I heard that GTX590 OC options are no more)

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Windows 7 Home Premium

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: 180 GB for boot drive (Preferably SSD) and 2 nos 2 TB hard-drive in RAID configuration

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: Yes, 27 inches supporting minimum 1920x1080 and above HD gameplay options

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: Actually none. My old system is from the last decade (although its sli capable but no more CPU options available now)

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Within March 2012

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: I have built previously but this time will go for an assembler

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: I live in New Delhi and have access to Nehru Place from where I would like to buy the stuffs. In case I don't get my choice product or the next suitable alternative I will most definitely buy from online shops

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans: I have been saving for quite some time and want to go all out on buying the best at this time. I want to play all the games (FPS, Adventure and racing only) which comes out in the coming two years in full hd resolution.

[rajesh.s]

please fill this http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/pc-c...ml#post1542847

[d6bmg]

Originally Posted by sabya

Dear Friends,
My budget will be INR 1.5-2.5 Lakhs

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: INR 2 - 2.5 lakhs (Tax inclusive)

What is your actual budget?

And as a cabinet level 10 GT sucks.

[sabya]

Originally Posted by d6bmg

What is your actual budget?

And as a cabinet level 10 GT sucks.

I do agree to some point coz its looks/plastic construction sucks..but i found it to be compatible with my corsair cpu cooler..what about NZXT make cabinets supporting water cooling..or you suggesting other cabinet coz my graphics card will probably be pretty long..so fitting them is also a catch
My budget is 2.5 Lakhs all inclusive

[sabya]

Originally Posted by Sarath

Well I would suggest for a monitor,But at 60hz it is not 3D capable so bear in mind if you want to go 3D in the future.

Also since your budget is between 1.5 to 2.5L would you prefer to buy a powerful system now and save up for future upgrades or would you want to make an outright purchase with the amount?

The components increase in speed exponentially and not arithematically with time (read this somewhere). So choose wisely.

Thanks a million for the monitor choices..I was really stuck with it

I am also not interested in 3D (still believe its a gimmick more and productive less) so will not invest in it.

Secondly about the exponential rate you are correct 100%. But the problems I saw that there is a socket difference between Sandy Bridge and Sandy Bridge E (Some asus mobo's do provide with a fix with X-socket architechture). Ivy bridge Desktop processors will come soon but by the time it will come to India another new technology will come up and god knows again intel might come up with another backward incompatible socket design and I have to change again. So this is one of the reasons to go out with all guns blazing and make a monster of a machine.. Maybe in future I can get a good resale deal (My inspiration-McLaren F1 is still selling like hot cake)

[Sarath]

Well I would suggest for a monitor, the 2560 x 1600 capable 30" Dell UltraSharp U3011 but remember the resolution is much higher than average and may need much better gfx than 1080p demands (I see you've taken care if that with SLI) http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topi...dhs&redirect=1
It is an IPS panel which means an excellent colour gamut [117% (CIE1976) Colour Gamut] and 7ms response time to take care of your games. But at 60hz it is not 3D capable so bear in mind if you want to go 3D in the future.

If you want 1920 x 1200 then Dell U2412M another IPS panel with similar specs but no HDMI ports (if you need them) Color gamut 82%http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...hs1&l=en&s=dhs

I would strongly suggest you not to take a TN based panel unless you are going for 3D. (I'm not aware of any 120hz+ IPS panels but they might be available in the wild)

I am not aware of current prices and also models from Samsung and LG so I would ask you to wait for others to respond.

I currently use the Dell U2311H and it's amazing shifting to an IPS panel. Like your interest, even mine is an FPS only machine.

Also since your budget is between 1.5 to 2.5L would you prefer to buy a powerful system now and save up for future upgrades or would you want to make an outright purchase with the amount?

The components increase in speed exponentially and not arithematically with time (read this somewhere). So choose wisely.

For peripherals I suggest you get
Mouse: Logitech GS500 (3yr Warranty) 3.5k
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow 6k (Mechanical KB which is sworn by, by many) (I never saws this though)

[d6bmg]

Originally Posted by sabya

I do agree to some point coz its looks/plastic construction sucks..but i found it to be compatible with my corsair cpu cooler..what about NZXT make cabinets supporting water cooling..or you suggesting other cabinet coz my graphics card will probably be pretty long..so fitting them is also a catch
My budget is 2.5 Lakhs all inclusive

Fpr case CM HAF-X @13.5K is more then enough. If you want better case then you may look at CosmosII @18K.

[Sarath]

Ok this is weird:

Last edited by Sarath; Today at 04:29 PM.

and time of post is: Today, 05:25 PM

Did I time travel?

Anyways you are welcome sabya. I hope others help you out with the rest of the config.

[harryneopotter]

You will get all that stuff in Nehru Place. Specially as u intend to build it in march.

[d3p]

I see a lot of money spending behind a FPS gaming Machine....
All the best...

Here goes my Suggestion...

Component	Make	Price
Processor	Intel Core i7 3930k	36000
CPU Cooler	Corsair Hydro H100 Water Cooler	6700 [Primeabgb]
Motherboard	Asus SABERTOOTH X79	23000 [SMC]
RAM	Gskill RipjawsZ DDR3 4x4GB CL7 (F3-17000CL11Q-16GBZL)	13700 [Flipkart]
Graphic Card	AMD Radeon HD7970 * 2	70000 [35k each Primeabgb]
SSD	OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB * 2 Raid 0	28000 [14k each - Flipkart]
HDD	WD Caviar Black 1TB 7200 64MB Cache 6GBps	7000
Optical Drive	Asus DRW-24B3ST 24x DVD R/W	1100 [Flipkart]
PSU	Corsair AX1200 80+ Gold	16000
Case	CM Trooper	12000
Monitor	Asus VK278Q LED 27inch 60Hz / Asus VG278H	22000 120HZ 3D / 24000
Sound Card	Asus Xonar DX 7.1	4300 [Primeabgb]
Mouse	Logitech G9x Mouse	4500 [SMC]
Keyboard	Logitech G19 Advanced Gaming KB	9000 [SMC]
Mouse Pad	Razer Vespula Special Edition - Speed/Control	1500
UPS	APC BR1500VA	8000
Speakers	Edifier DA500 Pro 5.1	10000 [Not Sure of Exact Prices]
	Total	2,60,000.00 [Sometimes such Figures does look like some software version]

Sheer Pleasure--Sheer Gaming....

Just do us a favor by uploading the pics of your PC Components after you purchase...........please.....We want to satisfy our bloody eyes...

[Tenida]

^^Very Nice configuration Debasish.Simply mind-blowing

[ico]

Originally Posted by Sarath

Ok this is weird:

Last edited by Sarath; Today at 04:29 PM.

and time of post is: Today, 05:25 PM

Did I time travel?

Anyways you are welcome sabya. I hope others help you out with the rest of the config.

You edited your post. It gave it a "last edited by Sarath at: <time>" timestamp.

and then made a *new* post.

New posts in this forum get automerged with time updated.

Simple words.

Make post at: 4:15 PM. --> 1.
Edit post at: 4:29 PM.
Make another post at 5:25 PM. Both posts get merged. Time in --> 1 gets updated to 5:25 PM.

[Sarath]

Thanks for that ico. That sorted a lot more than just confusion in my mind.

@Debasish: That looks perfect.

I remember Extreme gamer used 2 SSDs in a Raid array and spoke about pairing it with a 1TB HDD, configuring it in such a way that he got the HDD to run at SSD speeds. (I don't mean his HDD is running at SSD speeds but he explained it better) I think his SSDs cached data before writing it to the HDD or something like that. I don't have much idea regarding it. I hope someone finds that post.

[Extreme Gamer]

I don't run such a config any more though Sarath

@OP: If you have built before, DO NOT go to an assembler. Such custom configs need TLC that only the owner can provide.

For boot drives, get two 60GB Synchronous SSDs and RAID 0 them.

120GB for OS is enough. If you want you can get two 120GB SSDs, partition them and install OS on one and games (those with high loading times and heavy seeks, like RAGE) on the other.

Debashish has mentioned a very balanced config, except the case. Althoug I love it, with a radiator, things could get cramped inside. I would suggest that you look at the unboxing pics at the many reviews available.
Switch the Sabertooth for MSI's Big bang.

Do you want Green cards because of Physx? I'd say that you get a single mid range card and wait for Kepler.

If Physx is of no importance then 7970 CFX is the way to go. 590s do not have a 3GB buffer and i can assure you that I can easily cross the 1.5GB mark in my pair of 3GB 580s in SLI.

Memory clocked at 2000Mhz or more do not show a noticable benefit to gaming. I would say that you should get the slower clocked variant that costs around 8k I think.

Rather than getting a DVD-RW, shell out on a BD-RW

G19 is a waste of money. Hell, I do not find much use of my G15's LCD screen so G19 would not be necessary. G9x is also a bad choice when a G500 exists.

For a mousepad I'd say you should get the SteelSeries Experience I-2.

A 2kVA UPS would be a better idea than 1.5kVA. This is coming from an AX-1200 user.

For soundcard the X-Fi Titanium over the Xonar. The X-Fi is much better for gaming than the Xonar. Xonar is great for music. If the Xonar Xense was available here, i'd tell you to choose it.

[sabya]

Originally Posted by d3p5kor

I see a lot of money spending behind a FPS gaming Machine....
All the best...

Here goes my Suggestion...


Sheer Pleasure--Sheer Gaming....

Just do us a favor by uploading the pics of your PC Components after you purchase...........please.....We want to satisfy our bloody eyes...

Thanks a million for this awesome specification and its actually triumphs mine by miles. Of course I will upload all the pics along with my final build.
But I have some doubt which I need to clarify
1. nVidia dominance in game optimization and driver support- can ati match that in future? although its faster (and cheaper) than nvidia in most cases i always have had driver issues with them.
2. Asus Rampage 4 extreme as the motherboard - whether it is a better option or just the ROG branding in it that makes it valuable and good looking.
3. Is not creative better than asus - for example products like Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series are not better than asus xonar?

[sabya]

Originally Posted by harryneopotter

You will get all that stuff in Nehru Place. Specially as u intend to build it in march.

Thanks man..
Can you suggest some shops which will be having the maximum number of items from the build or its better to roam around and pick the lowest priced one..

[d6bmg]

Originally Posted by sabya

3. Is not creative better than asus - for example products like Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series are not better than asus xonar?

Those two cards mentioned by you are superior than xonar.

1. nVidia dominance in game optimization and driver support- can ati match that in future?

Its a myth, not true.

[Skud]

If you are going CF route, driver support is still a bit of hit or miss for newly released games.

[Extreme Gamer]

Originally Posted by Skud

If you are going CF route, driver support is still a bit of hit or miss for newly released games.

Usually it is the game's code rather than the drivers.

[Skud]

Reviewers possess a different view, particularly when the games work fine under SLI. Skyrim comes to mind.

[Jaskanwar Singh]

Originally Posted by sabya

1. nVidia dominance in game optimization and driver support- can ati match that in future? although its faster (and cheaper) than nvidia in most cases i always have had driver issues with them.

now amd drivers are great. i never had issues, any single issue.

[Extreme Gamer]

Originally Posted by Skud

Reviewers possess a different view, particularly when the games work fine under SLI. Skyrim comes to mind.

Skyrim uses Gamebryo, a stupid engine that ALWAYS had issues with AMD architectures in multi-GPU mode.

Many games favour nvidia and some favour AMD. Which is the sole reason for most of the issues that games have in relation to drivers.

[harryneopotter]

Originally Posted by sabya

Thanks man..
Can you suggest some shops which will be having the maximum number of items from the build or its better to roam around and pick the lowest priced one..

ofcourse i will. Once u have decided the config, i will suggest u some shop(s) where u can find most of ur stuff, if not all.

[d3p]

Ok...I got few inputs from our experts & few I feel is dawm necessary...

Component	Make	Price
Processor	Intel Core i7 3930k	36000
CPU Cooler	Corsair Hydro H100 Water Cooler	6700 [Primeabgb]
Motherboard	Asus Rampage IV Extreme	31000 [SMC]
RAM	Gskill RipjawsZ DDR3 16 GB PC RAM (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL)	7300 [Flipkart]
Graphic Card	AMD Radeon HD7970 * 2	70000 [35k each Primeabgb] Or wait & Pray for Kepler, but don't buy 590's.
SSD	OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB * 2 Raid 0	28000 [14k each - Flipkart]
HDD	WD Caviar Black 1TB 7200 64MB Cache 6GBps	7000
Optical Drive	Asus BW-12B1LT 8x BD R/W, 16x DVD R/W	7900 [Flipkart]
Optical Drive	Asus DRW-24B3ST 24x DVD R/W	1100 [Flipkart]
PSU	Corsair AX1200 80+ Gold	16000
Case	CM Trooper	12000 [Getting Better & Better..No Match]
Monitor	Asus VK278Q LED 27inch 60Hz / Asus VG278H	22000 60HZ / 24000 120Hz 3D
Sound Card	Creative X-fi Titanium Fatal1ty pro	11000 [Not Sure]
Mouse	Logitech G500 Mouse	3000 [SMC]
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow Elite	6000 [SMC]
Mouse Pad	Razer Vespula Special Edition - Speed/Control	1600
UPS	APC BR1500VA + APC Spare Battery Pack	8000 + 6000
Speakers	Edifier DA500 Pro 5.1	13000 [Not Sure of Exact Prices]
	Total	Windows Calculator Failure

[rajan1311]

jeez you really want to spend so much on a comp...

Get a single 7950 and overclock it, or get a dual 7950 setup..you will save around 15k and end up with the same performance...

120GB of SSD should be fine na...why going overkill ?

btw kepler high end GPUs are going to be pretty late..march launch is for low end kepler GPUs

Originally Posted by Sarath

I remember Extreme gamer used 2 SSDs in a Raid array and spoke about pairing it with a 1TB HDD, configuring it in such a way that he got the HDD to run at SSD speeds. (I don't mean his HDD is running at SSD speeds but he explained it better) I think his SSDs cached data before writing it to the HDD or something like that. I don't have much idea regarding it. I hope someone finds that post.

something like a momentus XT?

sorry OT.

[Extreme Gamer]

Originally Posted by d3p5kor

Ok...I got few inputs from our experts & few I feel is dawm necessary...

2 Optical drives?
Titanium Fatal1ty pro @~11k. Non-fatal1ty is not good.
G500>G9x @3k
Corsair K60>Blackwidow (not sure of price)
Steelseries Experience I-1> Vespula @1.8k
More VFM RAM, because 2133 @CL11 is not good: Flipkart: Gskill RipjawsZ DDR3 16 GB PC RAM (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL): Ram

BTW I saw the Max IOPS Vertex 3 at theitdepot for a monstrous 17k. Compare that to 12.5k including shipping each for my pair.

[d3p]

Originally Posted by Extreme Gamer

2 Optical drives?
Titanium Fatal1ty pro @~11k. Non-fatal1ty is not good.
G500>G9x @3k
Corsair K60>Blackwidow (not sure of price)
Steelseries Experience I-1> Vespula @1.8k
More VFM RAM, because 2133 @CL11 is not good: Flipkart: Gskill RipjawsZ DDR3 16 GB PC RAM (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL): Ram

BTW I saw the Max IOPS Vertex 3 at theitdepot for a monstrous 17k. Compare that to 12.5k including shipping each for my pair.

<Refer my earlier Post - Edited>

I feel adding another 24x DVD R/W to this config won't matter much to the budget.
I have added Titanium Fatal1ty pro...

The reason, why i was insisting OP to buy G9x coz, OP can add or reduce weight anytime & on top i feel its a good choice for FPS gamers.

I think Corsair K60 is not available atm, but blackwidow is a gr8 KB IMO.

Vespula pack both control & speed surfaces, which will cater these gamers, however they wish to handle their controls.

Added RipjawX 4x4GB CL9 kit to the config.

Do you feel MAX IOPS will be ideal choice & is it any good in RAID 0...i'm not so sure about its reliability.

[harryneopotter]

corsair K60 will be available by the end of this month. As OP is getting this PC in march, i guess he can get that easily. And i will always prefer Corsair's Build Quality and Reliability over Razer's.

[Extreme Gamer]

Originally Posted by d3p

<Refer my earlier Post - Edited>

I feel adding another 24x DVD R/W to this config won't matter much to the budget.
I have added Titanium Fatal1ty pro...

The reason, why i was insisting OP to buy G9x coz, OP can add or reduce weight anytime & on top i feel its a good choice for FPS gamers.

I think Corsair K60 is not available atm, but blackwidow is a gr8 KB IMO.

Vespula pack both control & speed surfaces, which will cater these gamers, however they wish to handle their controls.

Added RipjawX 4x4GB CL9 kit to the config.

Do you feel MAX IOPS will be ideal choice & is it any good in RAID 0...i'm not so sure about its reliability.

MAX IOPS uses 32nm Toshiba ToggleMode NAND. Normal uses 25nm ONFI NAND. Need I say more?

Well I'd choose a G510/G110 over Razer crap. K60 has Cherry MX Red. Black Widow has Blue and ultimate has black. Need I say more?

G500 also has weight control- it is an evolved G5 after all.

Vespula, I dunno man, I like my glide to be smooth. Speed vs. control is BS TBH.

Spoiler:

Answers to questions:
3Xnm flash chips have 2x the write cycles of 25nm chips.
Cherry MX Red is the ULTIMATE mechanical keystroke.

[harryneopotter]

^^ why dont they have a "like" system here on TDF

coming back to the topic : do u really think that spending 3k extra PER SSD is worth for the OP ?