Potential new build. What do you think?

[FiB3R]

Finally getting around to replacing my ageing desktop which I built in 2007 (it's had a few upgrades since then, SSD and RAM) https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/567747-mid-to-high-end-gaming-rig-advice/ (that old post looks a mess now, due to a forum upgrade some time ago)

 

Anyways, I would like your opinions on my current component choices, if you would be so kind :)

 

Corsair Obsidian 550D - ?109.99

Asus X99-DELUXE Intel X99 Socket 2011-3 Motherboard - ?293.99

Intel Core i7 5820K Haswell-E - ?290.60

Corsair Vengeance LPX Red 16GB DDR4 2800 - ?283.73

 

EVGA GeForce GTX 760 Superclocked ACX Nvidia Graphics Card - 2GB - ?183.31

Samsung MZ-7TE120BW 840 EVO 120GB - ?58.61 x2 for RAID0?

Seasonic SS-750RM 750W 80+ Gold Hybrid Modular PSU ?99.71

Corsair Hydro Series H100i Refurbished - ?49.32

Noctua NF-F12 - ?15.75 (x2 = ?31.48)


?1400.74 with 1x SSD
?1459.35 with 2x SSD

[Brandon H Supervisor]

looks like a good build to me

 

also that looks like a great case  have not seen that model before

[Andre S. Veteran]

If it's gaming performance you're after, you'd get much more out of your money by getting a better graphics card and choosing another CPU/platform. The i7-4790K with a Z97 motherboard would make more sense; even the i5-4690K would still be a great choice for video games. Unless you really plan on doing a lot of long-running heavily multithreaded tasks, you're not going to benefit much from a 6-core CPU. Keep in minds all these X99 motherboards are brand new with consequently immature BIOSes.

 

Why would you want another SSD in RAID0? You'd gain more by using the other SSD for storage and making access to that data faster instead.

[eddman]

What are the main, heavy tasks that you perform on your computer? Gaming? Video editing? Graphic design?

 

If you're looking to build it for gaming, then I second Andre S. (Hey, I'm andre too :D).

 

Haswell-E is an overkill for gaming. You can save a LOT by going with a cheaper i7 or even i5 and also on the MB and RAM, as a result, and use that money to get a faster video card.

 

As for storage; a single 120 GB isn't really enough. Either go with at least 240/256 GB or two 120/128 GB as you mentioned, but SSDs are quite fast already. Is it really necessary to do a RAID 0 setup? I don't know. Others will know better, I guess.

[+PeterUK MVC]

Do you really need the Asus X99-DELUXE? The Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 thats out of stock at Scan might be a better choice unless you need wireless without using a PCI-e slot or USB. Ebuyer has it in stock.
http://www.ebuyer.com/660467-gigabyte-ga-x99-ud4-socket-lga-2011-2-4-5-1-7-1-channel-audio-atx-motherboard-ga-x99-ud4
also some G.Skill 16GB (4x4GB)Ripjaws 4 PC4-24000 / DDR4 3000 Mhz 15-15-15-35 1.35V
http://www.ebuyer.com/662234-g-skill-16gb-4x4gb-ripjaws-4-pc4-24000-ddr4-3000-mhz-15-15-15-35-1-35v-f4-3000c15q-16grr

Only going to use one GPU? A 650W PSU will be more then enough
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-seasonic-m12ii-hybrid-modular-80plus-bronze-1x120mm-silent-fan-atx-psu-dc-dc

With them saving you can get a  4GB Gainward GTX 770
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-gainward-gtx-770-phantom-28nm-pcie-30-3505mhz-gddr5-gpu-1046mhz-boost-1085mhz-cores-1536-dport-d

[Ambroos]

Don't go for two SSDs in RAID0, you will only notice the difference in sequential benchmarks. Some things that are more important (random access and access speed) suffer in RAID.

 

A bigger, single SSD will most likely be faster in real-world usage. I'd recommend the Crucial MX100 256GB (or even the 512GB), they're excellent quality and one of the only consumer SSDs with power loss protection. Otherwise the Samsung 840 EVOs are fine too. In general, avoid 128GB SSDs. They are usually a good chunk slower than their 256GB counterparts.

 

Besides that, you'll have a beast for anything CPU-intensive. I built a rig with a 4790k and a 256GB MX100 a few weeks back, those things fly. Personally I decided not to wait since the things I use benefit more from a few high-Ghz cores and scale less good over at more than 4 cores, but if you're doing anything like video processing you'll have an incredibly powerful machine.

[FiB3R]

Thanks for the input guys, I've been hearing the same stuff from other sources regarding gaming performance/value for money.

I suppose the real reason I went for Haswell-E, X99, DDR4 is because it's the latest architecture, and I think that means it will give me the greatest upgrade path in the future.

It is overkill for my needs, but then at the time, so was the system it's replacing, but the fact that I've gotten 7 years out of it seems to make it worth while.

Am I correct with that logic?

Thanks for the info about RAID0, I thought the performance gains would be significant. I guess times have changed, or has it always been a fallacy?

I don't need wireless, so I'll definitely take a closer look at that mobo, Peter. I'm thinking of going with dual gfx cards in the future (if its worth it) so I want a beefy enough PSU to expand the system at some point down the line.

Also considering a stronger gfx card off the bat.

I've had a bit of a windfall, hence the opportunity to upgrade.

I don't want to over spend, but at the same time, I want something that will last.

[+PeterUK MVC]

Peter. I'm thinking of going with dual gfx cards in the future (if its worth it) so I want a beefy enough PSU to expand the system at some point down the line.

If your thinking of going dual card a 800W+ PSU would be suggested to go with.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-seasonic-evo-full-modular-80-plus-bronze-1x120mm-fan-atx-psu

or

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-thermaltake-toughpower-grand-80plus-gold-full-modular-psu

[FiB3R]

Good call on the PSU, decided to go with the Seasonic M1211-850 EVO Edition

 

The G.Skill memory seems like a much better deal too. Cheaper, faster clock speed and lower latency. Am I missing something there?

 

Still haven't really looked into the mobo and gfx card yet, getting ready to go out tonight, so not going to have much of a chance to really study the options as soon as I would have liked. :/

[TAZMINATOR]

Please do the following steps:

 

1) Put the new build in the box.

2) Close it up and tape it down.

3) Insert 2 labels on it (addressee and return address)

4) Go to UPS and drop it off.

5) Send me the tracking number.

6) You will be notified when I get the package from you.

7) Wait for the mail for the reward.

 

 

:p

 

Joking aside, Nice biuld!  Good luck with it. :D

[Andre S. Veteran]

I suppose the real reason I went for Haswell-E, X99, DDR4 is because it's the latest architecture, and I think that means it will give me the greatest upgrade path in the future.

It is overkill for my needs, but then at the time, so was the system it's replacing, but the fact that I've gotten 7 years out of it seems to make it worth while.

Am I correct with that logic?

It's unlikely you will ever upgrade the CPU or RAM on your X99 motherboard. You're spending a lot of money up front on purely hypothetical savings several years from now with little benefit to no benefit to the applications you will actually be running. That doesn't ring like sound logic to me. You'd get more out of your money by optimizing your computer for the tasks you want to do now (i.e., downgrade the CPU, motherboard and RAM, and upgrade the GPU), and keeping any leftovers for a future upgrade that'll also really benefit you. 

[FiB3R]

It's unlikely you will ever upgrade the CPU or RAM on your X99 motherboard. You're spending a lot of money up front on purely hypothetical savings several years from now with little benefit to no benefit to the applications you will actually be running. That doesn't ring like sound logic to me. You'd get more out of your money by optimizing your computer for the tasks you want to do now (i.e., downgrade the CPU, motherboard and RAM, and upgrade the GPU), and keeping any leftovers for a future upgrade that'll also really benefit you. 

Why is it unlikely? I upgraded the ram on my last system, and always considered upgrading the CPU.

 

I'm not sure, but the upgrade options for my current system were not that great, the last time I checked.

 

It is also the current raw power that I am considering, as well as the longevity, due to potential upgrade paths. Am I wrong in thinking that this new platform will have more scope for upgrades in the future?

 

I do all sorts of stuff with my PC, Photo/Video editing, 3D rendering, so not just gaming. But I do not do any of that professionally or even that regularly. I am an enthusiast, and a tinkerer, and to have the power there would be nice.

 

As for leftover money going towards future upgrades, that won't really happen. If I have the money at the time, I'll buy something, if I don't (which is most of the time), then I don't.

 

I don't want to sound like I'm just flat out ignoring your advice, otherwise what was the point of me asking for it? I'm just trying to battle it out in my own mind.

 

You do make some valid points, but I like shiny new things, but it is large chunk of change. Urgh :wacko:

[Andre S. Veteran]

I'm not sure about the longevity of socket LGA-2011, I don't think anyone can say for how long Intel will keep using it. LGA-1150 will be used for Broadwell at least. Either way, several years down the line sockets will probably change so by that time if you want to upgrade the CPU you'll have to get a new motherboard anyway. I guess it boils down to being able to add more DDR4 eventually instead of being stuck with DDR3. So far DDR4 hasn't proved to provide substantial performance improvements in benchmarks AFAIK. 

[Draconian Guppy]

@ andre, I too was expecting more comments on the cpu.

 

Any reason why not put more money towards video card and not as much to mobo? or maybe AMD  R9-280X ?

[Ambroos]

Just remember that the power difference a 6-core Haswell E you may get might not be worth the huge price premium. In applications that really do well with threading you'll see good gains (although I don't know if 20% really matters if it's only occasional), but for most things you won't notice the difference at all.

 

A 4790k with DDR3 would probably not be noticeably slower (and faster in games and easier to cool), and with the money you'll save you can probably get a new CPU+Mainboard+RAM down the road for the same total amount, or get a better GPU right away. You'll probably benefit from that more if you game regularly.

 

But, by all means, if you have the money and you'll spend a significant amount of time waiting for CPU-bound applications, go for Haswell E.

 

On the SSD with RAID0 thing, well, nowadays it doesn't matter much. In the past it was sometimes interesting (my laptop has 2x64GB SSDs in RAID0, it's a thing from 2010), but nowadays you just shouldn't bother.

 

What you could do for a major performance gain is get a M2 SSD (and a mainboard with a fast M2 slot). The Samsung XP941 256GB is hard to find but well worth the price and trouble. It can easily be double as fast as a SATA3 SSD. Current SSDs really hit the SATA3 bottleneck. But again, if you're not running heavily IO-bound applications you really won't notice the difference.

[tim_s]

Hi,

 

I loooove my Corsair Obsidian case and I love the fact with the Haswell-E / X99 you are making use of the DDR4 2800s (*jealous*)

[FiB3R]

Well that was one hell of a weekend :s :woot: :rofl:

 

I've been reading up on various components for the last couple of days, I've got 210 tabs open, and my head is just filled with so much info that I'm confusing the hell out of myself, and I have kinda come full circle :/

 

So, to give myself a kick in the pants and get things off the ground, I've ordered the case from Amazon for ?100.99. Corsair Obsidian 550D

 

 

And now I'm off out to the local Indian restaurant, with my better half.

 

To be continued...

[Riggers]

That case is a sexy looking beast :drool:  If when your all up and running you wish to get rid of the old cpu give us a shout, i know someone who could do with socket 775 cpu upgrade but are to mean to buy a new comp :/

[deadonthefloor]

...... Keep in minds all these X99 motherboards are brand new with consequently immature BIOSes.

 

......

 

Do we still have BIOS in 2014?  Isn't x99 UEFI only?

 

I've been out of touch with the build community.

[FiB3R]

Do we still have BIOS in 2014?  Isn't x99 UEFI only?

 

I've been out of touch with the build community.

You are correct in thinking that it's UEFI only, but it seems that the term BIOS is so deeply ingrained, that people are still using it when referring to that part of the system. Or calling it a "uefi bios".

 

Even the motherboard manufactures themselves are still calling it BIOS when referring to updates, as can be seen here. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/X99DELUXE/HelpDesk_Download/

 

I've probably explained that horribly, but I think that's the gist of it.

[FiB3R]

Slight spanner has been thrown into the works, that G.Skill memory from ebuyer won't be available for 3 months.

 

I had to phone them up to find that out, as hitting the pre-order button was doing nothing.

 

Haven't been able to find it at that price anywhere else, as yet.

[FiB3R]

Currently weighing up the pros and cons of pulling the trigger on an Asus X99-S / Core i7 5930K bundle for ?635.99 inc vat and delivery (I've got free shipping for life from scan :D )

 

That same bundle was ?609 at overclockers uk, but the price went up as I was looking at it :angry:

 

There is also a cashback offer if you buy an Asus X99 board and a Samsung 850 pro SSD, but the X99-S isn't included in that offer, I think that is due to the fact that apparently that board is only available in pre-built PCs. :/

[FiB3R]

Anybody speak German?

 

Are these in stock? What is the postage cost to the UK?

 

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/16GB-G-Skill-RipJaws-4-DDR4-3000-DIMM-CL15-Quad-Kit_974811.html

[FiB3R]

After much, much soul crushing deliberation, I have decided to swerve X99 (sorry tim_s), as I think I'll get better gaming performance for my budget (as has been pointed out to me numerous times)

 

So... what to you think of these choices?

 

Obsidian 550D - ?100.99
Amazon

i7 4790K - ?251.25
ebuyer

ZOTAC GTX 780 Overclocked 3GB - ?287.74
scan

Corsair H100i CPU Watercooler - ?62.52
Scan

Asus Maximus VII Hero - ?156.84
Micom

16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro, DDR3, 2133MHz, CAS 11-11-11-27, 1.5V - ?133.92
Scan

or

16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro, DDR3, 2400Mhz, CL 11-13-13-31, 1.5v - ?135.21
ebuyer

or

16GB G.Skill TridentX, DDR3, 2400MHz, CL10 (10-12-12-31 2N), 1.65V - ?134.14
ebuyer

Seasonic M1211-850 EVO Edition 850W Full Modular Power Supply - ?89.59
Overclockers UK

Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD - ?149.99
expansys

~?1232.92

 

 

I'm not sure if it's better to get the faster RAM, or go for lower latency.

 

The 850 Pro SSDs are supposed to be really fast. How big of a deal is power loss protection? I have SSD's in 3 PCs and they are all fine after multiple power outages.

 

Really don't like the look of the gfx card, but it's going to be out of sight, and it seems like really good value.

 

The psu is over kill right?

 

Thinking of adding a second gfx card in 6 months to a years time.

 

I currently have a single 1680x1050 monitor (it's twin died  :cry: ), but I'm looking at 1440p screens right now.

[Ambroos]

RAM hardly matters if you don't use the integrated graphics. Crucial has an excellent 1600Mhz set that uses less power and has nice low latencies for less money. Crucial Ballistix I think. Save yourself some money. The DDR3L set is the one you want, the lower power allows faster latencies and reduces heat production a little. Compatible with all Haswells.

Latencies are a complex thing too. 2133 CL10 and 2400 CL11 are the same, for example (I think, the numbers might be off but it's the principle). The CL says how many clocks it takes and since you have more clocks a second with faster RAM the CL always goes up.

Latencies do more for performance than RAW speed too. Keeping that in mind I'd really just go with the Crucial Ballistix set.

SSD-wise the 850 is fine but too expensive for the minor speed increase. Just go for the MX100 (or the 840 EVO if you really prefer Samsung, but I wouldn't). Equally fast as they're all mostly limited by SATA and much cheaper per gigabyte. You could even get a bigger one. If you really want something faster, look for a M.2 SSD. The Samsung XP941 is really fast and pretty amazing but hard to find.

In general, beware paying too much. Really high end stuff like that 850 or very fast RAM can cost a lot more for a performance difference you'll never notice. The money you spend on those is much better spent on upgrading later on or investing more in actually useful nice things like a faster GPU, more SSD storage instead of slightly faster, a new sound system, ...

Don't be blinded by specs.