New Gaming / Encoding PC Build

[ChaOConnor]

EDIT: can a moderator please move this the the proper forum, General Discussion I would think. My apologies.

I was fortunate enough to receive a new MB for my birthday today ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-289-_-Product ).

So now starts the new PC build!!!! This is to be a kick ass, long lived gaming machine, also doing encoding duties. So what would you guys recommend?

- Processor: go with the 980x? Is it worth it?
- Case: any recommendations?
- RAM: do the "gaming" ram, with the special timing make a diff?
- PSU: is 1000 overkill? Any recommendations?
- Vid Cards: really torn here... Thinking nVidia in SLI, but don't know which one, most bang for buck... 460, 465, 470... Really need help here.

Thank you all!!!!

- Cha

[SWKerr]

You really need to define a budget range here. Starting with a $300 motherboard kind of means you mean business but I expect there is some kind of limit.

I personally go with the Xbox360 these days as I don't have the time and budget to do any major PC gaming but I still hang with a lot of guys that do and PC builds are a personal hobby so I will throw in my two bits from what I have seen and read. Keep in mind I am pretty happy with the Xbox360 so I am not really that picky.

Processor: go with the 980x? Is it worth it?

No. It is not worth it. Gaming is all about the Video card. You will see some difference in video encoding but not where you would notice it any meaningful way. Get the $300 i7-950

Case: any recommendations?

Big. lots of 120mm fans. Today's Video cards are huge and run hot.
I like the Antec Twelve Hundred.

RAM: do the "gaming" ram, with the special timing make a diff?

Not sure but I doubt it. OC is fun but will you see it in game play. No! More RAM is better.

PSU: is 1000 overkill? Any recommendations?

How many card do you see using? It is probably over kill but it depends on the video cards you select. It does not really have a down side except to your wallet.

Vid Cards: really torn here... Thinking nVidia in SLI, but don't know which one, most bang for buck... 460, 465, 470... Really need help here.

Having seen a dual 480 setup I can't recommend it. It was just two hot and loud. sometimes needed a window fan in the hallway blowing extra air in the room to keep it comfortable during the summer. From reading the reviews I would say nVidia 460 but I have not seen one first hand yet. Keep in mind ATI is about to launch something new.

Thing to consider is 3D or multi-monitor setup? Having tried the 3D glasses I can't see myself doing much 3d gaming. If I didn't wear real glasses maybe it would be different but the overall experience was not all that great. At this point I would rather have 3 23" wide screens if I was to drop cash. I know one guy with one of these and it is pretty cool. ATI has the current edge on the multi-monitor setup.


Lastly:
You many want to drop cash on a large SSD or two. It will be worth more performance wise than the expensive cpu.

[ChaOConnor]

Thanks for the reply, I will have to do more research on the vid cards. The i7 950 seems perfect, thanks!

[medwynd]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

- Processor: go with the 980x? Is it worth it?

My buddy has one and it pretty much destroys anything we have thrown at it. If you have the loot to do it then might as well go balls out.

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

- Case: any recommendations?

I like Antec cases but a Twelve Hundred full tower may be overkill. The Nine Hundred Two has plenty of space for whatever you need. I also like Thermaltake Cases.

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

- RAM: do the "gaming" ram, with the special timing make a diff?

Just get good quality ram with good timings, don't get gimicky stuff. I like Corsair, GSkill, and Mushkin.

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

- PSU: is 1000 overkill? Any recommendations?

Depends what you are running. If you are running two top end video cards and a modest overclock this isn't too far above what you should run. Could get away with like something in the 800W range though. Here I like Corsair and Antec PSU's but there are some other good manufacturers too.

Also you should look at if you are wanting a modular PSU where you can choose what cables are connected or if you want them all fixed.

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

- Vid Cards: really torn here... Thinking nVidia in SLI, but don't know which one, most bang for buck... 460, 465, 470... Really need help here.

Again depends what you are running. I'm driving a 30" lcd @ 2560x1600 so a dual card setup is pretty much required. If you do not need to run at such large resolutions you can probly just use a nice single card setup.

I'm still hearing good things about the ATI's in CrossFire. But I haven't done a lot of research into vid cards lately.

Another component you may not have considered is a cpu cooler. I really like the Corsair H70. It does a really nice job at keeping a fairly decent OC on the CPU cool.

Also look into some aftermarket high airflow fans and replace all of the case fans with them and put in as many as you can.

[ChaOConnor]

Great thank you, also, out of curiosity, what monitor are you using at that resolution? Thanks!

[medwynd]

I'm using a Dell 3007WFPHC. I think it's about 4 years old now but it still works like a champ. Their current one is the 3008 which is a little nicer since it has more inputs.

Oh yeah and you probably want to throw in an SSD while you are at it for your boot drive and for games/apps you run the most.