BestConfigs - High-End Intel Gaming PC

rumar4u · Sep 2, 2010

CPU: Intel i7 950 3.06 ghz LGA 1366 $299.99 best buy
Cooler: Corsair H50 hydracool watercooler $79.99 newegg
Mobo: Asus P6TD Deluxe triple SLI @ x16/x8/x8 $239.99 newegg with mail-in rebate
Ram: OCZ Gold 6Gb DDR3 1600mhz $125.99 newegg with mail-in rebate
GPU: Asus GTX 465 x3 $199.99 newegg with mail-in rebate
PSU: Antec TPQ-1200w 1200watts triple sli $249.99 newegg
Hdd: WD Raptor 150gb x2 10,000 rpm Sata 3.0 Gbps Raid 0 $139.99 newegg
Case: Ultra M923 FullATX $99.96 tigerdirect
Drive: Liteon IHA CD/DVD Burner $ 19.99 tigerdirect
$1995-

Chose the LGA 1366 for its overclocking capabilities and PCIe Lanes plus with the Corsair Hydracool overclocking its better than Air Cooling at a budget price
Asus Deluxe series overclocks real sweet and very very awesome for Easy 4.2 Ghz and Triple SLI
3 GTX 465 with mail in rebate perform better than 2 GTX 480's and With Asus Software you can unlock the cards to GTX 470
2 Raptors in Raid 0 at 10,000 rpm each its more than enough

With some research across the Web found out its maybe the best possibe combination of money and performance

Somebody_007 · Sep 2, 2010

rumar4u :

nice build but I have a few issues with it. First of all your system is based on discounts and once those end(probably before this competetion is over) this price will sky-rocket and you'll be out of the 2000USD budget and thus out of the competition. Also 465s became 465s instead of 470s for a reason. There is a risk that the extra ram is faulty or similar issues. So I wouldn't reccomend people to do that. Lastly raptors are small end slower than SSDs.

ksampanna · Sep 2, 2010

Processor - Intel Core i7-950 $299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

Motherboard - ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution with NF200 3xPCIe true x16 $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131358

Memory - Crucial Ballistix 6GB DDR3 1333 Cas 9 (Tom's SBM favorite) $140.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148247

Graphics - 3 X Palit NE5TX470F10DA GeForce GTX 470 $899.97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261073

Storage - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Power Supply - Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153106

Case - Antec 300 $59.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Optical Drive - Asus Black CD/DVD Burner $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper N520 $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

TOTAL - $1985.85*

* $20~30 more, for shipping

**EDIT: Changed the power supply from Silverstone 800 to Thermaltake Black Widow 850.

Somebody_007 · Sep 2, 2010

a 3-way 470 sli system uses more much more than 800w under full load

bonecrush · Sep 2, 2010

set up 2

i am not a fan of usb 3/sata 6
untill it comes standard from the chipset

mobo - ASUS P7P55D Deluxe LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard -180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131400

cpu - Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor (get it from micro center) -170

gpu -2 x EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 (with rebate 300) -320 -2x300-600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550

memory - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMP4GX3M2C1600C7 - 130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145290&Tpk=CMP4GX3M2C1600C7

psu - ABS Majesty series MJ900 ATX12V/EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified,Single Strong 12V Rail, Modular Cable Design, Active-PFC - 150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-814-018&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
or
CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W -140 (with rebate 120)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013

case - SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV02-BW Matte black -160 (140after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154

cooler - CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm -80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

boot drive - OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542 -150 (with rebate 130) 2x 130 - 260

storage drive - Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136514 - 120

audio card - Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102021&cm_re=creative-_-29-102-021-_-Product - 150

with out rebate - 2030(corsair tx950)
with out rebate - 2040(abs 80 plus gold)
with rebate - 1950(corsair tx950)
with rebate - 1980(abs 80 plus gold)

JLHedges · Sep 2, 2010

I'm an EVGA fanboy, I'll admit it.

Processor: i5-760
CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme
Motherboard: EVGA E758-A1
RAM: Corsair XMS3 6GB
Graphics Card: 2x EVGA GeForce GTX 470
Hard Drive: 2x Seagate 1TB
Case: CoolerMaster HAF 932
Power Supply: Antec Quattro TPQ-1000
BlueRay Drive: Lite-On 4X BlueRay Reader
DVD Burner: Lite-On 24x DVD Writer

All From Newegg for $1996.85. Definitely should play SC2.

dndhatcher · Sep 2, 2010

JLHedges :

EVGA makes a PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438003

calguyhunk · Sep 2, 2010

JLHedges :

dndhatcher :

:lol: :lol: :lol: Hilarious

calguyhunk · Sep 3, 2010

BUILD 2

CPU : $300 (Newegg) Intel Core i7-950

Mobo : $200 (Newegg) ASUS Sabertooth X58

RAM : $165 (Newegg) CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB)

HDD : $59 (Newegg) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB

GPU : 2 X $450 (Newegg) GIGABYTE GTX 480 (Fermi)

PSU : $165 (Newegg) Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000

ODD: $20 (Newegg) LG SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe Support

HSF : $30 (Newegg) COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus

Case : $90 (Newegg) COOLER MASTER HAF 922

Total - $1929 (Before Rebates) + $21 Shipping = $1950 Grand Total

EDIT : Changed the cooler from $80 Noctua NH-D14 to $30 CM Hyper 212 Plus to accommodate the i7 950.

EDIT 2 : Updated prices.

renami9 · Sep 3, 2010

rumar4u · Sep 3, 2010

ksampanna :

Dude nice going but.... a quick couple of things for your knowledge, first of all that board is a FULL SIZE ATX and your case is NOT, second for 3 way SLI of Fermi's you'll need at least 1200watts PSU for 2 way SLI you'll need minimum of 850watts so it was a good try but, try to modify it again cause it will not count for the competion, Good Luck

The-Frag-Machines · Sep 3, 2010

Here are my recommendation:

Processor: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930 ($300)

Motherboard: ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ($300)

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D ($200)

Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card ( 2 Cards, SLI) - ($500)

Hard Drive:

Applications - Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - ($200)

Storage - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - ($80)

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - ($200)

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply ($ 100)

DVD Burner: LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support ($100)

Cost comes to around $1980

wolfram23 · Sep 3, 2010

calguyhunk :

You linked to a $289.98 i7 930 which puts you over budget...

banthracis · Sep 3, 2010

Are you guys looking for the RIG that will give the absolute best current performance for the money, ie your system builders marathon type? or something that's got more expandability for the future? As this distinction makes a big difference.

Mad also made a good point as to whether combo deals and MIR count.

If you're going for absolute best benchmarker for the money type build and allow combo's/promo's/MIR
then:

Optical
Sony $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Case
HAF 922 $90 code EMCYWPZ34 for free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

HD
Spinpoint F3 $60 w/ promo code EMCYWPZ27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

SSD
OCZ Agility 2 60gb $151 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542

PSU
XFX 850w 80+ silver $127.50 w/ promo code XFXPOWER, $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

Mobo
GA-x58-ud3R $189 w/ promo code MBTEN92
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

RAM
G SKill Pi ddr3 1600 7-8-7-24 1.5v $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

GPU
Gigabyte 5870 $360
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125316

GPU/CPU
i7-930 and Sapphire 5970 $877
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.499180

Promo codes used: XFXPOWER,EMCYWPZ27,EMCYWPZ34,MBTEN92
Total MIR: $40

Total price after shipping and rebates: $1995.55

Top of the line PSU, excellent low v and tight timing RAM, and you can take the 5970 and OC it up to the 5870's speeds or more, which will give you essentially, 3 5870's level of performance.

This build is of course completely overkill, and as mentioned, is in the spirit of the system builder marathon kinda idea of max benchmarking performance for the money.

Somebody_007 · Sep 3, 2010

I really find there's to little information as many choices here are based on disounts and rebates and if you take the usal value of all products most will be over budget nad have bad price/performance products.

calguyhunk · Sep 3, 2010

wolfram23 :

I appreciate the help. I've corrected the link now to Micro. But the point is, a lotta people have gone over the stated $2000 budget & a lot many others have included MIR's & combo deals which I haven't, in absence of any clarity from the powers-that-be. Anyways, all my builds are well within the limit

MadAdmiral · Sep 3, 2010

I just used the MIRs with mine. I tend to think of those as more permanent. I believe that even if you exclude those, I'm still under budget.

I think that if/when this is done again, some more firm rules need to be in place. Here are several questions that should be answered:

Are the builds judged just on raw performance or are other factors considered (future proofing, upgrade potential, user's non-gaming experience, etc.)?

Should prices be stated at current low price, including combos, promos, MIRs? If not, what price should be used?

Can prices that may not be available to everyone (i.e. Microcenter) be used?

Does the product have to be in stock?

Do you need to count shipping? If so, where to? Same for taxes.

Is the relative quality of the parts considered? For example, comparing an HIS GPU to an XFX. If you use the lowest price, it's HIS, but you might get dinged for quality.

What exact parts do you need to include and what's optional? For example, the gaming builds didn't include a heatsink in the list of parts, but most people would consider leaving it out an error. Or for the HTPC build, you could include a TY tuner. If you make some parts optional, how do you compare one build with the part and one without?

dndhatcher · Sep 3, 2010

Marketing people love MIRs because more than half, maybe as much as 75-80%, dont get used. Between people not actually filling out the application, things getting lost in the mail, and people losing/not using the gift-card once it gets to them its a great return on investment for the seller.

If I were jpishgar, I would maybe throw out the rules, steal everyones ideas and make one fairly equal priced build of each style (there are really only a few substantially different builds in each thread) then put those up for vote.

MadAdmiral · Sep 3, 2010

That may be true, but it's not like I'll pick a part BECAUSE it has a MIR with it. It's just a bonus. I've never had an issue with getting a MIR. As long as you just do the paperwork and don't be lazy about it, it's free money. Well, a free return of your money...

Somebody_007 · Sep 3, 2010

dndhatcher :

agreed my build is a little different with the HDD boost and sound card but for the rest it's all very very similar.

small SSD
spinpoint f3
100dollar case
i5/i7
480 sli/470sli/460sli/5970
modular psu
low-mid range mobo
low cl 1600 ram.

I mean it's all very similar. I'd do as you say incorporate the best ideas. Because maybe my HDD boost idea is very good and then the rest sucks so yeah good suggestion.

ice919 · Sep 4, 2010

This build has a 2.8GHz 4/8 quad core that can easily oc. It uses cl7 ram and Super OC'd 470s at 700MHz (normally 607). Finally it has a 64Gb sataIII SSD for the operating system and a 2Tb sataIII hard-drive for plenty and fast storage.

Processor:$284.99
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

Motherboard:$219.99
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

RAM:$149.99
G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

Graphics Card: $759.98 ($379.99 each)
(2) * GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series GV-N470SO-13I GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125338

Hard Drive: 1. $146.00 2. $189.99
Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506

Case:$109.99
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Power Supply:$119.99
Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

DVD Burner:$17.99
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

For a Grand Total of $1,998.91 before shipping and rebates(20).

d1rtyju1c3 · Sep 4, 2010

MadAdmiral · Sep 4, 2010

^Your links don't work.

d1rtyju1c3 · Sep 4, 2010

Somebody_007 :

I agree, although I did ask jpishgar and he said you could use rebates but again that doesnt mean the rebates will be good by the end of this thread.
I think that the price before and after rebates need to be posted.

d1rtyju1c3 · Sep 4, 2010

MadAdmiral :

Sorry, I dont know what happened to the links, but they should work now

BestConfigs - High-End Intel Gaming PC

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