Building around 580 SLI.. by July 15th

[tguser]

This will be the first time I set up SLI, but not my fist computer build.
Targeting $2500 and ordering on the 15th..
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11958269


There are often people commenting on "single long" cards that run over the ram or such for mobos, or the case bumps up next to it with dividers, but no one discusses the sli, and the sli page from nvia hasn't been updated since 200 series.

Video Cards
evga 580's 1.5gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130590

Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe LGA 1155 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131753
(Any issues with that motherboard with sli covering things?)

Enclosure
The case don't know yet.
I am looking at lanboy air, thermaltake, or the antec 1200(or 900 would prefer 900 over 1200 if the sli fit). Currently in my wishlist is the 1200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100

Powersupply
Corsair 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
I usually pick antec but the good wattage (>700 i think is base) are not modular..
Also some case feedback talks about needing longer cabling for powersupply, not sure what length most are because they just say 1x 12v or such.


Any input is appreciated =)

 

[rvilkman]

You are going to want a bigger PSU than the 850W for GTX580 SLI. Since those cards are OC'd to begin with and you will be running an OC'd CPU. I would recommend 950W minimum. That way you have a little bit of room and you are not running at max capacity all the time. Corsair AX1200 being one obvious choice, but of course there are quite a few choices in this category as well.

But then if you go with the Antec 1200 the 1000W antec CP series PSU would be perfect for you.

For big cases the major issue is either the length of the CPU power connector or the 24pin power connector, since the CPU power is at the top of the case and the power connector also towards the top ( this is usually less of an issue ). So for big cases i suggest you get a 12" 1x8pin extension cable just in case.

As for the cases, Corsair 650D might be a nice case for you, good for cable management.

The SLI won't cover things on the mobo, so it should be fine. The deluxe is just generally a waste and you would probably do just fine with the P8Z68 Pro.

You will need to grab some kind of an aftermarket CPU cooler so you can OC the CPU. And they often run into issues with very high memory heatsinks such as the ones on the vengeances. So maybe you could consider one of the closed loop watercooling kits. From corsair or antec.

 

[tguser]

You are going to want a bigger PSU than the 850W for GTX580 SLI.
...
But then if you go with the Antec 1200 the 1000W antec CP series PSU would be perfect for you.
...
The SLI won't cover things on the mobo, so it should be fine. The deluxe is just generally a waste and you would probably do just fine with the P8Z68 Pro.
...
You will need to grab some kind of an aftermarket CPU cooler so you can OC the CPU. And they often run into issues with very high memory heatsinks such as the ones on the vengeances. So maybe you could consider one of the closed loop watercooling kits. From corsair or antec.

Thanks for the input.

I at first thought the antec 1000 was inferior due to price, didn't notice offhand it was made specifically for the twelvehundred, so decided to go with both, no issue with the cable length from what I read.

The deluxe has ps/2, which while seemingly antiquated, still has use from the logitech cordless duos for some reason. Is it worth the extra $40? Don't know, will have to make sure nothing I will use needs that ps/2.

I don't plan on OC'ing initially, with cpu coolers being ~50 it isn't a hard thing to purchase later, when I have everything installed, able to measure what will actually fit.

On a different build I had an issue before with a cpu cooler being too wide and resting on the mobo heatsinks, so it couldn't make contact with the cpu, would rather avoid that by seeing it all in place.

Will look at that closed loop, don't want overall watercooling, had a friend do that when we built at the same time, and after a few memory stick replacements, and a vid card, the constant draining and refilling was driving him nuts, and then the radiator was louder than my whole system.. /shrug.

 

[tguser]

Best answer selected by tguser.