Thread: Build me a gaming rig ... Bit offtopic but whatever

Originally Posted by teh_pwn

Yea, getting good case fans and a cpu fan will help, but since he is planning on this being a gaming computer, as long as its air powered, sound is going to be a problem. I made sure when I built my computer I researched and got the single best cfm per db of both case and cpu fans, but guess what, my computer still sounds like I'm using it to blow up an air matress. Why? Because the best GPUs have horrendous fans that will make you hate your life, and not too much you can do about it.



Of course there is one solution if you want a truely silent setup, but it's a little extreme, and that would be to use watercooling. This lets you replace both the fan units on the GPU and CPU, the two loudest components, I plan on making the switch myself very soon.

Plus as a gamer, you will likely want to squeeze as much performance out your components as possible, which means overclocking, however with air this leads to needing more cooling, so the more you try to move the bar up, the faster you will have to spin those fans to maintain the same temperature. With water you can just let it rip.

Just sharing some of my experience and no offence. Watercooling is not a good idea. Not to mention the cost, the maintenance, worry about water leakage, cleaning and changing parts. I were using watercooling on my previous rig, but I'm back to air cooling now. It does allow you to overclock and get better performance, but for the cost and troubles I don't think it worth it. Nowadays air cooling can offer performance than those cheap water cooling kits, so unless you ready to DIY and invest some money on it. I'm so regret spending $400 buying all the water-cooling parts. Is it dead silent? Not really, fan and water pump is still running.

Originally Posted by teh_pwn

Yea, getting good case fans and a cpu fan will help, but since he is planning on this being a gaming computer, as long as its air powered, sound is going to be a problem. I made sure when I built my computer I researched and got the single best cfm per db of both case and cpu fans, but guess what, my computer still sounds like I'm using it to blow up an air matress. Why? Because the best GPUs have horrendous fans that will make you hate your life, and not too much you can do about it.

Of course there is one solution if you want a truely silent setup, but it's a little extreme, and that would be to use watercooling. This lets you replace both the fan units on the GPU and CPU, the two loudest components, I plan on making the switch myself very soon.

Plus as a gamer, you will likely want to squeeze as much performance out your components as possible, which means overclocking, however with air this leads to needing more cooling, so the more you try to move the bar up, the faster you will have to spin those fans to maintain the same temperature. With water you can just let it rip.

He did say he was more worried about noise when he wasn't gaming rather than when the card were stressed. If you get a decent graphics card, it will run near silent in 2D mode. A good aftermarket cooler can help with this for a bit extra.

In addition to what Kincor said about the failings of water cooling, it would eat a massive hole into his $1500 budget for minimal gain.

As for the preferring nvidia thing, I hear you. I own an older generation nvidia 9800gtx+ and I love it. However, for current pc building, you can buy better ATI cards for the same price, if not cheaper. You don't get the 3D gaming aspect, though.

The newest generation of ATI cards, the 6000 series have their own 3d gaming feature.

Ya the CPU fan can be quiet a pain. However, I have found a solution to this.

On my current rig I have this:
CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler at Memory Express Computers
It's a cheap liquid cooling to replace one of the fans. I've never had a problem with it and my computer just hums along.

I also have this right now:
Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow Full Tower Chassis at Memory Express Computers

Lots of airflow, never a noisy fan. The cooler master products work really well. A bit over priced for this full sized case.

Anyhow, for parts I'll go with a mid tower case and here is a list of what I reccomend:
--------------------------------------------------
Case:
Rosewill ARMOR Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $100

Newegg.com - Rosewill ARMOR Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,Full mesh design front bezel, comes with Six Fans-1x Front 120mm Fan, 2x Top 120mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, 1x 80mm Fan on motherboard tray, 1x Side 200mm Fan, option Fan-1x Bottom 120mm

CPU:
Intel Core i7 950 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 3.06GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S $290.00


Buy Intel [BX80601950] Intel Core i7 950 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 3.06GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S


Memory:
Patriot Viper II Sector 7 6GB 3X2GB DDR3 $105
Patriot Viper II Series, Sector 7 Edition DDR3, 6GB(3x2GB) PC3-12800, 1600MHz Enhanced Latency Kit (PV736G1600ELK) | Canada Computers

Motherboard:
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $220

Newegg.com - ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Power Supplies:
Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan $100
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - CMPSU-650TX In Canada.

Graphic Card:
EVGA VEDIO CARD 768-P3-1360-TR GTX460 DDR5 768MB PCIE 2.0 $155


NCIX.com - Buy EVGA GeForce GTX 460 Fermi 675MHZ 768MB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI PCI-E DX11 Video Card - 768-P3-1360-TR In Canada.

Liquid CPU Cooling:
CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler $70


CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler at Memory Express Computers

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 1.50 TB $75
Mike's Computer Shop - Western Digital 1.50 TB

Monitor:
Acer S231HL 23IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Black 1920X1080 LED Backlit 12000000:1 5ms VGA DVI-D HDMI $202

Acer S231HL 23IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Black 1920X1080 LED Backlit 12000000:1 5ms VGA DVI-D HDMI - DirectCanada
--------------------------
Total not including taxes: $1217

I used mostly Canadian retailers to find the best prices, also the Canadian dollar is a little closer to the Australian dollar. I left room for any taxes and shipping costs you might have. Anyhow, that's my opinion.

Newegg.ca - Hanns·G HH-281HPB Black 28" 3ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 DC 15000:1(800:1) Built in Speakers

It's worth it, trust me. I've had this thing for a few months and absolutely love it. And definitely get an i7 don't listen to anyone who wants to get you to buy a Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad, cost over performance just doesn't add up. Antec 902 case is a pretty nice open case with a few more features on it compared to the 900.

Originally Posted by Synth

Ya the CPU fan can be quiet a pain. However, I have found a solution to this.

On my current rig I have this:
CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler at Memory Express Computers
It's a cheap liquid cooling to replace one of the fans. I've never had a problem with it and my computer just hums along.

I also have this right now:
Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow Full Tower Chassis at Memory Express Computers

Lots of airflow, never a noisy fan. The cooler master products work really well. A bit over priced for this full sized case.

Anyhow, for parts I'll go with a mid tower case and here is a list of what I reccomend:
--------------------------------------------------
Case:
Rosewill ARMOR Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $100

Newegg.com - Rosewill ARMOR Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,Full mesh design front bezel, comes with Six Fans-1x Front 120mm Fan, 2x Top 120mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, 1x 80mm Fan on motherboard tray, 1x Side 200mm Fan, option Fan-1x Bottom 120mm

CPU:
Intel Core i7 950 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 3.06GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S $290.00


Buy Intel [BX80601950] Intel Core i7 950 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 3.06GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S


Memory:
Patriot Viper II Sector 7 6GB 3X2GB DDR3 $105
Patriot Viper II Series, Sector 7 Edition DDR3, 6GB(3x2GB) PC3-12800, 1600MHz Enhanced Latency Kit (PV736G1600ELK) | Canada Computers

Motherboard:
ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $220

Newegg.com - ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Power Supplies:
Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan $100
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - CMPSU-650TX In Canada.

Graphic Card:
EVGA VEDIO CARD 768-P3-1360-TR GTX460 DDR5 768MB PCIE 2.0 $155


NCIX.com - Buy EVGA GeForce GTX 460 Fermi 675MHZ 768MB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI PCI-E DX11 Video Card - 768-P3-1360-TR In Canada.

Liquid CPU Cooling:
CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler $70


CoolIT ECO A.L.C. Liquid CPU Cooler at Memory Express Computers

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 1.50 TB $75
Mike's Computer Shop - Western Digital 1.50 TB

Monitor:
Acer S231HL 23IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Black 1920X1080 LED Backlit 12000000:1 5ms VGA DVI-D HDMI $202

Acer S231HL 23IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Black 1920X1080 LED Backlit 12000000:1 5ms VGA DVI-D HDMI - DirectCanada
--------------------------
Total not including taxes: $1217

I used mostly Canadian retailers to find the best prices, also the Canadian dollar is a little closer to the Australian dollar. I left room for any taxes and shipping costs you might have. Anyhow, that's my opinion.

If I convert the budget according to indian rupees then I cant imagine this rig..as prices are sky high here :( but if this is the case then go for Dual GTX460 It really pawns every other card... among new releases HD 6850/6870 are good too.
And get a HAF 932 ... you wont regret buying it.. awesome cabinet .. though I have an elite 430 currently ..one of my friend house HAF 932 and its a gamers paradise cabinet awesome airflow as the name is High Air Flow :) . Get a HAF 932 for sure even if you dont get a 2nd GTX 460...

Go with an iMac

I would suggest Two Rigs
Then it depends upon you, whichever suits you best.
Processor
(1 ) Core i7 870 2.93 Ghz 2.5 GT/s ( Socket 1156) ( Dual Channel Ram Supported ) 95 W
Intel® Core
OR
(2) Core i7 950 3.06 Ghz 4.80 GT/s ( 1366 Socket ) ( Tripple Channel Ram Supported) 130 W
Intel® Core
Why I am recommending, because the price of this Processor has recently dropped to its half price.
And is a good CPU in this price range.

Motherboard
(1) Asus Maximus III Formula or Msi P55GD65 or Msi P55 GD85( 1156 Socket ) (Dual Channel Ram 4 slots)
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
MSI P55-GD65 Review - Overclockers Club
MSI P55-GD85 LGA 1156 Intel Motherboard Review - MSI's P55 Lineup - Legit Reviews
OR
(2) Asus P6X58D-E ( 1366 socket) ( Tripple Channel Ram 6 Slots )
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Ram
(1) Corsair DDR3 Dominator 4 GB 1600 Bus or GSkill RipJaws 4 GB 2000 Bus
OR
(2) Corsair DDR3 Dominator 6 GB 1800 Bus or Gskill RipJaws 6 GB 2000 BUS

HDD
Seagate 2 TB 7200.12 Version
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardwar...2-hard-drive/1
Or
WD 2 TB Black Edition
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...ve-review.html

Graphic Card
Sparkle GTX 460 1 GB ( Calibre Edition ) (The Best One)
http://www.tweaktown.com/pressreleas...tem/index.html

MSI gtx 460 1 GB Hawk Edition ( Second Best Option if can't find above one )
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/349...ard/index.html
EVGA GTX 460 1 GB SC ( Super Clocked Version)
EVGA GTX 460 1GB Superclocked EE (External Exhaust) Review
MSI GTX 460 1 Gb Twin Frozr Edition

Casing
Coller Master HAF 932 ( Excellent for ventilation and Quiet + Nice Looking )
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=5363

PSU
Corsair TX 650 w
Cprsair TX 750 W
Cooler Master M600 Silent Pro

SuperDrive
Asus Super Drive 24 X ( Sata Cable Version)

And Monitor Depends upon your Need
Get LED instead of LCD as it is new Technology and has better Colours and Contrast and uses less Energy.And go for Sumsang or Viewsonic LCDs or Leds
Now You should check these and Decide whichever suites you.
Thanks for Reading

BTW Sir DAVE I like your Sig.
It's cool.Almost all the Rules are there in simple words.

Doesn't matter what system you build the likely bottleneck will be the hard drive. Do your self a favor and grab a decent SSD. Well worth it in any performance PC. Run your OS and games off the SSD and have another storage drive for whatever else you need.

You may want to consider overclocking. Might be able to save money for the same or better performance that way.

Running memory at half the FSB as the CPU in a dual channel configuration makes economical sense without losing performance.

In gaming systems, I don't recommend using on-board sound or NIC. Use expansion cards for these. When picking these out make sure the cards have their own processors so they can actually offset the processing from your main CPU. Neither of these have to be expensive. I use like 5 year old cards that were like $20ea when I got them. That technology really hasn't changed much.

Obviously a good video card, but be careful some people go a little overboard in this category.

Make sure you have enough power. I recommend 750+ Watt.

Hey
I bought a gaming rig aswell, since my tee finished today. So I searched around a bit and this is what I came up with.
The prices given are from MSY (last checked about a week ago, I think). The ones without prices, I got those parts from netplus (its in Perth)
Hope it helps

Coolermaster RC-932-KKN1 HAF 932 NO PSU
Price:$178.00

Intel Core i7-950 3.06Ghz LGA1366 CPU
Price:$320.00

Gigabyte X58A-UD5 LGA1366 DDR3 Motherboard

G.Skill-NQ 6GB Kit(2Gx3) DDR3 1600 RAM (Intel X58 Only)
Price:$140.00

Gigabyte GTX460 1Gb OC DDR5 256bit PCI-E (2 units) [I got Overclocked ones, but I think normal ones are good as well]
Or you could go with GTX 470.

CoolerMaster V8 Cooler ALL Socket CPU Fan RR-UV8-XBU1 LGA1156 & LGA1366 bracket Inc

Seagate SATA 2TB HDD
Price:$109.00

120Gb OCZ Vertex II SSD 285/275 2.5" OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G Solid State Drive HDD SATA2

Antec True Power 3.0 750W ATX Power Supply TP Trio

Benq G2420HD HDMI 24" LCD 2ms TFT Monitor DVI 1080P Full HD DVI 2ms 24.0" 1920x1080
( Or any other to be honest, I chose this one because I was running over my budget. )

Im not sure how much noise this machine makes because I havent put all those parts together yet, but the case does let you install a liquid cooler, which I'm pretty soon gonna install.