Destroy my build - $3,000 gaming setup

[PCJake]

If you like minimalist case design check out Lian-Li very high quality cases. You can also look at some Mountain Mod cases.

What if I use something like the Corsair H110 in the 800D?

Or perhaps a Swiftech H220?

 

[mnewsham]

What if I use something like the Corsair H110 in the 800D?

Or perhaps a Swiftech H220?

I dislike prebuilt liquid cooling systems, while they are easy to put in and cheaper than custom loops, they can be beaten by high end air coolers, which you already have one. If you were going to do water, you would want to do a serious job for it to be "worth it". At least in my opinion, I'd want to do a CPU and GPU, possibly motherboard VRMs.


But seriously, if you aren't going for extreme OC's even the 800D is okay for air cooling, just there are much better and cheaper options for an air cooled case.

 

[Danno21]

My 2 cents on the monitor.

I own a PB278Q powered by two 670 FTWs and it is a beautiful monitor. For the price, it was worth every penny and I have not noticed any ghosting and the input lag comparison between this and my old BenQ 120hz monitor isn't noticeable at all to me in games.

I haven't regretted purchasing this monitor at all and I doubt you would.

 

[vbuggy]

Noted. We'll see if anyone else comments about this.

I think you'll get a lot of comments about "I bought this well priced 27" and it's been the best screen I bought" so it may not be comparative-experience responses, I'd look for responses from people who have both.

 

[Termie]

Again, is there a reason you don't like the Corsair 650D?

Something about your approach to building this system seems a bit backwards - you are considering water cooling because you've identified a water cooling case you want to use, despite the fact that you have no interest in water cooling. Why not simply select a less expensive case that is much better for air cooling?

I hate to say this, but I honestly think you're caught up on how big your case is.

650D -
21.5" x 9" x 20.5"

800D -
24.00" x 9.00" x 24.00"

Cosmos II -
27.7"x 13.5" x 26.1"

 

[PCJake]

Again, is there a reason you don't like the Corsair 650D?

Something about your approach to building this system seems a bit backwards - you are considering water cooling because you've identified a water cooling case you want to use, despite the fact that you have no interest in water cooling. Why not simply select a less expensive case that is much better for air cooling?

I hate to say this, but I honestly think you're caught up on how big your case is.

650D -
21.5" x 9" x 20.5"

800D -
24.00" x 9.00" x 24.00"

Cosmos II -
27.7"x 13.5" x 26.1"

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Something about getting a smaller, cheaper case rubs me the wrong way. Like it would be harder to work with than what I'm used to.

 

[Termie]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Something about getting a smaller, cheaper case rubs me the wrong way. Like it would be harder to work with than what I'm used to.

There's no question that a 650D will be both higher-quality and easier to work with than your Cosmos.

Another excellent option - the Silverstone Fortress FT02: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163201

A little odd to build with, but superior cooling to the 650D or 800D.

And probably the best all-around case right now - the NZXT Phantom 630...read the Anandtech review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6681/nzxt-phantom-630-case-review-the-relentless-pursuit-of-perfection'

Here it is at Newegg for $180: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146101

It's actually the same size as the 800D, but offers a better cooling design.

 

[PCJake]

There's no question that a 650D will be both higher-quality and easier to work with than your Cosmos.

Really? Have you worked with either one/both?

I'm doing some research on the 650D and it seems like people aren't particularly happy with the air cooling in that one either.

 

[mnewsham]

That FT02, I enjoy it a lot...

:whiste:

 

[Termie]

Really? Have you worked with either one/both?

I'm doing some research on the 650D and it seems like people aren't particularly happy with the air cooling in that one either.

No, I haven't worked with either. But I read plenty of reviews. Case designs improve every year, and the Cosmos is quite outdated at this point.

But I've read the same thing you're reading about the 650D, which is why I suggest the Fortress and Phantom above. The Fortress is getting a bit old too, but the Phantom is brand new.

Here are reviews for a number of cases that you should consider:
650D ($190): http://www.anandtech.com/show/4529/corsair-obsidian-650d-transmuting-graphite-to-obsidian
Fortress ($260): http://www.anandtech.com/show/4620/silverstone-fortress-ft02-true-classics-never-go-out-of-style
900D ($360): http://www.anandtech.com/show/6900/...ase-review-think-big-thats-only-half-as-large
Phantom 630 ($180): http://www.anandtech.com/show/6681/nzxt-phantom-630-case-review-the-relentless-pursuit-of-perfection
Cosmos II ($350): http://www.anandtech.com/show/5451/cooler-master-cosmos-ii-large-and-in-charge

 

[PCJake]

No, I haven't worked with either. But I read plenty of reviews. Case designs improve every year, and the Cosmos is quite outdated at this point.

But I've read the same thing you're reading about the 650D, which is why I suggest the Fortress and Phantom above. The Fortress is getting a bit old too, but the Phantom is brand new.

Here are reviews for a number of cases that you should consider:
650D : http://www.anandtech.com/show/4529/corsair-obsidian-650d-transmuting-graphite-to-obsidian
Fortress: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4620/silverstone-fortress-ft02-true-classics-never-go-out-of-style
900D : http://www.anandtech.com/show/6900/...ase-review-think-big-thats-only-half-as-large
Phantom 630: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6681/nzxt-phantom-630-case-review-the-relentless-pursuit-of-perfection
Cosmos II: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5451/cooler-master-cosmos-ii-large-and-in-charge

Fair enough, thanks for all the info.

I'm determined to be smart about this build, even if I have to rethink some of the things I thought I had already figured out.

 

[Termie]

Fair enough, thanks for all the info.

I'm determined to be smart about this build, even if I have to rethink some of the things I thought I had already figured out.

Happy to help. There are lots of good choices in high-end cases, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. You've got both the time and the budget to find the one that's ideal for you. Ultimately, though, you'll have to prioritize among the following factors:

(1) Style
(2) Noise
(3) Cooling
(4) Ease of building
(5) Ability to hold your components
(6) Features (ports, external bays, fan controllers, water cooling potential)

 

[Sleepingforest]

I'm still not clear on why the HP is better. It's got 12ms response time whereas the ASUS has 5ms.

First of all the "response time" is only one metric, and it isn't measured in a standardized way. Basically, a manufacturer can claim any response time number they want, and there's no way of really knowing--except for independent review sites, like TFTCentral.

Secondly, input lag matters far more than response time anyway--response time measure how much ghosting there will be, while input lag measures how long it takes for the monitor to show the new frame pushed by the graphics card. The ZR2740w has a far superior input lag time than the Asus monitor, while still offering very good response time, so good that it's difficult to tell between the Asus and the HP during a test.

 

[Ken g6]

I will be using this system for gaming, first and foremost, but not 3D gaming.

Wait, if you're not 3D gaming, what games are you playing? I can't think of a modern, graphics-intensive game that isn't a 3D game - or doesn't at least use 3D graphics. But maybe my imagination is limited?

 

[Termie]

Wait, if you're not 3D gaming, what games are you playing? I can't think of a modern, graphics-intensive game that isn't a 3D game - or doesn't at least use 3D graphics. But maybe my imagination is limited?

I think he means stereoscopic.

 

[mfenn]

First of all the "response time" is only one metric, and it isn't measured in a standardized way. Basically, a manufacturer can claim any response time number they want, and there's no way of really knowing--except for independent review sites, like TFTCentral.

Secondly, input lag matters far more than response time anyway--response time measure how much ghosting there will be, while input lag measures how long it takes for the monitor to show the new frame pushed by the graphics card. The ZR2740w has a far superior input lag time than the Asus monitor, while still offering very good response time, so good that it's difficult to tell between the Asus and the HP during a test.

Exactly what I was going to post. The bolded parts are 100% correct. To paraphrase Mark Twain, "there are lies, damned lies, and then there are LCD response time specs".

 

[mfenn]

Fair enough, thanks for all the info.

I'm determined to be smart about this build, even if I have to rethink some of the things I thought I had already figured out.

Kudos to you for being willing to change your mind. That is far too rare amongst people who are spending > $2k on a machine.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Something about getting a smaller, cheaper case rubs me the wrong way. Like it would be harder to work with than what I'm used to.

I think the key here is to realize that you are making an emotional decision based on the fact that you associate price and size with quality. That is simply not the case.

For example, the Silverstone FT03B Mini is far higher quality than the Thermaltake Chaser MK-I even those the FT03B Mini is smaller and less expensive. I'm not necessarily recommending that you get the FT03B Mini (though a potent mini-ITX system is always sweet), but it gives you an example.

 

[PCJake]

That FT02, I enjoy it a lot...

:whiste:

Cool, I'll check it out. I like the way it looks.

First of all the "response time" is only one metric, and it isn't measured in a standardized way. Basically, a manufacturer can claim any response time number they want, and there's no way of really knowing--except for independent review sites, like TFTCentral.

Secondly, input lag matters far more than response time anyway--response time measure how much ghosting there will be, while input lag measures how long it takes for the monitor to show the new frame pushed by the graphics card. The ZR2740w has a far superior input lag time than the Asus monitor, while still offering very good response time, so good that it's difficult to tell between the Asus and the HP during a test.

I'll do some research on those independent review sites, I wasn't distinguishing response time from input lag before now.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Wait, if you're not 3D gaming, what games are you playing? I can't think of a modern, graphics-intensive game that isn't a 3D game - or doesn't at least use 3D graphics. But maybe my imagination is limited?

I think he means stereoscopic 3D with glasses? That's what the public usually means when they say 3D.

 

[PCJake]

I think he means stereoscopic 3D with glasses? That's what the public usually means when they say 3D.

Yes, forgive my publicness. ;P That's what I meant.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Yes, forgive my publicness. ;P That's what I meant.

No problem. The computer world, unfortunately, is no better than any other information obfuscating market--it's quite an ordeal for someone to jump in and learn everything all at once, particularly with fanbois (none here, but peek into the CPU or GPU forum and you'll see what I mean) and advertising getting in the way of solid facts.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Your rig in sig is still potent, no?

 

[PCJake]

Your rig in sig is still potent, no?

Yes.

Edit: I feel the need to expand on this, I don't want you to think I was being rude. Yes, my rig is still potent, but I would still like to upgrade. For one thing, my current motherboard has no native Sata 6.0Gb/S ports, and that's throttling down my 840 Pro SSD quite a bit. If I'm getting a new motherboard, then

• I might as well get the newest tech (Z87 I think? Whatever Intel's next chipset will be) and
• a Haswell CPU to go with it (I skipped Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge altogether, I don't think it's impractical to upgrade at this point)
• GTX 580 is powerful, but I'm a gamer and I like to have the latest
• I really do need a PSU with modular capability, my case is a mess
• I'm bored with my current case

There you go. I know I don't really need to justify/defend my motives, but I still wanted to address your comment fully.

 

[Automaticman]

Wait, if you're not 3D gaming, what games are you playing? I can't think of a modern, graphics-intensive game that isn't a 3D game - or doesn't at least use 3D graphics. But maybe my imagination is limited?

I was totally caught up on this too, kept thinking "What non-3D game needs this monster of a PC and a Titan?" Kept picturing you running some 2D browser game at a zillion frames.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Have you looked at the Nanoxia Deep Silence cases? They are very sleek, and very good quality.