High End Build for Friend

[thobel]

So my buddy wants to build his own computer and asked me to spec him something cutting edge but not TOO extreme this looks like a pretty nice setup using top end components without being my normal over the top build.

Any suggestions? (ps he says he does not want to wait for IB/SB-E etc)
Single 580 vs 2x 570SC?
Corsair H100?
PSU enough for 2600k and 2 570's? (What would be needed for 3 570's or 2 580's?) -Thinking for the future in case he goes nutty
SSD's? I tend to only go Intel SSD's but Im a person driven by habit any better or = that are cheaper?

Cart Item List:

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
2
EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 012-P3-1572-AR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130595
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy $699.98
2
NVIDIA Gift - BATMAN Arkham City Game Coupon
Item #:N82E16800999283
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $99.98
1
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115070
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $314.99
1
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820233219
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $109.99
1
ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME (REV 3.0) Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131700
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $309.99
1
CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 (CMPSU-850HX) 850W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $189.99
$163.99
2
Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820167042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy $557.98
1
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Gaming Case
Item #:N82E16811139008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $99.99
1
CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Item #:N82E16835181017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $119.99
Grand Total: $2,376.90

 

[MattNo5ss]

I'd rather go single card over two weaker ones in SLI/CFX. So, I'd go with the GTX580.

The H100 is a good cooler, but SB runs so cool anyways it seems like a waste to me. The only reason I'm running a water loop is because I had it for Bloomfield. There are plenty of good air coolers for half the cost of the H100 or less that can handle SB even with a good OC.

The only reason the get an expensive SB board would be if you need a NF200 for triple or quad graphics cards. There are ~$180 Asus and Gigabyte boards with 2-way SLI/CFX that OC the same for daily clocks.

The 850W would be plenty for two GTX580, I'm using a 750W for mine and the only time I've ever seen ~650W loaded was while running Furmark. In games and benches, I've never even seen 600W loaded. The BF3 beta on ultra with everything maxed and GPU usage 80-100% on both cards doesn't even get to 600W.

SandForce SSDs are definitely a lot faster for like $100 less, but some people have had problems with them. Personally, I haven't had an issue with any of mine.

 

[obliv10n]

Single 580 vs 2x 570SC?

My personal opinion would be a single 580, so he has the option to go crazy later with a second 580, instead of having to jam a third graphics card in there.

PSU enough for 2600k and 2 570's? (What would be needed for 3 570's or 2 580's?) -Thinking for the future in case he goes nutty

That -should- be fine for a 2600k and 2 570s / 1 580. However, I think it would be pushing it to go for 2 580s / 3 570s with an 850W psu, especially if you wanted to "go nutty" or overclock at all. If it was my build, I'd prolly do a 1000W for my own peace of mind, and a bit of headroom for future upgrades.

 

[thobel]

I'd rather go single card over two weaker ones in SLI/CFX. So, I'd go with the GTX580.

The H100 is a good cooler, but SB runs so cool anyways it seems like a waste to me. The only reason I'm running a water loop is because I had it for Bloomfield. There are plenty of good air coolers for half the cost of the H100 or less that can handle SB even with a good OC.

The only reason the get an expensive SB board would be if you need a NF200 for triple or quad graphics cards. There are ~$180 Asus and Gigabyte boards with 2-way SLI/CFX that OC the same for daily clocks.

The 850W would be plenty for two GTX580, I'm using a 750W for mine and the only time I've ever seen ~650W loaded was while running Furmark. In games and benches, I've never even seen 600W loaded. The BF3 beta on ultra with everything maxed and GPU usage 80-100% on both cards doesn't even get to 600W.

SandForce SSDs are definitely a lot faster for like $100 less, but some people have had problems with them. Personally, I haven't had an issue with any of mine.

My personal opinion would be a single 580, so he has the option to go crazy later with a second 580, instead of having to jam a third graphics card in there.



That -should- be fine for a 2600k and 2 570s / 1 580. However, I think it would be pushing it to go for 2 580s / 3 570s with an 850W psu, especially if you wanted to "go nutty" or overclock at all. If it was my build, I'd prolly do a 1000W for my own peace of mind, and a bit of headroom for future upgrades.

Thanks both for the input I'll relook at the build and see what adjustments need to be made..

What would be a good mainstream overclocking ASUS board?

 

[manu2b]

Thanks both for the input I'll relook at the build and see what adjustments need to be made..

What would be a good mainstream overclocking ASUS board?

I've been told many times that the p8z68-pro/evo are great boards. I used a p8p67-pro for 6 month and loved it, but I think z68 chipset is more furture proof with IvyBridge coming soon.