?'s regarding OC'ing an i7 930, SSDs, power supply wattage, etc.

[Ruiner]

So, like everyone else on BG, I'm building a new computer. Not specifically for FFXIV, as I will be playing other games a fair amount, but FFXIV will be the primary purpose of this rig. Anyway, I figured that within my budget the best setup would be an Intel i7 930 which I would then overclock to around 4.0 GHz, and a GTX 480 which, down the road, I could SLI if I need more power. My prospective build also includes a 120GB OCZ Vertex SSD (OS/games/apps/whathaveyou) and a 1TB WD drive (everything else). Now, this raises a few questions that I'm unsure how to answer. I've built a computer before, but back in 2007 I wasn't very concerned with SLI, and SSDs were far from commonplace. When I built my last computer, there was no CPU as easily overclockable as the i7s, so I didn't try my luck there either. So basically, I have three questions:

1. There's plenty of information out there on how to overclock the i7 series, but I can't seem to figure out how much cooling I need. I've considered many aftermarket fans and heatsinks, and a lot seem like they're getting rave reviews (Corsair H50, Prolimatech Megahalems, Hyper 212+), but it's hard to distinguish between them. I guess the question I'm asking is, how much cooling do I need to overclock an i7 930 to 4.0 GHz? The Hyper 212+ is the cheapest of the ones I've seen recommended, is that enough? Are there better ones in that same price range that I'm completely missing?

2. How much wattage would I need from a PSU for an overclocked i7 930 and two GTX 480s? Would a Corsair 950 TX suffice? This is further down the road, but I'd like to when the time comes just be able to grab another 480 and throw it in without replacing the PSU.

3. How does one actually designate separate hard drives in an OS for different things? Is there a way to set the 1TB as the default drive and then just manually put applications on the SSD? This question may seem noobish, but I've only ever had to deal with one hard drive in any computer I've owned so the prospect of a boot drive and storage drive is daunting.

Thanks in advance! I know these are probably stupid questions, but I want to make absolutely sure I haven't fucked anything up before I drop $2,000 on a computer.

Oh, just remembered another quick question: Is Windows 7 Professional worth it for a gamer, or should I just go with Home Premium?

[Evanos]

Answers to your questions in order:

1. (about i7, 4GHz, coolers): The i7 is a pretty dynamic processor in that it is very easy to overclock to high numbers using relatively little voltage and low temperatures. Personally, I cool mine with a H50 (push/pull intake) and am able to easily get a stable OC at 4.0 GHZ while never peaking over 70c after hours of running Prime95. Back when I first got it I was able to even get it to 4.4 GHZ stable, but with considerably higher temperatures). Because this processor is so effective, there are plenty of heatsinks you can buy to attain 4.0 GHZ and the answer largely falls to preference. It should be noted that you can get 4.0 on both the 212+, the Prolimatech Megahalems, and the H50. You will probably get the lowest temperatures with either the Megahalems or the H50 (depending on airflow in your case), but the 212+ is a great value that can (and consistently has for others) get the job done cooling the i7 930 up to 4 GHZ.

2. That PSU would likely suffice in most practical situations. Perhaps if you got a water cooler, and overclocked everything very far (and I mean very far) and were running the most extreme graphical test (namely Furmark Extreme burn) you might run out of juice, but that would likely not happen in any game or any other real world application. Personally, I would bite the bullet and jump up to 1200 (largely because if trend continues you'll need it in the future) but that Corsair should be able to get it done. Especially considering the outstanding performance of the unit and the exceptional voltage rails on Corsair PSU models.

3. As for this one, to designate my main drive (I have a Raid 5 for storage and SSD for OS/applications) by simply installing the OS on the main drive (with the RAID unplugged), then I plug in my RAID after the installation is complete. Windows 7 (which I assume you are using) will want to direct everything it's direction, but most installers let you choose the path where to install. It should be noted that no matter what, every installed program will leave some traces of itself on your main drive (where you store your OS) in the registry, user profiles, and other places. Generally people install the OS on the SSD and move big applications that don't need a fast read/write to their storage drive in addition to their media and whatnot.

As to windows 7 and the gamer, home premium should fulfill all of your needs.

So, like everyone else on BG, I'm building a new computer. Not specifically for FFXIV, as I will be playing other games a fair amount, but FFXIV will be the primary purpose of this rig. Anyway, I figured that within my budget the best setup would be an Intel i7 930 which I would then overclock to around 4.0 GHz, and a GTX 480 which, down the road, I could SLI if I need more power. My prospective build also includes a 120GB OCZ Vertex SSD (OS/games/apps/whathaveyou) and a 1TB WD drive (everything else). Now, this raises a few questions that I'm unsure how to answer. I've built a computer before, but back in 2007 I wasn't very concerned with SLI, and SSDs were far from commonplace. When I built my last computer, there was no CPU as easily overclockable as the i7s, so I didn't try my luck there either. So basically, I have three questions:

1. There's plenty of information out there on how to overclock the i7 series, but I can't seem to figure out how much cooling I need. I've considered many aftermarket fans and heatsinks, and a lot seem like they're getting rave reviews (Corsair H50, Prolimatech Megahalems, Hyper 212+), but it's hard to distinguish between them. I guess the question I'm asking is, how much cooling do I need to overclock an i7 930 to 4.0 GHz? The Hyper 212+ is the cheapest of the ones I've seen recommended, is that enough? Are there better ones in that same price range that I'm completely missing?

2. How much wattage would I need from a PSU for an overclocked i7 930 and two GTX 480s? Would a Corsair 950 TX suffice? This is further down the road, but I'd like to when the time comes just be able to grab another 480 and throw it in without replacing the PSU.

3. How does one actually designate separate hard drives in an OS for different things? Is there a way to set the 1TB as the default drive and then just manually put applications on the SSD? This question may seem noobish, but I've only ever had to deal with one hard drive in any computer I've owned so the prospect of a boot drive and storage drive is daunting.

Thanks in advance! I know these are probably stupid questions, but I want to make absolutely sure I haven't fucked anything up before I drop $2,000 on a computer.

Oh, just remembered another quick question: Is Windows 7 Professional worth it for a gamer, or should I just go with Home Premium?

[Kylewhataru]

I would get the best that you can afford right now, don't worry about future proofing.

Since you have the $500 for the GTX480, I assume you can spend $100 more and get two GTX470s, you'll get much greater performance. Yeah, you won't be able to add another card down the road but by the time that need arises you are not going to be content with two old GPUs, you will want the newest stuff.

If you get a GTX480 now for $500, and in say 1.5 years add another one for $250, yeah it's a nice upgrade, but you are going to want the new GPUs that will be out by then, trust me. So what's going to happen is you're going to ebay your GTX480, get $200 or so for it, then you'll add another $300 to get what you really want. All the while, you missed out on 1.5 years of enjoying the better performance of 2xGTX470. Which when the times comes, you will also ebay to fund your next upgrade.

So if you're smart your shit's gonna end up in ebay either way, that's why you don't future proof, there's no point.

[Evanos]

I disagree with the above statement. Go with the best single card you can afford at the moment, and then down the road SLI those bad boys. I'm sure you will find diverging opinions on this respect, but he is right when he says you can flip graphics cards easily at a decent price.

[levish]

^ i think like you do but i never got around to the 2nd card. the way things scale nowadays is changing my mind.

[fishstix]

I havent been keeping up with new tech lately, but 950w should~ be enough for anything you throw at it. I'm not sure if Kyle totally read the post because he plans to go with 2x 480 down the line. I suppose he could go with 2x 470 now and sell them off later when he's ready to go with 2x 480, but that's a lot of hassle.

However, I heard the 480s run really hot? Like 2x 460s would run cooler while outperforming a single 480.
http://media.bestofmicro.com/D/5/255...l/image028.png

[Ruiner]

Thanks for the replies guys, your answers have helped me arrive at a final build. Before I pull the trigger, I'd like to post it here and see if anyone can recommend anything better or point out any flaws/omissions.


ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
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$22.99

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119160
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-$30.00 Instant
$159.98
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Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$87.99

ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824236047
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
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-$40.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$329.99
$289.99

EVGA 015-P3-1482-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
Item #: N82E16814130551
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
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Nvidia Free Mafia 2 Game Coupon
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CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active ...
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G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
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EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813188039
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$299.99
$259.99

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
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$289.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
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$99.99

Noctua NH-U9B SE2 92mm SSO CPU Cooler
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$59.99

G.SKILL Phoenix Pro Series FM-25S2S-120GBP2 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820231378
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
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-$20.00 Instant
$299.99
$279.99
Subtotal: $2,375.87


Now, I plan to overclock the i7 930 to around 4.0 GHz, and eventually add another GTX 480 down the road. Thanks in advance for the critique!

[Slott]

There was another thread with the i7 950 getting a significant price break, to roughly the same price as your quoted 930. May want to look into that.

[Franzer]

^ this is happening tomorrow. Newegg hasn't posted the new price yet, so i'm sure what they plan to do, but places like ibuypower have already "included" a free upgrade from the 930 to the 950 effective now. I would wait till tomorrow to place your order and you may get the 950 for roughly if not the same price you have now.

[nitsuj]

All that money you're spending, and you're not gonna get an SSD for your OS?

Personally, I think that'll make the biggest difference in your computer build. Get the intel 160GB SSD for 399, and if you're broke, cut your GTX480 down to a 460 and SLi it when you get your next check.

SSD > everything else

Personally, I have the 80GB SSD for OS/important games/apps and 3 WD Green 1 TB drives for everything else. They're like 59.99. But I've filled up the SSD (FFXI, Win7 64, Bioshock and Left4Dead2 did it) which is why I push you to get the 160. Future proof that shit.

[Boyiee]

I would need at least 100gb on SSD. He mentioned using one in his OP but didn't include it in his build.

As far as the 950, tigerdirect/newegg hasn't cut the price yet, but amazon has. Like $310 for it.

[Ruiner]

G.SKILL Phoenix Pro Series FM-25S2S-120GBP2 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820231378
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$20.00 Instant
$299.99
$279.99

I did include an SSD, this one.

[nitsuj]

I did include an SSD, this one.

Oh we both missed that one. You're good then . Although if I didn't miss it as well, I'd recommend getting 2 1TB drives and raiding them in case one fails. You can never be too careful with data.

[Ruiner]

Eh, the data that I really care about (torrented music and movies) is on my many externals, and backed up like crazy. Anything I'd save on this computer I wouldn't be too sore over if I lost. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

That brings up another question: If I'm using the SSD for a boot/app drive and the 1TB for everything else, do I need to fuck around with RAID? I've never had to deal with more than one internal hard drive in any computer I've had, so it's a little foreign to me.

[Robbb]

Wow your build is almost identical to the one I'm building and I had the same question about the SSD/HD thing. Don't want to spend all the money and not be able to get them to work together. I'm waiting for Newegg to reduce the price of the i7-950. Still undecided on the graphics card though, don't know which way to go for FFXIV.

[Boyiee]

For the HDD's, it's plug and play really. There is no hoops you have to jump through or special setups. Plug them in to where they go, and boot up. Windows will ask which partition is primary/what you want the OS on, you select the SSD, click OK, and install windows.

Now whenever you install shit, just pick the drive you want it installed on (C:. D:. etc... the SSD will be C). Apps/programs, and your favorite game, your SSD. Everything else, the other drive.

Currently I have a 150gb 10krpm and a 640gb 7200rpm. OS/wow/sc2/xiv beta/apps all go on the 10k rpm. All music, movies, torrents, etc, downloads, bullshit, 640gb drive.

[Pandum]

do you honestly feel a difference running wow off an ssd lol? just curious

[Boyiee]

I don't have an SSD.

[Shadowrunner]

Thanks for the replies guys, your answers have helped me arrive at a final build. Before I pull the trigger, I'd like to post it here and see if anyone can recommend anything better or point out any flaws/omissions.


Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$289.99

Now, I plan to overclock the i7 930 to around 4.0 GHz, and eventually add another GTX 480 down the road. Thanks in advance for the critique!

I keep seeing this, let me see if it's still the right price:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303

Yep, you're saving yourself roughly 90 there.. (200)

Slickdeals did have a deal on the 950 as well.. if you were curious, let's see...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218112691211 (sold out) - 300
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ur=forums&ses= (in stock) - 300 (this price just dropped from 310)

EDIT: I guess I should edit to state that the microcenter price is now to the point where you really want to call a local store and see if they have it in stock (i recommend it to everyone, they're sold out online right now). Still, if you're able to wait or find it, it's worth it for the save. If you can't, and you're looking at 289 for a 930, why not pop an extra 10 in and get the 950.

[Boyiee]

950 is cut on newegg finally, there are some good combo deals with motherboards on there for good prices. Take a look