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Post by Jarhead on Dec 20, 2012 7:56:28 GMT -8
Alright all you nerds and geeks, listen up. I'm planning to build a new PC soon. Last time I built a PC was 10 years ago, so I'm sure a few things have changed. I'm counting on all of you to let me know what you think I need. Here are my requirements: 1. Able to run iRacing with all necessary eye candy on triple screens. 2. Have a single video card. 3. Price - I would like to keep it close to $1000 for the PC. I already have one thing picked out. The triple monitor stand from Sim-Seats: shop.sim-seats.com/Standalone-Monitor-Mount-SS-10-SAMM.htm?productId=101I'm planning for 3 27" monitors. Thinking of Asus. Been looking at this one: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236103Need suggestions for: Case - Corsair Graphite 600T, thank you F1FanMotherboard - ASUS P8Z68-V Pro GEN3, thank you F1FanCPU - Core i5 3750K, thank you F1Fan and ZeroVideo card: Thinking of Nvidia 680 4GB Memory: 8GB Corsair 2x4GB with option to add more later, thank you F1FanHard Drive: Thinking 1 or 2 SSDs for programs and a big HDD for storage. Power Supply - 750W Corsair, thank you F1Fan and ZeroThanx in advance for all your help. Let the suggestions begin. |
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F1Fan07
Race Director
Ludicrous speed. Gone to plaid.
Posts: 9,366
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Post by F1Fan07 on Dec 20, 2012 9:15:55 GMT -8
CPU: Core i5 3750K. iRacing's issue is that it uses a lot of CPU resources but I don't think the jump to an i7 reflects in performance.
RAM: You should be more than OK with 8 GB but instrad of 4 x 2 GB I'd get 2 x 4 GB and add another 2 x 4 GB later if you felt the need. I went with 16 GB 1600 MHz RAM because it worked within my budget.
Video: The 680 4GB is more than enough for iRacing but will be great for other upcoming sims like pCARS and rF2. You will actually see the 680 downclocking and running at 50% usage in places because iR's engine is waiting for the CPU.
Note: You say all eye candy... Shadow Volumes in iRacing are known framerate killers. I would target all graphics options except those and if you get smooth framerate with SV, consider it a bonus. Also, no matter how much power you throw at it you will still see slowdowns on certain corners at some tracks. Early in the lap at Spa and Suzuka are two examples.
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Post by zero7159 on Dec 20, 2012 10:11:38 GMT -8
CPU: Core i5 3750K. iRacing's issue is that it uses a lot of CPU resources but I don't think the jump to an i7 reflects in performance. RAM: You should be more than OK with 8 GB but instrad of 4 x 2 GB I'd get 2 x 4 GB and add another 2 x 4 GB later if you felt the need. I went with 16 GB 1600 MHz RAM because it worked within my budget. Video: The 680 4GB is more than enough for iRacing but will be great for other upcoming sims like pCARS and rF2. You will actually see the 680 downclocking and running at 50% usage in places because iR's engine is waiting for the CPU. Note: You say all eye candy... Shadow Volumes in iRacing are known framerate killers. I would target all graphics options except those and if you get smooth framerate with SV, consider it a bonus. Also, no matter how much power you throw at it you will still see slowdowns on certain corners at some tracks. Early in the lap at Spa and Suzuka are two examples. I agree with F1's comments would add the following additional thoughts. 1) CPUWith regard to CPU, the Core i5 3570K is the current Ivy Bridge standard, with the best bang for the buck. I have read, however, that it can overheat when overclocked, particularly with the stock CPU fan. If you go with this CPU, get an aftermarket CPU cooler. You will want to overclock this baby. The Hyper 212 Plus is what I have and it rocks. Here it is: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099I personally have the Core i5 2500K. If you can find that one cheaper that the Ivy Bridge, go with it. I have it overclocked to 4.8 ghz and it runs as cool as can be with the Hyper 212 CPU cooler. 2) GPUThe 4 GB 680 is a good choice, but if you need to find an extra $100 or so in your budget, you can get a 4 GB 670, like what F1 and I have, and you will be almost as happy. I love this card, I can run Project CARS at almost max eye candy at 5760 X 1200 triple screen resolution. The card has never overheated. It can be had for just over $400. Check it out: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130785I personally do not plan to SLI again. Rather, I will use my 670 until its outdated and then I will replace it with a new higher end, but not top end card. Custom PC magazine strongly recommends against going SLI or Crossfire (AMD). I concur with their conclusion. SLI was a big hassle for me. 3) CaseI use an Antec 900. It has plenty of room and fans. It also looks cool. F1 has one as well. Its $69.99 after rebate: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168111290974) Power SupplyDon't go cheap here. I use Corsair PSUs and they have performed well generally. You have stated that you don't want more than one GPU. If that is the case, a 650W PSU, or greater, should do the trick. If you want the option to SLI in the future, then go with 850W or more. Hope that helps. Keep us updated. |
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Post by Knight of Redemption on Dec 20, 2012 10:12:06 GMT -8
I think it is worth considering an AMD processor, that is what I went for and it saves a fair amount over Intel. Its a 3.6 gig Quad core and I have slightly overclocked to 3.9 with the standard cooling, it still runs cool even on CPU intensive tasks, I happily ran iRacing for a while at full eye candy and triples with no issues.
Use the saving to get the best MB in budget I'm sure you know that that is the foundation, get that right and every thing else can operate at it's optimum.
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Post by smokey on Dec 20, 2012 10:25:05 GMT -8
are you talking screens & all for 1000?
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F1Fan07
Race Director
Ludicrous speed. Gone to plaid.
Posts: 9,366
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Post by F1Fan07 on Dec 20, 2012 10:28:29 GMT -8
3) CaseI use an Antec 900. It has plenty of room and fans. It also looks cool. F1 has one as well. Its $69.99 after rebate: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168111290974) Power SupplyDon't go cheap here. I use Corsair PSUs and they have performed well generally. You have stated that you don't want more than one GPU. If that is the case, a 650W PSU, or greater, should do the trick. If you want the option to SLI in the future, then go with 850W or more. After livign with it for a few year, I now find the Antec a little tight to work in especially with SLI. The number of screws I have to remove to install a hard drive is insane. 4 for the side panels and 8(!) to remove the drive cage. I also find that the video cards come quite close to the rear of the drive bay. That said, you won't go wrong with that case... just be patient when you're working in it. The new system I built has the Corsair Graphite 600T case. I love it. It's a big beast with a lot of room to work. The modular drive cages are well thought out and I can install a drive in under a minute. I also like the top mounted fan controller. When racing I turn the controller to 50% and after I finish racing I turn the fans to minimum to reduce noise. Power supply, I'm also a fan of Corsair. I have both the HX1000 and HX1050. Overkill for a non SLI system though and probably slight overkill even for dual-SLI. |
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Post by Jarhead on Dec 20, 2012 11:16:01 GMT -8
are you talking screens & all for 1000? No, I understand the screens and stand are extra. I just want the PC itself for around 1000. Could be a little more, but hopefully not too much. How about suggestions for a motherboard? That has to be one of the most important parts of the build I think. |
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F1Fan07
Race Director
Ludicrous speed. Gone to plaid.
Posts: 9,366
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Post by F1Fan07 on Dec 20, 2012 11:25:09 GMT -8
I find it hard to logically recommend motherboards because there are so many choices. I went with the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro GEN3 Z68 LGA1155 ATX 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2 PCI B3 Motherboard because:
- I only buy ASUS motherboards (they've been good for me in the past and come with a good amount of extras (like 2 SATA cables)
- it had bluetooth (so I could connect things without needing to tie up a USB port for a dongle)
- it had USB 3.0 for future compatibility if I got a USB 3.0 external drive
- there was a rebate
- it had all the features I wanted and minimal ones that I didn't (like unwatned add-ons such as Thunderbolt, built-in wi-fi, etc).
Basically when I want a MB I see which ASUS ones match my needs and are getting good reviews. That usually gets me a shortlist of 3 or 4 models. I then watch for sales and grab the first one from my list that comes up on a good deal.
I never pay for premium gaming motherboards.
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Post by Knight of Redemption on Dec 20, 2012 11:37:15 GMT -8
+1 on that F1
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Post by spazsterian on Dec 20, 2012 12:20:58 GMT -8
I'll give you mikeys specs in the comp I just built when I get home..its an amd build that hits that target and it friggen as fast as my yr old 6 core and with 32 gig in it! But I'm strictly an amd/ ggigabyte guy. Too many Asus board have failed me in the past and the Intel is overpriced and 2 cores shy. Not a big deal for gaming but makes hell of diff if you want to do any videos Oh and I can only recommend one sad. Not cause of what they have done for me..but a Samsung 840 pro because they are ( industry proven) the fastest and more reliable because they do it all...parts..software controllers.. it all them. Some third party controllers for sad still have issues today....  |
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Dan W.
Race Steward
Posts: 5,378 
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Post by Dan W. on Dec 20, 2012 20:30:05 GMT -8
I have three of those monitors, very good if you don't use the inboard speakers.
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Post by zero7159 on Dec 20, 2012 22:52:19 GMT -8
The build looks good so far Jarhead. Make sure you post regular updates and pictures. Shit, your PC build makes me yearn to build another rig soon!
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Post by smokey on Dec 21, 2012 1:24:17 GMT -8
are you talking screens & all for 1000? No, I understand the screens and stand are extra. I just want the PC itself for around 1000. Could be a little more, but hopefully not too much. How about suggestions for a motherboard? That has to be one of the most important parts of the build I think. motherboard i went cheapest i could (mistake) everything else best i could afford im an idiot lol but itll be awsome building ya own pc ;D F1 etc will have better knowledge than me. |
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Dan W.
Race Steward
Posts: 5,378
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Post by Dan W. on Dec 21, 2012 1:51:35 GMT -8
As for cases, the Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid is very good.(HAF stands for High Air Flow) and you can remove one of the two HD bays to accommodate some of the longer Vid cards out there and still have room for 3 HD's and 2 ssd's. And for cooling, I don't see much better. It supports 4 to 6 fans (2x220mm+2x120mm) or (5x120mm+1x140mm) I have had this case for some time, and love it. I use 3x120mm+1x220mm+1x140mm fans with an internally mounted 120mm liquid cooler for the CPU. Hardly ever see temps above 85 F. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=cooler%20master%20912The write up at New Egg claims this to be a plastic case, but just like it's bigger brother the HAF 922, it is a black steel case with an ABS front bezel. |
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Post by smokey on Dec 21, 2012 2:26:57 GMT -8
the storm trooper case i got is pretty good too, ya better off with a single card with 3/4GB (670 is way id go)
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