Gaming rig motherboard

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 04:51 PM

Looking to do a gaming rig build. I want to go pretty hardcore without completely killing my bank account. So far I've only chosen video cards (dual ASUS nvidia GTX 275). What is a fairly hardcore mother board to pick up. I'm hoping to be able to put at least 8Gb of RAM preferably 12.

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 05:15 PM

Well, what CPU are you looking at? I7, I5, AM3, etc etc..

If your going "hardcore" I'm guessing probably i7 or i5. Lemme whip up a list real quick.

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 05:21 PM

This was one I really dig on Newegg

Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 05:23 PM

CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Motherboard:
Newegg.com - ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
(This is the first time I can think of that I've ever recommend a AsRock Motherboard, but TOMS did a review of this particular board, and it seems amazing for the price. Also, AsRock is Asus's "budget" line, so it's roughly the same quality)

RAM:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-3GBHK - Desktop Memory

PSU:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
That will handle 2x 275's/285's, pretty much whatever you want.

I'm not gonna pick out a case, that's personal preference really. For a OS I'd definitely say check into Windows 7.
For GPU's, 2x 275's are equivilant to 1xGTX 295. So if you find one of those cheaper, look into it. Or perhaps get one of those now, and you'll have another PCIe slot open for an upgrade later.

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by thePh@r@oh

This was one I really dig on Newegg

Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Umm, I really think your barking up the wrong tree there. P55 chipset supports max 16x across one PCIe slot, or 8x/8x across 2 PCIe slots. 3x slots would drop it down to something like 8x/4x/4x, which would cripple any decent GPU you had installed.
You should really be looking at a X58/I7 setup. You'll get the most out of your money that way.

Sorry for the double post.

**JLK03F150** · September 19th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Microcenter has the best deals on LGA1156 i5 & i7 if you go that route. They will not perform as well with dual cards, but will be fine if you get one dual GPU card.
Core i5 is here...

The X58, i7 LGA1366 will give you an upgrade path to i9 too.

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 06:28 PM

So far...

Case: Watched a review on 3dgameman and fell in love with the case...
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Ram: I needed a lot because I run photoshop as well
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

Maybe removing this-> Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

Video: Dual
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

mostly because the 295 still costs more

PSU:
Newegg.com - ENERMAX REVOLUTION85+ ERV950EWT 950W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Compatible w/Core i7 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

HDD: 2x in RAID 0
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3750528AS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

1x as mass storage
Newegg.com - Western Digital RE3 WD1002FBYS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Monitor:
Newegg.com - Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen LCD HDMI Monitor 500 cd/m2 800:1 Built-in Speakers - LCD Monitors

Optical:
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model iHES208-08 LightScribe Support - Blu-Ray Drives

MoBo:
Newegg.com - ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Still looking at CPUs, mice and keyboards

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Wow.. couple things here.

1. X58 supports triple channel ram, P55 supports Dual channel ram. So make sure you pick accordingly. 2xdimm stick is dual channel, 3x dimm stick is triple.

2. Enermax makes great PSU's, but there is no reason to spend that much on that PSU. Corsair is pretty much known as the best PSU manufactures anymore, so I really don't see why you feel the need to spend $140 more for a PSU that's probably of equal build quality.

3. I have heard some not so good things about the LCD you have picked out. Mervteck (another TIMO member) is on his 2nd one of those in under 6 months. The backlight keeps dieing on his. He's kind of got me talked out of those.
However, there is this:
Newegg.com - LG W2753V-PF Black 27" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 50000:1 w/ Smart Package - LCD Monitors
LG is also known for their very high quality screens.

EDIT:
I'm not trying to "nit pick" or anything, I'm just trying to help.

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 07:01 PM

What about Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Desktop Memory

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 07:03 PM

yes, that will work with a X58 chipset/board.

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 07:06 PM

killer rig is shaping up nicely now...alienware can kiss my chipset

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 07:07 PM

That's extremely sigg'able...

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 08:10 PM

I want a backlit keyboard black/red light any suggestions

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 08:28 PM

I have the Saitek EclipseII keyboard, and it seems to work pretty well. I've had it for over a year now, and I'm on the PC A LOT, and it's held up. You can change backlight colors from red,blue, purple.

EDIT:
While I'm at it, I wanna recommend this mouse. It's absolutely amazing IMO. Much more comfortable then the other razors that I've tried, and extremely accurate in gaming.

**JLK03F150** · September 19th, 2009, 09:42 PM

I go out to dinner & come back to find beast-in-progress...

I gotta check out that backlit keyboard too. I guess I'll head up to Fry's & Microcenter tomorrow.

**thePh@r@oh** · September 19th, 2009, 11:09 PM

One of the best mice i ever owned was the Microsoft Explorer mouse the wireless one (i got it in like 2002). It was just the right size ( i kinda like a bigger mouse). The razors I've seen have all been a tad thin.

edit:

I found a pic

http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2001/.../exploresf.jpg

**KarmaKiller** · September 19th, 2009, 11:49 PM

One of the reasons I like the DeathAdder mouse is because of it's thickness. It's much thicker then the other razor mice. Not only that, but it's curved to your hand to. All around just much better IMO.
That mouse you linked to is pretty comfy looking though. Kind of looks like some of the logitch mice now.

**JLK03F150** · September 20th, 2009, 12:03 AM

I've been a trackball guy since the 90s. Mice can be very personal.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mi...s/166&cl=US,EN

**KarmaKiller** · September 20th, 2009, 12:20 AM

I actually have a trackball mouse here, but I never use it. Come time for games, it just doesn't cut it for me.

**ShyguyXPC** · September 20th, 2009, 01:25 AM

Newegg.com - Logitech G5 7 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser 2000 dpi Mouse - Mouse

Newegg.com - Logitech G7 Black 6 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Cordless Laser 2000 dpi Mouse - Mouse (nice, works good, but only comes with 2 interchangeable batteries, can not buy individually, Logitech used to have a trade in/disposal program for new batteries, but from what i heard its not worth it, basically in the end you have a disposable $60+ mouse, better off just buying a new one, also the G7's have been plagued with iffy lifespans on left and right mouse buttons, mine only lasted 6-9 months before the left button started to act up)

aside from that the G7 is a good mouse, but its why I switched over to my Back up mouse, which is the above linked to G5 wired, same mouse, but wired, no batteries, and the buttons are still going strong.

they're latest mice though:

Newegg.com - Logitech G9 Black 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser 3200 dpi Gaming Mouse - Mouse

Newegg.com - Logitech G9x Black Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse - Mouse

though not a gaming mouse, these are actually quite nice in the hand, for me anyways... Newegg.com - Logitech MX Revolution Black 7 Buttons 2 x Wheels USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse - Mouse

if you have a retail store near you that sell any of these and have display models, I'd look at trying them out to see how they feel though first.

Microsoft also sold a Gaming mouse for a while, haven't seen it on newegg lately, so must of stopped production, but I believe it was called the Habu or something, it was a wired Laser mouse, actually made by Razer for Microsoft (was shaped more like the MS mice your referring too as well, not your typical Razer design), might look into that see if you can find one, try it out, etc etc...