I need a beast and not a monster...=(

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 01:17 AM

To simply put it, I'm looking for knowledgeable suggestions and opinions on building a very powerful machine that's going to be used for heavy After Effects projects as well as, heavy Photoshop files, some 3D work and gaming.

I don't know a whole lot about this so I apologize in advance. I would like to have a machine that works like a beast rather than one that I'll pay a little less for and have issues with.

I'm trying to build a machine that has 24gig of ram and 2 video cards.
Do these specs look good at all? Do they work well together? Please help.

Motherboard: No clue if this supports 2 video cards: Newegg.com - ASUS Rampage III Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor:
Option1: Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX
Option2: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 3.33GHz 6 x 256KB L2 Cache 12MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80613I7980X

Cpu fan: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler

Power Supply: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Case: Already got this and for way cheaper than $400: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKAA00 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case w/ Cooler Master RSA00-80GAD3-US 1000W Power Supply

Video Card: 2 of these? Newegg.com - EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Memory: I don't know? Any good brands you can suggest?

Hard Drive: I need at least 2 separate 1 to 1.5 TB drives? Any stable brands?

CD drive: Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

I'm probably forgetting something. Please help me figure out what's going to be most suitable for my line of work. I appreciate your input.

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2011, 02:16 AM

If you opt for that AMD CPU, your going to need a Different Motherboard, as the one you selected is only for Socket 1366 CPU's like the Intel 6 Core you have as an option.

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 02:24 AM

Thanks for the fast replies.
iTechNoob: I'll add that hard drive to my list. Thank you.

ShyguyXPC: I see. Any clue what would be similar to that motherboard? Are Asus motherboards reliable?

I've found mixed reviews on EVERYTHING, it's so hard to choose.

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2011, 02:33 AM

I'm the wrong person to ask about Asus Motherboards, I'm not a big fan of them.

They Do work, but I know a lot of people that have had problems with them, which pales in comparison to those that they do work fine for, but of all the brands of boards, the one I usually hear about being DOA, or going bad, is Asus, but could just be because of the sheer volume of sales of their boards too, which makes sense.

I'm more of a fan of MSI, Asus' North American Subsidiary ASrock, Gigabyte, and a couple others.

as long as your not overclocking and running things at stock speeds, it should be fine IMO.

as to an AMD equivalent board, no, not to knowledgeable on those, just budget and mid range boards for AMD.

Although I know you'll want to opt for an 880/890 Series AMD Chipset. Though if you plan on running those two GTX 580's in SLI, you'll need an AMD Board that supports SLI, and the last that did was 2 Boards that have the Nvidia 980a SLI Chipset for AMD CPU's.

Your only Option for newer AMD SLI motherboards really: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,NVIDIA nForce 900

if your not going to run SLI, but run the cards independent of one another, then a standard 880/890 AMD board, would suffice, just make sure that both PCIe x16 Slots run at x8 x8 or x16 x16 or x16 x8 config, so as to not choke the 580's performance.

890FX: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,AMD,AMD 890FX

890GX: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,AMD,AMD 890GX

Difference between FX and GX is the latter has onboard graphics, otherwise they should be pretty much the same specs for the Chipset.

**JPMiller** · January 27th, 2011, 03:04 AM

Why would you spend a grand on a 980x when you can get an as good or better Sandybridge chip for a little over $300?
Thats over $500 toward other components
I rarely buy or suggest anything other than Gigabyte brand Motherboards anymore..

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 03:13 AM

If I got the Sandybridge, would I still be able to go up as high as 24gig with 4 cores? I was considering 6 cores because I didn't think it was possible with 4.

Could you please suggest a Gigabyte motherboard that will work with this i7 and the 2 video cards?

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by ShyguyXPC

I'm the wrong person to ask about Asus Motherboards, I'm not a big fan of them.

They Do work, but I know a lot of people that have had problems with them, which pales in comparison to those that they do work fine for, but of all the brands of boards, the one I usually hear about being DOA, or going bad, is Asus, but could just be because of the sheer volume of sales of their boards too, which makes sense.

I'm more of a fan of MSI, Asus' North American Subsidiary ASrock, Gigabyte, and a couple others.

as long as your not overclocking and running things at stock speeds, it should be fine IMO.

as to an AMD equivalent board, no, not to knowledgeable on those, just budget and mid range boards for AMD.

Although I know you'll want to opt for an 880/890 Series AMD Chipset. Though if you plan on running those two GTX 580's in SLI, you'll need an AMD Board that supports SLI, and the last that did was 2 Boards that have the Nvidia 980a SLI Chipset for AMD CPU's.

Your only Option for newer AMD SLI motherboards really: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,NVIDIA nForce 900

if your not going to run SLI, but run the cards independent of one another, then a standard 880/890 AMD board, would suffice, just make sure that both PCIe x16 Slots run at x8 x8 or x16 x16 or x16 x8 config, so as to not choke the 580's performance.

890FX: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,AMD,AMD 890FX

890GX: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,AMD,AMD 890GX

Difference between FX and GX is the latter has onboard graphics, otherwise they should be pretty much the same specs for the Chipset.

So the SLI is same thing as Crossfire, right?
I do intend to run them at the same time though.
Thanks for replying again. I don't expect you to answer every question... but for further discussion:

JPMiller was suggesting a Gigabyte motherboard, and I have heard good things about them. I wonder if this is good:

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD7 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Will this work with it:
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

**JPMiller** · January 27th, 2011, 03:24 AM

No, Sandybridge uses a 1155 Socket...
I linked to the appropriate board for your specs..
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2 full 16x PCI-E slots... 32 gig limit, and a killer board all around...

I just realized you cant get larger than 4 gig sticks yet...
So technically youd be "limited" to 16 gigs...
Where did you come up with the number of gigs you wanted?
That seems exessive even for apps that eat memory...
You may benefit more from a small SSD for a swap/scratch file drive instead...

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 03:32 AM

Originally Posted by JPMiller

No, Sandybridge uses a 1155 Socket...
I linked to the appropriate board for your specs..
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2 full 16x PCI-E slots... 32 gig limit, and a killer board all around...

I just realized you cant get larger than 4 gig sticks yet...
So technically youd be "limited" to 16 gigs...

Maybe I should settle for 16Gigs of ram considering I'll have 2 video cards?
My question now is... if I go with 16, what should be the processor that will best match this motherboard? Or if I go with 24, which one would be the best? I guess I'm looking at cost at this point.

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 03:37 AM

JPMiller: Oh, to answer your question. I worked on someones 12 gig machine (working on an AE project, which wasn't too heavy) and the render time and loading the effects could have been much much faster. So I considered simple math, and thought if there's twice as much ram, should take half the time. Hope I'm looking at this the right way.

Though, they didn't have 2 video cards. In fact I'm not even sure what cards they DID have... so maybe 16 gig will be good. Maybe I should be practical with this and go with 16... hmmmmm.....

**JPMiller** · January 27th, 2011, 03:47 AM

Theres alot more to it than ram, and the math certainly does NOT work that way in any case.
The top end Sandybridge is the best fit and thats one of the few boards that offers 2 full 16XPCI-E slots
You were looking at a CPU that was one third OVER the coast of this CPU AND Mobo...

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 03:57 AM

Am I looking at the right parts?

So this motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
With this processor: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

This will allow me to run the 2 GTX 580s and still have 16gig of ram?

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2011, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by JPMiller

No, Sandybridge uses a 1155 Socket...
I linked to the appropriate board for your specs..
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2 full 16x PCI-E slots... 32 gig limit, and a killer board all around...

I just realized you cant get larger than 4 gig sticks yet...
So technically youd be "limited" to 16 gigs...
Where did you come up with the number of gigs you wanted?
That seems exessive even for apps that eat memory...
You may benefit more from a small SSD for a swap/scratch file drive instead...

Server RAM kits, Yes you can: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Memory,Server Memory,16GB (2 x 8GB)

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2011, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Crowbar

Am I looking at the right parts?

So this motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
With this processor: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

This will allow me to run the 2 GTX 580s and still have 16gig of ram?

What does it say for the max support RAM for that board?

What does it say for PCI Express x16 Slots and are they spaced enough to fit 2 Double Width Cards?

Memory

Number of Memory Slots
4×240pin

Memory Standard
DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066

Maximum Memory Supported
32GB

Channel Supported
Dual Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16
4 (x16, x16, x8, x8)

PCI Express x1
1

PCI Slots
2

Yes, and Yes to your question.

As to this question:

So the SLI is same thing as Crossfire, right?
I do intend to run them at the same time though.

SLI and Crossfire are the same concept, but are implemented Differently.

SLI is ONLY for Nvidia Based Cards, and Crossfire is ONLY for ATI/AMD Radeon Cards.

In order to Support one or the other, or both, you need a Motherboard that supports the corresponding Method.

In your case, your looking at 2 Nvidia Cards, you will need an SLI capable Motherboard.

The Board JP suggested and the board you were originally looking at Support both SLI or Crossfire.

The AMD based one I linked to ONLY supports SLI.

As to the 2 Cards running at the same time.

SLI/Crossfire runs them at the same time, but they function as one more or less.

Running the cards Independent of one another, they still run at the same time, but function as two separate display devices, primarily to run multiple displays at once.

For the Gaming Aspect, Just one of these cards is fine, but with 2 You'd want to run them in SLI.

For all your other uses, you won't be able to use SLI and will only be able to use one of the cards, unless the software can be configured to utilize Both.

MOST 3D rendering software will not use SLI, or even use the GPU for Final Renders (This falls primarily on the CPU), but they do use the GPU's in OpenGL preview renders, and what not.

Only a few High end 3D software packages that I know of, Cinema4D, I think 3D Studio Max (or at least some of its Plugins and Addons will), and one or two others really use a GPU for actual final Renders and what not.

Your running After Effects, not sure what version, but if its part of CS4 or CS5, there's a good chance it will use an Nvidia GPU to assist with Video editing, and transcoding, etc. At least it does/can for Premiere Pro, and regular Photoshop.

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 05:24 AM

Wow, a lot of great info. Thanks ShyguyXPC.
I did some research and apparently AE will NOT support 2 cards. So I will only go with one. But I would like the motherboard to have that capability just in case future versions of the software DO support it. So I'm sticking to that motherboard.

This makes me want to go back to 24 gig... so this is my new list of parts. Please let me know if this looks good to you. I seriously appreciate all your help.

Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

Cpu fan: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler

Power Supply: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Case: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKAA00 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case w/ Cooler Master RSA00-80GAD3-US 1000W Power Supply

Video Card: Newegg.com - EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Memory: Newegg.com - Kingston 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Registered DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Server Memory Model KVR1333D3D4R9SK2/16G
AND
Newegg.com - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/8G

Hard Drive: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

CD Drive: Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Now based on this. Is there any room for improvement? Anywhere I can save myself a buck? Overall does it work well?

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2011, 01:47 PM

I'd just hold on the extra 8GB, go with 16GB for now, if its not enough, run another 16GB, instead of sticking with the "magic" 24GB number.

Though not sure if that Server RAM will work in that motherboard, as it is High density RAM (Just looking at the sticks).

Its also ECC Registered RAM, so that stock consumer board might not even support it.

Which is also why I'd suggest just going with 16GB for now (4x4GB)

I was just pointing out to JP last night that they do make 8GB sticks for DDR3.

On the Cooler, I'd probably spring the extra Cash for the H70, the newer model, performs a little better.

But the H50 would also be good as well.

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 04:41 PM

Oh ok.

I added the newer fan to my list:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler

And I went with 2 of these Newegg.com - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/8G

My last question is. Can I go with 2 of these? Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

**JPMiller** · January 27th, 2011, 07:35 PM

I think your cooling is just wasted money, a GOOD aircooler is barely necessary even when overclocking these...
If it were me I'd get a WD 2Tb Caviar Black and a small SSD, I think youd get MUCH better real world results that way...

These are my new favorite sticks of Memory to buy...
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
I've already installed over 100 gigs of it and never had an issue...

**Crowbar** · January 27th, 2011, 09:31 PM

If the cooler will give me the same results, then I will go with the one you suggested JP. So I replaced the fan as well as the Memory with the G skill ones. I'm going based on better reviews, and it's cheaper. (I don't really like Kingston much anyway)... Thank you!

Still open for suggestions. I'm terrified of buying all the parts and thinking there might be something wrong...