With the exception of a terrible mistake in the late 2000's and buying a retail brand system (it was such a bloated xxxxx), I have always built my own systems. I'll typically check out the better known PC builders, like Origin and Falcon Northwest, and piece the same hardware they are using. So the following list of parts are an example of what one company is using in their system. What costs $4000.00 from them, can be built for under two thousand (I'll be using my existing hard drives).

 

I am sitting on the fence with the CPU and Motherboard though. I'm looking to overclock to at least the 4.7ghz range. Is the motherboard I selected the best one? or is it overkill? (not going to run sli). Also, I've heard Asrock is pretty good with their Fatality line. Anyways here is what I am looking at: Any yays/nays are welcome!

 

EVGA SuperClocked+ 02G-P4-2684-KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card Item #: N82E16814130771 Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

 

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$469.99 1

NVIDIA Gift Game Borderlands 2 Item #: N82E16800999297 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$49.99 Saving $49.99 $0.00 1

NVIDIA Gift PC Game Assassin's Creed 3 Item #: N82E16800999298 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$49.99 Saving $49.99 $0.00

OCZ ZX Series 1000W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Gold High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 ... Item #: N82E16817341045 Return Policy: Iron Egg Guarantee Return Policy -$20.00 Instant

$25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card $219.99 $199.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL11Q-16GBXL Item #: N82E16820231473 Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $94.99

ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard Item #: N82E16813131802 Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

 

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-$40.00 Instant $449.99 $409.99

Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73930K Item #: N82E16819116492 Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

 

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$569.99 Subtotal: $1,744.95

To me a board is overkilled IF you are not using it to his full capacity, this board can take memory speed at 2400MHz so why buying the 2133MHz memory, better use a board maxed out on the memory at 2133MHz, you'll probably save a little money.

 

The first thing I always look at is the board I want and I build around it utilizing it to it's full capacity, best CPU, best memory, best card, if I were you I'll get some 2400MHz memory, but that's only me.

 

Good luck with your new toy.

 

PS: This board is a very good one.

I think the board is overkill. You can spend half that and still get the same results in FSX. Now if you want bragging rights with benchmark software, yeah it would help a little there...

 

The money you save can be used towards an SSD (unless you already have one).

 

While we're on the topic of overkill... your PSU - it's overkill. I'd go with the Seasonic 750w / 62A single 12v rail (or if you intend to SLI that GTX680 some day consider the 850w) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151087

 

Finally I do agree with Alain - if you MUST go with that socket 2011 board get the 2400mhz RAM... if you got the cash to get a $400+ board don't skimp on the ram...

 

Ooops, not finally lol... CPU-wise I'd go for the 3570K if all you play is FSX. Anything else (PS/LR/Video encoding etc) get the 3770K. While I don't have personal experience with the IB chips I've heard rumors that the 3570K clocks better than the 3770K. Basically it's 4 threads vs 8... so to recap: running multi threaded software get the 3770K... if just FSX you're plenty good with the 3570K.

 

Good luck!

Gents, thanks for the tips and advice! I mostly play FSX-- and sometimes rpg games like Starcraft. I'm sure the 3770k would handle it all just fine, but figured the price difference between it and the 3930 wouldn't be too bad. I don't care for flash much and figure I can save some money not getting a fancy case with lights and all that stuff. Just checked around on the memory (2400mhz) and it's not too much more expensive than what I had originally spec'd out.

That's Sandy Bridge, so chances are your IMC will max out at 2133MHz

That's Sandy Bridge, so chances are your IMC will max out at 2133MHz

 

+1 Daz, I should have been a little more specific when I said "Best CPU".

+1 Daz, I should have been a little more specific when I said "Best CPU".

 

Well, if money is no concern you can always get the 2400 kit and if it doesn't hit it's rated speed, tighten the timings a bit