First build in 7+ years

[mfenn]

Lot of Corsairs on rebate/sale right now:

300R for $50 AR

330R for $60 AR

400R for $70 AR

500R for $80 AR

Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 for $90 shipped

:thumbsup: The 330R would get my pick out of those. It's basically a baby 550D, which is awesome.

 

[mfenn]

Ya I am on the same page as you after rereading the thread again. Missed the part about audio...always forget that part of HDMI lol.

I read some user experiences that stated the MSI card, with HDMI to DVI adapter, has an issue with hitting ### x 1024 res on the HDMI side with adapter. I am sure this is just a driver issue, but it is a concern as I will DEFINITELY be running 2 monitors at 1280x1024 and whatever the 24" runs... Probably 19xx x 1024 until I get settled.

Only looking at single monitor for games unless I go crossfire down the road, and grab another 24". But for now my intent is a solid, versitile box that I can upgrade as needed when the platform matures.

Oh, so you wanted to keep the two existing monitors running while connecting a new monitor and the TV? You you will not be able to do this without adapters.

A single GPU drive 4 TMDS-style displays (DVI or HDMI) out of a single GPU, no matter what type of physical connectors it has because it only has two TMDS transmitters. You'll need to buy some active mDP to DVI adapters which have their own TMDS transmitters onboard.

For the MSI card, you'll want to connect like this:

DVI: 24"
HDMI: TV
mDP -> DVI adapter: 19"
mDP -> DVI adapter: 19"

 

[Essence_of_War]

:thumbsup: The 330R would get my pick out of those. It's basically a baby 550D, which is awesome.

Yeah, I'd never looked carefully at it before, but it's pretty sexy on its own merits, and doubly so to the tune of $60.

 

[Torval]

So 330r or the Fractal XL R2? I think I will stik with the Fractal for $20 more, and the articles tend to gve it an edge for being slightly more polished.

As for video I will only run 2 monitors at a time, with occasional HDMI out

 

[Torval]

Just grabbed the Fractal XL R2 for 89.99, the Team Vulcan RAM, the Asus card (one of the MSI coupons stopped working prematurely) and the 4670k/G45 Gamer bundle for 344.98 after rebates, discounts, cards, etc.

Crossfire is a ways off, if it ever happens at all, and from what I am hearing and reading SLI is better anyway. More importantly, I realized that I stream everything across my network, so the need for anything more than dual monitors is nil.

Next up: The XFX PSU, Samsung 256GB SSD, and whichever monitor I choose. Still undecided between the Dell and Asus. Does the Dell have any issue with motion blurring? I am not looking for CRT response rates, so I am thinking I can trade some response for IQ as long as motion does not suffer too much. I DO play a lot of fast paced games...

 

[lehtv]

For fast paced games i'd prefer the Asus

 

[Essence_of_War]

I haven't noticed any anomalous motion blurring on the u2412 in a mix of gaming scenarios (Crysis 2, various assassin's creed's, witcher 2, mass effect 2/3, SC2, Skyrim, various Batman's). I imagine the u2312 is very similar.

You can check out the in-depth reviews of the two dells that I posted from TFTCentral up-thread.

 

[aigomorla]

This doesn't make any sense to me.

The MSI comes with 2x (M)DP 1xHDMI and 1x DVI-D
The Asus comes with 4x DP and 2x DVI-D

DP = Display port is greater then DVI.
I dont think he was intending on the addition of DP in his statement.

however only the newer monitors support DP.

Next up: The XFX PSU, Samsung 256GB SSD, and whichever monitor I choose. Still undecided between the Dell and Asus. Does the Dell have any issue with motion blurring? I am not looking for CRT response rates, so I am thinking I can trade some response for IQ as long as motion does not suffer too much. I DO play a lot of fast paced games...

DELL!

again.. DELL!

and to emphasize one more time DELL!

Why? Cuz if the monitor even looks back at you funny in warranty period, DELL will replace it.
Me having both, i dont notice much difference between the two during gaming.

 

[mfenn]

Just grabbed the Fractal XL R2 for 89.99, the Team Vulcan RAM, the Asus card (one of the MSI coupons stopped working prematurely) and the 4670k/G45 Gamer bundle for 344.98 after rebates, discounts, cards, etc.

Keep in mind that the ASUS doesn't have HDMI output, so you will need to come up with a different way to get audio to your TV. Do you have a receiver that you can run S/PDIF to?

As for video I will only run 2 monitors at a time, with occasional HDMI out

You'll still hit the 2 TMDS limit in that situation. So you need to hook your monitor up with DisplayPort, both the Dell and ASUS have the option.

 

[Torval]

Keep in mind that the ASUS doesn't have HDMI output, so you will need to come up with a different way to get audio to your TV. Do you have a receiver that you can run S/PDIF to?

Ya i can use optical, but i think it supports s/pdif as well.

You'll still hit the 2 TMDS limit in that situation. So you need to hook your monitor up with DisplayPort, both the Dell and ASUS have the option.

I have only a vague understand of what TDMS is, but as I understand it, I should not have an issue running dual monitors, as long as I do not try to run more than 2 displays at a time. I have pretty much opted to run dual monitors and get media to my TV via my network, so the need for HDMI has vanished. TV is in the other room anyway, so it is not likely I would want to move it just to watch something on the TV.

Has anyone attempted to run a GPU with 2 monitors, and Haswell onboard graphics with a third monitor at the same time.

 

[Torval]

While I am here...I am looking at the Cooler Master 212 Evo. I actually think one of you recommended it. Is this a quality cooler for my needs? Again not going for extreme OC, but something to hold 4.5 Ghz (if I am lucky) would fit the bill nicely.

I am reading the mentioned reviews on the Dell 2412m. I have until tomorrow to decide

Picked up the XFX PSU mentioned earlier for 79.99AR, the Samsung 840 256, and I just found a sweet deal for the WD red 3 TB for 109.99 AR at Tiger Direct through tomorrow. Better yet, no CA tax

 

[lehtv]

4.5GHz is a pretty high overclock for Haswell. A 212 Evo can't handle that, you need a high end cooler like D14. With Sandy Bridge (i5-2500K), it was still possible to hit 4.5GHz with the 212.

I would still suggest getting the 212 Evo or similar, you will be fine at 4.0-4.2Ghz.

 

[Torval]

Thanks. I was just throwing that out there based on what I have read, but like I said before that 4.0-4.2GHz is all I really want. That D14 cooler is a beast!!

 

[mfenn]

I have only a vague understand of what TDMS is, but as I understand it, I should not have an issue running dual monitors, as long as I do not try to run more than 2 displays at a time. I have pretty much opted to run dual monitors and get media to my TV via my network, so the need for HDMI has vanished. TV is in the other room anyway, so it is not likely I would want to move it just to watch something on the TV.

Has anyone attempted to run a GPU with 2 monitors, and Haswell onboard graphics with a third monitor at the same time.

TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) is the type of signal used in DVI and HDMI. Given the number of TMDS clock sources on the GPU, you can only have a total of 2 TMDS-style displays hooked up at any given time. So dual DVI monitors will work fine.

You can have two displays connected to your AMD card and then another on the IGP. Keep in mind though that the graphics capability of the monitor running off the IGP will be limited to that of the IGP.

 

[Torval]

Ok thanks... that is what I though.

Picked up the Dell u2412m. It was a close battle with the Asus but nobody really had anything bad to say about the Dell, and the potential image quality outweighed any possible ghosting. Besides, the reciew linked showed minimal ghosting issues which were handled well by the OD feature.

I should not say I play fast paced FPS entirely. I actually play more RTS games such as Company of Heroes, Starcraft, Rome TW, etc. i may keep playing FPS on the PS3 as most of my friends are there, and there are less hacking issues.

I may have a few more small questions, but I want to thank everyone one more time for the help. I try to be an informed comsumer, but the learning curve for PCs is difficult when you have been out of the game for so long.

 

[magomago]

Live with IGP until the new radeons come out and then jump on that. Its not much of a wait at this point...

 

[mfenn]

I may have a few more small questions, but I want to thank everyone one more time for the help. I try to be an informed comsumer, but the learning curve for PCs is difficult when you have been out of the game for so long.

No worries, glad to help.

 

[Torval]

What are your opinions regarding OS? As an XP man for the last 10 years or so, I am hesitant when it comes to new bloated versions of Windows. I hear 7 is the way to go, but is 8 really so bad? It IS cheaper for an OEM version. For my uses do I need the PRO version, or would the Home version suffice? I am all about less is more when it comes to OS.

I believe I am fine with OEM vs Retail as I will probably keep this version attached to this PC for a while.

As for where to buy it, I have found some branded OEM Win 7 Pro versions for as low as $60.

I will probably create a separate post in a more appropriate forum as well.

 

[mfenn]

Overall, you absolutely need to move to something newer than XP. Either 7 or 8.1 would be a vast improvement over XP. XP is literally unusable once you get to the nice features of the newer versions (pervasive search especially). Besides, you need to move to a system with 64-bit support anyway.

One advantage of Windows 8 is that the licensing structure is more friendly to system builders. The system builder (aka "OEM") version can be transferred between systems that you personally own. This is not possible with Windows 7.

Personally, I don't think that Windows 8 is a big enough jump over Windows 7 to justify upgrading until I build a new machine. However, since you are building a new machine, you might as well go with 8. With 8.1 (free update) you can boot right into the desktop, negating the big criticism of the OS.

 

[Revolution 11]

If you do go with Windows 8.0, update to 8.1 and then get a software that lets you change the menu back to a XP style interface. I prefer StartIsBack ($3) but the free Classic Shell is also a good choice. This will prevent UI shock as native Windows 8 is a big change from XP.

Most of the UI stuff Windows 8 messes up is correctable by these software UI packages.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Overall, you absolutely need to move to something newer than XP. Either 7 or 8.1 would be a vast improvement over XP. XP is literally unusable once you get to the nice features of the newer versions (pervasive search especially). Besides, you need to move to a system with 64-bit support anyway.

This :thumbsup: .

Not to mention MS is ending support for XP in April. I'd recommend just jumping on the windows 8/8.1 at this point.

 

[Torval]

Everything showed up and I had it up and running on Friday. Effortless assembly, and it runs nice and smooth. The Fractal XL R2 is MASSIVE!! I like it tho...tons of space, especially for a basic build such as this. I do wish it came with more than 2 sata cables though as I gave away ALL of my extras a couple years ago

The dell u2412m is great...so I bought a second with the Dell deal a couple days ago

Going with Windows 7 for now, but I may grab a copy of 8 OEM if it is builder friendly.

 

[mfenn]

Glad it went well! Always glad to hear feedback.

 

[Essence_of_War]

The dell u2412m is great...so I bought a second with the Dell deal a couple days ago

I liked mine so much that I bought one for my GF when her 20'' apple cinema display died, and I'm likely picking up a 2nd for myself in a few months as well.