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$3000-4000 Gaming/Work build - 3-4 VM's & 4 screens


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i would recommend getting a 6 core intel processor with at least 16gig of ram.

Triple Channel RAM - 6, 12, 24, 48....16GBs not happening ;)

 

I've not seen a single review that has the 6990 beating Crossfired 6970s in anything except power consumption.

3rd, 4th, and 5th This :thumbsup:

 

Can ya'll not read?

The OP asked for Nvidia cards so all this ATI talk is useless.

He wants to game across 3 monitors, we the OCC community would be doing the OP an injustice not recommending AMD and the 2GB of vram per 6900 series card. For higher resolutions right now Nvidia doesn't have an answer for AMD yet....I know the 3GB 580, but when? :dunno: AMD came out with eyefinity on the 5000 cards, with the current 6000 series, they are starting to implement the needed tech to run the idea of multi-screen extremely large resolution gaming!

 

 

To the OP - if you are concerned with multi-monitor gaming on a monster resolution, you will def want to take a look at the AMD 2GB 6970's!

Edited by SpeedwayNative

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First, I'd highly recommend building two separate systems. One for your virtualization server, and one for your gaming build. You'll find the costs just about the same, but your performance/availability levels will be much better. If something happens to your gaming machine, there goes your availability for work.

Then take my recommended System 1, but switch for a lower wattage PSU (~500W ~100), cheaper GPU (HD5670 3 monitors ~70$), 4x1TB RAID5, and a 120GB SSD.

Then for gaming take System 2, with 8gb ram, HD6990, 120GB ssd, 1TB storage, and corsair AX 750W ~170$

 

Then totals would land about

System 1; 700+300+360+250+70+250+100+200 = 2230

System 2; 300+200+120+250+700+60+170+200 = 2000

 

I realize that the total are a little high, but either lower gpu for system 2 (6990->6950) or for system 1 switch socket (1366->1155). Any of these exchanges will get you under 4000$ and you will have the awesomest computers ever, for a year or so...

 

The socket switch would probably be the best since you would have spare parts in the end, but you will lose ram slots, and some marginal workstation performance.

The gpu switch will get you serious impact on multi monitor gaming.

 

I still think a single computer is way cooler and cheaper, but you would always have to worry about stability issues (no chance for overclocking if your VMs can't crash). You will also need more monitors if it is two separate computers, or a KVM (but they are expensive and i dont know about eyefinity).

 

Hope this helps!

Medbor

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Then take my recommended System 1, but switch for a lower wattage PSU (~500W ~100), cheaper GPU (HD5670 3 monitors ~70$), 4x1TB RAID5, and a 120GB SSD.

Then for gaming take System 2, with 8gb ram, HD6990, 120GB ssd, 1TB storage, and corsair AX 750W ~170$

 

Then totals would land about

System 1; 700+300+360+250+70+250+100+200 = 2230

System 2; 300+200+120+250+700+60+170+200 = 2000

 

 

 

why two pcs? if the gaming system is just gaming why not to 6970 x2 and save a few?

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why two pcs? if the gaming system is just gaming why not to 6970 x2 and save a few?

the general opinion seemed to point towards two pcs for some reason, so i adjusted accordingly...

 

the general reason for a 6990 instead of 2x6970 is upgradability and power consumption, but sure 2x6950/6970 will be better and cheaper.

Is the drivers better for 6990 or 6970CF? maybe a single card generally is more stable, i dunno..

 

in my first post i just added the option for 6990, and it actually fit the budget to my surprise and i forgot to reflect more over it...

 

go crossfire instead, my bad!

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i wouldnt touch xfire..

 

and i dont see 6990 beating 580s in sli in extreme resolutions either... :-/

 

*after seeing our review on the 590gtx.. 580sli rapes everything.. at every res.. including multiscreen.. thoroughly.. that answers what cards u want for best multi screen game play :)

Edited by mattyamdfanboi

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Some bloody good suggestions in this thread - including the KVM which I somehow forgot about despite being familiar with the tech - Still, now I know what's possible I want to stick with one PC to maximize single-task performance FTM- from the feedback I might focus on a gaming machine that can manage 2-3 screens with a 4th for readouts as that should still be able to manage my VM requirements individually (with some extra performance in CPU & RAM over what a normal gaming rig would need). I could just run a slower game like CIV4-5 when I have the VM's running if that becomes an issue. What does everyone think about this build? (drawing on suggestions above)

 

CPU: i7-990x ($1339)

 

Mobo: ASRock X58 Extreme6 Motherboard ($255) - with USB 3, SATA3, & 3x PCIE16, this looks pretty attractive for the price range - anything fishy going on here?

 

RAM:G-SKill Ripjaws 3x4x2 - run in 1600 on the 2200/1333/1066/800 mobo. How much performance variance between 1600-2200 MHZ RAM? ($378)

 

GPU: Thinking about a single GTX590, depending on price point & performance from March 24. AMD is looking more attractive with the linux assurances - might 2XSLI some 6970's leaving room for a 3rd later. Or I could just do this with 2 6950's. Advice please.

 

PSU: Zalman ZM1000-HP Plus ($275)

 

SSD: Looking at a nice Vertex 3, 240GB or Vertex 3 Pro 200GB around march 23rd.

 

HDD: 3x Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 in RAID 5 (more for data loss prevention than speed) for 2TB total - This will mostly hold movies, old games, & swapped out games - will move newer games back into SSD before running. Still not sure if that justifies pairing SATA 2 drives with a SATA 3 mobo (the SATA 3 is for the SSD) ($177)

 

Case: The HAF X looks good - but does anyone know any cases that come in non-black? I won't always have the luxury of running this one in a darkened room - just noticed that during the day in a room that gets a lot of sun, the black cases had a bunch more overheating issues. ($239)

 

Total: $2663 before GPU & SSD. That leaves about $800 for GPU's and $600 for 200-240 GB of vertex 3. Will have to see how the prices work out to help decide between the March 23-24 new GPU & SSD releases or going with a larger number of older components. May well go to around $4500 (for an $1100 - $800 split) to fill this build out properly.

 

if going AMD go for 6950 simple BIOS flash to 6970 and you have same everything just need to OC a bit and guess what you have the 6970 cards for a bit cheaper......

Edited by Dementedleo

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my 2 cents again just use these

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/.0http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16813131373

 

and 2 of these

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/.0http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16819117234

 

add all the ram ya want and still play

just read alot of gaming rigs being made when you need more power from workstation cpu/mobo combo.

Edited by Dementedleo

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