ManHands' Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

[manHands]

ManHands' Sandy Build: i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

ManHands' Sandy Build:
i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - 16GB RAM - HD 6870

Mac OS X version 10.9.2 Mavericks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-mavericks/id675248567?mt=12

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

GIGABYTE GV-R687OC-1GD Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125357

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal 12X Super Multi Blue with 3D Playback Blu-ray Disc Rewriter WH12LS38 LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136239

CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

Corsair Carbide Series 500R White Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726


Already Owned

3 x HITACHI Deskstar 5K3000 HDS5C3030ALA630 (0F12460) 3TB 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145561

2 x Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI LED-Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009255

Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Solar-Keyboard-K750/dp/B004MF11MU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327963986&sr=8-1

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-HD-Pro-Webcam-C910/dp/B003M2YT96/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327965554&sr=1-1

Apple Magic Mouse
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MB829LL-A-Magic-Mouse/dp/B002TLTGM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327964048&sr=8-1

IOGEAR USB 2.1 Bluetooth Micro Adapter (GBU421)
http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU421/dp/B0018O9JIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327964094&sr=8-1

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Female Adapter Cable for Apple Macbook, Macbook Pro, iMac, Macbook Air, Mac Mini Laptop
http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Female-Adapter-Macbook-Laptop/dp/B003BHHIA4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351477450&sr=1-2


Comments:

EDIT: I've done a clean install of 10.9.2. This may be my last OS upgrade, as I'm going to concentrate on a new build with new (and faster!) components. I will still however, maintain this thread.

I chose the MB and case based on future expansion options, but still at an average price. I needed enough room for one video card, one optical drive (with room for another), and plenty of SATA ports for hard drives. I use the OCZ SSD as my boot drive, one of the 3 TB hard drives for my home folder, and the other two 3 TB drives set-up in a 6 TB raid used as a Time Machine backup. Make sure to use the Intel controller SATA III ports instead of the Marvell ports if you're using a SSD. I've tried both, and there's a noticeable speed difference.

The IOGear Bluetooth adapter identifies in OS X as built-in, so you can use the System Preferences pane for Bluetooth. I originally plugged in the adapter to one of the rear USB ports, but wasn't getting a good response from the Magic Mouse. I've since starting using a USB extension cable, and all is good now. I don't put the computer to sleep, so I can't elaborate on any sleep/wake-up issues.

I've OC'd it to 4.2 Ghz using this THREAD. I have a pull and push fan set-up with the Hyper 212 EVO. The push fan is offset about half an inch (to make room for the RAM module). Both are hooked up via a Y cable to the CPU fan connector. Attached below is the custom SSDT for this overclock. My turbo states look like this in the BIOS.

1 Active Cores - 43
2 Active Cores - 42
3 Active Cores - 42
4 Active Cores - 42

In order to use both monitors, I had to use an adapter. I went the route of using a DVI cable for both monitors, with one using the DVI to mini DisplayPort adapter. The Acer S231HL monitors have a known HDMI issue with Windows 7. There are black borders around the image even though resolution is set to 1920 x 1080.

MultiBeast 6.2.1 Configuration
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Geek Bench​

USB 2.0 Device on 3.0 port

USB 3.0 Device on 3.0 port

 

[Stork]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Great build and build description. Love the Corsair 500R case! It's hard to find a case that fits into a family environment, like a living room, that doesn't look like an ugly, black wastebasket.

I'm afraid the USB 3 problems are due to the patched LaCie driver which is the only one available. However, if USB 3 is must have requirement, then a 3rd party, PCI(e) USB 3 card is the solution. If Apple puts USB 3 in a future desktop, then we'll have a better solution. But, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Apple to implement USB 3 considering Apple's emphasis on Thunderbolt. A more probable solution is if the new Mac Pro's use the Ivy Bridge chipsets. But, that's just more speculation.

 

[manHands]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Thanks Stork! A lot of time and reading went into this build. And obviously a lot of time and effort by yourself, tonymac, macman, and others that made this happen.

I appreciate the comments on USB 3.0. Despite all my reading, I never ran across such a reasonable response that makes total sense. Despite Apple's lack of USB 3.0 support and emphasis on Thunderbolt, I was HOPING some 3rd party kext would utilize these PC 3.0 ports. Oh well, no need for USB 3.0 now. 9 TB's of internal storage should be enough, right?

 

[Gordo74]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

The latest driver for USB3.0 will enable the ports at least. It wont give you 3.0 speeds, but you can use the ports.

 

[Stork]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

...Oh well, no need for USB 3.0 now. 9 TB's of internal storage should be enough, right?

Nine TBs??! I guess not! You could use the eSATA for backup/cloning.

 

[tazzyopz]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Looks nice for gaming as well If I were to hook up another HD to it and load Windows 7. Or even duel boot. I'm curious how much was this build all together?

 

[jpa]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

nice machine

 

[manHands]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Looks nice for gaming as well If I were to hook up another HD to it and load Windows 7. Or even duel boot. I'm curious how much was this build all together?

Everything I purchased to build was about $1,050 after rebates. This doesn't include the stuff I already owned (obviously). Adding another SSD to load Windows 7 may be in the future. Although if I wait long enough... Windows 8 may be out.

 

[jleblanc23]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Skirk,

I have the same motherboard, and high profile Vengeance (Blue) ram. I'm looking to upgrade the CPU cooler to over clock but worried about clearance with the high profile ram.

-Does your hyper 212 evo clear the high profile?

and

-Would you recommend the cooler?

Thanks!!
J

 

[Stork]

Re: skirk08's Build - Core i7-2600K - GA-Z68XP-UD3 - HD 6870

Also look at the Tom's Hardware CPU Cooler Review:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535.html

The review gives dimensions of each cooler and discusses RAM clearances.