I would be starting with this build once I am done shifting to Hyderabad early next month (Feb). 
What I would be retaining from my current build
Corsair HX1000 PSU
X-Fi Titanium Fata1ty Champion
Hard Drives
HP DVD Writer
Other Misc stuff like Headphones etc.
The Rest of the stuff from my existing build would be used for a second rig which would be used by my sister.
What I propose to buy new
CPU + Motherboard:
Goal is 4GHz Overclock and great multi-threaded performance. Virtualization performance in VirutalBox/VMWare is also important. Motherboard should be feature rich with USB3/SATA3 support. There is a good chance that I would do Multi GPU if I don't do it right of the bat. Lastly, the Mobo should not cost an arm and a leg on its own. Intended budget for combo is roughly 30k
Options I am looking at
Phenom X6 1090T/1100T + Good 890FX based Mobo.
Core i7 950 + Good X58 Mobo (Considering Asus Sabertooth X58)
Core i7 2600K/Core i5 2500K + Good P67 Mobo.
Is it a good idea to go for the P67 platform (Sandy Bridge) over X58? One of my main gripes with P67 is that it cannot do 2 x PCIe X16 like the X58. Would it be good enough for a SLI/Crossfire config with the latest GPUs?
CPU Cooling solution:
Goal is safe operation of CPU at 4GHz even in hot summer conditions. However to be honest, I am kind of fed up with uber large traditional HSFs that take up a lot of space in the CPU area. So I am seriously considering maintenance free water cooling solutions like the Cosair H70. What do you guy's think. Is it a good option or should I stick to one of the traditional HSF's. If so which one? Mind you I am not so concerned about the noise as about the bulk of these things.
RAM:
I am completely out of touch with the DDR3 RAM arena. I would be going for 6/8/12 GB RAM depending on Triple/Dual channel platform I get. I am not too keen on RAM overclocking as it didn't turn out well for me in the past. A kit that works well at around 1600MHz is fine for me.
Display
Should have 1080p and above resolutions. Size 23" and above, but would prefer something around 26/27". Would prefer IPS Panel's, but not willing to spend insanely huge premiums for them at the moment. Even a good TN Panel is fine. Must have a decent number of connectivity options (DVI + 2 HDMI at the very least). Currently considering a max budget of around 25~26k.
Benq M2700HD (27")
Dell U2311 (23")
Need opinion on Benq M2700HD. Also suggest any other good displays in and around that range.
Graphics Card:
Gaming at 1080p and above. Budget is 30k. Would not go for more than 35k at the moment. Considering the following options
- Single GTX580
- Single HD6970 (with intention of adding another later)
- Single GTX570 (with intention of adding another later)
- Dual HD6870 in Crossfire
- Dual HD6950 in Crossfire
Currently I am more inclined towards single GTX580 and Dual HD6870/HD6950 solutions.
Cabinet:
Looking for a super tower case that is more roomier than my CM Stacker 830 Evo. Would prefer one with a Removable Motherboard tray and weight less than 13 Kg, but willing to compromise on these for a really good cabinet. Should be well ventilated and suited for Air cooling.
Was interested by the specs of Xigmatek Elysium, but the same is not in the market yet. I sent a mail to Tony of Xigmatek and got reply that info would be revealed at best in two weeks more. Other than that I am looking at
- CM HAF-X
- Lian Li PC-P80 (Outdated design and not available in India)
- Thermaltake Armor+/Xaser VI (Too Heavy and not sure how much roomier than Stacker 830)
Have half a mind to import one of those Mountain mods custom built cases like the U2UFO. However they too are costly and not sure how importing them will work out.
What I would be retaining from my current build
Corsair HX1000 PSU
X-Fi Titanium Fata1ty Champion
Hard Drives
HP DVD Writer
Other Misc stuff like Headphones etc.
The Rest of the stuff from my existing build would be used for a second rig which would be used by my sister.
What I propose to buy new
CPU + Motherboard:
Goal is 4GHz Overclock and great multi-threaded performance. Virtualization performance in VirutalBox/VMWare is also important. Motherboard should be feature rich with USB3/SATA3 support. There is a good chance that I would do Multi GPU if I don't do it right of the bat. Lastly, the Mobo should not cost an arm and a leg on its own. Intended budget for combo is roughly 30k
Options I am looking at
Phenom X6 1090T/1100T + Good 890FX based Mobo.
Core i7 950 + Good X58 Mobo (Considering Asus Sabertooth X58)
Core i7 2600K/Core i5 2500K + Good P67 Mobo.
Is it a good idea to go for the P67 platform (Sandy Bridge) over X58? One of my main gripes with P67 is that it cannot do 2 x PCIe X16 like the X58. Would it be good enough for a SLI/Crossfire config with the latest GPUs?
CPU Cooling solution:
Goal is safe operation of CPU at 4GHz even in hot summer conditions. However to be honest, I am kind of fed up with uber large traditional HSFs that take up a lot of space in the CPU area. So I am seriously considering maintenance free water cooling solutions like the Cosair H70. What do you guy's think. Is it a good option or should I stick to one of the traditional HSF's. If so which one? Mind you I am not so concerned about the noise as about the bulk of these things.
RAM:
I am completely out of touch with the DDR3 RAM arena. I would be going for 6/8/12 GB RAM depending on Triple/Dual channel platform I get. I am not too keen on RAM overclocking as it didn't turn out well for me in the past. A kit that works well at around 1600MHz is fine for me.
Display
Should have 1080p and above resolutions. Size 23" and above, but would prefer something around 26/27". Would prefer IPS Panel's, but not willing to spend insanely huge premiums for them at the moment. Even a good TN Panel is fine. Must have a decent number of connectivity options (DVI + 2 HDMI at the very least). Currently considering a max budget of around 25~26k.
Benq M2700HD (27")
Dell U2311 (23")
Need opinion on Benq M2700HD. Also suggest any other good displays in and around that range.
Graphics Card:
Gaming at 1080p and above. Budget is 30k. Would not go for more than 35k at the moment. Considering the following options
- Single GTX580
- Single HD6970 (with intention of adding another later)
- Single GTX570 (with intention of adding another later)
- Dual HD6870 in Crossfire
- Dual HD6950 in Crossfire
Currently I am more inclined towards single GTX580 and Dual HD6870/HD6950 solutions.
Cabinet:
Looking for a super tower case that is more roomier than my CM Stacker 830 Evo. Would prefer one with a Removable Motherboard tray and weight less than 13 Kg, but willing to compromise on these for a really good cabinet. Should be well ventilated and suited for Air cooling.
Was interested by the specs of Xigmatek Elysium, but the same is not in the market yet. I sent a mail to Tony of Xigmatek and got reply that info would be revealed at best in two weeks more. Other than that I am looking at
- CM HAF-X
- Lian Li PC-P80 (Outdated design and not available in India)
- Thermaltake Armor+/Xaser VI (Too Heavy and not sure how much roomier than Stacker 830)
Have half a mind to import one of those Mountain mods custom built cases like the U2UFO. However they too are costly and not sure how importing them will work out.
.