First build - Core I7 - Looking for any novice mistakes

[tBoneSteak]

I looking to build a solid all around gaming / media machine. I don't need the best machine on the block though.

I'm pulling a dvd drive and 2 320 gig hard drives from an old machine. This is what I'm planning to purchase. I'm mainly concerned with learning if there is any over kill or if I'm limiting any component buy choosing another.

Also do the Core I7's need a 64 bit OS?

Thanks for reading my post and I appreciate any direction you may be able to provide.

- Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $59.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

- Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA
3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $174.99 - Should I considde an SSD to run the OS off of?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296

- ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/1G Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI
Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -$264.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121277

- CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI
Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power
Supply - $104.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

- CORSAIR XMS3 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X3G1600C9 - $140.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145223

- ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - $289.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346


- Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - $289.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

 

[jeteryankees22]

Well first off, you do not need a 64 bit for the i7, however you will be limiting your memory and they really work best with at least 6GB, any why not take advantage of the triple channel of X58? Stay away from SSD's for the time being as they are not yet "worth" it, unless you want to drop 500+ on one. If possible RAID 0 two VelociRaptor drives. The case you picked out is good, the 900 is a solid case. Everything else looks good, however I think you could pick out a better video card for the money...just not sure which one? Definitely go 64bit and 6GB of memory, worth the extra few bucks

 

[tBoneSteak]

Thank for the reply! I really do appreciate it.

 

[geofelt]

I think 4gb or preferably a 6gb kit would be more appropriate if you will be doing some multitasking.
It would be best to use vista-64, but a 32 bit os would work with a 4gb kit or less. Trade off high speed for more ram if you have to. If you will be overclocking, the faster ram will make it very easy.

Consider an oem cooler, particularly if you will overclock. The chip runs hot.

The Velociraptor is very good. Do not look at SSD, unless you are prepared to spend $600 for a 80gb Intel X25-m. All the other current mlc ssd's seem to have random write problems.

I like all the other parts.

 

[Yoosty]

If you have not order the Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor yet. You might want to wait until Friday any time after noon. Tiger Direct is selling them for $150.00.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYLMRQz5xNQ&eurl=http://com.puter.tv/forum/index.php/topic,2463.0.html

 

[tBoneSteak]

Thanks again fellas, and thanks for the heads up on the Tiger Deal.

If I don't plan on overclocking, can I get away with the slower Ram, or would it be smarrter to just get the faster Ram if I got the cash.

Thanks.

 

[geofelt]

If you have not order the Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor yet. You might want to wait until Friday any time after noon. Tiger Direct is selling them for $150.00.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYLMRQz5xNQ&eurl=http://com.puter.tv/forum/index.php/topic,2463.0.html

------------------------------------------------------------------
I doubt that a i7-920 will be sold for 1/2 of the intel wholesale price.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Make sure the case power button plug is attached to the motherboard in the right orientation - usually label side down - and also be sure to use standoffs. Those were the main reason my first builds didn't boot.

 

[0mg_1ts_m3]

your making a core i7 build and you're using a $50 case? i know the antec nine hundred is good, but it's not that good.

 

[tBoneSteak]

I hear you. Can you make any recommendations. I'm not looking for anything flashy. Some top or front USB and audio jacks, and good air flow. This seems to be a very popular case and the low cost was a bonus.

 

[Yoosty]

geofelt,

I doubt that a i7-920 will be sold for 1/2 of the intel wholesale price.

Yes it is true, it is for Charity.

Pink Friday
In Support of Susan G. Komen For the Cure
http://www.pinkfriday.org/

 

[rasmusp123]

Dont diss the 900

 

[pr2thej]

900 for $50?
I7 for $150?!!

ffs America, send some cheap latino labour our way plx

 

[magma_saber]

the 900 is actually $100 but its on sale for now. i just grabbed my self a 900 and a evga x58 before they run out of the x58 again. also you can't get 4 gigs. you have to get either 6 gig or 3 gig. you have to get triple channel memory. thanks for the info about pink friday. i was about to get a i7 920 for $300 from newegg in a few days.

 

[pr2thej]

Even $100 is silly cheap.
If only there was an American company that would ship these deal to the UK...im actually bugging my Dad to get a friend in the states to ship some stuff over for us atm

 

[geofelt]

the 900 is actually $100 but its on sale for now. i just grabbed my self a 900 and a evga x58 before they run out of the x58 again. also you can't get 4 gigs. you have to get either 6 gig or 3 gig. you have to get triple channel memory. thanks for the info about pink friday. i was about to get a i7 920 for $300 from newegg in a few days.

4gb will actually run very well. It will be only in two channel mode though. From a performance point of view, you are generally better off with 4gb in two channel mode, than 3gb in triple channel mode. It's not a bad option if the budget is very strict. You can always add another 2gb later.

 

[Snickerf]

I like his build, but I already have the hard drives and was thinking about replacing the PSU with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256017 (SILVERSTONE DA750 750W) Any thoughts on that? Black Friday is upon us, and my wallet says "Spend!"

 

[geofelt]

I like his build, but I already have the hard drives and was thinking about replacing the PSU with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256017 (SILVERSTONE DA750 750W) Any thoughts on that? Black Friday is upon us, and my wallet says "Spend!"

In that class, I like the corsair 750 better for a lot less:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
or the PC P&C 750:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

 

[Snickerf]

There was a negative concern regarding the PC P&C 750 with the Antec 900 case. Also, I modular design - I don't use nearly as many cables as they provide (only need 1 molex, 2 SATA and 1 PCIe) so over half the lines get left to be shoved somewhere in the case... Price is not as important as quality, for me. Do you think the PC P&C has that level of quality?

 

[dugan]

the 300gb raptor is selling for 200 on newegg, so for 30 more you could get 2 times as much space

 

[geofelt]

There was a negative concern regarding the PC P&C 750 with the Antec 900 case. Also, I modular design - I don't use nearly as many cables as they provide (only need 1 molex, 2 SATA and 1 PCIe) so over half the lines get left to be shoved somewhere in the case... Price is not as important as quality, for me. Do you think the PC P&C has that level of quality?

If you only need one pci-e connector, you do not need a 750w psu. The PC P&C silencer610 will be more than enough:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

As to quality, here is a good tiered list of quality psu's:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/permalink/369181/323050/ShowThread.aspx#323050

 

[magma_saber]

4gb will actually run very well. It will be only in two channel mode though. From a performance point of view, you are generally better off with 4gb in two channel mode, than 3gb in triple channel mode. It's not a bad option if the budget is very strict. You can always add another 2gb later.

i7 only supports triple channel. it doesn't support dual channel so you have to get either 3 gig or 6 gig. i would recommend 6 gig. i'm gonna get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

 

[Snickerf]

I only need 1 PCIe *now* - in 6 months, I plan on buying a second card to do crossfire.

 

[magma_saber]

just go with this one if you want to save some cash:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130216

 

[geofelt]

I only need 1 PCIe *now* - in 6 months, I plan on buying a second card to do crossfire.

The PC P&C silencer610 I referenced earlier has two pci-e connectors, so it will support crossfire vga cards that only require 1 pci-e connector each.


"i7 only supports triple channel. it doesn't support dual channel
so you have to get either 3 gig or 6 gig. i would recommend 6 gig. i'm gonna get this one: "

@Magma-sabe: I believe you are mistaken on that point. Single, dual, and triple configurations on the i7/X58 motherboards have been benchmarked. Dual is a nice jump over single, and going to triple does not help as much.