I7 gaming system first time build

[bp2aki1]

Hi guys. Looking to build an i7 system for around $1300 give or take. Basically I want a rig that can run games in 1920x1200 with the highest quality settings (w/ AA and AF). Will toms december mid-range 1250 pc achieve this? If it does then I guess I've found an easy answer.


In case it doesn't, $1500 is my max if 1300 can't suffice for that.


Things I already have : 24" monitor, keyboard, mouse, optical drive. Basically most peripheral components.

I am dead set on i7 920 as mentioned. I also need a X58 motherboard that supports crossfire and sli. Also do NOT plan on overclocking so keep that in mind please.

Thanks guys, any input appreciated!

+forgot to add, I have XP already but I plan on using Vista.

 

[alcattle]

All I can say is read the review. They stated what they would add to make the system better, also prices change. You might have "fudge" room in places if think something might not get used much.

 

[computersss]

first of all take a look at this http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Crysis-v1-21,755.html the best for your money to play it at 1900x1200 with af and aa would be this build for 1474 dollars -60 robates do it will be 1414 without shipping

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

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

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

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

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

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

 

[aevm]

Sounds good.

I'd upgrade the PSU to Corsair 1000HX or at least an Antec Signature 850W. Both are certified for GTX 280 dual SLI here:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

The 750W PSU/GTX 280 is not future-proof because GTX 280 SLI needs something closer to 1000W. With the 1000HX you can add the second GTX 280 when/if needed.

If that's too expensive, keep the PC P&C 750W and replace the GTX 280 with a HD 4870 X2 or a GTX 295.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130439

 

[bp2aki1]

^Thanks for the suggestions

I think the 4870x2 and 295 are a bit out of my price range right now. computersss build is a little above 1400 and that looks very enticing to buy right now on the spot.

aevm: about how long will the gtx280 last until an upgrade is needed? I'd say in about a year or so? sound right?

Right now I'm aiming for something that will last me for 1-1.5 years without any upgrades/overclocking. Anything above that will be bonus for me.

 

[wiz1]

Keep your eyes open on the GTX 280,Saturday buy.com cut them to 220.00. I missed it! I would of bought 2 for sli

 

[aevm]

You said "a rig that can run games in 1920x1200 with the highest quality settings (w/ AA and AF)" Don't get me wrong, the GTX 280 is a VERY good card, it's just that your expectations are very high too. If you are willing to lower the eye-candy and/or the resolution for some games (e.g. Crysis, Frontlines) you'll be fine with a GTX 280, no worries.

Some benchmarks, at 1920x1200, with GTX 280, HD 4870 X2, GTX 280 SLI:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3372

//for these games the HD 4870 X2 makes a lot of sense
Age of Conan 33.2 fps, 56.3, 53.7
Oblivion: 43.8, 76, 67.5

//here the GTX 280 SLI is way better
Crysis: 35.8, 39.8, 56.3

//here the single GTX 280 is just as good as the other two solutions and cheaper
Quake Wars, GRID - all are over 60 fps

I guess it depends on your favorite games, most of all.

 

[bp2aki1]

Thanks for the references.

Another question... Assuming that on standard cooling, no third party or aftermarket products, just how loud would the combination of Antec 900 and 280 be on an idle state? Gaming I would have headphones on so it wouldn't bother too much but still. Right now my P4 AGP system is unbearably loud and also emits a LOT of heat. My room heats up like a sauna whenever my computer is on for only two hours.

I guess that's the price you pay for pretty powerful computing but ideally I would really like to have a whisper quiet and cool rig. Water cooling is an option but i'd like to stick with traditional fans if I could.

 

[aevm]

The Antec 900 has switches, so you can turn the fans up when you start gaming and down when you're done.

The GTX 280 can be underclocked in nTune (free download from nVidia's site). If you do that and leave the fan set to Automatic (in the same screen) then the card will consume less power and the fan will run slower and quieter.

Disclaimer - I haven't tried it with a GTX 280, but it works fine with my 8800GTX.

 

[aevm]

One more thing: about a year and a half ago I was in the same boat as you. I knew I wanted an 8800GTX (king of the hill at the time) but I wanted a quiet card too. After reading tens of reviews I went with BFG. I have no idea if BFG's current cooling solution for GTX 280 is still the best among GTX 280 cards, but for 8800GTX cards it's definitely good.

 

[grieve]

The Antec 900 has switches, so you can turn the fans up when you start gaming and down when you're done.

This is true however the switches are inside the case... The front two fans you can make the switches come to the outside but the 250mm and back fan you are stuck opening the case to change fan RPM.

The Antec 1200 has convenient locations for these switches on the top back of the unit.

 

[bp2aki1]

I went ahead and ordered the system. Decided to go with the 280 as originally planned. Highly looking forward to finally assembling a rig after putting up with this pentium 4 for about 7 years now.

Kudos to you guys for helping me.