My i7 build. Almost finalized!

[Lurker87]

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9979606

In a week I'll have my funds ready to purchase this beast. After constant deal seeking, I have found these sites with the best deals. Of course, on the day I make the purchase, I will check all the newegg combos one last time to see if anything can be combined, as some can still be combined for that RAM + the i7.

Despite the better price to be obtained by getting my monitor online, I prefer to go brick and mortar shopping on monitors/televisions, because of dead pixel policies and such with online stores. Though it may cost an extra ~$50, I won't be worrying about any dead pixels or anything else that may go wrong. I've had trouble in that area before...

Anyways,

CPU - i7 920 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 - $295

Case - Antec Twelve Hundred - http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-twelve-hundred-ultimate-gaming-case/q/loc/101/207906548.html - $174

PSU - Corsair 750TX - http://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-750w-Certified-Power-Supply/dp/B000X2677A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232056242&sr=8-1 - $105

RAM - OCZ Platinum 6gb 1600 7-7-7-24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381 - $180

MOBO - EVGA x58 132-BL-E758-A1 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039 - $300

GPU - BFG GTX 295 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143167 - $500

Monitor - Samsung T240 1920x1200 - Will probably go to BestBuy - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8909942&type=product&id=1213047114888 - $400

HDD - WD Caviar Black 640GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 - $80

Mouse - Logitech G9 - http://www.buy.com/prod/logitech-g9-laser-gaming-mouse-logitech-g9-laser-mouse-n44075-47848g/q/loc/101/205114479.html - $77

Cooler - TRUE 1366RT - http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24727 - $85

Optical Drive - LITE-ON 20X DVD±R iHAS120-04 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263 - $24

Total - $1820 without monitor. ~$2220, with monitor.

I am also currently watching a few other possible great catches, such as that mobo for $250, and that PSU for $90, and the like. I already have Vista Premium 64-bit, and a Saitek II keyboard. I am not expecting to upgrade anything in this build for a while. Depending on how prices change, I may end up changing RAM on the day I buy. I am still considering the G.Skill PI Black or Mushkin. I will most likely be getting this computer desk for it, based on my available space, and placement of the mouse.

http://www.furniturebuzz.com/detail.asp?model=ML946-A - $90

However, this is also still being researched. I am still looking for something a bit more aesthetically pleasing. Anyways, all criticism welcome!

 

[foolycooly]

Looks really good to me.

The only potential snag i see is w/ the mobo. I've read some people have problems fitting their aftermarket coolers due to the oversized heatsinks on the evga board. Not sure if you've researched it, but it might be something you want to double check.

 

[Lurker87]

Yeah, I read that already. They end up just having to sand down one of the corners and then they fit snug. It is like a 5 minute job at most. From the similar builds I've seen so far, people have gotten it to work in the end. Thanks for the response!

 

[kubes]

just as a heads up, the evga board and the i7 currently have a combo deal at newegg.

Monitor you might want to look into (i'm sure you've already seen it however): This compairs up to the sony...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

I've also been keeping an eye on that ram and it hasn't been in stock in some time unfortinally...

 

[Lurker87]

Yeah, I've spent a number of weeks just looking at reviews of monitors and it really came down to the 2443bw, t240, acer P243WAid, and a few others. I think 24" is my sweet spot, considering how close I'll be sitting and how stable it will be on its stand (won't be wall mounting). Thanks for the heads up on the combo. Unfortunately you can't add combos to wishlists, so it'll have to be whatever combos I can take advantage of right at that moment when I am deciding to buy all the components.

As far as the RAM goes, it was mostly because of the all-around good timings, good reviews, wonderful OCability, and awesome price point. Intel said there would be some price cuts on duos and quads within about 2 weeks, and I am wondering if there MIGHT be some sort of price change in other components in this same time frame? Regardless, if the OCZ Platinum isn't back in stock in time, I'll check if more people have reviewed and benched those mushkins by the time I'm ready to buy.

Thanks for response, kubes. Your insight is always welcome

 

[kubes]

Ya i'm picking up the mushkins instead of the G.Skill. I have a small bias towards them (plus cheaper with rebate). very good heat spreaders and ussualy very good timings. I am actually ordering my system tonight or tommorow. I put my rig on hold just for that darn memory but i'm done waiting lol.

PS: Solid Build. Like you noted on my list, its about the same thing. Atleast were on the same page.

 

[Lurker87]

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your pics, then. I'll be sure to post mine as well once everything arrives. Good luck on your build too

BTW, is that 28" the monitor you are going with, or do you have something else in mind for your build?

 

[kubes]

I already have it from a previous build. Use my ps3 to hook up with it as well. Kind of nice to get dual purpose out of it. Its extremely bright so not the best for movies, but I love it for games.

 

[Lurker87]

Hmm. Looks like a great price for such great specs. My build is going to be in the same room as my 40" Sony KDL-40XBR4, which is my game console/cable TV. Of course, when I start playing some of those newer games (Starcraft II, Diablo 3, perhaps Crysis), I'll probably end up switching to the 40" as my monitor, and use the 24" as my usual monitor.

Great looking monitor, though. Would have liked to see it up close.

 

[rocpile]

you can get the t240 at ncixus.com for 253 plus shipping, that's what i did, awesome monitor

 

[Lurker87]

Nice find RocPile. It'd require me to get the monitor by the 20th though. I don't think I'll be completely ready by then; I also feel better just getting it from somewhere like BestBuy, and just be able to bring it back for an exchange with no questions asked if there's a problem. Thanks for the recommendation though

 

[xthekidx]

Keep this Ram in mind, its pricey but awesome timings for 1600mhz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

 

[Lurker87]

Yeah, those are the mushkins that kubes and I were talking about. Those and the G.Skill PI are the other RAM I am looking at. I am wanting to see some more reviews on them during the next week or so, since I'll be making my purchases then.

 

[Akebono 98]

The black PCP&C Silencer 750 is currently going for $95 at Newegg, if you're looking for better value. However, I think that the Corsair 750TX has slightly longer power cables for your full tower Antec 1200.

If you haven't already done so, you might also want to look at the Gigabyte EX58-UD4P mobo at $240, if you're not planning on running tri-SLI on the eVGA board.

Intel's price cut is slated for the beginning of next week, if that helps.

 

[Lurker87]

Well, I saw the red version of that PCP&C Silencer 750 going for $65 (after rebate) on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VVVNNQ/sr=8-9/qid=1232095932/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1232095932&sr=8-9&seller=


However, I have seen people having fewer problems with the Corsair 750W vs the PCP&C 750W Silencer PSUs.

Hadn't really given that mobo much thought since I haven't heard much about it, but I'll give it a look.

Thanks for the recommendations!

PS: Didn't realize the cut was happening next week. Awesome!

 

[Akebono 98]

That red Silencer 750 is the best deal on right now, although it would probably clash with your blue LED fans... hence I suggested the regular black one! :lol:

 

[Lurker87]

Indeed. That was the main reason I passed it up! Also, Corsair has always been a big fan favorite. Thanks for looking out for me

 

[kubes]

Another thing to take a look at: combo deal for evga board and evga gtx 295. Easy 45 bucks off. Little bit better combo than the evga board and i7 which is only 25 bucks.

Kinda sucks because I orderd my pc last night and this morning i found that deal lol...ohh well

 

[Lurker87]

Wow, nice catch man. I hope that combo is still there in a week. Always nice to save $50

 

[Akebono 98]

Indeed. That was the main reason I passed it up! Also, Corsair has always been a big fan favorite. Thanks for looking out for me

Anytime!

 

[Akebono 98]

Another thing to take a look at: combo deal for evga board and evga gtx 295. Easy 45 bucks off. Little bit better combo than the evga board and i7 which is only 25 bucks.

Too bad the GTX 295 can't run tri-SLI, because if it could, then that would be an even better deal!

 

[kubes]

4 cores isn't enough for ya eh? Tomshardware did a review on quad core vs tripple sli (3 gtx 280's) and lets just say the 2 gtx 295's smoked everything. Nothing came even close. Don't really need another card for anything. Mise as get a physics card you were planning on tripple sli with the gtx 295's (if you could). That would complete the over kill quite nicely.

I'm interrested however to see how hot these cards are going to run. (mine should be here either today (saturday) or monday. Benchmark reviews are saying it will run cooler than the gtx 280. I'll be surprised if that's the case. Figure it'd be like the gtx 9800x2 where heating was an issue. We'll see, We'll see.

 

[Akebono 98]

4 cores isn't enough for ya eh? Tomshardware did a review on quad core vs tripple sli (3 gtx 280's) and lets just say the 2 gtx 295's smoked everything. Nothing came even close. Don't really need another card for anything. Mise as get a physics card you were planning on tripple sli with the gtx 295's (if you could). That would complete the over kill quite nicely.

It's nice to dream about overkill, eh?

 

[rocpile]

Nice find RocPile. It'd require me to get the monitor by the 20th though. I don't think I'll be completely ready by then; I also feel better just getting it from somewhere like BestBuy, and just be able to bring it back for an exchange with no questions asked if there's a problem. Thanks for the recommendation though

its always usually that low for some reason, i sometimes jumps to 334$, i was skeptical about ncixus at first too, but they have a zero dead pixel insurance plan and they're pretty reliable

 

[Lurker87]

its always usually that low for some reason, i sometimes jumps to 334$, i was skeptical about ncixus at first too, but they have a zero dead pixel insurance plan and they're pretty reliable

Hmm. Didn't know about their dead pixel insurance offer. Only $12, and I'm still coming out over $100 ahead! Guess I'll go with them! Thanks so much for the awesome advice

edit: Just made the purchase! Got it for $303 after shipping and express coverage. Considering that I was ready to pay $400 + tax at BestBuy, I have to thank you, rocpile! Thanks so much man! You saved me at least $130! I really appreciate it

Also just bought my Antec Twelve Hundred from newegg since they have it for sale at $155.