Building a gaming computer

[IncognitoSOS]

Hey,

I've been watching the computer hardware scene for the past couple months and finally put together a hypothetical computer. Seeing as this is my first time building a computer I was hoping that some more experienced members would be able to review my parts list and add some insight into my system. I wan't this PC to be a relatively powerful gaming desktop that will not become obsolete any time soon.

Below is my list
Intel Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
289.99

Intel X58 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346
299.99

GSkill 4GB DDR3 240-PIN
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
79.99

Geforce GTX 260 896 MB DDR3 SLI supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370
249.99

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
109.99

CoolMax 1200w ATX 12v
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159067
199.99

HT Omega Striker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001
89.99

Windows XP Home
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116193
179.99

Acer: H213H 1080p LCD Moniter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157
189.99

Total: 1739.90

Thanks
IncognitoSOS

Also: No need for a HDD or an ODD, I've already got a TB drive and a DVD external burner that I'll use

 

[glcm1961]

Why do you only have the links instead of actually telling us what the parts are? I doubt too many people are going to take the time to click on every link. Just a suggestion.

 

[aevm]

Agreed, tell us what is there, it's the polite thing to do.

That P6T Deluxe gets horrible newegg reviews.

That RAM is dual channel; you need triple channel.

 

[aevm]

LOL at the Coolmax PSU. Try a reputable brand, like Corsair 1000HX or a PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone.

The GTX 260 you linked is deactivated. I suggest a GTX 280 or HD 4870 1GB instead.

Don't get Windows XP. The 32-bit version will be completely handicapped when you add one or two high-end video cards with lots of RAM. The 64-bit version may not even run some games. And either way you don't get DirectX 10. YOu want Vista Home Premium 64-bit, or Ultimate 64-bit.

 

[sopel10]

i would not consider myself "experienced" member, but from what i've been reading for the past few days i do have few sugestions,

more experienced members, plz correct me if i am wrong

This is a lot of money you are spending, i would go with a bigger monitor for sure, for gaming purposes, the sound card seems like an overkill unless you are really into sound, and the power supply seems veryyyyyy expensive. i would propably reconsider the psu and sound card ang get a nice monitor/sli gpu

again, just an idea

 

[IncognitoSOS]

64-bit Vista, are you sure?

I've heard a lot of bad things about it, particularly how it hurts game stability.

Also, would it be worth it to invest in two graphics cards or is that overkill

For the motherboard what about this one
EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

and this for the RAM
G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231222

 

[Zenthar]

That RAM is dual channel; you need triple channel.

Can't X58 MBs run in dual-channel mode?

You don't need 1200W PSU; get a reputable brand.
Why Windows XP and why retail? I would go Vista 64.
If you want a GTX260 get a Core 216.
Audio card not necessary unless hardcore audiophile.

 

[IncognitoSOS]

New Revised List:
Parts

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
289.99

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
299.99

Total: 589.98

G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231222
78.99

Total: 668.97

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365
304.99

Total: 973.96

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
199.99

Total: 1173.95

Power Supply
Antec Signature SG850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
219.99

Total: 1393.94

Windows XP Home edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116193
179.99

Total: 1573.91

Acer H213H bmid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ACM 20000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157
189.99

Total: 1763.92

-50.00 discount (Power Supply & Case)

Total: 1713.92

 

[aevm]

Can't X58 MBs run in dual-channel mode?

....

Audio card not necessary unless hardcore audiophile.

True. That particular RAM does work with x58 boards. Triple Channel is not obligatory, it just means somewhat better performance. I'd prefer this RAM instead:

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225
It's $30 more and 6 GB instead of 4 GB.


Totally agreed about the audio card. So many people buy expensive audio cards and then listen to mp3 files (which are compressed with losses anyway) on low-quality speakers.

 

[megamanx00]

A couple of things, if you are going to build such a powerful machine it doesn't make sense to go with just a 32bit OS. Go with a 64bit version of Vista. I guess you could also go with the 64-bit version of Vista but I find it a little finicky myself. Also you selected Dual channel RAM and while you can use it the system is fastest while using tripple channel RAM like this 3GB set for Corsair or 6GB from Mushkin

CORSAIR XMS3 3GB (3 x 1GB) 86.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145221

mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 133.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226040


If you really want to stick with XP 32 bit then go with the 3GB of tripple channel RAM as it will be faster than that 4GB of Dual channel RAM and 32-bit windows won't be able to see more than 3GB anyway especially with a card like to 260 taking up over 800MB in address space. You don't need 1000W+ unless you want to do tripple SLI, and for that I would go with a good PSU like this corsair rather than risk shorting it all out with that cool max you picked

CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

If you only plan on using a single card or only using 2-way SLI then just get a good unit from Corsair, FSP, or Antec with the appropriate power. As for the board you picked out you can't do 3-way SLI on it. If you look at the last two PCI-E slots they are too close together. You can't even really use that bottom slot if you are using cards that have dual slot coolers. The only 3-way that board can do is 3-way crossfire with some 4850s. If you want to use 3-way SLI you need a board with the proper spacing such as this

DFI LP UT X58-T3eH8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136063

 

[Zenthar]

If you are to spend that much money on a 850W PSU, might as well go for the Corsair 1000HX ...

Or you can save money and just grab a PC&C 750W.

 

[aevm]

for the power supply what about this one
Antec Signature SG850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supplyhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371018

It's a top quality product. Very expensive at $220.

How about we talk about the monitor first, then about video card(s), then about the PSU? It's the logical order and it helps.

Your monitor can play games at 1920x1080. An upgrade to a 24..28" would allow 1920x1200, not much difference. If your eyes are good then the monitor you picked is a good choice. If not, consider a 25.5" model instead (larger pixels).

Assuming you stay with this monitor, you'd need more graphics power than the average gamer who plays at 1680x1050. For 1920x1080, one of these combinations would make sense IMO. I listed them with the weakest and cheapest first and the strongest/most expensive last. Depending on game and settings the order may not be quite as I wrote it, but it's not very important.

HD 4870 1GB
GTX 280 (or GTX 285)
two HD 4870 1GB
HD 4870 X2
GTX 295

two GTX 280

three GTX 280
two GTX 295

For the first 5 combinations, you could simply get a $70 PC Power & Cooling 750W S75CF from Newegg.

For two GTX 280 I'd pick this $170 Silverstone 1000W:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256043
There's also the Corsair 1000HX, also suitable here, but why pay $250 when $170 will do.

For the last two combinations we're talking about 1200W or close. You probably don't need that much graphics power. It won't scale well in games either, with 3 or 4 GPUs.

Back to the $220 Antec Signature 850W now: it makes no sense for the first 5 combinations because the $70 Silencer 750W can do that job. It's too small for the other combinations.

 

[IncognitoSOS]

Building a gaming computer

Parts

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
289.99

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
299.99

Total: 589.98

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225
159.99
Total: 749.97

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365
304.99

Total: 1054.96

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
199.99

Total: 1254.95

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF
109.99

Total: 1474.94

Vista 64 bit Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116193
179.99

Total: 1654.91

Acer H213H bmid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ACM 20000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157
189.99

Total: 1844.92

 

[aevm]

If you are to spend that much money on a 850W PSU, might as well go for the Corsair 1000HX ...

Or you can save money and just grab a PC&C 750W.

There's a second PC P&C 750W too, called S75CF, for only $70. OK, it's a horrible red, but I have one and I know it's good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF

 

[IncognitoSOS]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I really appreciate it. This is my newest draft for the list.
Parts

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
289.99

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
299.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225
159.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365
304.99

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
199.99

Vista 64 bit Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493
179.99

Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007
59.99

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF
69.99

Acer H213H bmid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ACM 20000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157
189.99

 

[Zenthar]

Do you need the features of the Ultimate Vista? You can save ~80$ by getting the Home Premium instead. Ultimate is basically Home Premium + business.

Any reason why the 1080P? Give your GTX 280 a nicer friend like a 24" monitor, either Acer P243WAid (good price) or SAMSUNG ToC T240HD (better connectivity)

 

[aevm]

Agreed. You could downgrade Windows to Home Premium and the case to RC-690 or Antec 300, then use the savings to upgrade the monitor or the video card. But anyway, very good build, I'm jealous

 

[IncognitoSOS]

Gaming Computer: Final Draft
Parts

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
289.99

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
299.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225
159.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365
304.99 (Quantity: 2)

Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004
44.98

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
99.99

Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007
59.99

SILVERSTONE OP1000-E 1000W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256043
199.99

Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support 400 cd/m2 3000:1 ACM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125
329.99

Discounts:
-25.00 (Graphics Card&Processor)


Total: 2094.89

 

[Zenthar]

Did I see 2 GTX280??? Unless you play at very high resolution (2560x1600), I don't think the extra GTX280 will give a worthwhile edge since at 1920x1200 a single 280GTX can already tackle pretty much every game with 60+ FPS even with 4xAA enabled (again, except Crysis ). You already have a SLI capable board so if you see that you really need the 2nd card, just buy one in 3-6 months the price will have dropped anyway.

Check this article for benchmarks, it includes the GTX280, GTX285, GTX260 SLI, GTX280 SLI and GTX285 SLI. Make sure you look at the 1920x1200 resolution numbers.

 

[aevm]

I don't think that case is suitable for two GTX 280 cards. Some newegg reviewers had trouble fitting 9800GTX or GTX 260 cards in it.

 

[IncognitoSOS]

How about this case?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

 

[aevm]

Much better. Yeah, that one will do very nicely.