First post. First build. Thoughts?

[justaguest]

So, this is my first custom build. Was leaning towards a cyberpower because they are dirt cheap right now, but decided to do it myself. Mainly because the cabinet for my tower could only be 19" in depth which ruled out most cases.

Here is my build. Let me know if I messed up anywhere.

-Intel Core i7 Processor 920
-Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R 1333 ATX Motherboard
-Corsair XMS 6GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Memory Kit
-Thermaltake V9 Mid Tower Gaming Case
-Coolmax CXI-600B 600 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply
-Ceramique Premium High-Density Thermal Compound
-SUPER TALENT INTAIN1MCR All-in-one Card Reader
-LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with Smart Erase Black IDE Model
-OKGEAR 18" SATA II Cable Model GC18AKM
-Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD

Wanted to keep it under $1100 which is why I went with that mobo. Everything with tax and shipping was $1099.


So go easy on me. My first build. Thanks

 

[xthekidx]

Graphics card?

 

[xthekidx]

With a budget of $1100, it would be much better to go E8500 or Q9550 build rather than i7. If you attempt an i7 build with a budget smaller than about $1200 you have to compromise too much which severely limits upgrade options later on.

Here is my version of a bare minimum i7 build, $1200 -$30 for i7/mobo combo and -$50 Rebates, Total comes to $1120 +S&H.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10694326

 

[Akebono 98]

+1 to xthekidx.

For an i7 build, don't go for anything less than this Gigabyte EX58-UD4P mobo. Otherwise, you might find yourself short of a few features later on.

 

[justaguest]

Not sure how I left out the gfx. I went with a sapphire 4850.

I am not much of a gamer. I play around a little bit, but my main focus for the build was more for video editing. I received a 1080p camcorder for Christmas to tape the races I go to across the country, and my old PC just laughs and locks up.

I ended up going with the MSI platinum SLI board. I would have bought it earlier, but they were out of stock. Microcenter just got them in today, so I was able to swap them out.

 

[xthekidx]

So did you already purchase all the components of your system? What did you end up getting?

 

[justaguest]

I went with the list above, except with the MSI board, rather than the UD3R.

Total out the door was 1109 after tax and shipping (California...). I really like the case, but the tray retainers are kind of...crappy.

 

[justaguest]

Little update here...

Got everything up and running this last weekend.

Ended up hitting 4.1Ghz @84-85c with prime95, or 73c without HT. Going to try a Noctua HSF to try and get those temps down so I can feel a little more comfortable leaving it at 4Ghz+

 

[dp38104]

Nice & cheap for an i7. Which MSI board? Eclipse or platinum?

 

[justaguest]

I went with the MSI platinum SLI board. I am not a very big fan of the OC software it comes with though. It won't let you check your QPI voltage, has a locked bclk of 199 (have to change bclk in BIOS to get 200+), and it gives conflicting voltage and temperature readings.