I7 build using Tax money!

[James_N]

Hello everyone,

I am getting some money back from my income tax, and I am going to spend it all on a new computer. I use the computer mainly for gaming and hope to overclock it to 3.8Ghz+. I may buy another Radeon HD 4870 1GB video card to CF in the near future.

New Parts
PS: Corsair TX850W 850W
CPU: Intel Core i7 920
MB: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
VC: SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB
Cool: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

Old Parts
Case: CoolerMaster WaveMaster. See http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/wavemaster/tact0_3.htm
HD: WD Caviar 500 GB SATA
Monitor: Dell 22" (1680x1050)
CD: Old IDE CD Burner

I have some questions for you experts:
1. Do you see any conflict in my system config above? How does the build look?
2. Is there any problem (with video card or others) using the old WaveMaster case?
3. I find that the RAM is a bit expensive. Is there other cheaper good alternatives? Yes, I will overclock the system
4. With my resolution, is it worth it to buy another Radeon HD 4870 1GB card?

Thank you all in advance!
James

 

[xthekidx]

A 750tx would be enough for your system, you don't need the 850tx even for 2 4870's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

On the ram, this is a better deal and I suggest you get this instead. Dominators are nice but way overpriced.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Get the Toxic version of the Saphire 4870. It has a light overclock on it and a better heatsink/cooler on it which will be helpful since those cards generate a lot of heat:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102815

Everything else looks good to me.

 

[WR2]

2. Is there any problem (with video card or others) using the old WaveMaster case?
4. With my resolution, is it worth it to buy another Radeon HD 4870 1GB card?

2. The old Wave Master case would fit the 10.5" 8800GTX so it should handle the 9.5" 4870s fine.
4. For 1680x1050 resolution 1 4870 is just about right. It's best to start out with one and do your own testing to see if it's performance makes you happy.

 

[James_N]

Thank you all for your reply. I will use the Corsair TX750W and the Toxic version of the Saphire 4870.

Does using cheaper memory like the OCZ Platinum affect the overclocking performance of the CPU?

Why is it that the CORSAIR Dominator with timing 8-8-8-24 more expensive than a FASTER memory like the OCZ Platinum with timing of 7-7-7-24?

James

 

[James_N]

Thank you all for your reply. I will use the Corsair TX750W and the Toxic version of the Saphire 4870.

Does using cheaper memory like the OCZ Platinum affect the overclocking performance of the CPU?

Why is it that the CORSAIR Dominator with timing 8-8-8-24 more expensive than a FASTER memory like the OCZ Platinum with timing of 7-7-7-24?

James

 

[xthekidx]

Because Corsair Dominator is a better known name than OCZ Platinum. The OCZ ram is excellent quality, I have it and its very good. The Ram will not effect overclocking the CPU as long as you have 1600mhz ram or faster, you will be able to overclock the CPU up to 4ghz and still run your ram at decent speeds.

Ram quality doesn't affect CPU speed so much, but once you overclock the CPU and find your max BCLK, you will have to base your ram speed off of that, using the ram multiplier to set the speed. If you set the speed of your CPU at 3.5 ghz for example (175x20) then you can set your ram speed to either 1404 or 1758 (x8 or x10 ram multipliers). If your ram cannot overclock to the higher speed, you have to run it at a lower one. Buying higher rated ram will allow for you to set the speed higher. Dominators are known for overclocking very well, OCZ isn't as much, but I know from experience that they do pretty well.