True Newb First Time Builder's 1st New Comp In 5 Years. Please Advise

[burghboy]

I have been putting up with my old Alienware p4 for the last 5 years and I am finally going to get a new system. I have never built a rig from scratch but have swapped out almost every part on this one at one time or another. Since I probably will keep this rig for about 3 years I figured I would go i7.

Currently I don’t play any games other than WoW but do plan on playing COD4. I want to build something that will play the latest games out there although I am most looking forward to Star Wars: The Old Republic. My budget is no more than 2000 (not including OS and Monitor) although I would like to keep it as far under as possible.

I am a heavy multi-tasker which is another reason why I feel i7 is the way to go but if you guys think something different will suffice please let me know. I would also like to get into overclocking and heard of guys hitting 4.0 on air. Although as a newbie I doubt I would want to try to get that high but wanted to know if it is possible with the components I chose. Also I am going on vacation in a couple of weeks but would like to start ordering some things ASAP. I know I will be ordering the RAM and GC when I return but which items are safe to order now, meaning they tend to not fluctuate much.

HAF 932 169.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=haf%20932

or

Thermal Take Spedo Advance 229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133072 which would be a better option

Asus P6t Deluxe – 299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346

Core i7 920 – 279.99
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-2-66GHz-Hyper-Threading-LGA1366-Processor/dp/B001H5T7LK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235789264&sr=1-1 I have also seen people saying they got it for 240 does anyone know where that deal is located

OCZ platinum 6GB CL 7-7-7-24 – 139.99
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ3P1600LV6GK-PC3-12800-1600MHz-Platinum/dp/B001NFZ5PQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1235789392&sr=1-1

PC Power and Cooling 750w - 89.99
http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-S75CF-Crossfire/dp/B000VVVNNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235789487&sr=1-1

WD Caviar Black 640MB HD – 69.99
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-WD6400AAKS-Caviar-Internal/dp/B0017XUX7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235789534&sr=1-1

LG Black 22X (CAV) 22X DVD+-DVD Burner SATA – 24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

Sapphire Radeon 4850 x2 – 274.99
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-HD4850-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B001KAKT4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235789755&sr=1-1

or

EVGA 285GTX 339.99
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-01G-P3-1281-AR-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B001PLSCOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235790601&sr=1-1

Coolermaster V8 – 65.99
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Nickel-Aluminum-Heatpipes/dp/B001KUV2KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235791092&sr=1-1


Lastly since I am going from 2GB RDRAM and a 7600GT I blown away will I be on a scale of 1-10?

 

[aford10]

First, I would say you picked some very nice parts.

I would suggest going with the HAF to save some $$. They are both very nice, but the HAF has plenty of room and cooling. They also look similar. Use the money saved to upgrade to the video card below.

I haven't heard much good about that 4850 x2. I would suggest this 4870 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

Hard to say how much better it is without knowing your old system specs. From the ones you listed, I would say a 9.

 

[Proximon]

Go with the HAF or the CM sniper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

I think you would be blown away by either video card choice. Buying one GTX285 now might be a nice choice, as you'll get a bit more from an upgrade with a second card later, should you choose.

Don't forget the thermal paste and Vista 64-bit.

Throw in a mild overclock and it will be so fast you won't be able to stand it.

 

[xthekidx]

Haf and i7 combo-save $25 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.160672

I would leave the door open to SLI and get this PSU instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx

What size of monitor will you play on? If its going to be 24" or bigger then get the GTX 285, smaller than that you will be fine with the 4850x2 and won't need more than that. The 4850x2 is a great card btw, you can read about it here if you want:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517&p=1

Make sure you get 64 bit OS.

Get the V2:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365&Tpk=p6t%20v2

 

[xthekidx]

Lastly since I am going from 2GB RDRAM and a 7600GT I blown away will I be on a scale of 1-10?

10.5-11 I'd say you will be very pleased with your new system. You should be able to get 4ghz on the components you chose if you wanted.

 

[xthekidx]

GPU's, and ram fluctuate the most, so order those last. Then proabably HDD's. Cases, PSU's, Optical Drives, coolers are usually pretty stable, that motherboard has been that price since it was released. If you find good combo deals, order those first because those do not last long.

 

[burghboy]

Haf and i7 combo-save $25 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.160672

I would leave the door open to SLI and get this PSU instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx

What size of monitor will you play on? If its going to be 24" or bigger then get the GTX 285, smaller than that you will be fine with the 4850x2 and won't need more than that. The 4850x2 is a great card btw, you can read about it here if you want:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517&p=1

Make sure you get 64 bit OS.

Get the V2:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365&Tpk=p6t%20v2

going to keep my current monitor for about 2 months and then upgrade to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

or is that not a good monitor to get

 

[xthekidx]

That is a huge monitor...too big for my tastes for gaming, however that's just me. 24" is as big as I would go for a gaming monitor. But if you want that one then I would look at the GTX 295, that monitor will require a lot of firepower from the GPU.

 

[burghboy]

Just pulled the trigger on some of my components

HAF 932
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-High-Tower-Black/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116249&sr=1-1

WD Caviar Black 640MB HD
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Black-WD6401AALS/dp/B001GQYYSQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1238116222&sr=1-2

Core i7 920
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-2-66GHz-Hyper-Threading-LGA1366-Processor/dp/B001H5T7LK/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b

OCZ platinum 6GB
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ3P1600LV6GK-PC3-12800-1600MHz-Platinum/dp/B001NFZ5PQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116176&sr=1-1

Corsair 850w TX
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-850TX-850-Watt-Certified-Supply/dp/B001M3G42W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116120&sr=8-1

some of the other components I am leaning towards are:

coolermaster v8
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Nickel-Aluminum-Heatpipes/dp/B001KUV2KQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116387&sr=8-1

EVGA x58 tri SLI

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-132-BL-E758-A1-Motherboard-Tri-Channel-Utility/dp/B001KX8VES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116428&sr=1-1

EVGA 285 GTX
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-01G-P3-1281-AR-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B001PLSCOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238116488&sr=1-1

Any feedback on the components I already ordered (it isn't too late to cancel them) or any suggestions on better components than the ones I have yet to order?

 

[waynec121]

the components you got are great choices! no worries there
as for the mobo i would go with the asus p6t deluxe v2....it is a very well laid out board for SLI or Xfire. Then i would get the coolermaster v8 or xigmatek dark knight for the cpu cooler. The gtx 285 is a perfect choice for gpu especially if you stick with a 24" monitor. If you upgrade to bigger later on you should get another gtx 285 to sli and that would be perfect for a larger, higher resolution monitor!!!

 

[Jack64]

You made some very good choices, this thing is gonna fly and knock your socks off at the same time!! Halfway wish I had gone with the GTX 285 and gotten another a little later, instead of the GTX 295, but I am really impressed with the 295 no complaints, just could have saved a little money and then the second 285 in sli would have beaten my 295.....but hind sight is 20/20 and I wasn't a member when I built mine, just researched alot!

 

[burghboy]

are there any drawbacks to the evga motherboard http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-132-BL-E758-A1-Motherboard-Tri-Channel-Utility/dp/B001KX8VES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238251993&sr=1-1 the reason I ask is because I can get it just a couple of dollars more than the regular p6T (about 30 dollars cheaper than the deluxe v2). So far I am coming in pretty far under budget so if the p6T deluxe v2 is that much better than its no problem paying the extra money but I want to be sure it is worth it. I am also a big fan of EVGA's support.

Also which is the better cooler between the Coolermaster v8 and the Xigmatek Dark Knight. I was under the impression the Dark Knight was a better value but when I was reading it almost seems like it is the better cooler even when money is taken out of the equation.

Are the new ATI graphics cards supposed to be released this week? If so is there a competitor for the 285gtx or are they lower end than that.

Lastly what is the best thermal compound to get. The guys at work swear by arctic silver but I was leaning towards the MX-2 or is there a better choice. I have never worked with thermal paste before.

 

[Jack64]

are there any drawbacks to the evga motherboard http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-132-BL-E758-A1-Motherboard-Tri-Channel-Utility/dp/B001KX8VES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238251993&sr=1-1 the reason I ask is because I can get it just a couple of dollars more than the regular p6T (about 30 dollars cheaper than the deluxe v2). So far I am coming in pretty far under budget so if the p6T deluxe v2 is that much better than its no problem paying the extra money but I want to be sure it is worth it. I am also a big fan of EVGA's support.

Also which is the better cooler between the Coolermaster v8 and the Xigmatek Dark Knight. I was under the impression the Dark Knight was a better value but when I was reading it almost seems like it is the better cooler even when money is taken out of the equation.

Are the new ATI graphics cards supposed to be released this week? If so is there a competitor for the 285gtx or are they lower end than that.

Lastly what is the best thermal compound to get. The guys at work swear by arctic silver but I was leaning towards the MX-2 or is there a better choice. I have never worked with thermal paste before.

I didn't know ATI was releasing any video cards this week....I googled it and got nothing. If you have a link to it please post...I'm not in the market for one, I just purchased one a few weeks ago (GTX 295) but I'm sure some on here might like to know about any. Thx

 

[burghboy]

Not sure how concrete it is but I saw this in quite a few places. I have no idea on the specs and even if I did I probably wouldn't be able to decipher what it all means. I just read Toms and hope that someone more knowledgeable than myself weighs in.

http://www.overclock3d.net/news.php?/gpu_displays/nvidia_pushes_back_gtx_275_release/1

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/rumor_amd_release_ati_hd_4890_earlier_expected

 

[Jack64]

Cool, I had no idea, very interesting. Thx

 

[aford10]

Thanks for the links!

I'd be a little cautious about buying that card when released. If they are hurrying the release date just to spite NVidia's gtx275, they may be overlooking some potential issues.

Although it should drop the prices on the 4870.