I7 budget system need opinions and suggestions

[huskerwr38]

Here are my parts list. I want to keep it preferably lower than 1200, and I'm close. Should I just spend the extra 100 dollars for the performance or can I get a similar performance for 100 cheaper?

My main purpose for this is obviously gaming/flight sim X, multi-tasking, 3d modeling, video editing. So my main question is for the video card, cooling options, and psu. With the video card, there are so many choices and I'm overwhelmed. But the one I picked out seems like a good option for what I need.

Secondly, I'm not too sure about the psu, if it's enough, is that what I need, etc.? Last, cooling options. I plan to OC to something stable 24/7 nothing crazy. Not sure what I need with what I want/have. Thats all. Thanks.



Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail $288.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130221

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK - Retail $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493

$1,321.91

 

[Why_Me]

Nice build !

If you don't plan on running Crossfire (dual vid cards) in the future, take a look at this case and psu down below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152 $69.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 $94.99
($69.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

 

[aevm]

Not a bad build at all.

Yeah, cut the price with Home Premium 64-bit. You could also downgrade the HDD to WD6401AALS and just add more disks later if needed.

 

[huskerwr38]

Okay, thanks guys. Thats exactly the advice I was looking for.

 

[xthekidx]

I think I would go with the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R instead, its the same price and better quality...MSI tends to have problems for some reason.

 

[BingoBingo]

I suggest you shop around for the best prices. While I'm a fan & user of newegg, they do not always have the best prices and their prices move up/down quite a bit based on demand.

For instance, you can get the i7 920 CPU at microcenter for $229. You can often get hard drives cheaper at www.centralcomputers.com.

 

[bmuell]

I think I would go with the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R instead, its the same price and better quality...MSI tends to have problems for some reason.

I can't comment on the stability of the MSI board, but I know that Newegg has a combo deal with the i7 920 for $25 off. That means the mobo is $164 and that's NOT including the $20 rebate. All added up that's over $60 cheaper than the Gigabyte.

I wish I could find some detailed reviews online, because that's a VERY impressive price for an i7 board.

 

[Siggy19]

Best Buy has some decent prices on the stuff it carries and, being local, it is easier to return stuff to as well as avoiding shipping costs.

Microcenter's cheap i7 is a great deal so long as you don't buy anything else there ! They do not seem particularly cheap and have only a limited selection of some things so it looks to me like the i7 price is a very deliberate loss-leader... that's presumably why it is only available in person.

 

[itsfred2007]

i do agree with going with the Gigabyte Ud3R I seen reviews of overclocking over 4GHz with it. I would also downgrade to the Western Digital 640GB Black sata hard drive for $50 less and you can add another later. There is also a UD3R SLI or crossfire so if you wanna crossfire eventually make sure you pick the correct board. The 1600Mhz G-Skill seems like a better deal to me. But i think it is a great deal.

 

[huskerwr38]

thanks, I went with the 1600Mhz G-Skill...thanks for that. I will probably go crossfire in the future. So I've got the board. Also, went with a different case than before, what do you think? I'm sticking with MSI, I have an MSI mobo now and I like them. Anything else before I pull the trigger? Here's the updated list:


SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $59.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130221

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail $288.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5"/5.25" Card Reader - Retail $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162016

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

total $1,167.84

 

[radiowars]

Important:
On Newegg, they're offering the 850W for $100. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL031009&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL031009-_-PowerSupplies-_-L0B-_-17139009
I know the price doesn't say it, but look at this Promo: http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/latest/index-landing.aspx
So, if you wanna save $20 on that 750W PSU AND get an extra 100W go there.
Good luck

 

[huskerwr38]

I ordered my stuff today! I can't wait! I added a wireless keyboard so that I could hook it up to my 37" HD LCD TV and play on my couch. I will upload pics while I'm building it.
I do have a couple of questions, I was never really good at applying the thermal compound...any tips. Also, now I'm going to sell my other computer what do you think I can get for it? It's kinda old:
AMD Athlon 64 3500
Geforce 6800gt 256mb
2gb ram
msi k8t neo mobo
cd/dvd rw

what do you think?

 

[xthekidx]

$200-300 or so tops.