Core i7 build advice please

[orbitaround]

Hi guys,

I would like advice on my planned i7 build below. I will mostly be playing FPS shooters like COD4 and Crysis. Any advice would greatly be appreciated

( I heard 2 gpu's will be better with the i7? If so would I need a bigger psu?)

(Will i need an aftermarket cpu heatsink and/or cooler?)

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

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

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W 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=N82E16817139006

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

RAM
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

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

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337
(I will be purchasing SSD's in the near future when prices drop)

DVD±RW
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

Monitor
SAMSUNG ToC T220 Rose-Black 22" 2ms GTG Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001273

 

[Maverick_i7]

Hey there,

I have almost the exact same setup except I'm running two XFX GTX260 Black Editions in SLI, and have an Asus P6T mobo. It runs Crysis Warhead on my 24" widescreen @ 1920x1200 with the settings at max (8x AA).

The 750TX runs my system just fine, as far as I can tell. With only one card you will definitely be set... I don't know too much about the ATI offerings, but you can check out the comparison between single and multi-gpu performance here: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517

Cheers!

 

[aevm]

It all looks good, but replace the HDD with a WD1001FALS. Seagate drives are risky these days because of a firmware bug that tends to kill them.

You don't need more than a HD 4870 1GB for a 22" monitor. If you do want to add another, the 750TX will allow it, no problems.

The GTX 260 is a good card too. I just prefer the HD 4870 1GB because it's quieter.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-4870,1964-16.html

You don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler. Leave that to overclockers.

@Maverick_i7: your 750TX can support two GTX 260 cards, yes, but you're pushing it outside its optimal range. I guess you'll be fine with it unless you overclock the CPU and add a bunch of hard drives and a TV tuner and so on. nVidia's recommendations for GTX 260 SLI are here, btw:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

 

[sheppyb]

orbit

You do not have to buy into the hype that an ultra-large PSU is necessary for SLI/CF. Even in Anandtech's recent multi-gpu reviews (2-way, 3-way, and 4-way) the maximum 2-gpu setup's total system loaded power was less than 500W. This was with 2 285's in SLI. Both Anandtech and TH have made comments on industry pushing unnecessarily large PSU's on consumers. Just make sure your model has the required connections and amps per 12V rail for your rig.

The brand / model I personally use for my i7/SLI'ed 260 c216 setup is the Silverstone ST70F 700W SLI/CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified modular PSU.

Per Anandtech's recent System Buyer's Guide:

"The Silverstone 700W has made almost everyone's top performance list for a PSU and it is a good buy at its regular selling price. At the current selling price of $100, it is an outstanding value. The Silverstone is a modular power supply with the flexibility offered by custom cable selection and arrangement."

The ST70F also won TH Best of 2008 award.

Both the PC&Cooling and Corsair models are good choices too. I chose the Silverstone over the Corsair because I wanted a modular PSU and didn't want the 12 other non-used cables taking up space in my CM-690 case. Some modular designs use subpar connections designs; however, SS's is rock solid.

You can also look at a PSU's power efficiency at this site or others to check how your particular PSU's efficiency varies as it is stressed.

Cheers

 

[5thHorseman]

I have seen a lot of posts saying that even non overclocked i7s should have an upgraded CPU cooler as the stock one is just not good at all. I don't know from experience though. Also, IMO, I would upgrade to a little on the power supply, the 1200 case has 6 120mm fans and a 200mm fan on top, thats a lot of power just for the fans, along with a large GPU, fast RAM, large HD and an optical drive, for the few extra dollars, I would go with a 1000 watt just to be safe, better to have too much power than not enough

 

[sheppyb]

[quotemsg

the 1200 case has 6 120mm fans and a 200mm fan on top, thats a lot of power just for the fans ...[/quotemsg]

Another uninformed post, typical case fan power draw (even its max stalled power if the blades are obstructed) is typically in the 2, 3, 4, 5 watt range. That is not a lot of power at all and continues to misinform people on power requirements.

Cheers

 

[orbitaround]

OK thanks for all the replies guys
I ordered the WD1001FALS instead of the Seagate, but kept everything else the same
Can't wait for all the parts to come in!
Thanks again guys!