Almost Final i7 Build will this work?

shambones

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Mar 21, 2009
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Hello,

I am in the final stages of my i7 build and I am somewhat new to the building process. I just want to make sure this will work and ask if any of you have some extra advice. I am especially having trouble with the case, of all things, and I want to make sure this will all fit in there, keep good cooling, and possibly be able to expand into an SLI formation in the future. So any advise or help is greatly appreciated.

Here is goes.

This is what I already have purchased and so it will be really hard to change these components.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $229.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0300438


ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $369.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131358&Tpk=p6t6


G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8TU-6GBPI - Retail $94.99 (free with this MOBO)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $106 - $20MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM retail $21.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152



These things I still need to buy but will be purchasing very soon.


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $209.99 - $10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433


Need this for the card reader and it has a eSATA in the front. I thought this would be nice to control the fans for either noise or cooling.
AeroCool CoolPanel III Multi-functional panel - Retail $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999194


Or I could get this which would be nice because it has a Firewire with it and the card reader. My MOBO doesnt have a firewire so I thought this would still make it available for me to have one.
VANTEC UGT-CR955-BK All-in-one eSATA / USB 2.0 / FireWire 400 Card Reader - Retail $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820276004



Here is my biggest dilema because I want to buy the right case that will be of good quality but not real expensive but one that will also be able to keep the components cool if I OC and add another 260 card to do SLI. I may also in the future do a Raid set up but I dont have the money right now. So here are my four choices of cases and please tell me what you think about them with the set up I have now and what I may do in the future. Honestly, if I could I would get the NZXT Tempest but my shelf for my computer is only about 20.5" so I cant really go to a full size case without it hanging over the edge.
Thanks,

Case #1 Seems like a great case but some have said the 260 is very tight and in SLI it may be impossible
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021


Case #2 Same as the 900.
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154


Case #3 Seems alittle bigger but I dont know if the quality is as good and they say it still has some tight fits.
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137


Case #4 Seems a little bit bigger then the others and may not need a temperature sensor from above.
NZXT Guardian 921 CS-NT-GD921-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146050


Alot of information. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks for all the help.
 

Jack64

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Well, as far as cases, I have been down so many roads with them in my 15 yrs of building computers for myself and friends. I have finally settled on, get the biggest case they or you can stand to have around with the most fans and you won't be sorry. Seems like it is SO much easier to build and negotiate inside of a full tower case and the cable management is easier with a bottom mounted PSU. I have the HAF 932 and WOW, compaired to my Thermaltake Armor MX it's night and day, I do have a modular power supply and that helps as I only have to use the cables I need and don't have to manage the ones I don't. The cable management inside the HAF is insane and makes for a neat installation and everything fits perfectly and the air it moves is crazy. Anyway, thats my advice, get the biggest you can stand and go with it, make sure it is of good construction and the HAF comes with an extension for the 8 pin MB power connector to reach the top of the MB, nice!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=Haf%20932
And +1 for that Storm Sniper, Nice Nice Case!! Definately check that one out!!!!
 

08nwsula

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I have the cooler master and it is a great case. It has a lot of room and great flow without being too noisy. I have 2 120mm fans on the top and front, 1 on the bottom, and 1 on the back as well as my psu blowing out the back. my only complaint is the cable routing for the hard drives, it gets tricky after three.
 

Jack64

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Guess I should have re-read your first post.....sorry about that. The HAF is to deep by about an inch, although the rubber feet do sit back from the front by about 1 1/2" but it would still hang over, and by the time you get all the connections on the back hooked up...anoth 2-3 inches out from the back...Man, to fit that 260 or any current gen card in a box that shallow isn't gonne be easy without losing some hdd trays. Unless you have the back taken out if this is a desk with a computer shelf in it?? If that is what it is....I wouldn't recommend putting a high end computer in a cramped place like that with limited airflow....too much heat buildup. Let us know more about it's home then we can help more.
 

shambones

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I am not really up on all the other brands. I was just always told that the 2 best brands to get are XFX and EVGA because of the cooling and the warranty. So I really dont know anything about sapphire or even alot about the 4870. I thought I read where the GTX 260 beat the 4870 in most categories but I could be mistaken as my brain is mush trying to get all this processed right now.

Also, I was under the impression that SLI is better then crossfire but I really dont know if that is correct.

Guess I should have re-read your first post.....sorry about that. The HAF is to deep by about an inch, although the rubber feet do sit back from the front by about 1 1/2" but it would still hang over, and by the time you get all the connections on the back hooked up...anoth 2-3 inches out from the back...Man, to fit that 260 or any current gen card in a box that shallow isn't gonne be easy without losing some hdd trays. Unless you have the back taken out if this is a desk with a computer shelf in it?? If that is what it is....I wouldn't recommend putting a high end computer in a cramped place like that with limited airflow....too much heat buildup. Let us know more about it's home then we can help more.

The place this going to go on is just a desktop. I could maybe slant the computer and get a little bit longer but then it just wouldnt look too good. I cant believe that the case is my hardest decision of this whole computer build. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as I am just waited on the computer case.

Thanks also for the comments so far.
 

shambones

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One other note. I just found the Antec 902 for about $125. Would this be better. It is the same dimensions as the Antec 900 so I am not so sure this would be alot better. Just wondering what people know about this.

Thanks,
 

Jack64

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That Antec 902 is a nice looking case, never seen one in real life don't know how it handles the long cards...think I'll check and see if youtube has anything on it.
 

shambones

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Thanks Jack64 for giving me the information. It looks like that may be my case. I should be able to just buy the 900 but I kind of like the filter for the fans. I hope it works but of course mine will not look as cool as his does since I am not doing all the cathodes.
 

Jack64

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I wouldn't want those cold cathodes in my system...I prefer more of a subdued appearance, My last build...the one going to my son was/is a lightshow....drove me crazy with all the lights and stuff, of course it sets on the desk about 4 ft away and in full view, so it was annoying as hell, but this build I have now is perfect, nice and subdued and quiet. And YES on the filters....the HAF 932 I have doesn't have filters on the fans and I have to air dust it inside once a week...course it does sit in my garage on a workbench and the garage isn't finished....no sheetrock or insulation just studs and a big ole 8 ft door, but it is my (mancave) where I go to game and surf the net and I am the king....LOL well at least till the wife comes out here to get me to do something, but I can smoke and whatever I want when I am out here...I don't smoke in the house or the car....but here....Oh yeah!!!! LOL
 

Jack64

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Just finished reading an article over on ExtremeTech...they built thier Killer Gaming Rig...wow was it expensive like 6000 or so. Interesting read, but some of the choices are well, extreme. Like dual ssd's (1200) intel I7 965, and the HDD 1.5 TB Seagate 7200.11 (I thought those had firmware issues) And a 30" Dell monitor for like 1400!!! I guess thats why they call it the Killer Gaming rig...it'll KILL your finances. Fun to read....but there is NO way even if I could, would I put all thier choices in a gamer, the ssd's are fast but naw not worth it yet, and the 965 isn't worth the price for the performance, but thier choice for Graphics....2 GTX 285's in SLI, NOT Tri-SLI was interesting, hhmmmm. They said the ssame thing I have...2 GTX 295's doesn't outperform 2 GTX 285's by enough to make it worth the price, and I agree and I have the 295 in my system and it is very fast, but not in quad for the price, maybe with the next sli drivers...who knows. Seems like in quad, the cards stumble over themselves in some stuff.