FPS Gaming i7 920 build

[DarkHorse72]

I picked up a i7 920 recently and looking to build my first PC. Previously, I was looking at buy that refurbished Gateway FX6800 that was on sale for $700+ but didn't pull the trigger since I thought the experience of building my own PC would be worth the added price of building and i7 system.

I have been out of loop of PC hardware for 3 years so I don't really have a good handle on what is the breaking point for best performance and value is.

I want a system that has stability and I will learn to overclock it but I'm not going to go nuts with pushing it to the point where reliablity and stability is an issue.

In the past, I tend not to constantly tinker with the PC to get the very last ounce of performance out of it. I would update drivers and see if my GPU is getting too old to play the current gen FPS game or not and change it out.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: bUY IN 1 WEEK OR asap if there's good deal

BUDGET RANGE: $1200-$1400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: FPS gaming(Battlefield games), surfing and bittorrent

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Intel Core i7 920 processor($215), keyboard, mouse, Viewsonic VX2260 lcd, old 2.1 speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com or other website where I can buy most of it to save on shipping or get a combo deal

PARTS PREFERENCES:

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

**Is the P6T Deluxe a good mb that is easy to setup and tweak for a beginner to oc?
**Any other choices that is just as good for cheaper?


EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

**Not sure if which brand GTX260 is good or if a 4870 is a better choice for FPS gaming

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

**Should I get the WD 1T version for a few bucks more?

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

**Will this PSU be good enough for a few years if I go SLI/Crossfire in a year? Or is it overkill?
**Is there a cheaper alternative that is a modular PSU so that there is less wires/clutter?

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $95

**Or should I do OCZ?
**What timings should I get if I want to try to overclock?

Xigmatek Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $40

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

**I guess bite the bullet on Vista and then Win7 whenever it gets out

CM 690 Black SECC/ATX Mid Tower, W/O window, W/O PSU - Refurbished $46
http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/product_info.php?products_id=109

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

**I'd like some USB ports on top or easy to access. I may put this pc in the bedroom so I don't
**need it to be a light show. A quiet and easy to build case would be tops.
**I'm concerned that either the CM690 or Antec 900 may have space issues if I try SLI/Crossfire.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe later but for now I would like a good GPU is a value/performance choice that I can later go SLI or Crossfire

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Any other suggestions for processor/cooler paste or anything else I may have missed?

Prices already reflect any instant discount/Rebate.

Total with i7 920, CM690 = $1240

All your suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[RiotSniperX]

You defenitly did your homework, well the PSU should be the Corsair 850watt, a CM HAF 932 has very good air flow and quite large. As for the cpu cooler get the

Noctua NH-U12P $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

2 WD in Raid 0 $80x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals

Asus P6T V2 $289

CM HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=Coolermaster%20HAF%20932

Vista $100
LG Optical Drive $25

ATI HD 4890 Xtreme
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

Corsair Dominator 1600 $156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Corsair 850watt $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Total = $1212

 

[Jack64]

Here is what I came up with:


LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM Item #: N82E16827136152
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy $24.99
. .
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811119160
$159.99
$149.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1281-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814130442
-$49.99 Saving
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$354.99
$305.00


CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817139009
$20.00 Instant $159.99 $139.99


OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
-$35.00 Instant
$139.99 $104.99


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM Item #: N82E16832116488
$99.99


2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 79.99 Ea
159.98


XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835233029
-$5.00 Instant
$44.99
$39.99

Subtotal: $1,074.92
Calculate Shipping
Zip Code: . GO
Shipping: $36.18

1111.11 with shipping

 

[Jack64]

Oh hell, I forgot the MB
OOOOPS
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 289
That brings the total to 1406 with shipping
SORRY!!!

 

[xthekidx]

Good options from those two posts above. Look here you might find some good savings:
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Apr-0-2009/FreshDeal02/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL040209&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL040209-_-email-_-E0-_-Click&cm_lm=jjbtexas@aol.com

Consider this GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830

 

[Jack64]

Good options from those two posts above. Look here you might find some good savings:
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Apr-0-2009/FreshDeal02/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL040209&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL040209-_-email-_-E0-_-Click&cm_lm=jjbtexas@aol.com

Consider this GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830

See, I knew someone would come in here, thekid is a whiz at this kind of stuff. He and Why-Me are really good at this, take thier advice and all will be well, he can find savings where I can't!! I'm too slow at this and always forget stuff in my post....like the MB earlier.....I'm an idiot!! Thx kid for coming to the rescue. Much Appreciated!!

 

[WR2]

P6T Deluxe V2 question is yes - good and easy. And plain P6T is also a very good choice for a bit less.

Video cards - GTX 260 is a good value right now but keep an eye out for a good deal on a GTX 275 or HD 4890.

CORSAIR 850TX should be good for any dual card setup except the GTX 295 and HD 4870 x2
In a big open case like you're looking at modular PSUs aren't so important.

CM 690 and Antec 900 are a good choice for a dual GPU setup. The Antec 900 requires you plan ahead on where to mount HDDs (lowest part of HDD cage) to keep the out of the way of long GPUs. The CM 690 mounts HDDs sideways so the cable don't intrude in the GPU space.

 

[Jack64]

P6T Deluxe V2 question is yes - good and easy. And plain P6T is also a very good choice for a bit less.

Video cards - GTX 260 is a good value right now but keep an eye out for a good deal on a GTX 275 or HD 4890.

CORSAIR 850TX should be good for any dual card setup except the GTX 295 and HD 4870 x2
In a big open case like you're looking at modular PSUs aren't so important.

CM 690 and Antec 900 are a good choice for a dual GPU setup. The Antec 900 requires you plan ahead on where to mount HDDs (lowest part of HDD cage) to keep the out of the way of long GPUs. The CM 690 mounts HDDs sideways so the cable don't intrude in the GPU space.

Ya know. if more folks would think like this...Me for instance, when I built my I7 with the GTX 295, I had the Armor MX+ and thought all would be well....TILL I tried to install the graphics card....Had to buy an ICAGE to move the hdds into the 5 1/4 bays to make room for that monster....The next afternoon, I ordered the HAF 932.
Good call on the long cards....wish I had been a member back when I built mine....or before coz I already had the MX+ from my previous build...

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 <--- Better pics and reviews on this link for that case that I put in this build.

http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=3020 <---The mobo I used in this build; specs, etc...

http://www.securemart.com/SMA2101442?pcode=4&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=freeppc $119.91
Cooler Master RC-932-KKN1-GP HAF 932 Chassis - 12 Bays - Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 $139.99 ($119.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

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

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=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143155 $178.99 Free Shipping*
BFG Tech BFGEGTX260MC896OCE GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $79.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
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

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

Total: $1,261.81 *(not including shipping and rebates)

 

[DarkHorse72]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys!

What do you think of this PSU?
SILVERSTONE ST70F 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045

Is this enough for two cards later?

How is the CM690 compared with the full size Cooler Master HAF 932?
I don't foresee having anymore than two hard drives, a DVD or bluray later.

If the CM690 has enough space for two GPUs then I don't see a need for the 932 case. Is there other things I'm not thinking about or not aware of that I really should go with the 932?

What do you guys think of the new GTX 275 or HD 4890 since they are just out and basically a reference design repacked?

 

[xthekidx]

The Haf has better cooling than the 690, and it has a removable motherboard tray which makes working on your system much easier. It also gives you the option of top or bottom mounting the PSU, and has room for watercooling. If none of those things appeal to you or are not necessary, then the CM 690 should do fine for you, it has plenty of room for what you want to do.

That silverstone PSU is a good one. Reliable, modular, and good price. It would probably be enough for two gtx 260's or two 4870's. I would prefer to go with the 750tx or 850tx though, even though they are not modular they give you more headroom and are very high quality.

 

[nickhoff]

Is the cable management on the Haf 690 or CM 690, as nice as it is on the Antec 1200? Being able to run everything behind the mobo was beautiful, you can't really see any cables only the power supply cables.

 

[xthekidx]

The Haf has similar cable management to the 1200, another thing that the haf has over the CM 690. You can do the same with the 690, but not as easily.

 

[nickhoff]

Why get the Haf or CM 690 over the Antec 1200, unless space was an issue?

 

[Why_Me]

Why get the Haf or CM 690 over the Antec 1200, unless space was an issue?

http://www.securemart.com/SMA2101442?pcode=4&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=freeppc <---HAF is $60 cheaper than the 1200, and has more space which is a big plus when running dual vid cards. You get more for your $$$ with the HAF.

 

[nickhoff]

I paid 119$ for my 1200 at microcenter, it pays to shop around.

 

[Why_Me]

I paid 119$ for my 1200 at microcenter, it pays to shop around.

Agreed. Too many people on here limit their shopping to newegg.

 

[xthekidx]

Why get the Haf or CM 690 over the Antec 1200, unless space was an issue?

Only reason to get the 690 would be price. The Haf has slightly better cooling for a dual GPU setup and has a removable motherboard tray, which is nice to have. The 230mm fans on the haf are also quieter than the 1200. The 1200 is a great case too, a lot of it just comes down to personal preference. Some people like red more than blue.