I7 build - under $1000

I don't play all that many games, but then I do like to multi-task.

Antec 900 case

Core i7 920 2.66ghz

OCZ Gold 3 x 2gb DDR3 1600

Asus P6T SE Motherboard

Cosair 650 Watts

WD Black 750gb HDD

SAPPHIRE HD 4850 1GB

XIGMATEK Dark Knight CPU Cooler

I just want to know, what are the cons with this motherboard? Should I choose the Gigabyte one instead? Also is 650 watts enough to power this system?

Many Thanks,
Tanya S. Wong

I agree with waynec121 about Microcenter. If you are lucky enough to have one locally, check their prices before buying online. My CPU, mobo, and RAM were all cheaper from there.

I think that motherboard should be fine, ASUS is a great company and their P6T boards are top-notch. The board you selected is cheaper than any of the other P6T's because it has NO support for SLI. (you selected an ATI card, so SLI doesn't even apply to you) It might support Crossfire, but don't take my word for it.

Assuming your choice of PSU is the Corsair 650TX, you should be aware that the 750TX is the same price after MIR. You will pay $10 more up front, but the 750 has a $20 MIR instead of the $10 MIR for the 650. Essentially you can get an extra 100W for free.

If you aren't planning to overclock your system from the get-go, there's no need to purchase that CPU cooler. Don't get me wrong, it's a great cooler, but the stock cooler that comes with your CPU will be more than sufficient unless you are overclocking, so that will save you $40 right there. Even if you DO want to overclock in the future, you can always buy the cooler or a better one when that time comes.

Finally, I'd recommend getting two HDD's instead of just one and set them up in RAID 0. I put a couple of THESE BAD BOYS in my system, and they're great.

Let me know what you think.

@waynec121

I see your point about the two HDD's being more expensive, but data loss with RAID 0 doesn't worry me any more than data loss with a single drive. Granted you have 2 drives that can fail and destroy all data on both of them as opposed to just 1, but either way your going to lose all your data in the event a drive fails. I don't store anything important on my PC anyway. I store my family photos and other "irreplaceable" data on an external backup drive, or on flash drives.

I am also pro-overclocking the i7, but it can always be done later. I like to break in my processor a little before stressing it, plus it feels like getting a new computer again when you do finally overclock it.

And I forgot to mention, the P6T SE is on sale on newegg today for $179.99, still not worth buying?

Good points, I do not have much experience with RAID 0 but I always see advice for people that do want to do it to get a backup HDD. I definitely hear where your coming from and the RAID 0 is def a good suggestion but for a budget i7 rig it may not fit.

Also good point on breaking in the processor. I actually did break in my x3 720 before I overclocked it.
You have some solid advice and I hope you continue to help people on here with it!

Haha I am at work too and same goes for me. Solitaire can definitely get addicting especially when your extremely bored at work.
Helping people on TH is definitely a good use of time when you have a few hours to do nothing haha. I love "work". haha

I just realized the GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R is only $5 more, seeing as this board has better reviews......I'm not so sure anymore. What do you guys think?

If both boards have all the features you want then save yourself $5 and get the Asus. Both brands are great and you really can't go wrong with either. My personal preference would be the Asus.

edit: Thats 2 votes for the ASUS haha.