New i7core build

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chronicbucks

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Hey everyone, I am pumped to be on this board! I am going to embark on my first ever build. I am using an alienware pc that is about 4 years old. I have only upgraded a few things inside, and have never really built anything from scratch. I have been doing a bit of shopping around, and am starting to formulate a list of things i am going to use in this build. I have a few questions i hope to get answered! I would like to overclock this machine, just because I have never done that before, and a bunch of my friends brag and love to overclock!

Uses: Gaming, Web Designing, Watching Movies, Graphic Arts
Budget: 1500$

CPU Processor
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374

or

EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

or

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362

Power Supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

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

GPU
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM - 2 Of Them
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Optical Drive
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X 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 with LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

OS
Windows Vista 64 Bit

Case
XCLIO A380BK Fully Black SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case – 104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010

I have a few questions about the motherboards...i am between those three, and as i said above, i would ideally like to overclock a bit :) so hopefully you guys can give me some advice as to which of those mobo's would work best. I want HD Audio if possible, as I game quit a bit! Also, when i was looking at the MOBO's i saw that some run at a higher speed memory, i am wondering if it makes a difference running 1600(pc3/12800) compared with 2100?

Now on to the video card...I imagine that would be enough, I do attach to an HD Monitor so It would be ideal that i could have an HD hookup or at least the capability.

I was thinking about maybe adding an HDD with a higher RPM to increase speeds, maybe a 150 Velociraptor? let me know if you think that would be worth the money?

Operating System question, right now on my notebook pc i use vista, and i have actually had a great experience with this, I have had no issues. I am wondering if i should use windows 7 or Vista. once again I have no problems with vista, was just suggesting maybe Windows 7 cause it is the next release!

Now on to the case...i am a 20 yr old college student who is into the lights and all of that junk, but i will be leaving this computer in my bedroom, so the noise factor is very big, as well as proper ventilation, that is key, the one i have picked out seemed to me like it would provide adequate cooling, with some flashy lighting, and big enough to fit everything i would like

And anything else you want to either comment on, or any advice you can give me would be awesome, once again this will be my first build, but I want a machine that will be on point for awhile.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
 
drunknmunkys

drunknmunkys

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-That is the best HDD you can buy for the money, raptors are a waste.

-OCZ Platinum RAM has better timings and is cheaper with MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

-Unless you need the extra functionality, these boards should do you fine:

ASUS P6T SE (no SLI, just Xfire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131386

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R (SLI and Xfire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375

-If you don't plan on going multi-gpu then that PSU is overkill.

-Use Windows 7, don't buy Vista now.
 
drunknmunkys

drunknmunkys

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A single 275 should be able to run most everything on max settings. If you want to save a little, you could go with the HD 4890. I've got one and run Crysis on max settings @ 1920x1200. And you have the option to get a 2nd and Xfire/SLI later if you need to.

To start out with, one of either of those cards should be sufficient.
 
drunknmunkys

drunknmunkys

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OCZ Platinum
Timing 7-7-7-24

G.Skill
Timing 9-9-9-24

Lower is faster.
 
C

chronicbucks

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mess around with water cooling??

i envision OC of about 50%...something around 4-4.4 ghz....also what do you think the peak overclock on this computer would be?
 
jerreece

jerreece

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I'll throw this out there since I just saw the Advertisement here on Tom's.

http://promotions.newegg.com/Intel/Corei7Bundle/index.html?cm_mmc=TomsHardware-_-CPUIntelBundle-_-NA-_-NA

Core i7 920, Asus P6T Mobo, and 6GB OCZ Gold RAM bundled.

:) I'm at work, so I'm just going to post that and let you see how it compares price wise to what you're looking at.

I'm using the FREE Windows 7 RC (build 7100) right now, and it runs great. Honestly have not had a single crash with it since I installed it 2-3 weeks ago. I've played brand new games (The Sims 3, Cryostatis, Age of Conan) and OLD games (Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos) and haven't had problems.

Advantage for Vista, is you can buy it and keep it long term. Disadvantage with Win 7 is, you may want to reinstall when you buy the latest Retail build if/when you choose to purchase it. Otherwis Win 7 Beta lasts until March 2010 if I recall properly.

I'm enjoying Win 7 though. :)
 
C

chronicbucks

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i have never built a machine, or upgraded a windows platform

all the machines i have purchased came pre-loaded with the OS

what all does a reinstall of an operating system entail?
 
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chronicbucks

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hey man, im somewhat of a noob when it comes to this stuff...i got what you showed me was a very good test, so would you recommend i stick with the G Skill, and dont go with the OCZ??

what about the timing differences between the 7 and 9 latency

sounders fan, good man, i live in kirkland myself!
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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Jan 17, 2008
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The G.SKILL you have in your build is great RAM, but slow timings. I would say go with either the OCZ or the G.SKILL I linked. Either one is a good choice.
 
F

famciclovirrr

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For the case i would suggest a CM HAF RC 932 and for the power supply unit i would choose the Corsair 750W
 
ronss

ronss

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Well,,,i don,t like spending that much money for intels flagship cpu,s and the expensive motherboards,,but you absolutely want to go intel...the motherboard and cpu look great.....you can get equal peformance from an amd phenom II 955, and the motherboards can be had a lot cheaper too., and take the extra money and buy an ati 4890....i just bought a 4890,,,should get it on the 17th..

for the psu...corsair tx is not as good as their hx psu,s...i know becaue i have read a ton of reviews on psu,s,,,,but if you are strapped for $,,the tx model would probably be okay...

might also look at this one-
hx620,,it actually puts out close to 700watts , and is modular.....but the tx750 is very popular, and the egg sold a ton of em...so i would not be afraid to buy it

i have this coolermaster case, and it is the best i have every owned...can see though the top if it..i can see the lights inside my case...has redish lights in front...but its expensive.......realize you are a student...so this might not be for you;...$$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119150

just thought i through some plaster against the wall, but in the end...read reviews, get opinions, and then make your final decision.
 
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