New Build, Gaming PC

[countrypilot]

Hi there. Long time reader, first time poster on Toms Hardware. My previous system just died after 3 years, and now it is time for a new one.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next week BUDGET RANGE: 2000-2500 CAN. (lower the better within this range) before taxes and shipping

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, internet, movies, multi-tasking

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: speakers, psu Corsair 650tx

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not Picky, would prefer a full-tower case

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, at a later date SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, at a later date

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is for a complete system, ie tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse. I intend it to last 2-3 years of peak gaming, with upgrades. I will reuse the psu, since it has only seen about 4 months of service, unless it will be incapable of supplying the system as is.. will be upgrading after a year when adding a second graphics card. System must have a minimum 3 Tb of storage. Will use vista premium 64-bit until the release of Win 7.


This is what I have considered to date. Please feel free to criticize/suggest different options. As is, it comes out to 2131.31 before taxes. Canadian dollars.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail 309.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail 84.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 339.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail 104.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail 223.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM 109.99 X 3
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

PLEXTOR Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X 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 Burner - OEM 50.49
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249043

OKGEAR 36" SATA II cable, UV BLUE Model GC36AUBM12 - OEM 3.49 X 4
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123136

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail 119.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

Saitek PZ30AU Black 104 Normal Keys 4 Function Keys USB Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail 39.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103

Logitech MX Revolution Black 7 Buttons 2 x Wheels USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse - Retail 104.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104015

ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built in Speakers - Retail 209.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM 135.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488CVF

U.S. Robotics USR5637 56Kbps USB High-performance V.92 modem - Retail 61.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825104006CVF

Couple extra notes: I need a dial-up modem due to my location at the moment, no access to high-speed net (hence also impossible to use Win7 RC). Will be adding a second identical monitor at a later date.

Thanks ahead for the suggestions

 

[Proximon]

Pfft. You didn't really need our help at all

In order to get your links to work you need to place a description between the ] and [.

What's with the 3 foot long SATA cables?

Vista is shipping with free windows 7 upgrade here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677
So maybe wait a week if you can to see if you start getting that there.

What was your total? I don't want to make your build a clone of everyone else's, but I think you might do a bit better on the case. Xclio is a good case maker in some ways, but I have had my hands on a few and I find Cooler Master and Antec have a higher quality feel. Maybe that's more important to me though, as I prefer higher end cases personally such as Silverstone or Lian Li.

 

[countrypilot]

Thanx for the Reply.
I will try contacting customer service about that combo you have from the american side.
The total came out to 2131.31 before taxes, canadian.

I chose the 36 in cables to facilitate wiring when building, i prefer a neat case, and it is a big pain ordering for parts where i am ( 2 week delays).

Really the only part i'm not quite sure of at the moment is the 650TX i plan on reusing. Will it really be enough for this system?

 

[Proximon]

Yes but not a second 4890. All that hardware and two of those cards would be too much.

Cooler Master cases are the best for cable routing:

HAF
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

Storm Sniper
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194&Tpk=Storm%20Sniper

 

[sontan]

I would save my windows vista money and download windows 7 rc. Its good for 1 year then buy windows 7 next year intead of vista