Comments on my i7 build

YellowDyeNo5

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Jul 14, 2009
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Need to get the costs narrowed down by Wednesday.

BUDGET RANGE: Around $1000, although it looks I went a little over so far

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, large scale data processing, Mathematica/Latte/Sage, general browsing and office use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Have a 1440x900 19" monitor, may upgrade now or later depending on the price. Don't need keyboard/mouse/speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com See below

PARTS PREFERENCES: none in particular

OVERCLOCKING: Yes/Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe eventually

MONITOR RESOLUTION: If I can get a cheap one now, great. If not, see above.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here's what I have so far:

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14342808

I went over budget by a bit, and would be happy to knock down the price a bit for the sake of getting a nicer monitor. I'm ok with things as they stand, however. I'm particularly partial to the case, although solely for aesthetics. If there's any good reason not to go with that particular case, I'm all ears.

Most picks are based upon recommendations I've found on these boards and others, comparison charts and so forth. The i7 was chosen for its ability to overclock, though I'd be satisfied with a Phenom if there's no benefit to the pricier processor/mobo.

Edit on request:

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

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

computersss

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Dec 9, 2008
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mmm it is pretty good but here are some modifications that will make it better and there are some combo deals

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM this is faster and better than the LG

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retailthis case is better and it doesn't contain any power supply so it is cheaper

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - RetailCORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail[/url] higher wattage to be safe if you are going to CF in the future

Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail this is slightly better than the Xigmatek and cheaper too

Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail


SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600LV6GK - Retail

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

total 1136$ before mail in rebates and shipping

note:i would suggest if you can pay some more to get the Asus P6t Deluxe V2 as it is the ideal board for CF or SLI as it has a wide space between the first and second slots

 

snow cakes

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Jun 1, 2009
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I agree with going with a 750watt or above psu, because if you want to upgrade to sli or crossfire config in the future, you know you will be safe with a 750watt. I actually just ordered that exact memory for mine, looks like a good choice and at a good price like $112 i think.
 

YellowDyeNo5

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Jul 14, 2009
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Thanks for the advice folks. Aside from it already having a power supply, will there be a large disadvantage to the case I chose? I really appreciate the look of it

That said, I priced out exactly what computersss recommended, including the upgraded mobo. With tax and shipping, I end up at $1381 (yikes). All considered, however, I think that's not bad for a computer that looks to be very well future-proofed.

 

radiowars

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Feb 15, 2009
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Well, if you want to save some money, get the 640gb version of the WD Black HD. That will save you 25$.
The CM 690 case is pretty good, but if you want to save more money, get this instead- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068.
It kinda looks like the case you wanted earlier, but for a much lower price tag. Plus, there's a special on Newegg right now, where it ships for only 9.99. It's a pretty good deal, and will save you another 35$.

Other than that, everything looks pretty good; personally, I'd stick with the Xigmatek Dark Knight, but both of the heatsinks will perform really well.