Project Dark Knight - DONE! PICTURES UPLOADED!

[waynec121]

Hello all,
It is time for a project build that I have been wanting to do. The theme is to try and make a sophisticated, stealthy build that is all blacked out. My budget is around $1750 for everything. That includes the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I already have speakers. I will be using Windows 7 RC for a while until I decide to splurge on a new OS. (Windows 7). Remember I am trying to make this build look stealthy and sophisticated.

Parts:

CPU: i7 920
$200 at local microcenter

MOBO: EVGA $328 COMBO w/ RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

RAM: OCZ Platinum CAS 7 - COMBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

GPU: EVGA GTX 275 - $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

PSU: Corsair 750hx - $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

CASE: Silverstone FT-01 BW - $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163121

HDD: WD Caviar Black 640GB - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

DVD: Samsung 22x SATA Burner - $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Monitor: Samsung T240HD 24" monitor - $298
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001280

I already have some thermal compound. The monitor is perfect because I would like to use it as a TV as well. It will not be for twitch gaming, but will still be used for gaming. The PSU is one of the best so I would like to stick with it. Remember this is an all blacked out theme. I will be putting some cold cathodes in the case to make it look even better. The total comes to about $1600 so it is under budget. I would like to keep it this way because I still need to get a keyboard, which is going to be the apple keyboard. I like the feel of the keys.

 

[waynec121]

just a quick bump

 

[tecmo34]

Okay... Only thing I could truly see is switch the monitor to this... Hanns-G 27.5" Monitor for a dollar more.

The Silverstone case is nice but is it worth the price? I would think going with either the Antec 902 or Antec 1200 would give similar looks and performance... IMO

 

[Proximon]

I would have expected you to use the Raven for a build like that

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163135
It's a good case, just a radical design.

 

[Niklas_13]

Panzer might do and cut cost ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146056

 

[waynec121]

Okay guys, I have decided on a few things. The main thing is that I am in no rush to get all of the parts at once. I will start getting the parts slowly until around my birthday October 15th.

So what I am thinking of doing is getting the $200 i7 920 from microcenter first. The next thing will be the case, psu, dvd drive, and hdd. The next purchase will be the heatsink, mobo and ram. The final purchase prolly around my bday will be a 5870 when they are released.

Again I am in no hurry to build this. I am thinking 2 months is a great time frame for when I start the build and when it is finished. How does that sound to you guys?

 

[gkay09]

+1 for the Raven
This would also be a very good option...
Cosmos Pure
http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=17&id=6600

 

[gkay09]

Till October - I would give a second thought about the CPU...But who knows how would they match up against the 920...
http://www.slashgear.com/intel-core-i5-750-i7-860-and-i7-870-coming-september-6th-2149859/

Looking at the numbering scheme, 8XX vs the 9XX(920) series, am not sure what to expect...Maybe if anyone has more info, they could shed some light on this...

But the case, PSU are standard components that wont change much at all over that time duration...

 

[waynec121]

thanks gkay09...i am in love with that case it is simply the one that i have been looking for all this time! Haha.

edit: Thanks for the advice. Considering the link you posted I will hold off on the cpu, mobo, ram, and gpu as long as possible and see what unfolds. But as you said the case, psu, hdd, and dvd drive should be fine to get now! As well as the keyboard and mouse. The monitor will prolly be purchased towards the end too.

 

[gkay09]

^ True that case really looks very good and stealthy as you wanted...And has some very good features too...

It is good that you have put on hold even the mobo (Obviously you wouldnt have bought it without buying the CPU), because I had seen on the net about newer better revisions of the X58 mobos are set to launch anytime soon from both Gigabyte and ASUS...So you can expect very good, stable and better optimized mobos too...

 

[waynec121]

Awesome thats good to hear. Thanks. I will keep this thread up to date on the progress and post pics of course. Should be a fun late summer- early fall build!

Oh and I forgot to mention that I sold my other rig for $1200 thats in my sig. I need to erase those specs when I get a chance.

 

[waynec121]

update: That case is in very limited production and costs around $300 on coolermasters site. I was looking a little further into cases and I found the ATCS 840. Kinda similar and I think it is a very sweet case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187
And to make it an even deeper project I could add a side window and paint the interior of the 840 all flat black.

edit: So these will be my first purchases:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

 

[gkay09]

^ Then you could reconsider the Raven...Has Full black interiors, very good design, features and has side window too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163135

But this is a hard one to pass...and that too with a price drop...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119122

 

[mdale13]

i am also building a system on a coolermaster 840, and i agree, its an awesome case. check out the 3Dgamermans review of it on youtube for some good insight to the features of the case. it is HUGE, but too good to pass up! and classy looking to-boot

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

How about this case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154097

 

[waynec121]

hey guys sorry for the late response and thanks for the replies!
the case is not too much of a problem for me, all the cases you guys posted are pretty sweet but that ft-01 is one of my favs.

I have decided to go the i7 route but will wait and buy those component last. I have a new requirement though that I would like to get some advice on. I am going to be getting a ibanez electric guitar for my bday in october and I would like to do some recording and editing on the computer. What would I need to do this though, if anyone knows? I am thinking just a nice soundcard would most likely allow me to do this, but I could be wrong!

Thanks again guys

 

[waynec121]

Update! I have ordered a few parts!

I have the i7 920 D0 stepping. I got it for $200 at microcenter.
I have the corsair 750hx modular psu.
I have a Samsung 22x sata dvd burner.
I have the Dark Knight cpu cooler.

Parts I still need: MOBO, RAM, HDD, GPU, CASE
I should be getting those by the end of the week.

Here is what I was thinking for those. I have built 2 i7 builds for clients and have used the Gigabyte UD4P for both. They both were also from microcenter. They had no problems whatsoever and they were also only $230 in store both times vs. $270 on newegg. So I am going to go with that board.

I am going to be getting a black magic intensity pro hd capture card for my bday. Should I go with a raid setup of WD Caviar Black 640GB's?

As for actual gaming I can hold off until the 5870's and dx11 cards come out. So for now I am just going to go with a 4850 since they are such a great price.

RAM will be the OCZ Platinum but I am waiting for the price to go back down and I will get them in a combo with a Caviar Black 640gb.

Case is still the FT-01. As well as the Vista 64-bit with an upgrade to 7.

So basically heres what I still need:
Silverstone FT01-BW
Gigabyte UD4P
OCZ Platinum 1600 6GB
HD4850 1GB
2x WD Caviar Black 640GB
Black Magic Intensity Pro
OS

Oh and wow I completely forgot about the monitor!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001331
A very sweet monitor that will compliment my case extremely well. Not to mention it is 1080p 16x9 which is also perfect to hook my xbox 360 up to!!

As well as z5500's but at this rate that is sounding much better as an xmas present.

 

[waynec121]

hey guys I have two quick questions now:
Since the OCZ Platinum has gone up in price to around $145 I was looking at other sets of ram. I came across these mushkin with the 7 cas and timings of 7-8-7-20. Is this a good choice since they are the same price as the platinums would be?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

Also I have changed my mind on the case and was actually leaning towards the SilverStone TJ09-SW now. Any thoughts or input on this? The cheapest I can find it is $279.99

 

[waynec121]

bump...

This is definitely the case I am getting 100%.

 

[waynec121]

Okay well since I can't really seem to get a response from anyone here is the final list:

CPU: i7 920 - microcenter $200 Bought!
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727

MOBO: Gigabyte UD4P - microcenter $230
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0309509

RAM: Mushkin 1600 6GB DDR3 - $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

HDD1: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

PSU: Corsair 750hx - $165 Bought!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight - $45 Bought!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

DVD: Samsung SATA 22x DVD - $27 Bought!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

OS: Windows Vista 64-bit w/ free upgrade to 7
HDD2: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235895.22-152-181

CASE: Silverstone TJ09-BW - $270 newegg or microcenter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163073

CAP CARD: Black Magic Intensity Pro - $190
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CN9GEA/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1HZ33F4VZJET827DCYRW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

GPU: HD4850 512MB - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

MONITOR: Samsung 24.6" 2MS 1080P - $330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001331

MOUSE/KB: Logitech G5 and Mac keyboard - $100 Bought!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104076
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB869LL/A

SPEAKERS: Logitech z5500 - $350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121120&Tpk=z5500

It is just about $1600 total for the computer without the Monitor and z5500. They will be bday and xmas presents when the time comes.
Let me know what you guys think!

 

[waynec121]

last bump i swear!

 

[overshocks]

Dude, you're wasting a whole lot of money on a case that performs worst than an antec 900. Are you just going for the stealthy look and don't care about price? If you are rich then go get some Lian li. Also there's no point getting the parts now, when the i5 is about come to out, and prices will drop. Unless you don't care about money.

 

[gkay09]

@overshocks I dont think the release of the i5 is going to lower the i7 prices...Actually it might be the other way around as we can see from the price of 6GB kits that are moving north...

And as for the CASE, does it really perform that bad?? Could you justify your claims ???

@waynec Hmm cool ...your project is taking its shape

Did you check Amazon for the memory ???

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ3P1600LV6GK-PC3-12800-1600MHz-Platinum/dp/B001NFZ5PQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251094550&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-TR3X6G1600C7-PC3-12800-1600Mhz-240-pin/dp/B00280YJO8/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251094601&sr=8-26
This would be my favourite - Black heat spreader with fancy lighting But is currently out of stock though...
http://www.amazon.com/Technology-BL3CP25664BN1608-Ballistix-PC3-12800-Unbuffered/dp/B0021AEN64/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251094668&sr=8-44

And that Samsung monitor does look really good...
You can check out these too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%201106217860%20131061713&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16824236049%2CN82E16824236048

Rest looks good...

 

[waynec121]

@Overshocks
I realize this but this is a project build and I am willing to spend the extra cash to make my dream pc. It also just isn't a case it is a centerpiece in my room pretty much.

@gkay09
Thanks for the recommendations on the ram. I may stick with that mushkin ram or go with one of your links. That last ram you linked is pretty awesome though!
I also may wait for this ram to come back in stock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226036
For $130, 7-7-7-20 timings, 1333, and it being mushkin is great IMO.
I don't really need 1600mhz ram, do I? 1333 vs. 1600?

 

[gkay09]

^ Well apart from the bechmarks, the RAM speeds over DDR3 1333MHz doesnt really affect real world performance much...
Always go for lower CAS than speed...
And that Mushkin just fits the bill...

Do keep an eye on this RAM too...Cost about $154 but sure is worth it...
mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 CAS 6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226032