New I7 Build

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP since a power supply on one computer shorted some hardware (~5 year old computer) - please bear with me as I have not read up on new builds/technology until a couple of hours ago and I work in the finance industry, below is what I have put together with my limited knowledge.

BUDGET RANGE: pretty flexible up to ~$2000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, movies (blu ray) and watching videos (PC will be hooked up to a 50inch Pioneer Elite TV as well as a LCD monitor), email/internet surfing, etc.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, storage HD

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, amazon.com, Frys and Microcenter are local

PARTS PREFERENCES: no preference, leaning towards an I7 920 Build

OVERCLOCKING: Near future after I read up more on it

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Far future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: quiet PC which is future proof for upgrades in ~6 months, would be an XP 32 bit OS until Windows 7 comes out, when it does come out a Windows 7 OS on a SSD will be added and will have a dual OS boot setup, would want a basic GPU until the new cards (ati 5000 and nvidias 300 series) come out in a few months

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HAF932 High Air Flow Full Tower - $120
http://microcenter.com/single_prod [...] id=0293547

12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model - $9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] k=cb-8m-8f

Core® i7 920 Processor Boxed - $200
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0302727

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] k%20knight

P6T Deluxe V2 1366 ATX Motherboard - $300 ($280 after MIR) - would an upgrade to the Rampage II be worth it?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0306945

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] lack%20640

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V - $120 ($100 after MIR) - will this future proof the system if I go crossfire or SLI with the new cards coming out?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

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Parts I need help choosing:

GPU - what's the best bang for the buck to hold me over, GTX 260?

OS - Should I get the Vista 64bit now with the Windows 7 Upgrade since it may be cheaper than buying the Windows 7 Pro in the future?

Memory - do i get 3 gigs now since I'm initially doing a 32bit OS build and upgrade later, or get the 6 gigs? Suggestions?

Blu-Ray/DVD Drive/Burner suggestions?

Thank you all in advance.

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Check the benchmarks for the games you play, a GTX275 or an HD 4890 will suit your needs quite well, a corsair 750TX gives you the option to run two of either of those cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150359
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150387

I would suggest getting 6GB for now, even though you cant use it all for now it will keep you from having to upgrade later when you do upgrade to 64 bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227381

Reply to hunter315

It would make more sense to do a 64bit OS now, since you cannot upgrade from 32 to 64 without wiping the hard drive and doing a clean install. Did you know that Windows 7 64 bit can be downloaded free and used until the middle of next year, or when the retail version comes out? This would make the most sense, since you intend to go to that system anyway, all you'll have to do is purchase a license key when available.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to belial2k

belial2k wrote :

It would make more sense to do a 64bit OS now, since you cannot upgrade from 32 to 64 without wiping the hard drive and doing a clean install. Did you know that Windows 7 64 bit can be downloaded free and used until the middle of next year, or when the retail version comes out? This would make the most sense, since you intend to go to that system anyway, all you'll have to do is purchase a license key when available.

I plan to add a SSD for Windows 7 and have the dual OS boot when Windows 7 comes out, I wouldn't have to do a full wipe on the WD 640 HDD where I plan to install my XP 32Bit for the time being would I?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: quiet PC which is future proof for upgrades in ~6 months, would be an XP 32 bit OS until Windows 7 comes out, when it does come out a Windows 7 OS on a SSD will be added and will have a dual OS boot setup, would want a basic GPU until the new cards (ati 5000 and nvidias 300 series) come out in a few months

Reply to akkord

Lets see if I can add anything else to the mix, since you already gotten some other very good suggestions.

When you get CPU from Microcenter, since you will be buying it from store. Opt for the one with the DO stepping, since it will OC and run a bit cooler.

Ram/Graphic card Combo where you can save an additional $27.00
1. OCZ Technology, Inc. OCZ3P1600LV6GK: $112.99
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Free Shipping*

2. EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR: $339.99
EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3
($319.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*

Combo Discount: -$27.00
Combo Price: $425.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.228132

The Corsair 750w might do, but I would go with the 850w from Corsair.
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX $139.99 ($109.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139009

See one item missing and that is the Thermal Compound, this is my suggestion to use.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608008

As belial2k mention is his post, you should go with the Win7 RC 64-bit Free Download, that you can use until mid March 2010. Then I would buy the Retail version of Win7 Pro (which comes with 32 & 64-bit) later, here is link where you can download it from below.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/w [...] nload.aspx

Hope this helps you out.

Reply to Yoosty

Here.

Get 6gb of memory now and buy vista ultimate 64bit - Upgrade to windows 7 ultimate without having to format so You keep all your files and still upgrade easy.

a Gtx 275 would be good for your money, but i suggest you get a 4890 and OC it instead, your budget is 2000$ that's quite a bit. If you have enough money left over, try for a gtx 285 if possible, it will last you much longer and it Does have sli / tri sli capabilities.

as for blu ray, Sure if you like to watch really high quality movies, but for the average guy, Dvd is good enough. Plus blu ray costs nearly 2x the price of Dvd. is it worth it?

I did understand the original plan in the OP, but what I'm saying is 32bit programs will not be able to transfer to the SSD with a 64bit OS, the two different systems will not be compatible, so instead of transferring everything from XP to 7, you'll have to start over from scratch.
Also, I never recommend SSDs for anyone other than design professionals or people that need to move very large files around a lot. The cost to performance gain ratio is terrible for gaming rigs. Basically you will see faster boot and load times, and faster read/write times, BUT only for things stored on the drive. It will not increase gaming or app performance in any way.
You could get similar gains for what you are doing by doing a raid 0 array, this would cost less and give you much more storage.
Windows 7 has an xp mode, so if you are worried about losing program compatibility that shouldn't be an issue....and I can see no other reason to keep a dual boot with xp.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to belial2k

belial2k wrote :

I did understand the original plan in the OP, but what I'm saying is 32bit programs will not be able to transfer to the SSD with a 64bit OS, the two different systems will not be compatible, so instead of transferring everything from XP to 7, you'll have to start over from scratch.
Also, I never recommend SSDs for anyone other than design professionals or people that need to move very large files around a lot. The cost to performance gain ratio is terrible for gaming rigs. Basically you will see faster boot and load times, and faster read/write times, BUT only for things stored on the drive. It will not increase gaming or app performance in any way.
You could get similar gains for what you are doing by doing a raid 0 array, this would cost less and give you much more storage.
Windows 7 has an xp mode, so if you are worried about losing program compatibility that shouldn't be an issue....and I can see no other reason to keep a dual boot with xp.

Thanks for the clarification Bel. I will probably try the Windows 7 DL...does anyone know the price it will be get the license once it comes out?

Reply to akkord

Quote :

Thanks for the clarification Bel. I will probably try the Windows 7 DL...does anyone know the price it will be get the license once it comes out?

Believe the release date for Windows 7 is Oct. 22, 2009.

Below is where you can Pre-Order Win7 from and prices.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full - Retail $199.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116716

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full - Retail $299.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116717

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Full - Retail - Retail $319.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116718

The above three retail OS's can either go 32 or 64-bit. Also Microsoft will also have a Family Editon (3 Licences) but price for that has not been released yet.

Reply to Yoosty

Thanks for everyone's input, here's what I have come up with:

1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail - $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6812706004

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM - $27.99 (I'll get a blu ray burner when prices go down)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136153

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 - $139.99 ($30 MIR) (extra headroom if I decide to go Crossfire or SLI in the future)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139009

Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail - $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608008

Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail - $3.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6899261005

COMBO - $180.98
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.231015

COMBO - $44.98
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
XIGMATEK XLF-F8253 80mm 4 white LED LED Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.213274

COMBO - $434.98 (Cheaper to get Vista Ultimate 64 and upgrade to Windows 7)
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.236245

Above from NEWEGG comes to $931.70 - $30 MIR

HAF932 High Air Flow Full Tower - $119.99
http://microcenter.com/single_prod [...] id=0293547

Core® i7 920 Processor Boxed - $199.99 (remember to get D0 stepping)
http://microcenter.com/single_prod [...] id=0302727

Above from MICROCENTER comes to $347.98

Some further questions to help me get peace of mind:

The Windows Vista Ultimate System Builders 64 is fine to buy for an end user like me and should upgrade fine to Windows 7 64 Ultimate with no problems?

How do I check the box for D0 stepping on the I7 920 processor, I read somewhere to check S-Spec SLBEJ, is this correct?

Last decision is on the GPU - leaning towards the XFX GTX 275 below - I've had great success dealing with XFX in the past and with their Nvidia cards. Also from reading 2 x GTX 275s is very similar to a GTX 295?

XFX GX275XAHFF GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $217.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150387

This brings the total to $1518.17 - Any other suggestions? this keeps me ~$500 under budget or I can go SLI right now with 2 of the XFX cards above

Reply to akkord

the prices you were quoted on windows 7 were for the full retail versions, the upgrade and oem versions will be much cheaper, just like they are for vista...but that being said, you have nothing to lose by going the visa 64 w/upgrade route. 7 will upgrade you without any file or programs being lost. Anyone can buy the system builders OSs, it is the same as the oem version, but does have the limited one system installation with the license key....unless you want to use the cheats to use it in another system at some point.

two 275s are actually faster than a 295, and about equal to two 4890s. If the games you play have a preference for nvidia that is the way to go unless you can catch some crazy sales on two 285s.

Reply to belial2k

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