(another) i7 build

[redwood36]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next two weeks

APPROXIMATE BUDGET: 1500-1900

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Graphic design/editing (Indesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop) and gaming. Looking for something with a long enough lifespan and for it to be upgradeable in a few years.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor,OS, DVD drive

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: in general ive had good experiences with ASUS and WD

OVERCLOCKING: maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: not sure what this is but my current setup seems to have it.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x 1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I havnt factored in a few things into my current scheme, since they are low priority. Recs as to quality keyboard, mouse, and speakers at a reasonable price would be welcome.

In addition, my current debate is mainly on the MB, GPU and RAM, as well as id like to make sure the HD is good since its cheap for 1.5TB

on the MB side, I am torn between a cheap(comparatively) GIGABYTE, P6T deluxe v2, or a EVGA one. can anyone tell me the pro's and cons of either of these selections?

the SAPHIRE Radeon seems ok, but could i get a longer lifetime if i spend 100 or so more?

similarly i was told that COSAIR might be a better pick than OCZ. however at i wasnt sure which one was the better buy.

also can I rely on Vista or should i stick with XP?

SPECS:
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail 149.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 189.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail 279.99

COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail 59.99

SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail 199.99

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail 119.99

Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $119.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM 6.99

thanks alot!

 

[obsidian86]

the boards are bout the same an looks like a pretty solid build but there has been more then a few complaints bout that drive tho

 

[apache_lives]

dont buy a low end power saving hdd for a high end rig!

get either an SSD or a WD Black series hdd and think about how important your data is and decide wether you need another one for backup or perhaps another for RAID0 even

 

[redwood36]

ah ok so this one?

 

[nun]

your ram looks good just read the reviews on newegg if your unsure which to pick. also instead of vista you could go with windows 7rtm

 

[Yoosty]

Lets see if I can improve on your specs and save you some money.

Mobo/PSU Combo.
1. Corsair Memory, Inc. CMPSU-850TX: $139.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

2. EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR: $229.99
(This Mobo is better if you wish to OC and it will also be able to do SLI, besides just Crossfire.)
Free Shipping* plus MIR

Combo Discount: -$15.00
Combo Price: $354.98
$30.00 Mail-In Rebate Card
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237353

CPU/Ram Combo
1. OCZ Technology, Inc. OCZ3G1600LV6GK: $99.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

2. Intel BX80601920: $279.99
Free Shipping*

Combo Discount: -$12.00
Combo Price: $367.98
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231558

Check this other Case out from CoolerMaster.
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP $99.99 Free Shipping*
(Comparable to the HAF 932 in size, but it is 1" wider, which is good for the CPU Cooler)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Check out either of these CPU HSF Coolers', plus they will not block the first ram slot.
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $44.98 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093

Thermal Compound.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
(no curing time needed, Arctic Silver5 takes around 48hrs to set-up)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

I would suggest this 1gb HDD from WD, it comes with a 5yr. warranty.
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache $94.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Graphic Card.
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $194.99 Free Shipping*
(Double Lifetime warranty, if you ever sell it the next owner will get the warranty also)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

You will definately need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable, specially for Cases with Bottom Mounted PSU.
1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Now to the Operating System. My suggestion would be to download Windows 7RC and then buy the full version when it comes out. You should get the 64-bit version, but if that is too much of a chore, then go with Vista Prem. 64-bit. (You will need either Vista Prem. 64-bit or Win7 64-bit for ram over 4gb.)

Download Link for Windows 7 RC
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx

Subtotal of my suggestions and using the Xigmatek CPU Cooler.
$1176.89 before shipping costs and MIR's.

$1116.89 before shipping costs and after MIR's been deducted.

Extra Items on your Wish list.

Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers and other items you will need for build.
Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail $78.99 Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006

Check out this Keyboard and Mouse
ABS M1 Heavy Duty Professional Gaming Mechanical Keyboard - Retail $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001

Logitech MX518 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical 1800 dpi Gaming-Grade Mouse - Retail $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

Subtotal for Extra Items Wish list.
$163.97 before adding in shipping costs.

So it you add both Subtotals together, you will still have Option for another 6gb of Ram and a 2nd Graphic card.
Total $1280.86

Hope this helps you out, Good Luck on your upcoming Build.

 

[redwood36]

Wow Hey thanks for taking this so seriously.

the problem i notice with the MB is that it is (seems to be?) missing a IDE port which i need for my DVD drive. it also seems like it has a low capacity for RAM improvement. Maybe a more expensive one has both abilities?

I was told OCZ wasnt trustable recently and that i should go with corsair, you guys think OCZ is just as good and dependable? Im willing to shell out the few extra bucks to have something solid.

The CPU heatsink does seem like a great idea, didnt i didnt realize the one i had was so big it would block the ram. Also i notice it is using heatpipe technology, which i hear is fantastic.

the problem i notice with the case seems to be that is has smaller and fewer fans. I have a heating issue on my current computer where i have to leave it open with a real fan on it at all times. I'm hoping to avoid this in the future haha.

the thermal compound is alot better i can see if it i dont have to wait 48 hours! thanks for the heads up!

the problem i notice with the graphic card is that it doesnt have a dvi out port. I need the dvi cause on my current monitor setup i have the xbox 360 on the HDMI and my plan was for the DVI to be on the DVI port that it has. this seem like quite a conveinient possibility right now so i kinda had my heart set on it. also is XFX a good company (or saphire for that matter, i really dont know the GPU companies very well.

the HDD looks great, cheap and fast!

Thanks again for that word on the extension cable. I didnt realize it would be necessary.

the windows 7 is a great idea. is it stable?

and the mouse, and speakers look great! and i like the mechanical feature of the recommended keyboard. however i was hoping for something with extra keys for mapping to all the different adobe programs. is there one with both?

I think that covers my questions. Thanks for taking the time!

 

[nun]

windows 7 is great i'm using as my main os right now

 

[redwood36]

ah ok nun, sounds like a plan! 7 it is.

 

[Yoosty]

On the Mobo, you could get a higher price one, ranging from around $240 to $290, but you would loose some of the Combo discounts. Now you could get a new DVD Burner that is Sata like the one below and it will be a bit cheaper money-wise.

Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM $30.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

The XFX Graphic card does come with 2 DVI ports , but it also comes with these (DVI Adapter, HDTV Component Adapter, 6 Pin Y Power Cable, DVI to HDMI Adapter).

But you could check out one of these.
SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X 100269VXL Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $219.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102841

MSI R4890 Cyclone OC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127439

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102826

Here is another Keyboard you could look at, but if not then check out NewEgg other brands they carry.
Lenovo 73P2620 Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Enhanced Performance Keyboard - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823218003

Also check out DVI to HMDI cables at link below.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010010001%20117752939%201177523169&name=HDMI%20to%20DVI

Hope this is some more help.

 

[redwood36]

Great! I want to go with the Vapor, but they seem to be putting out a bad batch at the moment. bad reviews. I'll have to hope that the bad batch has passed.

I guess the MSI one? seems like only a few people bought it, can it be trusted?

the Keyboard looks great!

on the MB issue, could you link me to some of the options? the only one i saw in that price range was this, and it seems to have gotten a number of bad reviews, issues with bent pins and an inability to overclock.

thanks again!

 

[redwood36]

Hey So this is the final result. id just like to run this by you guys to see if the parts and compatible and whatnot.

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Retail &&&&&&ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Combo Price: $436.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail &&&&&&COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Combo Price: $259.98

EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR GeForce GTX 275 1792MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
299.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
94.99

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail&&&&&&&Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Combo Price: 314.97

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008
9.99

1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail
8.99 (which btw is not in stock.. anyone know when it will be back in stock?

Logitech MX518 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical 1800 dpi Gaming-Grade Mouse - Retail
39.99

Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers - Retail
78.99

its about $1540 but i wont be getting the mouse and sound system until later though.
thanks a bunch!

 

[redwood36]

Haha--Uh, bump? I just want to be sure before i go ahead with this.