First build - mid range core i7 gaming pc

[tbisu]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of putting together components to build my first gaming pc. After reading reviews on newegg and feedback on the forums here and other websites, I'm planning to place an order today, with the hope of receiving everything to build the pc this coming weekend.

Does anyone see any issues with the components below or have suggestions for alternate hardware? All info is from newegg, and I am planning on adding additional hardware (blu-ray drive, video card for SLI, etc) in the near future. Thanks in advance for the help.

EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896-P3-1255-AR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130434
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
-$25.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$204.99
$179.99

Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit
Item #:N82E16899261003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$29.99
$19.99

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support
Item #:N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$28.99

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$109.99
$99.99

Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound
Item #:N82E16835608008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$9.99

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drives
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee
Item #: N82E16832116676
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$18.00 Combo
$259.98
$226.98

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139009
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR ATX X58 SLI LE Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813188049
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$399.98
$354.98

Intel Core i7 920 from Microcenter - $199.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727

Grand Total: $1,120.90

Sincerely,
TB

 

[r_manic]

What can that Rosewill toolkit do that tools currently lying around your house can't?

Also, what's your display? The GTX 260 is awesome for 1440 x 900 and up, and overkill for anything below.

 

[Yoosty]

See you are missing a few Items, added to what you already have listed.

Since you did not list any ram, check out this Ram/HDD Combo.
1. OCZ Technology, Inc. OCZ3G1600LV6GK: $99.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

2. Western Digital WD1001FALS: $94.99
Free Shipping*

Combo Discount: -$7.00
Combo Price: $187.98
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231003

Also NewEgg has the Free Shipping on the Case you picked at same price.
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP $99.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Any of these three CPU HSF Coolers' will work great.
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 $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093

CoGage True Spirit Heatpipe CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Silent Fan for Intel LGA1366 $37.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=450&products_id=26022

You will need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable for most Cases that has 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.

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


Subtotal before CPU Cooler choice, MIR's are deducted and shipping costs = $1100.89

ps: if you are buying CPU from Microcenter store in person, I would suggest you pay the extra cost for a DO Stepping Core i7 920.

Hope this helps you out some..

 

[tbisu]

Thanks for the feedback.

I’m currently using a 19” Dell monitor and was going for a video card that would allow me to play the latest games and last awhile. As for the Rosewill toolkit, I figured I could afford to spend $15 to be sure that I have all the tools needed for building a PC in one small package.

The other option I was toying around with was building a micro atx pc to save some space (The room where my PC resides is rather small). However, I’m concerned about airflow and being able to maneuver hardware of various sizes in a smaller area.

I knew I had forgotten something – it was getting late when I was working on this, and the monitor was burning my eyes.  I was planning on ordering the OCZ DDR 3 RAM. Thanks for the note about the coolers and power extension cable too – I wouldn’t have known I needed that if you hadn’t mentioned it.

With regard to the D0 stepping core i7: will MicroCenter allow me to specifically request one, and do they charge extra for them? Any other thoughts before I finalize my order?

TB

PS – my current PC doesn’t have a DVD burner, so I figured I’d just buy Vista Business (I want this version for remote desktop) and get the free Windows 7 upgrade coupon.

 

[Yoosty]

With regard to the D0 stepping core i7: will MicroCenter allow me to specifically request one, and do they charge extra for them? Any other thoughts before I finalize my order?

You can only get the Core i7 920 with DO stepping from in person at one of MicroCenter store outlets.

Would be cheaper to buy DVD Burner from NewEgg or MircoCenter store. Somethong like this one below.

HP Black 24X DVD+R SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Burner LightScribe Support - Retail $33.99 Free Shipping*
(comes with Nero Software and sata cable)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140041