Building a i7 System

[jeffc]

Hello guys, I am new here. I wanted expertise from people that actually know about computers, because I, am very new to building a pc. This actually is my first time. I do not know if I have what I need, in order to build one. So here is what I am planning on getting.

-Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz 8M L3 Cache 4.8GT/sec QPI Hyper-Threading Turbo Boost LGA1366 Processor
-Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit + free windows 7 upgrade coupon
-Corsair TR3X6G1333C9 XMS3 6 GB 3 x 2 GB PC3-10666 1333MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Core i7 Memory Kit
-EVGA 01G-P3-1182-AR GeForce GTX285 FTW Edition with EVGA Backplate 1024 MB DDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card (None FTW edition is $50 cheaper, why would this be worth more?)
-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card
-LG Electronics GH22NP20 22X IDE SecurDisc DVD+/-RW Internal Drive with Software - Bulk (Black)
-Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 32 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD1001FALS
-Cooler Master V8 Nickel Plated Copper Base Aluminum Fins 8 Heatpipes Core i7 1366 CPU Cooler
-EVGA 128-P2-KN01-TR Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card
-EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 3-Way SLI Core i7 Motherboard with Tri-Channel DDR3 and Tuning Utility
-CORSAIR 750w TX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply
-Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow ATX Full Tower Case Black

I do not even know if these parts are compatible...I do have couple more hundred bucks to spend, but only if it would be ideal. I also would like to SAVE if possible, if the parts are not necessary. Please give all the advice you can, and if I should even bother building a PC and buy from a company. As I said, I never touched inside of a PC

 

[r_manic]

Three areas you can cut down on:

Sound Card: Not really needed nowadays.

GTX285: That's a pretty powerful video card. Too powerful for your display in fact. What is your display?

Motherboard: Unless your planning to add video cards to your setup in the future, this motherboard is too expensive. Look for the basic X58 mobo from EVGA.

You may also want to hold off on the CPU cooler, since it seems you're not doing overclocking anyway. Unless your computer will operate in a warm place?

 

[dirtmountain]

Get a SATA burner, not the older IDE. Look at reviews for an ASUS Xonar sound card, compare the reviews to that Creative one. Everything looks compatible, it's tough to tell without links.

 

[Yoosty]

Lets see if this will work for you.

Graphic Card/Mobo Combo.
1. EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR: $299.99
plus MIR

2. EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR: $229.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

Combo Discount: -$30.00
Combo Price: $499.98
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.230318

Another Combo you should look at is this one for Graphic card/CPU.
1. EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR: $229.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

2. Intel BX80601920: $279.99
Free Shipping*

Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $489.98
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.228462

Check this PSU/Case Combo.
1. Corsair Memory, Inc. CMPSU-750TX: $119.99
Free Shipping* plus MIR

2. Cooler Master HAF RC-932-KKN1-GP: $149.99

Combo Discount: -$10.00
Combo Price: $259.98
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.236865


Check this Ram/HDD Combo out.
1. OCZ Technology, Inc. OCZ3P1600LV6GK: $112.99
Free Shipping*

2. Western Digital WD1001FALS: $94.99
Free Shipping*

Combo Discount: -$7.00
Combo Price: $200.98
Your choice for Case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231013

Check out this DVD Burner.
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

Either of these CPU HSF Coolers' will work.
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

Review of above CPU HSF Cooler.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/07/23/intel_core_i7_heatsink_roundup_q309/5

Check out this Sound Card, very good drivers support for Vista
AuzenTech AZT-FORTE X-Fi Forte 7.1 Low Profile PCI Express Sound Card - Retail $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010

Optioal Nic Card, your choice.
EVGA 128-P2-KN01-TR Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card $125.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027VSS9K

Items you will need.
Thermal Compound and Thermal Cleaner.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

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.

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

Subtotal without any CPU Cooler.
$1766.37 before shipping costs and MIR's.
MIR's total = $70.00
Total minus MIR's = $1696.37

Above Total is without CPU HSF Cooler added.

Hope this helps you out some..

 

[stevensl2]

Drop the killer xeno, I have considered it. it's not worth it, believe me! you have a powerful enough CPU to handle the networking and 1 to 2 fps increase in games is not worth the 130$ extra. use that 130$ and put it onto the Graphics, or motherboard.

Gtx 295?

 

[jeffc]

Thx for all the replys. I also need to know what you mean by display? The Monitor? The monitor actually matters? X(

 

[obsidian86]

monitor specifications have to balance out with what graphics card you gonna use its no use getting a high level graphics like a 285 an only use it on a 1200x800 screen cuz you wont be using its full potential or vice versa like using a 9600gso on a 60'' hd screen cuz it would be underpowered an would hardly be playable

 

[jtmoney528]

Basically we are trying to get the best for the money when asking for your monitor size / resolution. Its like someone asking to buy 2 295's for a 1024X768...

 

[jeffc]

So if it's single gtx 295, what monitor?

 

[obsidian86]

single 295 gtx something like 30''+ 2560x1620 resolution or 2 24'' 2560x1620 that should be bout all a 295 could handle at acceptable frames

 

[jeffc]

But I would be strapped for cash buying such a huge monitor :/ what is a monitor that is cheap but qualified & efficient for today's graphic cards?

 

[Helloworld_98]

^ you mean an ott GTX 295 or a 4890?

or you could try and find a 24" widescreen CRT monitor and overpixel it to some ridiculous pixel count, although there is a chance of it blowing up.

 

[jeffc]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001LYPIIS/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance would this work?

 

[Yoosty]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001LYPIIS/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance would this work?

+1 to JeffC on monitor, the only other monitor I would suggest is this one from Samsung.
SAMSUNG 2343BWX High Glossy Black 23" 5ms 16:9 Widescreen LCD Monitor $209.99 ($189.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping* (max res. is 2048 x 1152)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001317

I have this monitor and it looks and work fabalous with my GTX 20 Sli.

 

[jeffc]

which is better? because I heard my montior's max resolution is only 1680 x 1050, but it must have its pros to cost almost the same as the one you suggested

and i might upgrade card to gtx 295

Another thing...is this the same thing? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001N0H8YW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
because I am building credit on amazon and by already choosing to buy from neweggs for all my parts with those combos, I won't have enough credits for my year-end saving bonus. That monitor will get me just enough pts for it.

 

[Yoosty]

which is better? because I heard my montior's max resolution is only 1680 x 1050, but it must have its pros to cost almost the same as the one you suggested

and i might upgrade card to gtx 295

Another thing...is this the same thing? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001N0H8YW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
because I am building credit on amazon and by already choosing to buy from neweggs for all my parts with those combos, I won't have enough credits for my year-end saving bonus. That monitor will get me just enough pts for it.

They are both very good monitors. The Aus has one feature that the Sansung does not and that is HMDI port. The Samsung can do higher resolution then the Asus and instead on buttons like most monitors uses, it uses Touch Sensor buttons.

Prices at Amazon are great on both monitors both at $199.00 for Asus and $199.99 for the Samsung after $20 rebate. You have a hard choice to make on which monitor to get, but when you do, I would buy the one you pick from Amazon.