[New System Build] ~$1200 i7 920 Build

[noreturn]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: $1000 - $1300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies/Music, Internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, any reputable site

PARTS PREFERENCES: i7 920

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, eventually
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, eventually

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am trying to build a PC that is upgradeable down the road. I plan to eventually overclock, and SLI or Crossfire. I will sooner or later upgrade my monitor to something much nicer. I also need an OS so that needs to factor into the price. I need some form of cooling due to living in a very warm climate and eventual overclocking.

Here is a first draft of parts I have compiled. This is my first attempt at building a PC and quite frankly compatibility and performance verse price is a little over my head. So hopefully with your help I can figure out a decent build.



Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Xtreme Phase, 3-Way SLI & Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support

COMBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.238325


OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail

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

COMBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231013


XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

COMBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235893.14-150-359


COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032


XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029


Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

Subtotal – $1273.88


I am not set on any of these specific items besides the i7 920. I also am unsure on whether I should stick with the Radeon 4890 or change things around with a Geforce GTX 275 or something similar. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[gkay09]

^ That is a very good selection of components with nice combos...

The only thing I would suggest you to change is the CASE...
Yes the CM 690 is a very good case...but just $10 more can get you this case...

CM Storm Scout...This case has Free Shipping hence just $10 difference...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

 

[kubes]

Ya that's a solid rig. Not much to change. You've clearly did your homework!

 

[slo]

That is a very nice build and any of the 2 cases you chose is just as good. Cooler master is one of the best case brands i've worked on.
I'd personally suggest an HAF (probably the best case i've worked on) the 922 is just 10 more than the scout but the 932 is a bit out of your budget.

 

[kubes]

Ya Antec and CM are probally my two favoriate cases to work with as well.

 

[noreturn]

Thanks alot for the feedback, I switched to the HAF 922 case. Will I need an 8 pin extender for this case? Also I plan on purchasing later on tonight or tommorrow, so anymore suggestions would be great.

 

[slo]

I did not need an extender even on the 932 with the corsairs.

 

[waynec121]

noreturn you are a great example of what every newcomer's thread should be like! You obviously did your research and you followed the correct format. Thank you for making the regular's jobs on here much easier.

Oh and great part choices, that should be a very solid rig! : )

 

[noreturn]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Before I place this order I am trying to decide between a few different pieces and was looking for some suggestions on a few questions.

Im trying to decide between these two motherboards, or if you suggest one not listed I will gladly consider it.

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard – 249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX X58 SLI LE Intel Motherboard – 239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049&Tpk=EVGA%20141-BL-E757-TR



I am also trying to decide between these two GPUS, different brands and I wasn't sure if one is more reliable or better than the other.

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – 209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830



One last area of concern. As I stated before I live in a warm climate and plan to OC; so its probably stupid to save a few dollars for better cooling methods. Is the Cooler Master HAF 932 more efficient than the 922 or are they pretty similar. I'm more than willing to spend the extra cash if its worth it and while on the disscussion is there any cpu cooler that stands out above the others. I've been looking at these two, but im sure there are others.

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler – 44.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

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

Thanks for any of your time.

 

[Helloworld_98]

^ the XFX has a better warranty so go for it over the Sapphire.

 

[stevensl2]

I Suggest the Asus motherboard because they are known for making great motherboards plus many people has the same one, so if you run into any problems help is but a few clicks away

I would recommend the Xfx version, cuz of the lifetime warrenty. you just cant beat that, OC damage and whatever is also covered lol!

when I saw your Title, "1200$" i thought to myself : Haha thats how much i spent on electronics this trip to taiwan lol!

 

[noreturn]

Alright here is my updated build. I increased my budget a little bit, and will look over combos when all the pieces are set.

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz – 279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

MOTHERBOARD
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard – 249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

GPU
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

RAM
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 – 159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242
-Always liked corsair memory and it got better reviews than the OCZ's,so decided just to get these for alittle extra

OPTICAL DRIVE
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe – 30.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

HARD DRIVE
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal – 94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W – 139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx
-Only $10 more after MIR, seemed like a no brainer, but overkill

OS
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM – 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

THERMAL PASTE
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound – 9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

CASE
Still can't decide on the Cooler Master HAF 932 or 922
Both seem to be great options so I probably can't go wrong, but if anyone has any input it'd be great.

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 – 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 – 149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

COOLING
Can't decide on which of these, but as with the case I probably can't go wrong with either.

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler – 44.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

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


I'm pretty happy with the build so far, but im still willing to take suggestions. Again thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[kubes]

I guess I would have choosen the evga board since there known for their overclocking abilities. I mean hoenstly though both boards are pretty solid. I think your compairing apples to apples for that one.

For cooling i'd say go with the MUGEN-2. It's has a bit more surface area. Again both of these are solid choices.

For the case desion. I think Since you are in such a warm climiate if might be worth the extra few bucks to go with the full tower instead of the mid. It'll give your stuff a little bit more space to breathe since the air the front of the case will be intaking won't be as cool.