AUD$1800 gaming PC with i7

[gatecrash3r]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: One week or 2
BUDGET RANGE: AUD$1800-2000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the net, movies etc

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.austin.net.au or www.netplus.com.au

PARTS PREFERENCES: Atleast an Intel i7.

OVERCLOCKING: Interested in doing so, but need to research
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Possibly in the future, but not atm.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 (wanna go dual monitors in the future, not sure how much of a difference it'll make. Currently a 19" most likely second will be larger.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As mentioned, ideally should be able to multitask easily on dual monitors, have power reserves for additional HDDs and the possibility of SLI or Crossfire. Can't think of anything that pops out. Hoping you can critique and offer any advice.

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Intel Core i7 920 Processor, 2.66GHz 45nm 4.8GT/s-QPI LGA-1366 8MB L3 Cache PCG-08 $379.00
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/CPU-INT-I7920/Default.aspx

Asus P6T MotherBoard - LGA1366, X58, 6DDR3, FSB1600(OC), RAID, GBLAN, 3xPCIE2.0, ATX $298
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/MBASP6T/Default.aspx

Kingston KVR1333D3N9K3/6G 6GB-kit 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM $149
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/tabid/103/Search/1/Default.aspx?Keyword=KVR1333D3N9K3/6G

Western Digital Caviar Black (1TB ) 1000GB/7200RPM/SATA 3GB/s /32MB CACHE/3.5" Hard Disk Drive $145
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/H3S1000WD11FALS/Default.aspx

Sapphire HD4870 1G GDDR5 PCIE, 2 x DVI, TV out, HDMI adaptor $209
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/GC48701GSA04/Default.aspx

LG DVD WRITER - SATA $59

Antec "Three Hundred" Tower Gaming Case - Black, NO PSU, 9 Drive Bays, Top mounted 140mm exhaust fan, 1 x Rear 120mm fan, ( Option 2 x Front 120mm fans ), 1 x ( Option Side 120mm fan ) , ATX , 3 x 5.25" External, 6 x 3.5" Internal, Washable air filters $99
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/CAS-AN300/Default.aspx

750W "Corsair" TX-750 ATX Power Supply, 140mm fan, Dual PCI-E Graphics Card Connector, 8x SATA Connectors, Universal AC input 90~264V $199
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/PSU-COTX750/Default.aspx


Total of that works out to be AUD$1537. I'm pretty sure austin.net.au are the cheapest locally in Australia. Deciding whether to get Vista with a Windows 7 upgrade, or use the free Window 7 and just buy it when its released. Spose I need to chuck in a CPU cooler for overclocking, but I need to look into how thats done, if anyone could recommend a decent cooler that'd be great. Not entirely sure on the quality of the RAM or Graphics Cards, if suggestions can be made, by all means.

Cheers for any advice and your time.

 

[micky_lund]

pretty good prices for your stuff...

go with the corsair RAM,
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/RD313336KC9/Default.aspx
same price, same timings, but a better brand than Kingston

CPU cooler for large OC
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/CLTRFAN1366/Default.aspx
Thermalright Ultra-Extreme 13366 should fit in your case :S

if u need to change the case (maybe?)
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/CAS-AN900/Default.aspx
Antec 900...dunno if u want a bigger case, with better cooling?

thats pretty much it....i don't think u'll need a bigger case, but i'll wait for the experts to come along soon, to verify it... and ur GPU will be great for 1 monitor...may be a touch stretched for 2, but when u get the 2nd monitor, u can add another 4870

MICK


u will also need some Thermal Compound to go between CPU and CPU cooler...can't find any on ur site tho....

 

[gatecrash3r]

If the case needs to be larger to accomodate a decent CPU cooler I can justify that. Did a search for 'thermal' on that site and came up with some thermal compound, no idea what category it comes under but I think I recall seeing this stuff was ok...

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste 3.5 Gram Compound
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/CLARSI5/Default.aspx

Also about the RAM, wasn't totally sold on the Kingston, was leaning towards the Corsair tbh.

Is it worth the few extra dollars for
Corsair TR3X6G1600C8 6GB (3x 2GB XMS3) PC-12800 (1600MHz) DDR3 RAM, 3x240-pin DIMMs, TRIPLE CHANNEL, Non ECC Unbuffered, 8-8-8-24
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/RD316006KC8/Default.aspx

 

[micky_lund]

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Paste 3.5 Gram Compound is good, and was what I was looking for... and the RAM depends on how high you'll want to overclock...what are you aiming for?

3.3? 3.66? 3.8 ghz?

id say if ur aiming for higher OC, the higher mhz will come in handy...so go with the Corsair 1600mhz CL8 u've just linked..it'll help it...

ill also wait for xpert to verify the size thing for the case...also, do u live somewhere hot, or is it milder temperatures, cause round here in QLD, it can get to about 35+ in summer....... also, when are you going to buy it?

MICK


check ur personal messages

 

[baddad]

your going to need this if your relly going to game http://www.netplus.com.au/product/MN6/MNACX233H/Monitor/Acer-23

 

[Yoosty]

Either of these CPU HSF Cooler's will fit better in your case choices and will not block any ram slots.
Scythe Mugen CPU Cooler V2 $99.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/40755_Scythe_Mugen_CPU_Cooler_V2.aspx

Cogage TRUE SPIRIT CPU Heatsink for Intel Socket 1366 (i7 CPU), 120mm fan included. Manufactured by THERMALRIGHT $54.00 inc.GST (runs about 2 to 3 degrees higher then Thermalright Ultra-Extreme 1366 Cpu Cooler.)
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/52922_Cogage_TRUE_SPIRIT_CPU_Heatsink_for.aspx

Review on the Cogage True Spirit.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/07/23/intel_core_i7_heatsink_roundup_q309/5

The Thermalright Ultra-Extreme 1366 Cpu Cooler needs a case with at least 8.75" (225mm) height/width case.

Thermal Compound
Noctua NT-H1 Pro-Grade Thermal Compound $14.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/24404_Noctua_NT_H1_Pro_Grade_Thermal_Compound.aspx

Above thermal compound has no curing time needed as compared to Arctic Silver 5 that needs at least 48 hrs before it cures.

Hope these parts' options helped you out some.

 

[micky_lund]

Yoosty...what size case will he need? will he need the 900, or will an Antec 300 do...
nice find on thermal compund too...
and what about his GPU choice? will he need a better one for dual monitors, or if he X-Fired the 4870s, would that do?

MICK

 

[Yoosty]

The Antec 300 will work, but it will be tight fit for Graphic card and the airlow is not as good as the Antec 900 or this case below.

COOLER MASTER SCOUT SGC-2000 BLK SGC-2000-KKN1 $136.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/47797_COOLER_MASTER_SCOUT_SGC_2000_BLK_SGC.aspx

Also saw this Antec 900 cheaper then what was posted.
Antec Nine Hundred Tower Gaming Case with Side Window, Black, NO PSU, 9 Drive Bays $163.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/3300_Antec_Nine_Hundred_Tower_Gaming_Case.aspx

what about his GPU choice? will he need a better one for dual monitors, or if he X-Fired the 4870s, would that do?

It should be able to do so with the single card, since it has 2 DVI ports on it but I am not completely sure. But going Crossfire will work for sure.

I know for sure that you can do it with most nVidia cards, here is one he should look at.
XFX Geforce GTS 250 PCI-E 2.0 1GB 256-Bit DDR3, 738/ 2200MHz, 2x Dual-link DVI, HDTV, FAN $196.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/52309_XFX_Geforce_GTS_250_PCI_E_2_0_1GB.aspx

I just reread the OP post and he will be getting larger monitor latter and I assume that he will also get the 2nd Sapphire HD4870 1G GDDR5 card at or around the same time. So if he really likes that card then he should stick with it.

Another item you will need for this build when gettting a Case that has the PSU mounted at the bottom (unless you want the 8-pin power cable from PSU to mobo running across the length of the mobo) is this below.
EPS 8 Pin Power Extension Cable 20cm $11.00 inc.GST
http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/22941_EPS_8_Pin_Power_Extension_Cable_20cm.aspx

Hope this answered you questions. Good Luck on your Build.

 

[micky_lund]

do u need that extension with corsair PSUs? i heard that the cable are pretty long.... :S

@ Gatecrasher
listen to Yoosty...he has lots of the answers.... specially on sizes of cases, and GPU/cooler/heatsink kinda stuff (he's helped me in the past)
MICK

(BTW Yoosty, what will the extension lead to? the GPU, or what?...what uses the 8 pin connectors?!)

 

[gatecrash3r]

Cheers for all the info, after the mention of the Antec Nine Hundred, I think i'm pretty set on it. Austin said they will price match so I should be able to get it down to Netplus' price of $168. I definately did look at the i-tech option, but the freight makes it dearer by a tiny amount.

Also thinking of getting the GA-EX58-UD4P.
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/MBGAEX58UD4P/Default.aspx

The guy at Austin said he will match MSY's price of $319 (but i think there was a miscommunication coz he mentioned the P6T, although he did say match any price) Opinions?

Also I made the change to Corsair TR3X6G1600C8 6GB.
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/RD316006KC8/Default.aspx

In regards to the alternative to the graphics card, is the XFX Geforce GTS 250 a comparable card, or am I gonna find the 4870's better when I get the second card? Sorry about all the questions but I wanna get this right as I dont want it to last as long as possible.

Lastly with the coolers that have been suggested, is there anything that stands out that I should be getting? I've never had one and maybe its me being a bit girly, but the size (and weight of some) it looks like they can put a bit of strain on the mobo when they are sitting horizontally on a vertical mounting point.

Final cost im looking at is about $1630 minus the cooler now, i'll allow for that, but if I can get the GA-EX58-UD4P cheaper that'll add bout $20. I'm pretty happy with that price.

 

[Yoosty]

do u need that extension with corsair PSUs? i heard that the cable are pretty long.... :S

@ Gatecrasher
listen to Yoosty...he has lots of the answers.... specially on sizes of cases, and GPU/cooler/heatsink kinda stuff (he's helped me in the past)
MICK

(BTW Yoosty, what will the extension lead to? the GPU, or what?...what uses the 8 pin connectors?!)

The Extension to Mobo 8-pin power connection that gives power to the mobo.

Gatecrash3r lund wrote :

In regards to the alternative to the graphics card, is the XFX Geforce GTS 250 a comparable card, or am I gonna find the 4870's better when I get the second card? Sorry about all the questions but I wanna get this right as I dont want it to last as long as possible.

Lastly with the coolers that have been suggested, is there anything that stands out that I should be getting? I've never had one and maybe its me being a bit girly, but the size (and weight of some) it looks like they can put a bit of strain on the mobo when they are sitting horizontally on a vertical mounting point.

They are almost equal, the GTS 250 is nVidia rebadging of the 9800GTX, with modifications for less power consumption and better cooling fan. So it probally will be a toss-up on which is better when connected to 2nd card.

On the CPU cooler the mobo will handle the weight of the one I suggested and the Scythe Mugen 2.

On the GA-EX58-UD4P you will have to flash the Bios to get SLI to work. The P6T can do SLI/Crossfire right out of the box and is very easy to OC.

 

[micky_lund]

the ud4p has SLi and X-Fire....its the ud3r that doesn't, but the later models of that mobo do as well.....its just that the ud3r only has 1 PCI-E 16.0 slot, and the p6t and ud4p have 2 of them ....

the p6t basically = the ud4p....
all thats different is the brand name...
cause they both OC to around 4ghz if u wanted to go that high
basically, get the cheaper one, unless u want a certain brand

MICK

 

[gatecrash3r]

Sorry to revive the thread after a bit, but just got a final question before I buy the rest of the gear. I've already bought the cooler, case and PSU because I figured either decision I made, those parts will still be compatible.

Basically its boiling down the the brand of GFX card I am looking at. Its neither the Sapphire or the XFX branded HD4870.

Now the problem I have it the Sapphire card exhausts out of the case with its design.
http://www1.sapphiretech.com/en/productfiles/245specimage.jpg

Where as the XFX card exhausts into the case. http://www.xfxforce.com/ecms.ashx/36fc9233-a025-447c-af3b-abd84faecb3d/GraphicCardSeriesRelated_RelatedGraphicCardModels17/HD487AZWFC1354x312.jpg

From my understanding the XFX has the slight edge in specifications, my concern is I hear the cards can run quite hot, so would the external exhaust be better? Or is it a much of a muchness? The card will be going in the Antec 900 case.

One other thing, when I was at a shop confirming the design of the cards, the guy at the shop said the 512mb Sapphire would perform the same as the 1gb XFX. Is this the case, or would he just be trying to offload stock? Cards are priced the same.

 

[micky_lund]

512mb will perform worse than the 1GB version. full stop. however, cooling has some say in this.... its a hard choice, but if u plan to go X-Fire...i dunno....id say there nearly even...look for a 1GB with back exhaust