I7 system nearly finished - advice please - New Build

white27

August 15, 2009 12:04:51 AM

This is what I got at the moment, some parts are from my old system.
I am seeking opinions and advice.

PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: any
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse,OS,speakers,sound card,)
PARTS PREFERENCES: any (quality + value for money)
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes
will be used for gaming , photo&video editing , general home
OS vista x64 ultimate (but windows 7 will be added ) so 2x OS

CASE: THERMALTAKE SOPRANO BLACK
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAT-X...
CASE FANS: 2X 12cm standard fans (front+back) + 1x 9cm standard fan (side) (SHOULD I CHANGE fans???)
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P6T DELUXE V2
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MBA-P...
CPU: intel i7 920 d0 (2.66)
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CPI-I...
CPU COOLER: STANDARD INTEL CPU COOLER (WILL BE CHANGED within next few days)
MEMORY: OCZ Reaper6Gb DDR3 1866MHz (3x2Gb) Tri-Chanel
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MEO-D...
PSU: SEASONIC M12D - 850W
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=PSS-8...
FAN CONTROLLER: ZALMAN ZF-MFC2
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFZ-M...
GRAPHIC CARD: NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600GT 512MB (WILL BE CHANGED within next few days)
SOUND CARD:CREATIVE AUDIGY 2ZS
ONBOARD AUDIO: ADI AD2000B 8 -Channel High Definition
SPEAKERS: CREATIVE INSPIRE T7900 7.1
HDD1: WESTERN DIGITAL WD6400AAKS 640GB
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/640-GB-Western-Digital-W...
HDD2: WESTERN DIGITAL WD2500JD 250GB (WILL BE CHANGED within next few days)
DVDRW: PIONEER DVR-216
monitor: (using lcd tv - sharp aquos 37" 1920x1080) new monitor will be purchased 1-2 months later

Question1:
Should I change case fans???

Question2:
cpu cooler: thinking to get: Prolima Megahalems Super 6 Heatpipe Tower Cooler + 12cm fan? (good choice?)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=1040994
tests:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_conten...

question3:
graphic card: I'm thinking about - xfx 896Mb nVidia GeForce GTX 275 AMP
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/896MB-XFX-GTX-275-XXX-PC...(x16)-2268-MHz-GDDR3-GPU-670-MHz-240-Cores-2x-DL-DVI-I
tests:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

question4:
hdd2: WESTERN DIGITAL WD6400AAKS 640GB - ( raid0 for better speed? )
or second faster hdd?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/640-GB-Western-Digital-W...

Please let me know about my mistakes!!!

Thanks for your help.

More about : system finished advice

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Yoosty

August 15, 2009 1:48:39 AM

Looks good, but there are some changes that you need to do.

The case you selected will have a problem with airflow for cooling purposes and also with the side door fan getting in the way of most aftermarket CPU coolers'.

Below are some cases I found at the same site you had your pick at that should do.
Mid Tower
CoolerMaster HAF 922 Black ATX Case, No PSU £83.89 inc.VAT
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAC-H...

CoolerMaster Storm Scout Black ATX Gaming Case, No PSU £76.48 inc.VAT
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAC-S...

Full Tower
Antec Twelve Hundred Gamers Case, ATX, No PSU £134.26 inc.VAT (excellant airflow)
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAA-1...

If you are planning to Raid your HHD's I would suggest this one and if not Iwould suggest you get a 2nd HDD of the one you picked as storage.
750 GB Western Digital WD7502ABYS RE3, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache £87.73 Inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/750GB-Western-Digital-WD...

The Ram you picked will interfere with Aftermarket CPU Cooler, check thes out below.
Corsair Dominator DHX 6Gb DDR3 1600 (3x2Gb) Tri-Chan Kit £112.99 inc.VAT
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=MEC-D...

Also @ Dabs for £105.38 inc vat Free delivery available
http://www.dabs.com/products/corsair-memory-corsair-6gb...

OCZ Technology DDR3 6GB (3x2) Platinum 1333Mhz CL7 (7-7-7-20) £90.34 inc vat Free delivery available
http://www.dabs.com/products/ocz-technology-ddr3-6gb--3...

Now your choice of CPU Cooler is one of the top5 for Core i7, but you have to buy fan for it, check out these two.Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366RT 120mm heat sink KIT for Intel 1366 CPU inc 1600RPM fan £51.62 Inc VAT
(is the top dog)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Thermalright-Ultra-120-e...

Cogage True Spirit 120mm PWN Fan Covering 48x Alum fins with 4x Copper Heat Pipes £32.19 Inc VAT
(designed by Thermalright and runs a few degrees hotter then Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366RT)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Cogage-True-Spirit-120mm...

Review you should check out.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/07/23/intel_core_i7...

Items you will need
Chill Factor 2 (4g) - Thermalright Chill Factor 2 £5.74 Inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Thermalright-Chill-Facto...(4g)-(The-No1-Best-Performing-T-P)

You will need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable for most Cases that has Bottom Mounted PSU.
Akasa 8-Pin 30cm PSU Extension Cable £3.44 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB...

Hope this helps out some.

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lehighace06

August 15, 2009 1:32:43 PM

I've heard negative reviews of Zotac GPUs (the quote below is from newegg, the exact card you linked from a different vendor). I'd suggest EVGA or XFX, the same GPU on the card, GTX 275 896mb is a great unit, just get a higher quality brand.

"Cons: I have only had this card for about 3 months before it died. Tech support is very poor. It is difficult to get through to a live person. When calling tech support I was automatically placed on hold then their automated phone system would hang up on me. It took me several days of calling until I finally was able to talk to a real person. The tech support person was not very friendly. I sent them the card over a month and have yet to receive my warranty replacement video card. "

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Helloworld_98

August 15, 2009 1:36:12 PM

try using OCUK or scan instead of eclipse computers, the prices are a bit better.

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Yoosty

August 15, 2009 3:45:02 PM

lehighace06 said:

I've heard negative reviews of Zotac GPUs (the quote below is from newegg, the exact card you linked from a different vendor). I'd suggest EVGA or XFX, the same GPU on the card, GTX 275 896mb is a great unit, just get a higher quality brand.

"Cons: I have only had this card for about 3 months before it died. Tech support is very poor. It is difficult to get through to a live person. When calling tech support I was automatically placed on hold then their automated phone system would hang up on me. It took me several days of calling until I finally was able to talk to a real person. The tech support person was not very friendly. I sent them the card over a month and have yet to receive my warranty replacement video card. "

OP misnamed Graphic card as one from Zortac but it is one from XFX if you went to link.
GX-275X-AHDA - 896MB XFX GTX 275 XXX 55nm, 2268MHz GDDR3, GPU 670 MHz, Shader 1404 MHz, 240 Cores.

Quote:

helloworld_98
try using OCUK or scan instead of eclipse computers, the prices are a bit better.

Most are from others sites, but that will be remedy right now.

Only one case is cheaper and that is by £1.51 quid. But did find some lower prices on the following parts.

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ)This Week Only Offer £201.99 inc VAT (was £204.99 inc VAT)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP...

BX80601920 - Intel i7 920, D0 SLBEJ £201.45 Inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/896MB-XFX-GTX-275-XXX-PC...(x16)-2268-MHz-GDDR3-GPU-670-MHz-240-Cores-2x-DL-DVI-I

Mobo's
Asus P6T DELUXE V2 S1366 Intel X58 ATX A L CF/SLI £203.75 inc vat Free delivery available
http://www.dabs.com/products/asus-s1366-intel-x58-atx-a...

Asus P6T Deluxe V2, Intel X58 £202.60 Inc VAT
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-P6T-Deluxe-V2-Intel...(x16)-Triple-DDR3-2000(OC)-1866(OC)-1600(OC)-ATX

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