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Final revision of my i7 system components

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Final revision of my i7 system components

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I've posted here before, but i'll be buying the components within the next 5 days,
and I've made a few changes so I'm here to ask again.

so I currently have a budget of 1500~ USD, and I'm trying to buy everything from Newegg
within the next week and build it myself.

So far, I have chosen

i7-920 + Scythe Mugen 2 Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.235107

Asus P6T + G. Skill 6 GB 1600 mhz 9-9-9-24 ram Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.235806

Sparkle GTX 275 896 mb + Thermaltake Toughpower XT 750W Modular 80+ Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.228772

Some regular logitech keyboard... will probably swap to a G15 or a lycosa in 6 months
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823126013

Another Sparkle GTX 275 (Yea I'm going for SLI setup)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814187073

Hanns G 22'' 1680x1050 LCD monitor (5ms response time) <- only cause it's cheaper than other monitors at 21.5 or 22''
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254035

WD Caviar Black 640 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

and a CM Storm Scout case (ha! look at those sexy handles at the top.. perfect for LAN gaming)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119196

So far...
This combination of combos was the cheapest i could find that would give me

1) 6 gb ram of 1600 mhz ram
2) A decent mother board that supports 16x/16x SLI
3) again, cheapest.

Any advices/suggestions/changes you would make, before I make the purchase in a couple of days?
thanks

Add a reply

The thermaltake PSU is ok, though I think the Corsair unit is a better product. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006
After rebate, the price difference by breaking your selected combo is only $10.

There is better RAM out there than the G.Skill combo you have, OCZ has a popular kit out now. Not sure how much this will increase your total price though so not sure if it's worth it.

Otherwise, wouldn't make any changes considering your budget.

Reply to wathman

Hi...though you are looking to save by going with combos, I would suggest you invest in better quality components...

1. 2 GTX 275s is an overkill for that resolution...You are wasting money for the graphics power, that the monitor wont fully utilize...
2. +1 for the Corsair PSU...

Reply to gkay09

I'm not sure about the two GTX 275.. I'm planning to use this setup for a few years
without any major upgrades most likely, what may be overkill now might be just enough in a couple of years...

as for the PSU, I knew that corsair TX was probably a good choice,
but I chose this one because
1) no need to deal with rebate hassle
2) modular

is the quality of the corsair PSU that good, to cancel the above two points?
thanks

Reply to da_park91

you could try the Corsair 750HX

Reply to mindless728

way too expensive
also, any one have an opinion between Storm Scout vs Antec 902?
The price difference is almost negligable between the two.. around five bucks.

Message edited by da_park91 on 08-18-2009 at 05:59:05 PM

Reply to da_park91

going with modular will actually reduce PSU efficiency, only the most expensive modular PSUs will make this loss negligible. If you really care what your interior looks like and want a modular for looks and easier cable management, then go ahead with the cheaper modulars.

Corsair makes the most reliable, powerful, and cost effective PSUs which is why they are almost always recommended on these forums. There are other good options out there: Antec, OCZ, PC Power & Cooling, Enermax, Silverstone, Seasonic.

Thermaltake I would consider a tier 2 selection below those: they are adequate, but quality could be better.

As for cases, in terms of functionality and ease to work with, they are both about the same. Antec 902 is a more classic design. Really it comes down to what you think looks better.

Message edited by wathman on 08-18-2009 at 06:31:56 PM

Reply to wathman

DO NOT GET CORSAIR MODULAR i got one and their cables are configured so that each one has a 6 pin that can be an 8, running 2 275's youll end up using all the cables anyways, so why get modular?

Reply to jlear3

thanks for the tips...
I'll be trying to find a combo or something that'll let me use a "higher tier" power
like PC&C or corsair... however that seems difficult atm
since 275 is the card i want to get and i can't find any SLI compatible (700W and up) PSUs in combo with a 275.

Reply to da_park91

Can't seem to find any better deals with a 275.
I think I'll stick with the TT PSU.. i mean i don't think PSUs
are the "troublesome" components of a PC, and TT isn't a bad brand.

Reply to da_park91

Anyone know about the company XCLIO?
There's this 90 dollar Full ATX case... and I'm wondering if I should buy that for more room.

Reply to da_park91

Better quality RAM (CL8 instead of CL9), for only $10 more...after Mail in Rebate

combo

Reply to RedJason

Oh, and not sure if it matters, but your PSU comes with 2*6pin PCIe connectors, and 2*8pin PCIe connectors, when your cards each need 2*6pin connectors. I don't know for certain, but I am pretty sure that you can't use an 8 pin connector where a 6 pin connector is required...

Reply to RedJason

the box includes two adapters.
However, i've made changes so far..
i'll be getting two GTX 275's and a corsair 750 TX
instead of sparkles and a thermaltake.
however, i can't get the suggested ram..
this system is already over the budget, so i can't afford to get
"better" parts now. totaling about 1560 (with rebates) which is
well over my 1500 budget.

Reply to da_park91

Coolies, you could always take the person's advice above and only buy one card for now and wait for the other to go down in price, as you won't be utilizing the full effect of two cards with your monitor anyway?

Goodluck on your new comp man.

Reply to RedJason

I agree with RedJason, AMD and NVIDIA have new cards coming out as early as September in AMD's case, and this always leads to price cuts on current cards. Even if you put off buying the second card by 1 or 2 weeks, that should still save you a little money.

As for your question on XCLIO, I know their cases have been around for a while on NewEgg, though I always thought their designs are ugly so never looked closely. Most nicely sized Mid Tower cases will give you enough room if they are designed well, like the Antec 900 or any of the Mid Tower Coolermasters. If you want the best rated "cheap" ATX full tower, It seems Sunbeam cases are the most popular. Personally, I like the look of the Antec 1200 or Coolermaster HAF 932 in the full tower lines, but for their price you could buy 2 Sunbeam full towers.

Reply to wathman

Well, I could actually do the step-up program, since I'm buying EVGA products for the VGA. If the 300 series come out within the next three months, I'll definately take advantage of the step up program and trade in one by one (so i have one to use anyways).. this is the reason im going EVGA instead of sparkle.

I decided to go CM Storm Sniper, which is 10 dollar more than scout, but is way more roomy. It's a "mid tower" but when you look at the specs (22 x 10 x 21), its more like a full tower, and it also has a handle

I'm pondering between scythe mugen 2 and xigmatek dark knight though..

Reply to da_park91

damnit, i just read about ATI's evergreen releasing early september.
what to do now???
any chance the 300's will come out by nov. 21?
i wish EVGA had ATI cards..

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by da_park91 on 08-20-2009 at 04:39:15 PM

Reply to da_park91

wait if you can, but can't wait forever... I'm waiting just because it will probably drop all the GFX card prices

Reply to wathman

da_park91 wrote :

damnit, i just read about ATI's evergreen releasing early september.
what to do now???
any chance the 300's will come out by nov. 21?
i wish EVGA had ATI cards..

there's little chance that GT300 will be out this year, let alone November.

Reply to Helloworld_98

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Final revision of my i7 system components