I7, under $1000, for gaming

[lucasbuck2]

First, I wanted to thank sherlockmeister, because I worked off some of his stuff. I'm going to use my old box for a HTPC, so I'm moving a lot of parts. I only update my computer every few years, so I try to get something not top of the line (which is never worth the slight bump in performance), but something that will at least be decent a few years down the road. (Yeah, don't we all).
For the record, I haven't kept up with stuff as I should, but I've done some research. If I'm way off on ANY of this stuff, just suggest another part. I'd appreciate it.

Approximate Purchase Date
Within the next 7 days.

Budget Range
Under $1000 (USD)

System Usage From Most Important To Least Important
Gaming, general

Parts Not Required
Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, hard drive.

Preferred Website(s) For Parts
Newegg, but I'm open

Parts Preferences
Intel

Overclocking
Conservative overclocking

SLI or Crossfire
SLI definitely although not immediately

* Monitor Resolution and video card
Here's an important part. I have a Samsung LN-T4071F 40" LCD TV (which is great), and a XFX 8800GT 512MB DDR3 that I'm still using. They're working great so I wasn't going to update the card. (The Samsung is just for gaming, the HTPC will be going to a different TV, so I'll still be using the Samsung). So I'm going to have to buy at least one more video card. Would I be better off buying a HTPC card and keeping the 8800GT in my gaming rig OR using the 8800GT in the HTPC and buying a new gaming card. I'm completely out of touch on video cards. Is the 8800GT really outdated? I'm not figuring the graphics card into the $1000, but would appreciate some separate advice on that topic..


Parts below this point.


Motherboard
Leaving that totally up to you guys

Processor
Again, totally leaving it up to you guys, but I want an i7 with D0 (I'm assuming from what I've read D0, unless there's something else I missed)

CPU Fan/Heatsink
XIGMATEK Dark Knight - $44.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
OR
COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

Power Supply - (I'm guessing here, I want to looking into dual video cards later, but I'll take any advice)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Memory
OCZ Platinum 6GB DDR3 1600 - $114.99

Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower - $69.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=Antec%20Three%20Hundred%20Illusion%20Black%20Steel
OR (and I really love this case, give me an excuse to waste money buying it)
Cooler Master HAF 932 ATX Full Tower Black Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=Cooler%20Master%20HAF%20932

Thermal Compound
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound - $7.98

Thanks for the help guys. Please feel free to pick it apart and suggest better bang for the buck stuff. $1000 is my upper limit, but without the drive and such, I'm hoping to come in under that. Also throw in some advice on the video card if you could.

 

[redgarl]

If I were you, I would go with AMD Phenom II and a Crossfire setup, but if you really plan to SLI, I will go with 2 GTX260.

Also, the HAF 932 is the better choice. If you can, get the Corsair 850HX, it's their best power supply.

 

[gkay09]

Well if you are very much attracted to the HAF 932, then certainly go ahead and buy it...It is one of the best available full towers now...But its huge...

You can take a look at its small brother though...
HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

CPU - Yes the D0 stepping is newer...But if you buy from newegg, it is a hit or miss...
So if you are pretty particular about the D0, then get the CPU from here...
http://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php?productid=16135&cat=282&page=
http://www.tankguys.com/intel-core-i7-920-d0.html

CPU Cooler - +1 for the Xig Dark Knight

RAM - Good choice...

Mobo -
EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

PSU - The Corsair 750TX is best suited for dual card setup...

And if you want a fast hard drive,
HDD - WD Black 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Graphics card - The 8800GT is a good card...but if you want to play the current games @ 1080p resolution, then it wont help much...
shifting it to the HTPC is a better option...Or as the HTPC wont require such a powerful card, you can sell the card and get a low powered card for that setup...but its upto you though...

As for the graphics card for the gaming PC, the GTX 275/ HD 4890 is the best option...They have enough power for playing games @ 1080p...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

Hope this helps...

 

[lucasbuck2]

First, I wanted to thank sherlockmeister, because I worked off some of his stuff. I'm going to use my old box for a HTPC, so I'm moving a lot of parts. I only update my computer every few years, so I try to get something not top of the line (which is never worth the slight bump in performance), but something that will at least be decent a few years down the road. (Yeah, don't we all).
For the record, I haven't kept up with stuff as I should, but I've done some research. If I'm way off on ANY of this stuff, just suggest another part. I'd appreciate it.

Approximate Purchase Date
Within the next 7 days.

Budget Range
Under $1000 (USD)

System Usage From Most Important To Least Important
Gaming, general

Parts Not Required
Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, hard drive.

Preferred Website(s) For Parts
Newegg, but I'm open

Parts Preferences
Intel

Overclocking
Conservative overclocking

SLI or Crossfire
SLI definitely although not immediately

* Monitor Resolution and video card
Here's an important part. I have a Samsung LN-T4071F 40" LCD TV (which is great), and a XFX 8800GT 512MB DDR3 that I'm still using. They're working great so I wasn't going to update the card. (The Samsung is just for gaming, the HTPC will be going to a different TV, so I'll still be using the Samsung). So I'm going to have to buy at least one more video card. Would I be better off buying a HTPC card and keeping the 8800GT in my gaming rig OR using the 8800GT in the HTPC and buying a new gaming card. I'm completely out of touch on video cards. Is the 8800GT really outdated? I'm not figuring the graphics card into the $1000, but would appreciate some separate advice on that topic..


Parts below this point.


Motherboard
Leaving that totally up to you guys

Processor
Again, totally leaving it up to you guys, but I want an i7 with D0 (I'm assuming from what I've read D0, unless there's something else I missed)

CPU Fan/Heatsink
XIGMATEK Dark Knight - $44.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
OR
COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

Power Supply - (I'm guessing here, I want to looking into dual video cards later, but I'll take any advice)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Memory
OCZ Platinum 6GB DDR3 1600 - $114.99

Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower - $69.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=Antec%20Three%20Hundred%20Illusion%20Black%20Steel
OR (and I really love this case, give me an excuse to waste money buying it)
Cooler Master HAF 932 ATX Full Tower Black Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=Cooler%20Master%20HAF%20932

Thermal Compound
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound - $7.98

Thanks for the help guys. Please feel free to pick it apart and suggest better bang for the buck stuff. $1000 is my upper limit, but without the drive and such, I'm hoping to come in under that. Also throw in some advice on the video card if you could.

 

[lucasbuck2]

Thanks for the replies so far. I did edit and add this note:
(NOTE: I know the XFX 8800GT is overkill for a HTPC, but I might still use it for gaming on the family TV for lan stuff. Not much, but I figure it can't hurt.)

 

[sherlockmeister]

lol I was wondering why the first post looked so familiar! Thanks for backing up my build with your confidence! I like this build a lot, of course. Just remember that I'm a beginner at this also so don't take my word for gospel. That said I did use lots and lots of research for well reviewed parts on TomsHardware, and those that I had seen around on the i7 builds here (I've looked through nearly all of them). Not to mention looking at all the manufacturers websites/manuals. Good luck mate!

If you're looking for mobo reccomendations:
EVGA LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX SLI - $209.99 (from my thread)
My reasons for picking this board were that it fit my needs with anything extra. Your needs may be different from mine of course. Personally I thought it was the best I could get for that price range. It's microATX, don't know if you want that or not.

All ASUS LGA 1366 boards
Asus seems to be a very popular company for mobo's so check these out also. They have a full sized board (P6T SE) with the same price and about the same specs as the EVGA board above. Don't really know why I picked the EVGA over this (the memory is spec'd higher though), guess it just seemed right for me.

They are plenty of other good mobo manufacturers out there also like Gigabyte, MSI, etc. Sometimes they have lower prices also but usually I'm more comfortable pay a little premium. Just remember to do your homework and research a lot, the benchmarks and reviews on TomsHardware are great. It's best to have first hand information than rely solely on other people's recommendations even if they are useful.

 

[lucasbuck2]

I haven't heard great things about the EVGA board, but maybe I haven't read enough. Any other opinions on it? (Or any of the parts?)

 

[lucasbuck2]

Hate to bump, but I hadn't heard anything for awhile. I'm ordering tomorrow, so any last opinions would be great. Thanks!