~$1750 Gaming PC

[thebski]

Hey guys. I'm looking to build a new computer. I last built one 4 years ago, and I think it's time to update.

Approx. Purchase Date: Sometime in the next 2 weeks.

System Usage: Gaming, Music, Movies, Net Surfing

Preferred Website: Newegg, but will use others if necessary

Overclocking: Probably some, but I want some longevity so it won't be extreme

SLI: In the next 8-12 months, probably

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Noise doesn't bother me, as I shut it off at night, and I don't mind it humming when I'm gaming.

Parts I Have Already Purchased:

SAMSUNG 2333SW High Glossy Black 23" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20000:1 (1000:1) w/ HPCP Support - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001314

BFG Tech BFGEGTX275896OCXE GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143196

SeaSonic M12D SS-850 850W ATX12V V2.3/EPS12V V2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151067

Parts I Am Pretty Sure Of:

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner LightScribe Support - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106280

Parts I Think I Like, But Would Like Some Input On:

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220

Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007


I'm really struggling selecting a motherboard. I also eventually plan to put a Blu Ray player (maybe burner) in this machine once they come down in price a little more. I would appreciate any input on any of the stuff above. I'm about 100% sure i7. The rest can be debatable if you think I'm doing something wrong. For a motherboard, I want to be able to SLI. I'm probably going to do that in the next 8-12 months. I also have a wireless card that will need to fit in a PCI slot. I would like to have a lot of USB ports. I'll be running XP 64 bit until Windows 7 is out and battle tested. Anything else you need to know just ask. The mobo needs to be less than $300 for sure, and the cheaper the better, but I don't want a complete cheapo. Thanks guys.

 

[tecmo34]

I would switch to this RAM... It has better timings. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230 It is hard for me not to recommend the OCZ Platinum 1600 RAM but with a $30 price increase, I just can't justify it at this time.

I would recommend either the ASUS P6T or EVGA x58 SLI LE motherboards.

For HSF, I would go with the Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V or COGAGE True Spirit

 

[thebski]

What makes memory timings better? I'm not questioning you. I just don't know. I've built one computer in my life, so I'm by no means an expert at this.

 

[hunter315]

The timings refer to how many clock cycles it takes to access a block of data, lower numbers are better as it means you can access the data quicker, timings have more of a difference in performance than speed. That Gskill ram can probably hit better timings than the OCZ platinums at 1.65 volts, you just found me a new favorite tecmo since newegg finally fixed their pricing scheme.

 

[Yoosty]

I would switch to this RAM... It has better timings. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230 It is hard for me not to recommend the OCZ Platinum 1600 RAM but with a $30 price increase, I just can't justify it at this time.

I would recommend either the ASUS P6T or EVGA x58 SLI LE motherboards.

For HSF, I would go with the Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V or COGAGE True Spirit

Lets see what I can find for you to check out.

Here are a few Mobo's you should check out tat meet your requirement for wireless card that will need to fit in a PCI slot and price range .
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $259.99 ($239.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163

Ram prices went higher the last few days at NewEgg, but they probally will be some deal as we get close to Labor Day. Check these Ram brands below out.
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) OCZ3G1600LV6GK $124.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) TR3X6G1600C8 G $149.99 ($139.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate Card) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145236

Get either of these CPU HSF Coolers'.
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $44.98 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

CoGage True Spirit Heatpipe CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Silent Fan for Intel LGA1366 $37.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=450&products_id=26022

If you go with the CoGage, I would suggest you get this Mounting Bracket, instead of using the Push-Pin bracket that comes with CPU Cooler.
Thermalright LGA1366 Bolt-Thru-Kit Retail BOX Bolt-thru Board Mounting kit $9.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=173&products_id=24667

One of the latest Reviews on 1366 CPU HSF Coolers'.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/07/23/intel_core_i7_heatsink_roundup_q309/5

Items you will need.
Thermal Compound.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

You will need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable for most Cases that has Bottom Mounted PSU.
1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Hope this helps you out some..

 

[thebski]

Alright, that makes sense. I guess I assumed higher numbered timings were faster. Shows how much I know.

Also, what is the difference between the P6T and the P6T Deluxe V2? It looks to me like my PCI wireless card will work with two GTX 275's in SLI on the P6T, but not on the Deluxe model. That doesn't make any sense. Anyways, what's the difference between the two?

 

[Yoosty]

Alright, that makes sense. I guess I assumed higher numbered timings were faster. Shows how much I know.

Also, what is the difference between the P6T and the P6T Deluxe V2? It looks to me like my PCI wireless card will work with two GTX 275's in SLI on the P6T, but not on the Deluxe model. That doesn't make any sense. Anyways, what's the difference between the two?

Your PCI Wireless card will work in P6T or P6T v2, just was trying to keep cost down. The difference between them is that the P6T v2 has Dual Lan and 16+2 phase power compared to 8+2 phase power and Single Lan on the P6T.

 

[thebski]

Well just looking at the board configuration, it appears that with two dual slot graphics cards, all the usuable PCI slots will be blocked, but not on the P6T regular version. Is this the case, or am I seeing things?

 

[tecmo34]

Well just looking at the board configuration, it appears that with two dual slot graphics cards, all the usuable PCI slots will be blocked, but not on the P6T regular version. Is this the case, or am I seeing things?

I checked the images on Newegg and to me, both will have one PCI slot open, even with use of a dual slot video card. I guess we need a third opinion to break the tie...

 

[hunter315]

I concur, the second PCI slot from the left will still be open on the v2 and the bottom slot will be free on the regular P6T