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[Solved] Need Advice for Purchasing and Building my First PC (Build #2)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] Need Advice for Purchasing and Building my First PC (Build #2)

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Need Advice for Purchasing and Building my First PC

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Best answer from tecmo34.

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Now --> Mid-October

BUDGET RANGE: $1250-$1750

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, HD Video Editing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS, Wireless Networking, External Storage

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, amazon.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel i7 CPU, nVidia-based Video, Blu-ray Burner

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
My biggest requirement is that the system be as quiet as possible. I want to achieve high performance, but am willing to sacrifice a little in order to keep the computer quiet and cool. Along with general Internet usage, my new computer will be used primarily for gaming (mostly WoW), and video editing. I need to be able to edit HD content and export it to BR.

I had a previous thread going, but changed my mind and went with an Intel 1366-based system.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASE
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137 $69.99

MOTHERBOARD
ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157163 $169.99

VIDEO
EVGA 896-P3-1171-AR GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130478 $259.99

PSU
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371025 $94.99

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115202 $279.99

MEMORY
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227381 $149.99

HARD DRIVE
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185 $84.99

BR/DVD
LG Blu-ray Burner Model BH08LS20 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136164 $179.99

MISC
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185093 $36.99

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186020 $7.98

TOTAL - $1,334.89

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Very good build... the only thing I would suggest is make sure you look at Newegg's combo's, which will allow you to get the price down lower than $1,334.89.

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Very good build... the only thing I would suggest is make sure you look at Newegg's combo's, which will allow you to get the price down lower than $1,334.89.

------------------------------ Recommended Builds by Usage
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Reply to tecmo34

Thanks for the reminder. I was only able to find this combo based on the components I listed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.253836 $387.98 (-$22.00 w/ $20 MIR) (video + RAM)

UPDATED TOTAL: $1,312.89 - $20 MIR

Reply to Bibble

I put this system together over the weekend and was pleased with the results:

COOLER MASTER RC-690
ASRock X58 Extreme
Intel Core i7 920
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA
LG Blu-ray Burner
Scythe MUGEN-2 CPU Cooler
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit OS

A few complaints/issues that I'm still working on:

1) My wireless data transfer rate is horrible between other devices on my network. I had to install an old G wireless adapter because Win 7 would not accept the driver for my N adapter.

2) Windows 7 gave my hard drive a low score (5.3), but I don't see any performance issues when working with files locally. This isn't a huge concern at the moment, but I'm going to keep an eye on it.

3) My motherboard consistently shows a post code of "AA," but can't figure out how to fix it.

4) After booting the machine, CPU temp hovers around 38-40 C. This is with the default bios and no overclocking. This seems ok to me, but have read about some folks getting theirs under 30 C.

I have yet to load up WoW, Adobe Premiere, or Photoshop, but the general look and feel of the PC is great.

Reply to Bibble

Another update:

1) I got my wireless N adapter working and the transfer rate across my network is extremely fast now.

2) Still looking into this one... The machine is so fast, I can't tell if this is an issue or not.

3) I heard back from ASRock with the following reply:

"AA code will display either at begin the POST or end at POST screen. It means mainboard detect all the parts correctly. You don’t need to worry about that.

As long as system is post up fine."

4) After some minimal research, it appears that 38C is an acceptable temperature for the i7 920. I'll continue to monitor this as I start benchmarking my system and experiment with some overclocking.

Next up? I'm suddenly in the market for a new HD monitor!

Reply to Bibble

Glad to see things are working out fine!! If you ever get around to it... post some pictures!!

------------------------------ Recommended Builds by Usage
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Reply to tecmo34

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[Solved] Need Advice for Purchasing and Building my First PC (Build #2)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] Need Advice for Purchasing and Building my First PC (Build #2)