I7 920 build need advice

[dt21]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week
BUDGET RANGE: 1500-2k
SYSTEM USAGE: Gaming and Civil3d2008 // AutoCad


Case: Antec 1200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz

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

Cooling - Scythe Mugen 2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093&Tpk=scythe%20mugen%202

Memory: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Video card: eVGA GeForce GTX 295

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504

Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Hard drive: WD Caviar Black 640 gig x 2 (Raid 0)

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


Subtotal: $1724.91



I am looking for any advice if I am spending to much or too little for the types of applications I will be running. Am I over spending on the video card? I am going to eventually overclock the cpu to 3.6-3.8 ghz so I need to make sure I have the right cooling components and case for this. I have been reading this forum for quite some time now to get an idea how to put this system together, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mrcrybaby]

I would recommend this mobo:

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - $159.99 after $10 MIR

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3593
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cheap-x58-motherboard,2368-18.html

It's not as hardcore as the Asus you chose, but are 2-10fps really worth $100 more to you? With that 100 you could scrap your scythe mugen 2 and get the corsair H50 liquid cooler :] Also, if you don't plan to Sli anytime soon, why not opt for a cheaper case as well? Antec 900 should be plenty fine for all your components. Hope that helps!


~mrcrybaby

 

[JackNaylorPE]

here before making a choice.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/hard-drives,3.html

My son has a similar build here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270740-31-college-bound-money-spend

Only thing I'd advise against is the HD...Suggest you look at the charts here on the forum (inc. noise and thermal)

He's also leaning toward the 295 tho he's getting a lot of static about his choice from people who feel that the new 5870's is the only "sane" choice. Personally, I don't like "Revision A" hardware and like to let things settle in a bit. With manufacturers rushing to hit the XMas sales, quite often things are not quite right so I like to shop at mid to end of winter. It really is a bad time to choose a video card with nVidia's offering coming in November and the 58xx just hitting the streets.

To my mind, twin 5850s is the best buy if your main focus is frame rates and your budget is $500ish.
If you want a single card solution then it comes down to 5 choices:

a) The 295 GTX
b) The 4870x2 (but it's no real competition to the 295 especially in the heat department)
c) The 5870x2 (when it comes out .... expected around thanksgiving)
d) The successor to the 295 (expected XMas or later)
e) The 5870 gets within 5-10% on average to the 295 GTX and saves you about $120 (still hard to find in stock ... if you see it, better order fast)

Of course expectations on release dates are often dashed

 

[dt21]

awesome feedback, thanks guys. I do not think I plan to SLI anytime soon, so perhaps I will check out the 900. As far as HDs, I will definitely check out those charts.

much appreciated.

 

[mrcrybaby]

if it helps at all, I have the WD640gb black edition as well as the 1tb black edition... I haven't noticed any noise from them so far :] I think those are a good choice. If you're going for budget, get the blue edition 640's, but a for a little more money you're also getting the 5yr warranty with the black editions.

~mrcrybaby

 

[dt21]

mrcrybaby,

thanks for getting back to me. I am going to stick with WD simply because I have owned their products in the past and have never had any issues with noise or other problems.

I have decided to stick with the antec 1200 simply because my case will not be moving anywhere and I like the feel of the full tower case, just personal preference

I will leave this post up another day or so if anyone wants to chime and let me know a possible better solution to my current setup..

Thanks!

 

[dt21]

Well I just received all my components today from Newegg, fast as always.

I just checked my i7 920 and the box says S-Spec SLBEJ, so pretty sure I got lucky with one with DO. The only thing that didn`t arrive yet was my PSU.

Thanks again everyone for the great ideas here in this thread and in PMs. This forum has helped me a great deal with buy decisions.

 

[Guest]

What motherboard and ram did you happen to end up with?

 

[dt21]

I ended up with corsair simply because I have been using their product for a while now and have not had any problems with it http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Motherboard I kept the same also Asus p6t deluxe v2. I forgot to mention I switched Power supplys to corsair 750w modular for cable management reasons.