APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week
BUDGET RANGE: around $1500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, audio/video encoding, photo/video editing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard (have a Logitech G15), mouse, monitor (have a Hanns G 22" widescreen LCD @ 1800x1050 I think, computer is dead so I can't double check, might be only 1680x1050)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
OVERCLOCKING: Probably, not an enthusiast in this department though
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, if it's a better price/performance option than a single GPU
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm mostly wary after reading about problems people have getting all of their components to fit together, like making sure large video cards (either due to width or length) such as 2x Radeon HDs in xfire don't clip the SATA/power connectors on the mobo or running into hard drive cages on the case, or not fitting with certain types of case power supply positions, aftermarket CPU coolers covering RAM slots, etc. I'm interested in specifically running 2x Radeon HD 4800s in xfire, but am open to using a single higher end GPU of either brand (ATI or nVidia) or any better video card setups people can suggest. I'd like input on mobo/vid card(s)/case/cpu cooler combos that are known to work together without requiring me to bend, cut or squeeze anything in during installation, as well as being parts that are reliable and don't run overly hot. I'm willing to pay top dollar to not have to worry about installation and heat issues that can't be taken care of by a good case with stock fans and an aftermarket cpu cooler.
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail $284.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
Seems like my most set on component, no real questions here
Video: X2 SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $159.99 (total $319.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849
These sound like huge cards and I'm particularly anxious to find a mobo and case where I won't run into space problems, also I'm wondering if there are single GPUs in this price range that'd be better for my wants. DX11 compatibility would be nice but not a huge concern, and I'd really like a card that doesn't run hot as the sun, hopefully not pushing 65c under load
Mobo: EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $284.99 (before $20 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
There don't seem like many options for LGA 1366 chipset mobos, this one in particular I'm worried about comments that aftermarket coolers sometimes cover the ram slot closest to the CPU
CPU Cooler: Can't find anything for LGA 1366 that looks good, looking for recommendations, with emphasis on space concerns mentioned already.
Case: The 3 year old computer I'm replacing is in an Antec 9000 case which I liked, but I'm thinking of trying something new, and hopefully something capable of removing most of my internal real estate issues mentioned above. Size isn't a concern, currently looking at a full ATX tower like
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
but would love more suggestions. So many to choose from I get overwhelmed easily!
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail $139.99 (before $20 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220
Not looking to overclock memory, latency and voltages and what not confuse the hell out of me, simply want 6-8GB of DDR3 memory that's stable and fast out of the box, recommend something better!
Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $139.99 (before $30 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
only concern here is reliability
Hard drive(s): x2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive $79.99 (total $159.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
Newegg is currently out of the 1TB Caviar, also should I think of getting a smaller more reliable drive for my OS and use these for storage?
Total (sans CPU fan): $1474.90, 1404.90 after mail in rebates
One last concern is operating system. I haven't switched to Vista yet from XP SP3, I was thinking of getting Vista Pro with a Win 7 upgrade coupon, is this my best route?
I love all the help and support on these forums, it makes the daunting task of building a new rig a little more manageable, especially for people like me who haven't looked over build parts in 3+ years. Thanks in advance for any help and comments!
BUDGET RANGE: around $1500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, audio/video encoding, photo/video editing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard (have a Logitech G15), mouse, monitor (have a Hanns G 22" widescreen LCD @ 1800x1050 I think, computer is dead so I can't double check, might be only 1680x1050)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
OVERCLOCKING: Probably, not an enthusiast in this department though
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, if it's a better price/performance option than a single GPU
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm mostly wary after reading about problems people have getting all of their components to fit together, like making sure large video cards (either due to width or length) such as 2x Radeon HDs in xfire don't clip the SATA/power connectors on the mobo or running into hard drive cages on the case, or not fitting with certain types of case power supply positions, aftermarket CPU coolers covering RAM slots, etc. I'm interested in specifically running 2x Radeon HD 4800s in xfire, but am open to using a single higher end GPU of either brand (ATI or nVidia) or any better video card setups people can suggest. I'd like input on mobo/vid card(s)/case/cpu cooler combos that are known to work together without requiring me to bend, cut or squeeze anything in during installation, as well as being parts that are reliable and don't run overly hot. I'm willing to pay top dollar to not have to worry about installation and heat issues that can't be taken care of by a good case with stock fans and an aftermarket cpu cooler.
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail $284.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
Seems like my most set on component, no real questions here
Video: X2 SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $159.99 (total $319.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849
These sound like huge cards and I'm particularly anxious to find a mobo and case where I won't run into space problems, also I'm wondering if there are single GPUs in this price range that'd be better for my wants. DX11 compatibility would be nice but not a huge concern, and I'd really like a card that doesn't run hot as the sun, hopefully not pushing 65c under load
Mobo: EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $284.99 (before $20 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
There don't seem like many options for LGA 1366 chipset mobos, this one in particular I'm worried about comments that aftermarket coolers sometimes cover the ram slot closest to the CPU
CPU Cooler: Can't find anything for LGA 1366 that looks good, looking for recommendations, with emphasis on space concerns mentioned already.
Case: The 3 year old computer I'm replacing is in an Antec 9000 case which I liked, but I'm thinking of trying something new, and hopefully something capable of removing most of my internal real estate issues mentioned above. Size isn't a concern, currently looking at a full ATX tower like
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
but would love more suggestions. So many to choose from I get overwhelmed easily!
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail $139.99 (before $20 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220
Not looking to overclock memory, latency and voltages and what not confuse the hell out of me, simply want 6-8GB of DDR3 memory that's stable and fast out of the box, recommend something better!
Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $139.99 (before $30 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
only concern here is reliability
Hard drive(s): x2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive $79.99 (total $159.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
Newegg is currently out of the 1TB Caviar, also should I think of getting a smaller more reliable drive for my OS and use these for storage?
Total (sans CPU fan): $1474.90, 1404.90 after mail in rebates
One last concern is operating system. I haven't switched to Vista yet from XP SP3, I was thinking of getting Vista Pro with a Win 7 upgrade coupon, is this my best route?
I love all the help and support on these forums, it makes the daunting task of building a new rig a little more manageable, especially for people like me who haven't looked over build parts in 3+ years. Thanks in advance for any help and comments!
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