First Build: i920 Gaming PC (Please Rate)

[Shikatsu]

Hi,
Long time reader, but first time posting.
Was wondering if you guys could rate this build before I purchase it. This is meant primarily for gaming, but will also be using it for school and some photoshop projects. Lots of multi-tasking. I plan on using Windows 7 Profession since I got two free copies from my university back in August.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within a month

BUDGET RANGE: below 1400 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Heavy Gaming, photoshop, programming, movies, surfing, homework, etc

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, Window 7 Professional
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm want to do most of the ordering from Amazon because there's no tax and everything but the heat sink has free shipping. Most of the prices listed are from amazon, not newegg. Only thing I plan on buying off of newegg as of right now is the harddrive. If you guys see any ways of cutting costs I would be glad to hear it but I'm pretty set on these parts. Oh and quiet would be nice. =P

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CPU
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail --- $199 (Microcenter)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Motherboard
ASUS Rampage II GENE LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail --- $212.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131371

CPU Cooler
Cogage True Spirit CPU Cooler by Thermalright 1366 Cooler --- $37.95
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B002HO329S/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A23NVCSO4PYH3S&v=glance

RAM
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail --- $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

Graphics
XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - Retail --- $259.99

PSU
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 - Retail --- $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

HD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - Retail --- $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD Drive
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - Retail --- $30.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

Case
Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail --- $119.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

Monitor
ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail --- $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

Total = $1350 ish

 

[Proximon]

The main reason to get X58 is for crossfire/SLI. I would say a "maybe" is probably not enough reason to go that route.

A good P55 board would still leave that option available:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273249

Check out this great deal on a case and HD... CM 690 is a wonderful case with more room for long cards. Spend the extra money on fans to supplement the three already included if you like.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273732

 

[Shikatsu]

The thing is, price wise that combo deal is pretty much the same as the i920 route. I also wanted to go the x58 route for future proofing. I only put maybe because I don't see myself doing crossfire until like 1-2 years from now, but when that time comes I'm almost 100% sure I'll be getting another 5850. Guess I should change it to Yes haha. As for the case, I just like it for the aesthetics, since I'll be looking at it everyday lol.

 

[messerchmidt]

avoid the ocz gold ddr3 ram. only had headaches with it. pay more and get some mushkin or g.skill @ 1600mhz+

I would get a more powerful PSU as well, like 850w, to make it x-fire proof

 

[obsidian86]

ony reason you going for the rampage board?

 

[Shikatsu]

No reason, i've just heard good things about that micro board. Plus it was in the range of what i wanted to pay for a mobo

 

[jbakerlent]

The OCZ RAM should be fine, OCZ is a favorite around here and this pair looks to be no different. Although that 650W PSU has enough juice to power two GPUs, it doesn't have enough connectors (4 required) so upgrade to a 750W one.

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

 

[newbuilder333]

I ust built this:

Intel core i7 920 @2.66Ghz DO batch A steeping
AsRock x58 Extreme motherboard
3x2Gb OCZ Gold DDR3 SDRAM 1600Mhz Cas 8 Timings: 8-8-8-24 @1.65v
Sapphire Radeon HD 5870
Corsair HX850 PSU
Xigmatech Dark Knight CPU Cooler
2x WD Caviar Black 640Gb HDD
Samsung CD/DVD burner
Antec 902 case
Samsung 2333 1920x1080 23” 5ns LCD

for $1590 minus the monitor. I am a first time builder and learned a great deal from the fine folks on these very forums. I agree the OZC RAM should be fine. People are going to have problems with any component sometimes. I have had no trouble with my three sticks so far. I also agree with the idea of going for an 850 watt power supply, better to have more than you need than stressing out an underpowered unit. If you can swing it the 5870 might be a better idea so that in 1-2 years when you do add the second card at least you will have gotten the best that was out when you built the system and maybe it won't be quite so outdated. That's my plan anyway. As for the motherboard, I opted for the AsRock to save a few bucks. It has gotten good reviews and I have had no trouble with it at all. Hope this helps.

 

[Shikatsu]

@jbakerlent
hmm i'm liking that power supply you recommended lol

@newbuilder333
just curious, how high was your AsRock able to overclock?

 

[newbuilder333]

Not sure yet, I might go into overclocking today. I have read at least 3.6 to 3.8Ghz, not sure beyond that.