New i7-920 Gaming Build for Review with some Questions....

[DanWM]

I am putting together a new high end gaming build. I have most of the main items picked out but I am having some trouble picking the right video card manufacture (based on bundling options), memory, SSD, case and cooling system.

The Main Build:
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50


Video Card:
I want a Radeon HD 5870, will add a second one sometime in the future when I need it.

I have 3 good options for the video card by different manufactures with bundling options....

1. XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
bundled with CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323604

2. SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
bundled with the same Memory as above OR with Windows 64bit Home edition (which I do need)

3. ASUS EAH5870/2DIS/1GD5/A Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
bundled with the same Memory as above or
OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600R2LV6GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313440

Question 1:
Is there any reason to take one video card manufacture over the other? Which do you recommend?

Question 2:
I want to get 6GB of memory...are the two memory bundles above any good or what other memory (3x2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) would you recommend?

I was originally looking at: (would this be better?)
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381


Solid State Drive :
I want to get a small SSD maybe about 40GB for Windows and 2-3 Games at a time.
Was looking at:
Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025

Question 3:
What do you think of this SSD? Do you have any better suggestions for similar money (about $130)


Case and Cooling:
The one piece I cannot decide on is the case, I want a Mid-Tower, needs to be big enough for the 11" Radeon HD 5870 Card(s) and the rest of the gear.

Pretty sure I want to be able to adjust the fans without having to open the case...this seems to be a problem on some of the common cases when I read the reviews.

Question 4:
What case would you recommend and what CPU cooling system? I was looking at Antec and Coolmaster cases but nothing is jumping out as the best (...what do folks think of the Coolmaster case CM690 II Advanced?). I am considering the following cooler:
XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Any help on these questions would be most appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[tecmo34]

Question 1: You have it in the order of how I would rank the with XFX being the recommended one. They are reliable and have great warranties.

Question 2: I'm not a fan of the Corsair RAM, as I feel they are over priced. My recommendation would be the OCZ Platinums or the G.SKILL PI Series

The SSD is a good OS hard drive and you have a nice storage drive picked out, so you are good to go.

Question 3: I would go with either the Antec 1200 or CM HAF 932 for a build of your level and plans to Crossfire down the road.

Question 4: I would go with the DK (have one myself ), which is a good cooler.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'm going to make a quick suggestion on the PSU. Newegg has a SeaSonic 850W 80 Plus Silver unit for $110. SeaSonic is one of the highest quality PSU makers, and this unit is super effecient. I highly recommend picking this one up instead of the Corsair.

Other stuff...

Q1: I don't think it really matters on what brand of GPU you get. I would go with the one that gives you the lowest overall cost.

Q2: Typically, Corsair is overpriced. However, they've got a new set out (XMS3 1600 mhz CL 7) that's one of the cheapest sets at $180.

Q3: Agree with tecmo

Q4: I personally like to suggest the Coolermaster Hyper 212. It's one of the best coolers, and it's only $30.