Sub $2000 i7 Build

[Chaptorial]

Hello all.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 Days

BUDGET RANGE: Sub $2000 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE: Gaming & surfing the web

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Case (will be reusing my CM Stacker 832), Mouse, Keyboard & Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, Tigerdirect.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States, East Coast

PARTS PREFERENCES: Even though my previous cards have all been Nvidia I'm going to be making the switch to ATI for this build

OVERCLOCKING: Possibly in the future and even then nothing major

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Again maybe sometime down the road

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'll be picking up the i7 at Micro Center for $229+Tax and have included that in my overall budget

PARTS:

CPU: Core i7 920
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362

GPU: XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150443

MEMORY: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145250

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

MONITOR: ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

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Excluding Shipping and tax, as well as rebates, comes to right around: $1773

There's no aftermarket HSF as I don't plan to overclock from the start. I'm upgrading from a Q6600, 8800GTX, Vista build.

I was really consideirng picking up the Saitek Eclipse III Black keyboard to replace my Eclipse I however I'm still on the fence.

Looking for any and all advice in regards to this build. Trying to place the order by Sunday night and would appreciate any help you can give.

 

[slcseas3]

Once you are in this far I'm not sure why wouldn't just pick up an HSF now. Cooler Master Hyper 212+ is $30 and you'll save the hassle of yanking the mobo to install it later.

Everything else looks pretty awesome. I'm just starting an i5 750 build and I'm getting a little bit of system envy. That's a great price you scored on the 920

 

[JackNaylorPE]

MoBo - Future proof w/ SATA II and USB 3 ASUS P6X58D Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

PSU - HX quality would be required w/ hi OC'ing and twin GFX, but w/ your OC plans and just 1 GFX, would drop down to TX650 or TX850 if ya think you'll get that 2nd GFX card.

RAM - DDR 1333 fine if not OC'ing more than 25% (3.33 GHz)

HS - It's a PITA to put in a HS later .... so i suggest that you do from the start. Xigmatec S1283 is easy purchase.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1683523302

Hard Drives - Check out the performance charts and pick whatever 500 GB per platter drive performs best under your usage patterns. The WD Black 2 TB is a good choice but at smaller capacities, you are limited to the Seagate 7200.12 or the Spinpoint F3. The 7200.12 excels in gaming, multimedia and pictures whereas the F3 wins at music and movie maker. See the comparisons here (copy past link in manually, link won't work in forum), look at the tests that reflect your usage and choose accordingly.:

(http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1006.html?prod[2371]=on&prod[2770]=on)

 

[MAB1994]

check this website out, its an awesome place for recommendations and may help you with your decision http://www.hardware-revolution.com/2000-gaming-computer/

 

[Chaptorial]

Thanks for the heads up on that Motherboard Jack. USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb is definitely something to have if I'm keeping this MB for while, which I plan to do. Going to make the switch.

As for the PSU I was looking to go with a modular setup however I should have mentioned my current build is running off a CORSAIR HX620. If I plan to get another GPU down the road I don't think that the 620 would cut it anymore. I guess I can keep the HX620 for now and I could just upgrade in the future if I plan to go that way. Would an HX620 be sufficient for this current build?

Going to check out the info on the HDD that works best for games.

slcseas3 and yourself recommend just getting the HSF now for ease of install. Only problem with the ones you're suggesting is that I plan on keeping my CM Stacker 832 case setup in the same config that it is now with the 4x fans on the door. Like in this pic of another setup.

Problem here is that both of your recommendations are two tall and would require removing one of the fans. I should be able to keep all 4 fans if I go with this HSF: Cooler Master GeminII S Thoughts?

And slcseas3 I wish I would have picked up the i7 over the Summer/Fall when they were offering it for $200 at Micro Center.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Chaptorial]

MAB1994 thanks for the link, thats exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[MAB1994]

No problem! Glad to help

 

[Chaptorial]

Just got back from Micro Center where I picked up the i7 for $230. Just to clarify S-spec: SLBEJ is D0 stepping, right?

Going to place the rest of the order on Newegg tonight and I'll be going with the ASUS P6X58D Motherboard

I'm fairly set on everything else and will be keeping the WD Caviar Black for the HDD. I may pickup a new Corsair PSU at Micro Center this week but for now I'm set on building with my current PSU CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX.

The Cooler Master GeminII looks like a good fit for a HSF.

Should be a good build and just in time for BF: Bad Company 2.

 

[MAB1994]

Great choice with new egg, when i built my system i got $100 in mail in rebates! maybe well meet each other in BFBC2 but you'll probably beat me with your $2000 build!

 

[Chaptorial]

It's going to take more than $2k to improve my skills. Believe me. :lol: