New Build, New Builder. Please Help

[sap86]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: The sooner the better

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I'm mostly going to be running doing 3D modeling and Matlab/Simulink, but I also want to be able to game on it.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (USA)

Ok here is what I'm thinking about as my build. I've been doing a lot of research and I think I've got my machine. Please let me know what you guys think about it. This is my first time building my own machine, I'm very interested in what you guys say on both sides of the criticism spectrum.

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6TD Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131403

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263
(I might possibly buy 8GB total)

Rosewill Green Series RG700-S12 700W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified,Single 12V Rail,Active PFC"Compatible with Core i7, ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182191

SAPPHIRE 100286L Radeon HD 4860 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102866

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177


So that is pretty much my build, its a little more expensive than I was hoping, my budget allows for <= 1000 but I think I can swing it, the total price from newegg is 1125 + shipping. I'm going to run Windows 7 x64, Solidworks, Matlab/Simulink, and also high end gaming (if time allows)

Thanks alot,
Sean

 

[ares1214]

heres whats wrong with it:

CPU: good, might wanna i5, but we will stick to i7

MOBO: good, but could do better

RAM: for the i7 you are suppost to have 3x2 gig kits, since it is triple channel (ill show you in my build)

PSU: rosewill psu+i7 build=asking for trouble...rosewill doesnt exactly have the best track record for psus, so you might want to get a corsair, ocz, silverstone, antec...

GPU: i would get the 5770, more powerful than that card, and it has dx11, and doesnt cost too much more...

HDD: lol havent seen a raptor in a while...the raptor is a waste, since ssds are wayyyyyy faster, safer, cooler, and not at that capacity, but they are becoming cheaper. i would get a 30-60 gb ssd for you os and a few important programs for super speed, and put the rest on a 1 Tb samsung f3.

CASE: not bad, could be better

so heres what i would do:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 (out of stock currently)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.324969

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.329720

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

final price is 1180.91, but it is actually compatible, long lasting, will work, and it will be wayyyy faster and better, and future proof...

 

[aford10]

The following build comes to ~$1,114.

i7 920/Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5/Antec 1200 combo - $674
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323954
XFX 5770/OCZ 550w Fatal1ty - $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.325791
Samsung spinpoint f3 500GB - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product
6GB Corsair XMS DDR3 1600 - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145236
LG DVD drive - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

 

[ares1214]

i must be missing something, that is good and all, but wheres the ssd to replace the raptor? and it is enough, but dont you think that 550 is cuuting it a bit close on the psu for any upgradability...besides that its good, although i dont think i would get the 1200 for this build

 

[aford10]

The PSU isn't about wattage. The Fatal1ty PSU that I linked has more power on the 12v rails. For any single card setup, it's plenty to push it.

The spinpoint f3 drive will smack the raptor around. It's one of the top performing 7200rpm drives available. Not to mention, it's one of the better priced drives.

The 1200 is a classic case. It's a case that will handle anything you can put in it. It's got great cooling. There's no reason not to get it with that kind of combo discount.

 

[sap86]

What do you guys think about the difference in quality between asus and gigabyte motherboards?

 

[aford10]

They are the two top manufacturers. As far as quality goes, there isn't much difference. The difference will be in the models that you compare.

 

[ares1214]

@sap86 asus is better imo, also they have a better implementation of sata 6 and usb 3, and i have had better experiences with asus, though i havent had bad ones with gigabyte.

@aford10 yeah, i know that it can easily do a single card set up, but what if he wants to do crossfire...theres no way he can do it with that psu. yes i know the f3 is amazing, i have it in my build too, but i also included a boot drive 40 gig ssd, so i was just wondering why you didnt...the antec 1200 is GREAT, believe me i know, but this is more of a video editing rig, not gaming, so i think that the 1200 is a bit overkill, he should have more of a 300 illusion type case.

 

[aford10]

I think if the OP is thinking of crossfire in the future, then we'll need that info. It wasn't mentioned, so I'm just going on what was mentioned.

The SSD is a nice feature, but not a necessity.

Video editing vs gaming doesn't have much bearing on the type of case. The price is right on the 1200, and it's a great case.

 

[ares1214]

im just saying, better to have to much than not enough with the psu, the ssd is a very attractive feature, obviously not a necessity, but very helpful, and i think it does. if you are gaming then you want something with lcs holes, tons of air flow, probably some more leds, lots of space, and stuff like that. pros want more of the less flashy, they dont usually need as much airflow, and i have noticed they like mid towers much more than full towers. the 1200 is great and all, but a little more than what i would assume he needs. i was just saying with the addition of some better parts for 64$ (bigger hdd, 40 gig ssd, bigger psu, better ram) i was just saying that the case seems to be taking up more of the budget than it should, so that you can put in said better parts. believe me im not trying to argue, insult you, or be a jerk, lol cuz the last time i said that my build seemed better, the person went on calling me a high schooler :lol:

 

[aford10]

If I was building a personal/pleasure machine, I would for sure go with a SSD boot drive. But for a more professional build, it's just not a necessity.

The 1200 case is no more 'flashy' than the Azza you picked out. If anything, it's less. It doesn't have that 230mm LED fan on the side. With the combo discount, the price between the two isn't much. With that choice, personally, I'd go with the 1200.

If I were going to crossfire, the ModXstream wouldn't be my choice. The 18amp rails isn't real impressive. If I were going to crossfire, I'd go with something like the Corsair 650w, that has a 52amp rail.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair-_-17-139-005-_-Product

The real life difference in RAM performance will be unnoticeable.

The OP was looking at a 150GB drive. I think the 500GB will provide plenty of space.

I respect your opinions. You've got some good thoughts. That's the point of the forum. The OP can choose one, the other, neither, or a combo of both. It's just to provide ideas.

 

[ares1214]

i know that the ram wont me that noticable, but instead of arguing between us, hows this for the main parts:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323849

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.338750

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.339076

i would say thats better than what either of us recommended...