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Your Opinion & Answers Please on new $1500 Enthusiast Build

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In two or three days. (As soon as I establish (with your help) the best combination of parts. Budget is $1000-$1500 which will include monitor and Win 7


SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I built my current machine 6 years ago and it's well past the time for a new one. I do some mild video editing/encoding/ (record from TV, edit out commercials, record to DVD) Don't expect to go heavy into Hi-Def/Blue Ray but would like have a CPU/GPU that will support it if and when the time comes. I also do some mild (Photoshop CS2) graphics work and DTP, but nothing really heavy. Might want to add a capture card to watch HDTV on the monitor and possibly record over-the-air pgms.
I am not a gamer.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, additional hard drives.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I prefer Intel CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Doubt I'll be overclocking but may give it a try just to try it. Won't be needing SLI/crossfire

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Intend to buy a 23" monitor so native resolution will be 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Cool running and future upgradability are the most important factors to me which is why I opted for LGA-1336 over LGA 1156.

I've spent the last two days trying to get my head around memory compatibility with motherboard and CPU and am still unsure. The Intel i7-930 specifies DDR3 800/1066 memory types.The Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R specifies support for DDR3 2200/1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules. Just about ever post on this forum includes DDR3 1600 MHz which (if I understand correctly) would require some additional bios configuration in order to be able to use on this motherboard. Altering the timings and voltage really scares me, so I've opted for (what seems to be) more compatible DDR3 1333 - Is this a mistake?

I've opted for an Saphire Radeon HD 5670 instead of 5770. This seems more than adequate for my needs but did want to ensure I got DirectX-11 capability.

Would like a motherboard that supports eSata, 3.0 USB and Sata 6Gb/s though I wonder how soon 3/0 and 6Gb/s will be a practical reality. I do want eSata however. Would like to connect eSata to front port of case but can't seem to find a motherboard that provides an on-board eSata header. Can rear port eSata be re-directed to connect to front case port?

CPU Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=i7-930-_-19-115-225-_-Product


Cooler Hyper 212 RR-B10-212P-G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=RR-B10-212P-G1

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&Tpk=GA-X58A-UD3R

Memory G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230&Tpk=F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK

Video Card SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102869&Tpk=Saphire%20100289L

Hard Drive SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=HD502HJ


Power Supply Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015&cm_re=antec_ea650-_-17-371-015-_-Product


Case COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Had been considering the HAF 922 but saw this case which has the 120mm side fan I prefer (my case sits somewhat enclosed under a desk that might stifle air flow from top and bottom fans) plus it has USB, 1394a and eSata front ports. It's also $20.00 cheaper and shipping is free, saving another $20.00.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=RC-690-KKN1-GP

Monitor ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built-in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

DVD-burner LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

Operating System Win-7 Home Premium 64

More about : opinion answers 1500 enthusiast build

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You can get a 5870 or better depend on how open you are. By better i'm mean a 5970 might be with in reach so jealous.

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

XFX HD-587X-ZNFV Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

ASUS Rampage II GENE LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Crucial Ballistix 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BL3KIT25664BN1337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Sony Optiarc Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1678A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power

Cost:$1354.87

He's not a gamer so no need for a gaming GPU. I'll leave it to the HTPC guys to recommend a tuner for you as I'm no expert there.

Every other component you listed is perfectly fine.

You could get a cheaper optical though, doesn't make a difference these days. $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

No need to recommend him a micro atx board hitmanone.

edit: FYI, both 1366 and 1156 are dead end sockets. Intel is replacing them with 1155 and 1356 when Sandy Bridge CPU's come out. USB 3.0 is basically a eSATA replacement.
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oohh and about the ram:

the 1066 from the i7 is standard config but I think the Gigabyte boards automatically configure optimally(I think) so buying 1600 wouldn't require any modification. I even have a friend whose dominators were automatically OC'd by the gigabyte board lol.

banthracis said:
He's not a gamer so no need for a gaming GPU. I'll leave it to the HTPC guys to recommend a tuner for you as I'm no expert there.

Every other component you listed is perfectly fine.

You could get a cheaper optical though, doesn't make a difference these days. $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

No need to recommend him a micro atx board hitmanone.

edit: FYI, both 1366 and 1156 are dead end sockets. Intel is replacing them with 1155 and 1356 when Sandy Bridge CPU's come out. USB 3.0 is basically a eSATA replacement.



Hah! So much for thorough research! For what I do on a computer, I probably could have gone LGA 1156 (and did consider it) but read it was a dead end. Problem is, I <i>didn't</i> read anything that indicated 1366 was staring at the same fate. Oh Well!

Thanks banthracis for your reply.

I realize I could go cheaper on the DVD burner, but I also want Lightscribe. DVD burners are practically throwaway items these days, so I didn't spend a lot of time researching them.

Thanks again.

Somebody_007 said:
The original build is very good don't know about the optical Banthracis is prob right.

I would try fit in an ssd though if its possible if it isn't then it isn't


Thanks for the reply, somebody_007.

I may add an SSD sometime in the future but would like to see them drop in price first. I already have two SATAs I can add in addition to the Samsung F3 I listed in my BOM.

Somebody_007 said:
oohh and about the ram:

the 1066 from the i7 is standard config but I think the Gigabyte boards automatically configure optimally(I think) so buying 1600 wouldn't require any modification. I even have a friend whose dominators were automatically OC'd by the gigabyte board lol.


That's the thing...I couldn't seem to find the definitive answer. I just want to plop the parts into the machine and turn it on. I may overclock some time later, just to gain the experience, but I don't want some extraneous element (like altering memory voltage and timings) to confuse other problems I may have on my first boot. I read a recent Tom's Hdwe article (with benchmarks) that seemed to indicate there wasn't really that much difference between 1066, 1333, 1600. I do know if the voltages aren't kept at or under 1.65V it could shorten the life of the CPU, so I don't want to fool with it.

Thanks again for your reply.

if i remember correctly MOST motherboards (as long as the RAM is compatible) will default to 1.5V
i think its always better to set the RAM u buy at whatever it was rated at
so if u really dont feel like doing anything in the BIOS then find some RAM rated at 1.5 volts
but i think if u buy RAM thats not rated at 1.5V and u dont set anything in the BIOS the machine should still work fine, it just wont perform at the advertised level

beerhelmet said:
if i remember correctly MOST motherboards (as long as the RAM is compatible) will default to 1.5V
i think its always better to set the RAM u buy at whatever it was rated at
so if u really dont feel like doing anything in the BIOS then find some RAM rated at 1.5 volts
but i think if u buy RAM thats not rated at 1.5V and u dont set anything in the BIOS the machine should still work fine, it just wont perform at the advertised level


The G-Skill F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK is rated at 1.5-1.6V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230&Tpk=F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK
and it seems to be compatible with the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&Tpk=GA-X58A-UD3R. But every inquiry I saw posted here seemed to specify G-Skill Ripjaw series or PI series 1600 or Crusial 1600 which is not listed on the Gigabyte specs. It was just enough to make me hesitate and try to find out more.

Thanks for replying.
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