Compatibility + Suggestions: Gaming PC

[AmacB]

Hey, This is my first build, aiming high-end gaming PC that won't be rendered obsolete in a hurry, and which i can upgrade part by part if needs be.

I won't be overclocking any time soon, but i probably will overclock the Processor when it starts getting outdated, maybe to support a new video card or whatever.

Any help and suggestions are appreciated, thanks.

CPU: Intel i7 950 3.06GHz

Mobo: Intel DX58SO Extreme Series X58

GPU: Nvidia GTX 480 (Does it matter which sub-corporation it has? Asus, Zotac etc.)

Ram: 2x2g DDR3 (Haven't decided yet, Anything i should be aware of when shopping for it?)

Storage: WD3200KS-7PFB0 320 GB SATA-300 (From Current computer) + 500GB 7200+RPM (Manufacturer undecided: Whichever i can get a good deal on)

Case (With Fans and 750W PSU): XCLIO A380 Full Tower PC Case
(As listed at: http://cgi.ebay.ie/XCLIO-A380-Full-...ponents_RL&hash=item33603d67f8#ht_3433wt_1002)

Where and what heat sinks should i get or will they come with the Processor?

If i've left anything else important out, or you see a problem with the build, let me know. Thanks!

A

 

[blackjellognomes]

A few things:
- Intel boards really aren't that great. I usually go for Asus or Gigabyte.
- "Does it matter which sub-corporation it has? Asus, Zotac etc." Take a look at warranties. Also, some brands do offer more consistent quality than others.
- Get triple channel RAM for an X58 mobo.
- Take a look at the Samsung F3 500GB.
- XCLIO cases may nice specs, but the quality may not be what you expect.
- I suggest the CM Hyper 212+.
- [strike]PSU?[/strike] EDIT: nvm, just saw that it's included.

 

[AmacB]

Thanks for the reply.
- Which Asus or Gigabyte board would you recommend?
- Would you say that the XCLIO would be a definite bad decision or just to be careful of it? Would you recommend a CM case or?

Thanks again.

 

[etk]

CPU: good choice, but don't expect to be able to upgrade it, Socket 2011 replaces socket 1366 next year.

MoBo: Don't get a 1366 board with 4 dimm slots. There is nothing the matter with running dual channel on a 1366, but not giving you the option of tri-channel just reeks of cheapness.

Here is a good lower priced board. It should be enough for you. If you want to go higher end, Gigabyte and EVGA make some nice boards in the high range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189

Heat sink will come with the processor, though you'll want to replace the stock one when you overclock.

Ram: You'll prob want to bump it up to 6GB, 3*2GB.

GPU: Think about Nvidia as being like intel, and Asus, Zotac, etc like being Dell or HP. Even though the chip is identical, there are differences in other components that do mater. (Heatsinks, fans, memory, output connectors, warranty support...)
2 GTX 460's in crossfire would be better, but you'd lose out on an upgrade path. Though I'd reccomend waiting a couple of weeks for AMD's 59xx cards to come out. Even if you prefer Nvidia, there should be a price drop.

That same case is available on newegg for less.

PSU: Buy one of the following brands Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, Enermax.
A 750 W no-name PSU prob has the same sustained 12V output of a Seasonic 450W PSU. Well made PSU's also tend not to fry your Mobo and CPU when they do fail. Look for a single rail design if you can. If it comes free with a case, consider it a paperweight.

Storage: Most people will reccomend a samsung spinpoint. Add on an SSD, even if just a $100 40 or so GB boot drive, you won't regret it.

 

[etk]

If you like the looks of the case, and you don't plan on moving around the computer, it'll work fine. It'll prob have sharp edges inside, so be careful when working on it, and be covered in cheap plastic. The fans are prob cheap and louder than they would be on a higher quality case. The thinner steel will be more likely to vibrate and make noise. If none of these sound like show stoppers to you, then get the case (but not from ebay, and not with the no-name PSU)

 

[blackjellognomes]

Thanks for the reply.
- Which Asus or Gigabyte board would you recommend?
- Would you say that the XCLIO would be a definite bad decision or just to be careful of it? Would you recommend a CM case or?

Thanks again.

I agree with etk on both the mobo and case. I don't know where you're buying from, but you won't go wrong with any mobo in the Gigabyte GA-X58A series, either. As for the case.... Well, if I'm not wrong, the one you listed is about 140 USD. For that price, you can get a CM Sniper or HAF, or an Antec 1200, or some Lian Li case. They aren't quite as flashy, but they've better quality.

 

[AmacB]

Okay, looked through all the components and reconsidered
how's this looking?

Mobo: ASRock X58 EXTREME6

CPU: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz 8M
- Cooler Master 212+

GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1370-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 (X2 SLI)

Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600

Case: ThermalTake Element V Full Tower (532 x 220 x 537 mm)

PSU: Corsair CMPSU-850TX ATX, PS/2 Power Supply

SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe MKNSSDCL40GB-DX 2.5" 40GB SATA II

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - Bare Drive

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

 

[etk]

Looks good to me, as long as you can answer yes to the next two questions:

1) I know I won't be able to SLI a third 460, and I'm OK with that.

2) I have a legitimate reason to go with win7 ultimate vs home premium.

 

[AmacB]

Well I was considering getting a single 480 for roughly the same price.. But i figure by the time my the 460's become too old there'll be something more worthwhile than getting another 480 to SLI. I could be wrong, I really don't know a whole lot about what advancements we're to expect, or what they'll cost when released... Thoughts?

 

[etk]

I agree with you on the 460's, they'll be faster/cheaper/cooler than a 480, but since you had said upgrade ability was important to you in the OP, and you went for a board with 3-way SLI, I wanted to make sure you knew.