¤i7 System Build¤ Please give me advice!

[g3n3rationX]

Hi, it is time I build myself a new computer. I'll be using it for everything, from gaming to video editing and web developing. I gathered a list of parts that are good in my opinion but not completely sure. Please share your thoughts and give me some suggestions!


COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

[strike]Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz[/strike] *BOUGHT*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Spire Thermax II Heatsink <<< ??????
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2348&page=2

[strike]ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard[/strike] *BOUGHT*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346

MSI N285GTX-T2D1G-OC GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127403

OCZ Reaper HPC 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227379

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

2x (Raid 0) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

OCZ Solid Series OCZSSD2-1SLD60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II Solid State Disk (SSD) FOR WINDOWS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227373

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106276



So there it is, everything comes out to $1,877.90 (heatsink not included). But I wont be buying all the parts from newegg, so total should come out less... I need you guys to help me pick out a good heatsink for the CPU. I will want to overclock the CPU to at least 3.6GHz. I was looking on FrostyTech.com , they made up a list for TOP 5 Intel heatsinks and Spire Thermax II heatsink is in #3 spot. I haven't seen many people talk about this heatsink, but frostytech seems like a reliable source. I'd like to know what you guys think, maybe this heatsink isn't that good and you can suggest me a better one.
Also, I've read that SSD drives have some data corruption and random pauses issues. Can anyone suggest me something other than SSD with similar speeds?
I might just get this instead Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296
I already bought the i7 920 CPU with P6T Deluxe mother board.

Thanks in advance

 

[EQPlayer]

Why the seperate CD / DVD reader when the read/write drive is just as fast?

 

[g3n3rationX]

I don't know, just copied the title of it

 

[gkay09]

First off get the Asus P6T instaed of the Gigabyte board u have chosen...Its a very stable board and is knwn for its overclocking performance...

Next buy this powersupply...no second thought...
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $139.99
($119.99 after $20.00 Mail-In
Rebate
Best Power Supply Manufacturer by Custom PC 2008

Cheaper than the zalman and far better quality...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

For cooling options go for the Zalman CNP9700 and dont forget to buy the 1366 retention kit...

As for ur SSD question, I feel that they are stil nt gud for the desktop users...so u should stick wit HDD ...try the Samsung spinpoint F1 in raid 0 heard they have performance comparable wit the SSDs (though certainly wont beat them)...

And if u have the cash then certainly go for the GTX295...

 

[g3n3rationX]

Thanks gkay09, I'll be getting the Asus P6T mobo and that Corsair psu. I'm not sure about the heatsink, I think the Spire Thermax II is better. Also I decided to get the MSI overclocked GTX 285, so I could overclock it even more. As for ssd hard drive I'm still deciding if I should buy it or not. OCZ forums say that with their windows tweaks, the hard drive is working good. I hope more people will comment about this so I could get on with the purchase.

 

[g3n3rationX]

hello? can anybody else give me some more thoughts and suggestions if that's a good build or I should get something else instead... please help me out here, by friday i want to order everything!

 

[aford10]

Your build looks pretty good. If you really want a bad machine, SLI these cards. The xigmatek is cheaper than the zalman but good quality. The 2 opticals will do all you need to do. Nothing is going to beat the SSD's. SAS drives can be close, which is supported on that board. You could run SAS in RAID 0, then use a WD cavair black for storage/backup (great drives).

2x evga gtx260 - $540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398

Xigmatek 120mm cooler - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

combo drive - $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100

DVD burner - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

 

[g3n3rationX]

hmzzzz.... So what your guys think? XIGMATEK Dark Knight or Spire Thermax II or something even betteR?

 

[rescawen]

1st u dont need ssd
2nd if want to waste your money then buy an 10000rpm - 15000 rpm drive
3rd 4870x2 is best for money value, but stick with GTX 285 if your going over 1920x1200. GTX 295 and 2 x gtx 260 is too much

 

[rescawen]

b.t.w use money that u dont waste on ssd on mouse and keyboard

 

[g3n3rationX]

yes yes i already got over the ssd i already have nice razer mouse and keyboard now my main concern is the damn heatsink, im lost on which one i should get for oc purpose =/

 

[oneof10]

I am building also and done a bunch of homework on this bad boy...

COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055
$69.99

 

[g3n3rationX]

I am building also and done a bunch of homework on this bad boy...

COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055
$69.99

So whats your conclusion? this is the best heatsink for i7 out there?

 

[g3n3rationX]

XIGMATEK Dark Knight, Spire Thermax II or COOLER MASTER V8 or something even better?

 

[aford10]

my vote is for the xigmatek. There are better out there, but it's good bang for buck.

 

[g3n3rationX]

after researching all the 1366 socket heatsinks, I came to conclusion that Thermalright TRUE Black Ultra-120 keeps the lowest cpu temps
here you can look at this interesting i7 heatsink group test article http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cooling/2009/02/19/ga-1366-cpu-cooler-group-test/1

 

[aford10]

Thermalright is a great cooler. All copper build. It's also a pricey cooler. You should only get it if you got the money to blow or if you plan to OC the crap outa that cpu.

 

[g3n3rationX]

i dont know, would like to oc to 3.6MHz at least...

 

[aford10]

If it fits into your budget, go for it. It's a great cooler.