Custom PC Specification - Decent Enough? Help

[Tonetone_69]

Original Specifications

Intel i7 Extreme-985 Processor.
Intel X-48 Chipset Motherboard.
Solid State Drive 60GB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB Hard Disk Drive
8GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295
Media Card Reader With Bluetooth.
SoundBlaster X-FI Xtreme 5.1 Sound-Card.
LG GGC-H20W BluRay-RW Drive.
1200W Multi-GPU PSU.
Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports
2x FireWire and 8x USB 2.0 Ports.
HDMI Output.

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Revised Specifications

Intel i7 Extreme-920 Processor. (Will Overclock)
Intel X-58 Chipset Motherboard.
Solid State Drive 60GB+
1TB Hard Disk Drive
16GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 - Dual?
SoundBlaster X-FI Xtreme 5.1 Sound-Card. - Anyone Reccomend Better?
LG GGC-H20W BluRay-RW Drive.
1000W PSU with UPS capabilities.
Missing Anything?

I really want an Alienware Chassis case in Black with the AlienFX lighting.

But do they not sell them individually? Or does anyone know where to obtain?

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Perpherials

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000.
Luxeed Keyboard & Luxeed Numberpad - Black.
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse.
LG 27” M2794D Full HD (1080p) Monitor - Black.
Logitech G51 5.1 Sound System

Software

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Edition.
Microsoft Office 2007 Professional.
Adobe Photoshop Premier Elements 7.
.
How much would all that cost roughly? I have been given various quotes but they all differ quite a bit. I'm in the UK so £ (GBP)

Would it be cheaper to purchase parts in the USA? As things work out half price over there with exchange rates like $200 is just around £100, so remarkably cheaper. Are US imported parts the same as UK ones? As in Graphics cards, processors, hard drives etc? Because if so then I should buy from the USA as it would mean I would save half-price on almost EVERYTHING!

Do you think that this would be a good system or?

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[rberry]

Your build looks nice, i have only one comment.

The x58 ram system is tri-channel ddr3. that means with should have 3modules equalling 3 or 6gb,

or 6 modules equalling 6 or 12 gb total ram. If you dont run your sticks in 3 or 6 i believe you lose some sort of performance, although im not sure how much.

Maybe someone else will see this comment and be able to elaborate more clearly.


Other than that i think your psu might be a lil overkill but no biggie if cost isnt a problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[luckyusaf]

You are looking at $5-7,000.00 easy for that set up. An overclocked i7 920 would out-do a i7 985. That alone would save you a grand!

 

[Tonetone_69]

Thanks for the response.

So perhaps taking it to 9GB instead? I think 18GB would be total overkill. Is there no median here?

Yeah, I thought a 1200w PSU would futureproof things. Knock that down to a 100W maybe? Or lower?

What about Water Cooling and other things I have probably missed.

Thanks.

 

[Tonetone_69]

Bro you are looking at $5-7,000.00 easy for that set up. An overclocked i7 920 would out-do a i7 985. That alone would save you a grand!

Yeah but surely overclocking the 985 would make it incredible and obviously exceed an overclocked 920.

What is overclocking exactly? I hear it mentionned all the time. Is it hacking the processor to enhance it's speed?

Thanks once again for the speedy replies!

 

[HardwareMatt]

Overclocking is basically just increasing the speed/power of any individual component, for example i have a 2.2 Dual Core than i overclocked too 2.8 when it started getting outdated.

 

[Tonetone_69]

How is it done, and is it relatively easy? Thankyou!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You have a lot of reading ahead of you before you can attempt an overclock. The forums have an overclocking section for questions and information about overclocking.

 

[Tonetone_69]

Haha, when I get my new PC, I shall consult a professional and get him to do it.
I'm computer literate, but nowhere near to that degree!

 

[xthekidx]

The 965 costs $1k right now. The 985 will be in the $1300-$1500 range I imagine, maybe on the lower end if intel cuts the price on the other processors. I would guess you can expect to pay £1000 at least for that chip, perhaps more.

 

[Siggy19]

Overclocking is relatively easy and safe if you are cautious and sensible.

Your build is expensive and not particularly worthwhile in some respects... for example, the i7 985 is not worth it when the 920 is probably within 10% of the performance and that part of the performance is the bit that hardly anything will use.

As for memory, most x58 motherboards can take 6 memory sticks... 3x2GB DDR3 is running about $100 in the USA (ie 6GB). By all means go to 12GB for an extra $100.

Get a second Video card and SLI it, if you want ultimate gaming performance and stick with the i7-920.

Pick your SSD carefully, there are BIG differences in performance and longevity of them at the moment.

A 1200W PSU is serious overkill assuming you are selecting a reliable brand. If not, it's a waste of money. In practice, your entire build will probably run no more than 650W fully loaded and PSUs can be unstable if they draw too little power as well as if they draw too much.

Get a decent UPS so that your PC does not die when the power does.

 

[Tonetone_69]

Overclocking is relatively easy and safe if you are cautious and sensible.

Your build is expensive and not particularly worthwhile in some respects... for example, the i7 985 is not worth it when the 920 is probably within 10% of the performance and that part of the performance is the bit that hardly anything will use.

As for memory, most x58 motherboards can take 6 memory sticks... 3x2GB DDR3 is running about $100 in the USA (ie 6GB). By all means go to 12GB for an extra $100.

Get a second Video card and SLI it, if you want ultimate gaming performance and stick with the i7-920.

Pick your SSD carefully, there are BIG differences in performance and longevity of them at the moment.

A 1200W PSU is serious overkill assuming you are selecting a reliable brand. If not, it's a waste of money. In practice, your entire build will probably run no more than 650W fully loaded and PSUs can be unstable if they draw too little power as well as if they draw too much.

Get a decent UPS so that your PC does not die when the power does.

Which SDD would you reccomend? I don't want a massive one. Just one to hold the basics and essentials.

I will opt for a 1TB Hard Drive for storing Music/Photos etc.

UPS? Is that a typo for PSU?

So you are saying that I should get a 920 instead of a 965, and that a 920 is only 10% weaker when fully overclocked?

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

 

[Tonetone_69]

Oops. There is no such things as the Intel i7 985.

I meant 975? Which is the most powerful one they do right now.

My mistake!

 

[Siggy19]

Which SDD would you reccomend? I don't want a massive one. Just one to hold the basics and essentials.
I will opt for a 1TB Hard Drive for storing Music/Photos etc.
UPS? Is that a typo for PSU?
So you are saying that I should get a 920 instead of a 965, and that a 920 is only 10% weaker when fully overclocked?
Thanks for all the help so far guys!

UPS = Uninteruptible Power Supply... basically a battery backup that gives you between 5 and 60 minutes to shutdown gracefully if there is a power outage, while cleaning up minor power variations normally. They can normally be connected to a USB port so that the computer gets told to shutdown even if you are not there. Cost about $100 here for a decent one.

I would recommend the 920. There isn't much that can use the full power of that, let alone the 965. The 920 overclocks very well. I'm sure the 965 overclocks even better, but that's like having 35 naked women instead of 30...

I don't know the best SSDs, but Toms has various reviews. If you can afford the Intel ones, they blow everything else away.

 

[Tonetone_69]

You're helping an awful lot. I was two minutes away from buying the 965, but you have convinced me to buy the 920 instead!

Thanks for saving me over a grand!!!!!

So basically, a UPS is a PSU, but in the event of a powercut/shortage, it allows you to quickly shutdown the computer without losing hours worth of data, etc?

So I wont need to buy two seperate things, A PSU 700-100W and a UPS?

It is one in the same?

Thank you once again!

 

[xthekidx]

an i7 985 is in the works I believe, running at 3.46ghz.

 

[Tonetone_69]

an i7 985 is in the works I believe, running at 3.46ghz.

WOW! You've overclocked your 920 to 3.5ghz? Thats faster than the one currently in the works!

Can you overclock to 3.4ghz on all 920's or is it down to what else you have inside your computer? I apologise for my ignorance! All this stuff is rather new to me!

 

[xthekidx]

UPS = Uninteruptible Power Supply... basically a battery backup that gives you between 5 and 60 minutes to shutdown gracefully if there is a power outage, while cleaning up minor power variations normally. They can normally be connected to a USB port so that the computer gets told to shutdown even if you are not there. Cost about $100 here for a decent one.

I would recommend the 920. There isn't much that can use the full power of that, let alone the 965. The 920 overclocks very well. I'm sure the 965 overclocks even better, but that's like having 35 naked women instead of 30...

I don't know the best SSDs, but Toms has various reviews. If you can afford the Intel ones, they blow everything else away.

OCZ makes some pretty good ones, they would be the next best thing to intel SSD's.

 

[xthekidx]

WOW! You've overclocked your 920 to 3.5ghz? Thats faster than the one currently in the works!

Can you overclock to 3.4ghz on all 920's or is it down to what else you have inside your computer? I apologise for my ignorance! All this stuff is rather new to me!

It depends a lot on what motherboard you chose than anything else. Many people can get the i7 920 to 4.0ghz on air cooling, higher if you watercool.

 

[Tonetone_69]

It depends a lot on what motherboard you chose than anything else. Many people can get the i7 920 to 4.0ghz on air cooling, higher if you watercool.

I will definitely be going for the Intel DX58SO Motherboard.

& Will no doubt add additional watercooling.

 

[xthekidx]

Intel reference boards suck...they are stable, but overpriced for what they offer. I suggest the Asus P6T Deluxe V2 instead, its an overclocking champion. If you want a super overclock then look at the rampage II extreme.

 

[Tonetone_69]

Intel reference boards suck...they are stable, but overpriced for what they offer. I suggest the Asus P6T Deluxe V2 instead, its an overclocking champion. If you want a super overclock then look at the rampage II extreme.

Okay, so pricing aside, and perhaps overclocking. Intel X58 or Ramage II?

I hear rave reviews about the X58...

 

[xthekidx]

Okay, so pricing aside, and perhaps overclocking. Intel X58 or Ramage II?

I hear rave reviews about the X58...

Its really no comparison, the Rampage II is far superior.

 

[Siggy19]

So basically, a UPS is a PSU, but in the event of a powercut/shortage, it allows you to quickly shutdown the computer without losing hours worth of data, etc?

So I wont need to buy two seperate things, A PSU 700-100W and a UPS?

Nope... The UPS plugs into the wall. The PSU is in the computer case and plugs into the UPS. You need both (well, you NEED the PSU, but you should also have a UPS). The UPS usually has 6 to 8 sockets and so can also protect other electronics.

A UPS is not essential, but it is a nice to have. Maybe only 1% of users get any obvious benefit from it, but a fair number of problems with computers are caused by the lack of a UPS... power glitches can cause minor disk corruption and can shorten the life of components.

 

[LouisM]

Original Specifications


How much would all that cost roughly? I have been given various quotes but they all differ quite a bit. I'm in the UK so £ (GBP)

Would it be cheaper to purchase parts in the USA? As things work out half price over there with exchange rates like $200 is just around £100, so remarkably cheaper. Are US imported parts the same as UK ones? As in Graphics cards, processors, hard drives etc? Because if so then I should buy from the USA as it would mean I would save half-price on almost EVERYTHING!

Do you think that this would be a good system or?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Mate... i would not order from the US if your living in the UK.. yes it may be cheaper buying it over there but as soon as it goes through her majesty's custom... dont forget they will slap on custom tax... and that you will have to pay before you are allowed to pick up your items.. be very careful it could cost you more then it would to just buy it from here in the UK..

As for the Alienware case, as far as i know you cannot buy them new seperately.. i tried looking but nothing... if you do find out though PM me. thanks and good luck with the build..