First time computer build - i7 920

[uspbacchus]

Sorry about that... Yup, it is the deluxe, just version 2.

 

[xthekidx]

Bueno. Good luck with your build, Post some pics for us when you are done!!!

 

[uspbacchus]

updated to different fan (Vigor out of stock and Noctua got better reviews)
updated to different RAM (mushkin out of stock until 2/23)

 

[Akebono 98]

Excellent!

Don't know if this works on the Asus card (the screws may not line up properly), but just in case you wanted better cooling on your GTX 295 card, eVGA makes this very nice backplate for its GTX 295: link.

The Noctua is a great cooler, and the complete kit with backplate and thermal paste makes life easy too.

 

[uspbacchus]

Basically all GTX 295s are out everywhere (I can find a PNY one, but not sure about the company). I'll take whatever comes in stock anywhere first as long as it's a good company.

 

[techwizard08]

That's disappointing as far as the mushkin. They have some good OC headroom. I've heard positive things.

 

[uspbacchus]

With the way things are going, I might just wait for the asus MB to get in stock at new egg and go from there. Now Asus GPU in stock, but not my two WD black HDs. No biggie yet though. I don't mind waiting for it all to come together and maybe drop in price.

 

[Akebono 98]

Good idea--doesn't hurt to wait to get it perfect for such a top notch rig.

Btw, Mushkin RAM is also available through their own website.

Life's tough when you want the best stuff... 😀

 

[uspbacchus]

OK, so amazingly everything finally was in stock and ordered and even put together (Big Thank You!!). The system booted up and everything looks like it's running as it should. But here's my question, should I format my hard drives before loading Vista, or are they already formatted? When I went to install Windows Vista (my two 640GB drives in RAID 0, 1TB drive disconnected) the option to format was not able to be clicked. It appears that the Vista load went fine, but before I start loading all my drivers and programs, I just want to double check about formatting the drives.