I7 Build - No $ Limit, No Waste.

[pinibo]

After doing a lot of research, reading and questioning on this fantastic site, I am now on the verge of ordering all needed components for a good gaming rig. I will also have a few questions if I may.

As stated, this will be an I7 mildly overclocked (3.2 - 3.4) build to play Far Cry 2, Crysis Warhead and for my wife to do her picture editing.

I will order at whatever site I get the best price (time on my hand).

Would you help this old fool?

The build:

1) O/S: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

2) Monitor: SAMSUNG ToC T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001280

3) Case: COOLER MASTER NV 690 NV-690C-KWN2-GP Black SECC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119157

4) CPU: Intel Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

5) Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

6) Heathsink: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

7) Thermal Compound: ZALMAN ZM - STG1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118010

8) Memory: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

9) Video Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1285-AR GeForce GTX 285 SC Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446
or
EVGA 017-P3-1293-AR GeForce GTX 295 1792MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130453

10) PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130453

11) Hard Drive: Two Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

12) DVD Burners: Two LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106288

13) Case Fans: Three Scythe S-Flex SFF21G 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185065

14) Fan Controller (Black): Scythe KM02-SL 5.25" Bay
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998056

+ two SATA cables for DVD Burners but not sure what length to order.

There it is.

What would you change?

What did I miss?

Any thought or input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,

pinibo

 

[Helloworld_98]

2x GTX 285's not one.

 

[pinibo]

I thought that I could get away with one card. If not, how about 2x 275?

 

[radiowars]

"+ two SATA cables for DVD Burners but not sure what length to order."
SATA cables come with the motherboard. Unless your case is very very large (which it isn't) you don't need the cables- you would need extensions.
Nice build, maybe add an SSD if cost is no factor? Would improve boot times.

 

[radiowars]

I thought that I could get away with one card. If not, how about 2x 275?

2x GTX 275s are fine for any monitor right now. You could easily play anything on High/Ultra High

 

[pinibo]

Would 2x 275 come close to a 295?

 

[radiowars]

It would surpass it. The GTX 295=2 GTX 260s in SLI. 2x GTX 275s would be very pwerful.

 

[pinibo]

Appreciate your responses

 

[Helloworld_98]

no a GTX 295 is two GTX 275's with poor scaling hence why the two GTX 260's equal it.

and the 4890 X2 comes out soon which will probably beat the GTX 295.

 

[pinibo]

Too bad about that. I would prefer two cards with a little space between them than an X2 for heat reasons.

Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get 2x 285. I guess I would need a more powerful PSU such as Corsair 1000 to run them. Or maybe stay with the hot 295.

 

[daidalas]

2x 275 is better bang for your buck right now. should do everything you need them to and more.

 

[pinibo]

Can't seem to find any reviews of 2x 275 GTX anywhere.

I need a video set up that will play both Far Cry 2 and Crysis Warhead on a 24" monitor at 1920x1200.

 

[daidalas]

2x 275 will just be about 1/2way b/t 260 sli and 285 sli. probably closer to 285.

 

[pinibo]

Would anybody else like to comment on this build? I sure would appreciate it.

 

[sassan]

2x285>295

Overall your parts are great!

Get this thermal paste Arctic Silver 5, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

And change your DVD burner to Pioneer or LG, your media will thank you.

Pioneer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032

 

[Outlander_04]

Would anybody else like to comment on this build? I sure would appreciate it.

Stick with a single gfx card solution . A single gtx 285 will be enough to play any current game on that monitor .

SLI set ups are poor value . The second card wont come any where near doubling the gfx performance . Often the improvement is less than 20 % .

Even a single GTX275 or ATI 4890 will play any current game on maximum settings on a 24 inch lcd
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3539&p=17

 

[Jack64]

I play farcry2 at 1920X1200 on my gtx 295 and core I7 920 with NO PROBLEMS. Runs great no stutter!!! See my build in my SIG!!!!!

 

[mailliw]

The 850w Corsair can run the 285s in SLi if you plan to in the future. Get a full tower case like the Cooler Master HAF or Antec 1200

 

[croc]

After doing a lot of research, reading and questioning on this fantastic site, I am now on the verge of ordering all needed components for a good gaming rig. I will also have a few questions if I may.

As stated, this will be an I7 mildly overclocked (3.2 - 3.4) build to play Far Cry 2, Crysis Warhead and for my wife to do her picture editing.

I will order at whatever site I get the best price (time on my hand).

Would you help this old fool?

The build:

1) O/S: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

2) Monitor: SAMSUNG ToC T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001280

3) Case: COOLER MASTER NV 690 NV-690C-KWN2-GP Black SECC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119157

4) CPU: Intel Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

5) Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

6) Heathsink: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

7) Thermal Compound: ZALMAN ZM - STG1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118010

8) Memory: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

9) Video Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1285-AR GeForce GTX 285 SC Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446
or
EVGA 017-P3-1293-AR GeForce GTX 295 1792MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130453

10) PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130453

11) Hard Drive: Two Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

12) DVD Burners: Two LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106288

13) Case Fans: Three Scythe S-Flex SFF21G 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185065

14) Fan Controller (Black): Scythe KM02-SL 5.25" Bay
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998056

+ two SATA cables for DVD Burners but not sure what length to order.

There it is.

What would you change?

What did I miss?

Any thought or input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,

pinibo

3) I prefer the silverstone fortress series cases. Well ventilated, quiet, you can then eliminate 13) and 14).

5) Why not the WS Rev? I see no IDE's in your proposed build, then you have options for SAS drives, as well as adding more RAM.

7) The paste that comes with the Noctua is better than your choice.

9) The GPU chosen will do quite nicely. A link to a review of various cards in single and dual configs can be found here:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517
They also did reviews of GPU's in 3 and 4 configurations.

 

[jive]

Just check if the thermal paste come with the noctua fans. there thermal paste they have is really good. the sata cable, as someone said are included int he mobo package no need to get more. Fro the viedo card I have a bfg gtx295 and I'm really happy , with I can set 2 monitor samsung t260 as one screen and it's really sharp.

 

[mindless728]

here's a dual xeon rig

DVD Drive: Samsung DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032

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

Processor: 2 x Intel Xeon X5550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117182

HDD: 2 x WD Black 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Memory: 2 x Crucial 6GB DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148259

Mobo: SUPERMICRO MBD-X8DAi-O
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182186

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

GPU: 2 x SAPPHIRE Radeon HD4870x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

Subtotal: $4,022.90

 

[pinibo]

Thanks for all the replies.

Will cancel SATA cables. I assume that there are 4 SATA cables with that motherboard?

Will change DVDs and go with one Samsung x22 and one LG x22.

I like the chosen thermal paste for the ease of putting it on. Just brush on both items and you are good to go.

I want to stay with the CM NV 690. Size of case is OK for my limited space on desk.

I thought that one 285 GTX could run my games. Two, to me, is a waste of money.

Was looking for reviews for 2x 275, but none available. Hopefully one will come before I order. If not, I may go with 295 and hope heath isn't so bad.


One other thing: with one 295 or 2x 275, what would be the right psu to install? 750 or 850?

 

[radiowars]

Thanks for all the replies.

Will cancel SATA cables. I assume that there are 4 SATA cables with that motherboard?

Will change DVDs.

I like the chosen thermal paste for the ease of putting it on. Just brush on both items and you are good to go.

I want to stay with the CM NV 690. Size of case is OK for my limited space on desk.

I thought that one 285 GTX could run my games. Two, to me, is a waste of money.
I am happy to hear that the 295 can do it. So I will go with that and hope the heat isn't too bad.

One other thing: with one 295, what would be the right psu to install thinking that down the road the card could be updated for a newer one? And no more SLI.

An 850W or 800W should be plenty. Most i7 rigs draw ~600W of power @ full load. You'll never do that unless all your components are maxed out.
Also, the 4890x2 is not going to come out, so don't wait for that. The 4890x2 would draw WAY too much power according to fudzilla.
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13228&Itemid=34

The GTX 295 will run everything maxed out on a 24'' monitor until Crysis 3. You'll be fine and stable with that rig .

 

[pinibo]

Sorry journeyman. I edited my last post as you replied.

 

[radiowars]

Sorry journeyman. I edited my last post as you replied.

Lol, name's RadioWars (XD). But still, 850W will be fine for Dual GTX 275's or GTX 295.
750W should be fine, but since an 850W is just 10$ more, I'd be on the safe side. Here is my PSU (I love it, and it has great reviews- 80% efficiency means it won't ah heck out on you.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009