Need Critique - Fresh I7 920

[bwak]

Well first of let me say that I have used nothing but AMD for the past 10 yrs and the time has come to change over, but to be honest I'm a little lacking in Intel info so my confidence is a little low towards getting the right parts for an I7 920 build.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the Next Week

BUDGET RANGE: Under $1300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Purely Gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com , will go elsewhere if necessary.

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Mild OCing

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: If in my best interest

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Planning on running windows 7.
________________________________________________________________________________

PARTS SELECTED:

PROCESSOR:
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
PRICE: $279.99

MOBO:
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359
***Very Unsure About Motherboard Choice!
PRICE: $239.99

RAM: *Edited per suggestion!
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
PRICE: $99.99

P/S:
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
**Should I Go Modular?
PRICE: $139.99

VIDEO CARD: CrossFire Config
2X - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801
PRICE: $379.98 (189.99ea)

HARDDRIVE:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
PRICE: $74.99

CASE:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
PRICE: $99.99

COOLING:
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
PRICE: $41.99

OPTICAL:
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SH-S222A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175
PRICE: $22.99


TOTAL COST: $1,339.41 (-$70.00 Rebats = $1269.41)

OPEN TO ALL SUGGESTIONS! Looking for insight on any part choices/compatibility issues. Thanks in advance!

 

[xthekidx]

I think two of these would be giving you more for your money, and I think it should still be close to within budget:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127430

If you had to make room for that, you might consider a change of case to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Better ram, same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

These suggestions are only if you want extremely smooth gaming at full settings in Crysis. All other games will look very good already with that 4890, but Crysis will probably need to have the settings turned down a little for it to be smooth.

 

[bwak]

Definitely switching to the Platinum ram. I found I could get 2 4870 1gigs for about the same price as those 260s via mail in rebate. Think I want to stick with the case though.

Anyone else have any input?
Even a thumbs up/looks good would be appreciated!

 

[jackson28]

I would get a GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard for $204.99 AR. Also you can use the code COOLBEANS15 for an additional $15 off. Everything else look fine, you should buy the Antec 900 now while it has free shipping because it might end tomorrow.

 

[bwak]

I would get a GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard for $204.99 AR. Everything else look fine.

Any specific reason for the change in mobo?

 

[jackson28]

Any specific reason for the change in mobo?

None except its cheaper.

 

[bwak]

None except its cheaper.

That works for me! Thanks a lot for the input guys, I really appreciate the help. Any more input is welcome!

 

[tecmo34]

+1 xthekidx on the case. The COOLER MASTER RC-690 is a better case than the Antec 900 and at the cost you can't pass up ($20 savings).

You can save $50 by buying your Intel® Boxed Core® i7 Processor 920 from Microcenter. It is currently listed at $229.99, which Newegg has it at $279.99. It brings you under $1300 (Not including Rebates).

If you are set on the Antec 900, look at the Antec 902, which is the upgraded model. With the $50 savings on the CPU, buying the Antec 902 will add no cost to your current system and you get an overall better case.

 

[bwak]

+1 xthekidx on the case. The COOLER MASTER RC-690 is a better case than the Antec 900 and at the cost you can't pass up ($20 savings).

You can save $50 by buying your Intel® Boxed Core® i7 Processor 920 from Microcenter. It is currently listed at $229.99, which Newegg has it at $279.99. It brings you under $1300 (Not including Rebates).

If you are set on the Antec 900, look at the Antec 902, which is the upgraded model. With the $50 savings on the CPU, buying the Antec 902 will add no cost to your current system and you get an overall better case.

Any idea on how much better the 902 is from the 690? I've scratched the 900 off the list. Also a big thank you for pointing out how much cheaper the processor is from microcenter, will definitely be picking it up from there.




Anyone else have input on the motherboard issue? Leaning heavily towards the gigabyte mentioned earlier.

 

[tecmo34]

IMO... The Antec 902 is better due to better airflow, dust filters (Can be added to the 690, I've heard), Side Window Panel and better overall construction. Antec 902 has 8 expansion slots versus 7.... good for Tri-SLI + Physics Card... Antec is a little bit smaller than the 690 and doesn't have screwless tools, which some may seem as a CON.

Overall both are very good cases and you won't go wrong with either one. I'm an Antec fan, so I would lean more toward the Antec 902, specially since I have it's big brother (Antec 1200) 😀

 

[bwak]

Well thank you all for the amazing input, ordering everything within the next half hour or so. Getting the antec 902 and the gigabyte mobo along with everything else I listed. Thanks again!


Side note, that microcenter deal on the i7 920 is instore pick up only, but I ordered a D0 stepping from antares for a dollar more than newegg woot!