New Build needs the Tom's forum seal of approval

[Photius]

My first build went so well, I am doing it again.

Very similiar to my first build, but my buddy has a higher budget.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

MSI X58 Platinum SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard $235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130220

LG Black 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133

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

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $429
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

Memory is my big concern on this build

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230

or

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223

Not sure what the difference between the two means.

Finally a cooler
Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

Thoughts? Things I should change? improve?

Thanks a bunch!

Pho

 

[john_smarty]

go with the g.skill memory
and i would switch the cast to a cooler master HAF
dont know too much about the motherboard
everything else seems good

 

[Newf]

The 1st G.Skill (20 231 230) has slightly faster latency timings but may need a small voltage bump to remain stable.
If you live near a MicroCenter store, starting Monday and through 2/8 the boxed i7 920 is on sale for $229.99.

 

[xthekidx]

MSI boards are iffy, if saving money is the objective there go with the ASUS P6T, $250.

I have heard mixed feelings about the Vigor Monsoon III cooler, and for the price that you pay for it I would go with something that is less controversial, like the V8 or the TRUE

If memory is a big concern and you are looking at spending that much money anyway, I would look at these modules from OCZ. Very tight timings and running at 1600mhz. $35+, but very much worth it IMO.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

The Antec 900 is a good case, but I think the CoolerMaster 690 is better, especially for the price. Its wider so it will fit some of the bigger heatsinks like the V8 or TRUE and Cheaper, and has good ventilation just like the 900. However if you are an Antec Fan, go check out the Antec 900 II, currently my favorite case from Antec, but still not worth the price vs. the CM 690 IMO.

http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?lan=us&id=15920

 

[Photius]

Solid advice kid. I put the MSI board in my current build and was easy. I have hread good things about the ASUS board.

The Vigor Monsoon III is in this build and has been giving me some great temps. What sort of issues do they have?

Thanks!

Pho

 

[xthekidx]

Not so much issues, just reviews that I read comparing it to other HSF like the v8 and the TRUE. It just wasn't as good. I'm not saying it won't work, or give results, I'm sure it cools just fine, its just that there are better buys out there from what I have read.

 

[Photius]

quick question...will the 750w power supply in this build support 2 4870 x2s? My buddy is thinking he needs more power.

Thanks again!

Pho

 

[xthekidx]

I would say yes. For 2 4870x2's I'd say look at 900 or 1000w psu's