New comp after 8 years

sk8gitar23 · Mar 12, 2009

So I'm finally building a new computer after 8 years. I'm spending so much money on this, I need to know if this would all be compatible with each other. If you guys got any better recommendations I'd like to know. I'm going for under $1.5k.

Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case $74.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard $209.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $319.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply $119.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 $288.99

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 $109.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $119.99

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-116DBK $24.99

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card $75.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders $99.99

Total price $1443.9

foolycooly · Mar 12, 2009

looks pretty good to me. I don't know much about that case, but I would suggest the coolermaster 690 as an alternative. If you live near a microcenter they're running the 920 for $229 and were running the cm 690 for $68.99 as well.

Generally speaking, there is no use for a sound card. The onboard sound on today's motherboards is generally considered adequate (pretty darn good IMO). I would suggest you not buy the sound card for now, and see if the onboard sound is satisfactory to you. If not, buy it and add it on later.

Other than that, looks like a good build to me. I assume this will be mostly for gaming? What resolution monitor?

sk8gitar23 · Mar 12, 2009

Hm maybe I should take out the sound card and spend more $ on a better case.

It goes up to 1920x1200 22" widescreen LG Flatron Wide.

foolycooly · Mar 12, 2009

If you're set on a full tower, then I would suggest the Coolermaster HAF -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=coolermaster%20haf

or the Antec 1200 -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043&Tpk=antec%201200

both of them are the best/most popular on the market when it comes to full tower cases. I would shop around for them though, because newegg does not always have the best price on cases.

Proximon · Mar 12, 2009

Most really flashy cases don't quite make the grade performance wise...

There is the Silverstone Raven, but that's quite a bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163135&Tpk=Silverstone%20Raven

Here, this NZXT is roomier and better cooled and not too pricey:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146050
It's only adequate in performance though.

In this price range it's impossible to beat the Cooler Master 690, but perhaps it's too plain for you. You could mod it yourself ya know

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

This one is flashy, large, and well cooled, if you buy some more fans for it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146054

Why_Me · Mar 12, 2009

sk8gitar23 :

Onboard sound has improved leaps and bounds over the last few years. I would do away with the sound card and put the money to something better spent. Like a gtx 285 wich is a low power consumption and low heat card and out performs the gtx 280.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/01/16/nvidia-zotac-geforce-gtx-285-1gb/1 <--- gtx 285 vs gtx 280, etc... bench marks and test results.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106792634%201067946202&name=GeForce%20GTX%20285 <--- gtx 285 vid cards listed at newegg.

xthekidx · Mar 12, 2009

Consider this case in this combo, This case is very comparable to the HAF, and I like it a lot. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. Apparently they have too many of them and are trying to give them away looking at the price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165527

Siggy19 · Mar 12, 2009

Don't get the Gigabyte Motherboard that only has four memory slots. Why cripple your upgrade options since you sound like you run your PCs into the ground before replacing them normally. Spend $20 more for the Asus P6T and maybe get the 640GB Caviar Black instead if you don't want to bust your budget.

Also, Newegg has various combo options which can save a bit if you can be bothered.

xthekidx · Mar 12, 2009

Here is another good combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.173491

jitpublisher · Mar 12, 2009

The board you have picked out does not support SLI.
The X58 boards that support Crossfire and SLI both are more expensive.
Just thought I would point that out, since you are picking a board capable of multiple GPU's, and an nVidia video card.

xthekidx · Mar 12, 2009

There is a GA EX58 UD3R SLI board, just released.

jitpublisher · Mar 12, 2009

xthekidx :

I guess there is one after all, just make sure you get the SLI version!

shortstuff_mt · Mar 12, 2009

I would ditch the IDE DVD burner for a SATA model. There is no reason to put a big IDE ribbon cable in a new build.

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173 $24.99

sk8gitar23 · Mar 12, 2009

Damn you guys are great!

Thanks for your advices guys. The SLI will be good for when I want to upgrade to dual vid cards. I'm only getting one for now.

One question, why is the GTX 285 cheaper than the GTX 280 if it performs better?

Why_Me · Mar 12, 2009

shortstuff_mt :

+1 on the SATA.

It always makes me wonder when people build nice new rigs yet the stick some old EIDE device in there like a burner when a new SATA can be picked up for just over $20+.

shortstuff_mt · Mar 12, 2009

Why_Me :

Yup, I wish they would just stop selling IDE devices and let it die.

Kloy_21 · Mar 12, 2009

xthekidx :

i second the kid here. this is the case ive used for my build. been keeping things fairly cool ^^ good looking case too. only con is the activity LED. . . its too bright. if you prefer blue LEDs rather than red. then get this otherwise get the HAF. =)

sk8gitar23 · Mar 18, 2009

Just ordered this last night. I read your advices and changed accordingly

* 1 x Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
* 1 x ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
* 1 x XFX GX285NZDFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
* 1 x CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
* 1 x Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
* 1 x G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail
* 1 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
* 1 x COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
* 1 x LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
* 1 x Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total with shipping and taxes $1,642.91

I've scoured far and wide for an in depth newbie guide to overclocking the i7. I got AC5, V8, and a good case so everything is ready to go other than the know-how.

I read the threads and articles of overclocking and I feel like I'm reading another language. I'm gonna need big time help and what's gonna suck even more is I won't be able to look online while I do it since I only have one monitor.

I am wondering if my P6T (not deluxe) is the same way to OC as the Deluxe model.

I've seen instructions but it seems like it's for people that have some idea of knowing what they're doing. I really need a basic basic guide because I do not want to lose $600 worth of hardware with the wrong voltage or something.

bmuell · Mar 18, 2009

Very solid build. Nice job.

foolycooly · Mar 18, 2009

outstanding build. We can help you with overclocking...I felt the same way until I actually got into it. It's really simple to achieve a basic overclock. It can get more complex and time consuming if you want to push 4ghz. I'm running my i7 920 at 3.6Ghz on stock voltages. I have the same cooler as you do.

sk8gitar23 · Mar 18, 2009

thanks guys, it comes in today. I can't wait to but this beast together!

sk8gitar23 · Mar 19, 2009

built my rig in 3 hours, had a bit of trouble with putting the v8 on. The back plate wasn't working until I found out that I didn't one correct mounting plate on the v8.

One problem, my comp is only recognizing 4gbs of memory, I will have to do some research to why that's the case.

Didn't OC it yet, it was 1am by the time I got everything done.

Played Company of Heroes on 1920x1050(?) highest settings, not a hitch, other than when it was pouring rain and I had rain effects on high. WHAT A DIFFERENCE I must say!

I went from a p4 2.4 ATI 9800GT, could barely run the game on the lowest settings and now it looks like a whole new game with the settings turned on the max.

Now I used to get 2000+ resolution on my 9800GT on my desktop, is there a reason why it won't go higher than 1660 on my new computer?

New comp after 8 years

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