-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I hope to order at the end of this week
BUDGET RANGE: US$1000-1300
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming will be the only particularly demanding thing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case (CM690), PSU (Corsair 850TX), OS (Vista Ultimate 64-bit - don't worry can get it for cheap and Home Premium would only save me $10)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I prefer Newegg, as they don't charge me taxes and I get cash back shopping there with my credit card. Open to anything, though.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Good ones
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Okay, basically looking to spend ~1200. The closer to 1000 the better, but I'd like a beast of a machine.
I'll need a wireless card. Not sure what to get. I hope to be able to hook up an ethernet connection, but that might not be possible.
I plan on overclocking, especially if I go with the i7. Not looking to set records, just thinking about 3.4 - 3.5 GHz.
I'd sort of like to go with a single-card solution, but am tempted to SLI/CF for over-the-top performance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First some questions on what I already have:
CASE:
CM690
Should I purchase any additional fans for this case? I know there are plenty of slots for them, but I'm wondering if it would be necessary/recommended. If so, I would definitely need suggestions on those.
Now for what I'm planning on buying:
CPU/MOBO:
Deciding between three:
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190225
$499.98
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193606
$514.98 w/ $20 MIR
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190227
$534.98
Questions:
Does Newegg stock the D0 stepping i7? Do I really need/want it? Which mobo would be best? I'd like to have the possibility of SLI/CF, and also have room for a PCI wireless adapter without blocking the video cards and interfering with cooling that way. Also would like to fit a nice heatsink.
RAM:
Deciding between two:
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
$99.99 w/ $20 MIR
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247
$94.99
Are the 7-7-7-24 or the 8-8-8-21 timings better?
One thing I find tempting about the OCZ is the availability of the following combos:
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193835
$5 off
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187036
$20 off
HEATSINK/THERMAL PASTE:
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Don't want to spend too much here as I don't plan on an aggressive OC. I've read the Dark Knight includes thermal paste. Is this the case, or should I buy my own (or should I buy my own even if some is included)? If so, what type is recommended. I've seen Artic Silver and Tuniq mentioned a lot.
HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$74.99
WIRELESS ADAPTER:
ENCORE ENLWI-N IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI 2.3 Wireless Adapter Up to 300Mbps Data Rates 64/128-bits WEP Encryption WPA, WPA2 WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180052
$24.99
Don't know anything about these. But it seems like a relatively cheap, highly rated card. Again, I want to make sure it won't interfere with other components.
OPTICAL DRIVE:
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 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$23.99
Yeah, don't really care about this. I just went with the cheapest one with decent ratings.
GPU:
Pretty much just looking for suggestions were.
This is where I have the most questions. I'm tempted by the price to performance ratio of say CF 4850s or 4770s. But I really want something a bit more powerful than that, I think. It seems like GTX 260/275 or HD 4870/4890 is pretty much the way to go. Should I SLI/CF here or just go with one for now? Should I go for whatever's cheapest or stick with the best brands (EVGA, XFX, ?).
OTHER:
Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005
$3.49
Don't want to fry $1500 worth of component.
Thanks so much for the help in advance. I've already spent a lot of time lurking here so hopefully I'm not too far off the mark with things. I didn't include a total of my planned components since so many are still up in the air.
Sorry it's so long. Hope it's formatted okay!
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I hope to order at the end of this week
BUDGET RANGE: US$1000-1300
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming will be the only particularly demanding thing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case (CM690), PSU (Corsair 850TX), OS (Vista Ultimate 64-bit - don't worry can get it for cheap and Home Premium would only save me $10)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I prefer Newegg, as they don't charge me taxes and I get cash back shopping there with my credit card. Open to anything, though.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Good ones
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Okay, basically looking to spend ~1200. The closer to 1000 the better, but I'd like a beast of a machine.
I'll need a wireless card. Not sure what to get. I hope to be able to hook up an ethernet connection, but that might not be possible.
I plan on overclocking, especially if I go with the i7. Not looking to set records, just thinking about 3.4 - 3.5 GHz.
I'd sort of like to go with a single-card solution, but am tempted to SLI/CF for over-the-top performance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First some questions on what I already have:
CASE:
CM690
Should I purchase any additional fans for this case? I know there are plenty of slots for them, but I'm wondering if it would be necessary/recommended. If so, I would definitely need suggestions on those.
Now for what I'm planning on buying:
CPU/MOBO:
Deciding between three:
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190225
$499.98
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193606
$514.98 w/ $20 MIR
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190227
$534.98
Questions:
Does Newegg stock the D0 stepping i7? Do I really need/want it? Which mobo would be best? I'd like to have the possibility of SLI/CF, and also have room for a PCI wireless adapter without blocking the video cards and interfering with cooling that way. Also would like to fit a nice heatsink.
RAM:
Deciding between two:
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
$99.99 w/ $20 MIR
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247
$94.99
Are the 7-7-7-24 or the 8-8-8-21 timings better?
One thing I find tempting about the OCZ is the availability of the following combos:
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193835
$5 off
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187036
$20 off
HEATSINK/THERMAL PASTE:
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Don't want to spend too much here as I don't plan on an aggressive OC. I've read the Dark Knight includes thermal paste. Is this the case, or should I buy my own (or should I buy my own even if some is included)? If so, what type is recommended. I've seen Artic Silver and Tuniq mentioned a lot.
HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$74.99
WIRELESS ADAPTER:
ENCORE ENLWI-N IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI 2.3 Wireless Adapter Up to 300Mbps Data Rates 64/128-bits WEP Encryption WPA, WPA2 WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180052
$24.99
Don't know anything about these. But it seems like a relatively cheap, highly rated card. Again, I want to make sure it won't interfere with other components.
OPTICAL DRIVE:
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 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$23.99
Yeah, don't really care about this. I just went with the cheapest one with decent ratings.
GPU:
Pretty much just looking for suggestions were.
This is where I have the most questions. I'm tempted by the price to performance ratio of say CF 4850s or 4770s. But I really want something a bit more powerful than that, I think. It seems like GTX 260/275 or HD 4870/4890 is pretty much the way to go. Should I SLI/CF here or just go with one for now? Should I go for whatever's cheapest or stick with the best brands (EVGA, XFX, ?).
OTHER:
Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005
$3.49
Don't want to fry $1500 worth of component.
Thanks so much for the help in advance. I've already spent a lot of time lurking here so hopefully I'm not too far off the mark with things. I didn't include a total of my planned components since so many are still up in the air.
Sorry it's so long. Hope it's formatted okay!