New i7 system

[zork152]

Hello,

I looking build a new custom system. What do think about these specs:

Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.66GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S
ASUS P6T X58 Deluxe ATX LGA1366 DDR3 LGA1366 3PCI-E16 PCI-E4 CrossFire SLI SATA2 SAS Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1600C9 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 I7 Triple Channel Memory Kit
BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC 615MHZ 1024MB 2.214GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card
Corsair TX750W 750W ATX 12V 60A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX 9 Drive Bay No PS Top USB2.0 1394 Audio
Western Digital Velociraptor WD3000GLFS 300GB SATA2 10000RPM 5.5MS 16MB 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM
Samsung Spinpoint F1 Series HD103UJ 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 8.9MS 32MB 3.5IN
LG GBW-H20L Black 6X BD-R 2XBD-RE 16X DVD+-RW BLU-RAY Burner OEM
Sony Black 1.44MB 3.5IN Floppy Drive ( OEM )
nGear Flash Card Reader 3.5IN Internal USB Black CF/SD/MMC/MS/XD with Front SATA & USB
Logitech G15 2ND Gen Gaming Keyboard USB Black Silver Amber LCD Panel Programmable Backlit Keys
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse 3200DPI USB2.0 1000HZ Weight Adjustable Black
Logitech G51 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System 155W RMS Black
I am still thinking about possibly overclocking in the future. I am looking for a high end gaming rig. My budget is between $2500-$3000.

Any suggeestions would be appreciated.

 

[17rawr]

Nice build. If I were you I would not get two different types of HDDs because they might not like each other. You could get the 300gb Velociraptor with a 150gb velociraptor. Or if you do not need all of that space you could get one HDD and put up more $ for the graphics card. The rest of the system does look compatible though.

 

[xthekidx]

Keep the 2 different drives, use the velociraptor as system and app drive and the 1tb as storage, it will work fine.

Get the TRUE CPU cooler (Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme RC 1366) and MX-2 Thermal paste. This will give you the option of a great overclock in the future, and you should get it now before your PC is assembled, installing a cooler after assembly is a PAIN.

That is a huge budget, and you can definitely get more with it if you wanted. I would start by getting a GTX 295 if you want an ultimate gaming rig.

 

[Akebono 98]

+1 to xthekidx

Add another 300GB Velociraptor for RAID 0, or if you're feeling adventurous, try SSD drives, either single or two in RAID 0. You could look into the OCZ Apex 60GB SSD drive, at $200 each.

Doesn't hurt, but you sure you need a data drive for a pure gaming rig?

If you want high end RAM, look at either:

Corsair Dominator

Mushkin

Get the P6T Deluxe V2.

I'd be looking at GTX 285 instead of 280.

Minimum PSU is Corsair 850TX for future SLI.

Go with Coolermaster HAF 932 for the best cooling.

You don't need a Blu-ray burner unless you really want to burn BR discs. The LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray reader is sufficient. If you're not going to even watch BR on a gaming rig, then the normal DVD drives are sufficient.

What size monitor do you plan on using? You should think a little more about your video solution and for a high-end gaming rig, I would lean towards GTX 295 as well.

 

[MRFS]

> you should get it now before your PC is assembled,
> installing a cooler after assembly is a PAIN.


The Cooler Master HAF-932 and ATCS 840 both added
a hole directly below the CPU socket to permit easy
installation of HSFs with proper backing plates
AFTER the motherboard is installed:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=HAF-932

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187


MRFS

 

[MRFS]

Get the Corsair triple-channel fan, while you're at it:
it's really cheap insurance for such an important component:

http://www.corsair.com/products/dominatorgt/default.aspx


We have the dual-channel DDR2 version (3 smaller fans)
on both of our PCI-E workstations, and our Corsair
RAM is totally stable:

http://www.corsair.com/products/dominator/photo3.jpg



MRFS

 

[MRFS]

http://www.corsair.com/corei7/default.aspx

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TR3X6G1866C9DF.pdf


"DF" = Dominator with Fan


MRFS

 

[xthekidx]

You don't need active cooling on your ram for i7's. The voltages that your ram runs at is much lower than on previous platforms and so it won't generate as much heat. I also feel that Corsair charges way too much for their memory, although it is very good memory.

I would suggest these modules instead, better timings and cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

 

[techwizard08]

the fan does look cool though...

 

[xthekidx]

Yes corsair has perfected flashiness 😉

 

[sprucebr1]

Grab a good CPU (LGA1366) cooler, and your good. Try Thermalright, they have good brackets for the coolers.

 

[Akebono 98]

Nice Corsair Dominator GT RAM from MRFS, though it's a bit crazy! Along those lines, then you'll have to look at G.Skill Perfect Storm too... The choice of high end RAM really comes down to your overclocking strategy, so you'll have to think about what you're looking to accomplish here. Though I doubt you'll need those speeds--my original recommendations are probably sufficient.


@MRFS: Only catch is, sometimes the hole under the CPU socket doesn't quite line up exactly with the mobo itself. Although you really only need to slide the backplate in and hold it with your hand while installing, it's OK if the hole is off a bit. However, it is still easier to mount the backplate with the mobo out of the case--more space, easier to see, easier to tighten the bolts and look underneath to make sure they're lined up, etc.

 

[xthekidx]

Yeah the specs on those Dominator GT's are very impressive...but price? Seeing as how Corsair has a set of 6gb 1866mhz ram with 9-9-9-24 timings out there for $400 on newegg, I'm willing to bet that those GT's are going to be in the $500+ range, which is really silly, considering most apps have trouble using the bandwidth that 1600mhz modules can achieve, at $350 cheaper. Look at the minimal performance gains in games and other programs between ddr2 and ddr3 and going from 3gb to 6gb of ddr3 ram on the i7 platform, I don't see how anyone can justify buying those modules.

 

[Akebono 98]

+1

But I want the world record...

 

[zork152]

Thank-you to everyone for their suggestions.

According to a local dealer the cost of the build would be C$2539 as shown in my original post.

It would cost me an addtional $175 for an XFX GTX295 video card.

$54 for an 850W power supply or $150 for the 1000W power supply. Not sure which would be more beneficial.

$34 extra for the cool master haf 932.

The thermalright ultra 120 extreme 1366RT costs $84. Is this generally pretty quiet or does it operate loud.

If I downgrade the blu ray burner to the H20L it would be $120 lower.

 

[techwizard08]

The TRUE isn't necessarily loud, but it's not quiet either. The V8 is a little easier on the ears, but keep in mind the GPU tends to be the noisy one these days

 

[Akebono 98]

Could also look at NCIX.com if you're in Canada--pricing might be a little better (they also price match).

If you're a hardcore gamer, it would probably be worth it to consider the GTX 295.

Corsair 850TX to drive 2 GTX 285s. Corsair 1000HX to drive 3 GTX 285s or 2 GTX 295s.

HAF 932 is worth it to help cool a high-end multiple video card setup.

+1 to techwizard08--GPU fan(s) will be louder than the heatsink fan.

If you're thinking of eventually running 2 GTX 295s, then do consider the Asus P6T Deluxe V2 mobo, as it has a gap between the video cards for better cooling. And also think about the GTX 295 backplate for better cooling too.

 

[Greg_77]

Also consider the Evga x58, it is good for overclocks and evga provides great service. I know asus service is considered worse, but the P6t could be a marginally better board overall. I am not sure of the consensus.