[New System Build] i7 system

[Surfsk8t92]

It's been a while since my last build (amd 3800), I am looking to build a new i7 system that will last me a few years. I want to be able to upgrade down the road if need be. Mostly for gaming world of warcraft, and my favorite gps at what ever point in time it is. Looking for thoughts, input, and suggestions. I already have an external 1tb drive for all my music and movies.

Looking to run dualboot os- xp and 7

Case: Cool Master Sniper Case (leaning toward this over the Antec 900-2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

Board- asus p6t delux V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

CPU - i7 920 (will oc to 3.2-3.6 more than likely)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Memory - ocz platnium (3x2gb) ddr3 1600 (debating on to get the 3x2gb or 6x2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227366


CPU cooler - nh-u12p se1366 (linked is the non se1366, I will be getting the se1336 though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608002

Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

Still not sure on a graphics card, its one of these or I might be able to squeeze a 285.
Evga gtx260
Evga gtx260 core 216 superclocked
Xfx gtx260 black edition

PSU - Corsair 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

HDs WD 350gb x2 in Raid0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136039

Am I missing anything? Any thoughts/suggestions? Looking to spend around 1600, maybe a little more if the performance gain is worth it.

 

[xthekidx]

I like this case a lot and this is a great combo for you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165527

You can save a bit on the mobo with this one, it will do fine for that OC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

Just get a stock clocked card an OC it yourself, its fairly easy.

PSU: This one is better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx
or if you won't SLI in the future and just stick with one card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx

Don't get those seagate drives, these ones are better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

If you are going to run Raid 0, then I suggest you backup you data on that external disk regularly as Raid 0 has a higher chance of failure than 1 HDD

You probably want a DVD Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

How big is the monitor you will be using? if its larger than 1650x1080 then you should upgrade the GPU to the GTX 285 if you want to be able to play Crysis:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446
or a HD 4850x2 would work well too, but single GPU solutions are better IMO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

 

[Proximon]

I would say you are spending a great deal on a PSU that, while adequate, is not really high quality.

Here's a quality PSU at a more reasonable price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750TX

 

[techwizard08]

For the record, that is not a quiet case.

Saw a system put together, and it is pretty nill on the insulation.

Though, not much different from the HAF/1200.

+1 to proxy for the psu change.

 

[Surfsk8t92]

Thanks, that's one of the areas I was kinda unsure on, I will change that to the corsair psu. I'd like to stick to one card and keep it between 200-300 area. I might be able to squeeze the 285 you linked.

 

[Surfsk8t92]

I have a septate network drive for backups. Why the wd over the seagate? Just curious. The link for the case combo you linked doesn't work, what case where you refrencing?

 

[xthekidx]

Seagate drives have firmware problems that causes them to fail all the time. WD is far more reliable and faster.

I don't know why that link isn't working for you...it works for me. Go to newegg and seach "storm sniper case" then look under combo deals, the i7-920 can be combo'd with it for $40 off. The Storm sniper is a great case because it has excellent ventilation, it is very quiet, and has a ton of room to work with so you can fit anything you want in there.

 

[Surfsk8t92]

Ok gotcha, I have always used seagate with no issues. I'm not stuck on not changing to another brand though. I am using a samsung 22" widescreen monitor (forgot to add that). That case does look pretty nice, couldn't get the link because newegg was defulting to the mobile site on my phone. It's not going to too tight with the video card and HDs? Do they mount sideways?

 

[xthekidx]

You won't have a space issue in the Sniper case.

 

[Surfsk8t92]

Updated the original post with new parts and links, Monitor is a 22" samsung typically play games in 1680x1050 (couldn't remember off the top of my head when asked earlier).

Would love some feedback/suggestions on a good card in the 200-300 range.

 

[xthekidx]

If you can squeeze the GTX 285 in there, then that is what you should go for. It is better than the similarly priced 4850x2 and the GTX 280 at the $300 end. If you wanted a lower priced card, The GTX 260 can be had for $200, and I recommend it. The HD 4870 is similarly priced, but the GTX 260 is a better value IMO, unless you go for the Saphire 4870 1gb Toxic version, which has seen some interesting (and beneficial for you) pricing recently. The GTX 260 gets you the most for your money of these cards down below:

GTX 285:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143168

HD 4850x2:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

GTX 280:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143142

HD 4870 Toxic:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102815

GTX 260:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127409

 

[Surfsk8t92]

Gonna break down and go with a 285 and stick with 6gb of ram over the 12. It's been ages since I bought a card (6800 gt). I have heard good things about xfx and have used msi in the past. Is black edition worth the extra $$? I'm thinking a 300-400 limit will allow me to get more of what I want out of the system with the longevity I am expecting.