New System Build

[gapper]

This will be my first build. I've done a lot of research and feel confident that the components are compatible for i7, sli and can be OC. However, since I've never built a system before, there may be things I'm not aware of, or there may be smarter choices in this build. I would greatly appreciate any advice or direction from those of you who have experience.


PURCHASE DATE: Approx. two weeks.
SYSTEM USE: GAMING ONLY
PARTS NOT REQUIRED. Display, keyboard, mouse, speakers and sound card.
PREFFERED WEB SITE: Newegg.com.
SLI: Down the road, yes.
OC: Maybe, only after I'm sure I know what I'm doing.

The components I have decided to purchase:
MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
CPU: Intel Core i7 940 Nehalem 2.93GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115201
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007&Tpk=corsair%20cmpsu-1000hx%201000watx12v%202.2
GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1281-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130442
MEMORY: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=cool%20master%20haf%20932
HARD DRIVE: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322&Tpk=WESTERN%20DIGITAL%20VELOCIRAPTOR%20WD3000HLFS%20300GB

 

[Guest]

mobo cpu combo to save some cash:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197414

and i don't know that you need a $230 300 gig hard drive, but you do need a cpu cooler. get a xigmatek.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The i7 940 is a waste of money. I'd get an i7 920 along with the Xigmatek Dark Knight cooler and overclock the 920. I also wouldn't waste your money on a Velociraptor. The WD6401AALS is a very fast drive that will save you a ton of cash.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197399 (i7 920 + P6T Deluxe V2 combo) $544.98

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99

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&Tpk=wd6401aals $74.99

You can also get faster CAS 7 RAM for cheaper:

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 - $20 MIR

 

[gapper]

mobo cpu combo to save some cash:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197414

and i don't know that you need a $230 300 gig hard drive, but you do need a cpu cooler. get a xigmatek.

I overlooked listing the cooler I had decided on.
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme - Heat sink
http://www.amazon.com/Thermalright-Ultra-120-eXtreme-Socket-aluminum/dp/B000PHEV6C#moreAboutThisProduct

 

[jsc]

The TRUE does not come with a fan and:
$133???

 

[gapper]

Thank you for the input guys. I've made some changes as a result of your suggestions...hard drive, ram and cooling. I'm still weighing the i7 920 suggestion. One can OC the 940.
One more thing, I'm unsure of and that's the operating system. Vista or XP? I've been using XP and have no issues. What would make me go to Vista?
Vista and XP allow for SLI, right?

Thanks again folks.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The i7 920 and 940 both have the same overclocking ceiling. The 940 does nothing other than make your wallet lighter. A 32-bit OS can only address 4GB of RAM. The GPU RAM comes out of that total along with some reserved for the system, so you'd end up with less than 3GB available. I would use the 64-bit Windows 7 RC1 for now.

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/download.aspx

If you want to go with Vista instead, make sure to get the 64-bit version.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

 

[gapper]

The i7 920 and 940 both have the same overclocking ceiling. The 940 does nothing other than make your wallet lighter. A 32-bit OS can only address 4GB of RAM. The GPU RAM comes out of that total along with some reserved for the system, so you'd end up with less than 3GB available. I would use the 64-bit Windows 7 RC1 for now.

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/download.aspx

If you want to go with Vista instead, make sure to get the 64-bit version.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

Thanks Shortstuff. I was aware of the ram recognition limit of the 32 bit system. I was not aware of the ceiling on the CPU's being the same. Good info. i7 920 it is then. Thank you again.

 

[HavoCnMe]

I would get Vista Ultimate 64! with what your buying, it would be a waste not too. Thats all your missing.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493

This will be one of my next purchases as well, i had already ran it on my pc for 28 days, then went back to XP Pro, i was sad not seeing all my memory i paid for... 🙁

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I wouldn't waste your time with Vista Ultimate. That extra $75 hardly buys you anything useful. Here's a link that compares the different versions of Vista:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

I, personally, would just use 64-bit Windows 7 for now.

 

[Helloworld_98]

also since you're getting a P6T v2 then you'll only need an 850w PSU since you're only going to ever fit 2 of those GTX 285's in there.

 

[gapper]

I wouldn't waste your time with Vista Ultimate. That extra $75 hardly buys you anything useful. Here's a link that compares the different versions of Vista:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

I, personally, would just use 64-bit Windows 7 for now.

Thanks for the info. I am thinking about Vista Home Premium OEM. $99.99
What would be the advantage to the RETAIL version? $259.95
I will upgrade to Windows 7 once it's released.

 

[gapper]

Thank you HavoCnMe and Helloworld_98.