So I've been tinkering with computers since I was 4, and I'm fairly versed at fixing them (hardware and software), but I've never built one before. Before I do, I want to make sure everything is compatible and I don't have any obvious oversights. This is what I've got planned so far:
* Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541727
* ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541727
* CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261
* EVGA GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549
* CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
* Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
* Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit
As far as hard drives go, I'll probably buy a new one off ebay, something ~300GB 6Gb/s 10,000RPM SATA, reputable brand, for my primary (more just for my OS and maybe a game I want to load as fast as possible).
* Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive <-- Secondary
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
CD/DVD drive - I'm planning on pulling one out of my outdated Alienware since it's got a bunch. Should be sufficient. I don't plan on running anything more than an OS install off a disk anyway.
My immediate concerns are (1) whether or not I can run memory at 1600mhz with an i7, and (2) whether or not it is worth buying 4 2's [ram] even though the i7 is triple channel. (3) Is it worth buying a 6Gb/s HD at 7200RPM? Or should I just go with the 3Gb/s? (4) I'm looking into this for gaming and graphic/web design, and I've heard some people say the i7 isn't necessary unless you're running Auto CAD or Maya. Well I'm thinking into the future, trying to be etra sure [albeit crazy]. I don't want any performance issues or lag, even if I've got Photoshop CS5, COD: Black OPS (Extreme Settings), 5 browsers @ 5 windows each, iTunes, MS Word all open at the same time. I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm not too concerned with sounding sane considering I regularly have this all open at once. If the i5 can still handle what I want, then I may switch.
If I'm overlooking anything or if there's an obvious "wtf are you thinking here?" please let me know! Again I know a fair bit about how it all works I've just never planned one out before, so any advice would be great before I make an investment.
Thanks guys!
* Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541727
* ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.541727
* CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261
* EVGA GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549
* CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
* Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
* Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit
As far as hard drives go, I'll probably buy a new one off ebay, something ~300GB 6Gb/s 10,000RPM SATA, reputable brand, for my primary (more just for my OS and maybe a game I want to load as fast as possible).
* Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive <-- Secondary
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
CD/DVD drive - I'm planning on pulling one out of my outdated Alienware since it's got a bunch. Should be sufficient. I don't plan on running anything more than an OS install off a disk anyway.
My immediate concerns are (1) whether or not I can run memory at 1600mhz with an i7, and (2) whether or not it is worth buying 4 2's [ram] even though the i7 is triple channel. (3) Is it worth buying a 6Gb/s HD at 7200RPM? Or should I just go with the 3Gb/s? (4) I'm looking into this for gaming and graphic/web design, and I've heard some people say the i7 isn't necessary unless you're running Auto CAD or Maya. Well I'm thinking into the future, trying to be etra sure [albeit crazy]. I don't want any performance issues or lag, even if I've got Photoshop CS5, COD: Black OPS (Extreme Settings), 5 browsers @ 5 windows each, iTunes, MS Word all open at the same time. I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm not too concerned with sounding sane considering I regularly have this all open at once. If the i5 can still handle what I want, then I may switch.
If I'm overlooking anything or if there's an obvious "wtf are you thinking here?" please let me know! Again I know a fair bit about how it all works I've just never planned one out before, so any advice would be great before I make an investment.
Thanks guys!