Updating Gaming PC

[Rothen]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: One Week BUDGET RANGE: $1000 - $1200
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Light Web Development, Office Use
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor (Dell UltraSharp 2709W 27-inch WideScreen)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel
OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes (Future Date, purchasing one card now)
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Important factors are that it runs cool and quiet, I don’t need flash I’m looking for a good gaming PC that will last for about 2 years before needing an update. Below is what I am looking at purchasing I would like your assessment. For the HDD I plan on the 500GB one for OS and the two 750’s for applications running in a Raid 0.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor – Retail – $279.99

EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail - $184.99

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK – Retail - $114.99

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail - $239.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive – OEM - $74.99

2 X Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive – OEM - $159.98

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler – Retail – $44.98

NZXT Guardian 921 CS-NT-GD921-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail – $89.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound – OEM - $8.99

Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply – Retail - $76.99

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner – OEM - $26.99

Optional (but probably going to get, my current is starting to wear out)

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard – Retail -$58.99

Logitech G9 Black 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser 3200 dpi Gaming Mouse – Retail - $89.99

Total price with out optional items is $1292.83 a little over my budget but that is ok, I think the wife will let me spend a little extra =) I would appreciate any comments I plan on running Vista 64bit until Windows 7 hit the shelves then picking that up.

 

[hunter315]

nice little combos here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216527

I would suggest this version of windows as it comes with the free upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205088.11-146-050

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The 500GB drives don't really make sense right now. The 640GB drives are faster due to higher data density and the same price. You can save another $5 by bundling the OS with the HD.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail

+

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319 $179.98 (HD + OS combo)

The PSU is also kind of an odd ball since it's a little underpowered for SLI GTX 260's and an i7 build with 3 HD's. I would go for at least a 750W PSU.

Antec EA750 750W ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026 $109.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $109.99 - $20 MIR

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009 $119.99

You don't really need the CPU cooler or thermal paste if you're not planning on overclocking. The i7 CPU's do BEG to be overclocked, though!

 

[Rothen]

Yea I was thinking about upgrading the PSU, I guess I was just trying to get off cheap.

I guess for the price, the 640GB HDD would be a better choice.

As for the cooling, my office gets a little warm sometimes as it's on the second floor and my wife hates the cold, but in her cold I'm still sweating. I figured I go for the little extra cooling and who knows down the road I may overclock.