Wanting a new i7-based computer

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bpfergu

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: Around $2k

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, video editing, Auto-CAD, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard/mouse/OS (using Windows 7)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: wherever is cheapest...probably just Newegg.

PARTS PREFERENCES: My only definite is that I want an i7-based desktop (most likely the 920 but am open to others). I also want at least a 24" monitor. Would also prefer mobo that allows me to upgrade with additional graphics cards via SLI/Xfire.

OVERCLOCKING: I would like to...but I need to read up on how to do it.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: The bigger the better.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want a powerful computer that can be OCed and easily upgraded in the future. Would also prefer running RAID 0 w/ 2 HDs. Help me out!
 
Proximon

Proximon

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A few notes to start:

If you are doing demanding CAD work, you might not be happy with a gaming card. Regardless, you should stick with Nvidia cards as the drivers are traditionally more CAD friendly.

 
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bpfergu

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Thanks for the quick reply!

Gaming would take precedence over any CAD work that I did. It would mostly consist of touching up drawings in my free time or checking something before I present it at work.

I would prefer a more game-friendly card than a more CAD-friendly one, but a combination of both is welcome!
 
Proximon

Proximon

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bpfergu

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Is the Antec case large enough to easily fit extra cards? I've heard that there have been space issues with some of the newer mainstream cases when trying to run 2+ graphics cards.
 
Proximon

Proximon

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It's not so much the number of cards as the space between the MB and HD bays.

The Antec is a bit tight in my opinion, but it works. You can probably do the CM HAF with a Corsair PSU and come out about the same:

CM HAF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Corsair PSUs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000320058%2050001459%20113142559&name=801%20-%20900W
You'll pay quite a bit more for the modular 850HX, which is also the better PSU for other reasons, but the 850TX would work VERY well.
 
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bpfergu

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Looks don't really matter to me. I'm just looking for a case that functions well and is plenty large. This will be my first build so I want to make it as easy as possible! :)
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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Here's an i7 build that includes dual gtx 275's in SLI and dual WD 640 Black hd's in Raid 0 w/monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 $129.99
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
New Arrival

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 $139.99 ($119.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P Combo Price: $492.99 Free Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133268 $199.99 Free Shipping*
PNY VCGGTX275XPB GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133268 $199.99 Free Shipping*
PNY VCGGTX275XPB GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199044 Combo Discount: -$7.00 Combo Price: $167.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $69.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171 $24.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009167 $229.99 Free Shipping*
Acer H243Hbmid 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 Max (ACM) Built in Speakers - Retail

Total: $1,700.88 | $1,660.88 w/mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of the mobo in this build

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=2919 <--- more pics, specs, and professional reviews of the case in this build
 
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bpfergu

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Is it worth upgrading to the gtx285 (be it one of them are a second in later on)? ...or are the gains not worth the extra cost?

Also, would this setup be good for OCing or would I need more cooling via fans/water-cooled/etc.?
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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If over clocked the gtx 275 runs almost on par with the gtx 285. dual gtx 275's in SLI will run all your games on high. The 285 is not worth the extra money imo, and with most peeps if they don't get both cards now chances are they won't later on down the road. That vid card set up now as it stands will eat up anything thrown at it.

As far as water cooling goes...not worth it imo. Test on here have proven that the best over clock for the i7 in regards to FPS is 3.4GHz - 3.8GHz with 3.6GHz being the sweet spot. Anything more isn't worth the effort for gains made. That build will do that over clock easily on air cooling. No need to spend money on water cooling. As far as case fans go, I would probably add a 120mm fan for now or even a 200mm case fan on the side of it.

Here's the fan specs for that case:

Front: 200 mm fan x 1 Red LED on / off fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA (can be swap for 120 / 140 mm fan x 1)
Top: 200 mm fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA (can be swap to 120 mm fan x 2 )
Rear: 120 mm fan x 1 / 1200 RPM / 17 dBA
Bottom: 120 / 140 mm fan x 1 (optional)
Side: 200 mm fan x 1 (optional) (can be swap for 120 mm fan x 2)

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-sli,2298.html <--- dual gtx 275's in SLI > gtx 295

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-275,2266.html <--- gtx 275 review along with benchmarks including the gtx 285, 260, etc....
 
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bpfergu

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Thanks for much for your help so far! If I went with a setup similar to what you listed, would I have to purchase anything else (other than maybe another fan for my case)? Like are there any pastes or cords that I need to get on top of it? Thanks!
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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I would grab an extra sata cable for one of those HD's ...just in case. You can grab one @ newegg for around $2.
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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Both Cooler Master and Masscool make decent case fans for on the cheap ($5 or so @ newegg) but any will do...just read reviews on newegg. Also if your hard core like a few of us here...grab a can of high temp flat black spray paint and a roll of masking tape and paint the inside of that case....if your hard core.
 
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bpfergu

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Thanks Proximon and Why_Me...you have been a huge help.

I have one last question: does anybody have a good link to a tutorial on how to build a computer? I have a pretty good idea and I think it should go off without any major issues but I would like to have something that I can reference to just to be safe (or does this come with the mobo or something?).

Thanks!
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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OMG OMG OMG...WTH...I'L TAKE TEN OF THEM !!! ...j/k...and wtf m3d...lay off the sauce. :p

To the OP... A few free proggy's you want to dl after you finish putting together this build..

1) cpuz

2) realtemp

3) prime95

4) memtest

Also check out the sticky threads in the over clocking forum on this board

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=building+a+pc&aq=0&oq=building+a+p

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=building+a+pc&aq=0&oq=building+a+p
 
B

bpfergu

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K cool. I'm thinking that I'll probably buy the 24" and use the difference on better HDs.

If I went with the Caviar Black...specifically this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283

Would I run into any issues? Also, would I need to purchase any special cords for this one? I noticed with the Caviars that you recommended it made me purchase a USB cord with it...would I need something like that if I had two of these running RAID 0?
 
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