Yet Another Core i7 Build

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Bayesian

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Apr 18, 2009
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18,510
Looking for some advice on a core i7 build! I've done my best to search through the forums and articles out there, but I'd really appreciate a final look-see from the experts around here.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Immediately

BUDGET RANGE: US$1000-1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Stats simulations using R/Python, gaming, compiling code, some photoshop here and there..

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel; indifferent regarding NVIDIA vs. ATI

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Possibly later

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

PARTS (newegg wish list): http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13098408

PARTS (individually listed):

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8TU-6GBPI - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM

Any suggestions? :)

Edit: changed DVD burner, accidentally picked the IDE version.. whoops!

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS222-06 - OEM
 
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daidalas

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Mar 29, 2009
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Bayesian

Distinguished
Apr 18, 2009
3
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18,510
Whew, good catch! I almost got the IDE version on accident.

I was thinking I'd go with the stock heatsink since I'm not planning on doing an OC, but for an extra $30-40 it's probably not a bad idea. I just hope that XIGMATEK fits in the Antec 300 (people say that it does, but I bet it's just as tight as they say..)

So what makes those mobos better for CrossFire out of curiosity?

Thanks for the tips!

 
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daidalas

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Mar 29, 2009
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Just checked and your original mobo is fine for xfire, my mistake. however, turns out u gotta flash bios for sli, which is pretty much no big deal. =D

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2009/03/16/gigabyte-ga-ex58-ud3r/2

"Being an X58 board, the two 16x PCI-E lanes provide 16 lanes of bandwidth to two ATI graphics cards simultaneously for your CrossFire pleasure. However, unlike pricier X58 boards, the UD3R is not officially compatible with Nvidia's SLI, although by flashing the BIOS with the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI it can be enabled because the hardware is essentially the same. The same goes for the MSI X58 Pro and X58 Pro SLI as well. "
 
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Bayesian

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Apr 18, 2009
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18,510
Now that's good to know. :) I was leaning towards the 4870 for performance reasons, but $20 less for the GTX 260 (and the fact that I'd get to play around with CUDA) are deal-makers I think. And since the board actually supports SLI, I think that just about seals the deal.

Funny that the UD3R-SLI costs about $25 more (if you include rebates)...
 
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