Yet another i7 build

[evelknievel123]

hi!

i've been researching several days for my new system build, but i need some feedback and help picking the right parts.
i'm going to use the system for email, programming, 3d-stuff, hdtv, games. i would like to install only a gnu/linux-distro, so linux-compatibility is an important issue (probably i end up with a dual-boot system with windows to play games, but i definitely want to avoid it!).


so far, this is my build:

cpu: intel core i7-920 (overclock to 3.5-3.8ghz)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202


cooler: noctua nh-u12p se1336


mb: asus p6t deluxe (perhaps v2, imho the only difference is that it doesn't support sas, right?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346


video card: any gtx 260 card (not sure from which manufacturer, any ideas? are the overclocked cards worth the extra money? how are the nvidia-drivers for linux?)


ram: corsair 6gb ddr3 TR3XG1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224


hdd: 2x western digital WD1001FALS 1TB (raid 0) (are the 650gb faster?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284


dvd-burner: LG GH-22LS30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153


psu: corsair CMPSU-620HX (are 620w enough? if not, can anyone recommend a good psu with cable-management?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002


case: antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042


fans: 3x antec tricolor 120 led
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209011


what do you think about this build, any suggestions (especially to linux compatibility)? please give some feedback! thanks in advance.

ps: i hope at least some of you can decipher this text in broken english ;-)

 

[aevm]

You will not enjoy fitting the GTX 260 in the Antec 300. Actually, I'm not sure it's possible. I have been told that the HD 4870 barely fits, and that's a smaller card. I'd change either the case or the video card. If you want to change the case, consider the Coolermaster HAF 932 for example.

The 640GB disks are about the same speed as the 1TB. Same platters, just 2 instead of 3.

I wouldn't pay $130 for a PSU with 50A combined. It's a very good PSU, true, but you can get something with 60A like 750TX or S75CF for $100 or $90 after rebates, and those could even handle two GTX 260 cards (or two HD 4870 cards, that's easier anyway). Quality-wise, the 750TX is almost as good as the 620HX, while the S75CF is a little better. They're not modular, but modularity is pointless if you've got a loaded system and use most of the cables anyway.

 

[aevm]

video card: how are the nvidia-drivers for linux?)

Sorry, cannot answer that one here because children might read it and the sort of language I'd like to use is not acceptable.
Mind you, ATI's is not much better from what I hear.

What flavor of Linux are you thinking of? I tried Ubuntu on an 8800GTX, btw.

 

[evelknievel123]

thanks for your input!

according to the experiences from other users i've found while researching the internet, the gtx260 should fit in the antec 300 (it's tight but should work). i will give it a try and change the case if it doesn't fit.

i can't buy from newegg (i'm from europe), and the prices here for the 2 corsair PSUs are almost the same (105€ for the 750tx, 107€ for the 620hx). the S75CF costs about 130€, so i think it's not worth it. right now i don't plan to use sli, but you never know ;-). i will pick the 750tx, thanks for the hint.

i'm going to install debian testing (or sid if i'm brave enough), so it's not a huge difference to ubuntu. right now i have a dual boot system to play games in windows, but it sucks to reboot for 20 minutes game-play into windows and then to reboot again. i have an ati-card, and the driver is..... so this time i want to try nvidia's driver.

 

[aevm]

Ouch, 130€... OK, let me know how your Linux works. If you get it working I'll try the same distribution myself. Good luck!!!