Yet Another i7 Gaming Computer

[wfayer]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tomorrow, or the day after. As soon as I work out any issues BUDGET RANGE: $1000-$1600
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies, Internet, Word processing/general college work.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor (Using a 26" LCD TV 720), harddrive (500gb 7200 rpm)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type: Preferably an i7 processor, though if thats dumb let me know. Geforce gtx 200 series.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, in the future. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not. Looking to avoid it as even one card is HUGE

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1360x768, probably will upgrade to 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Please god no bling.

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Parts
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Processor:
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Mobo:
EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
Overkill?

Graphics Card:
Really not sure. I can afford a GTX 295, but I'm really not sure if its worth it or just dumb. Could probably get a better monitor or something if I did not buy one, but its so tempting.
Is a gtx 285 a reasonable option?


Power Supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Memory
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Optical Drive
LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133

Everything else seems kind of miscellaneous. If that is not true let me know.

 

[chronicbucks]

i am building almost the identical machine, except i think i am going to use the gtx 275, i dont know if what you get out of the 285 is worth 90$, but i could be wrong, so If i am, please correct me, and i may end up building with the 285

I am also going to take a page from you and build with that optical drive, i might as well get the Blu-Ray and HD DVD for an extra 60 bucks.

as for the case, may want to make sure there will be enough ventilation/fans.

as for the MOBO, i am all over the place on which one i want, im down to about three, basically id like one with high quality sound

im also going with the 750 W Corsair, for 20 bucks more you have the opportunity to add a whole bunch more later
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[gkay09]

EDIT: Dint refresh the page before the post...
^+1 for chronic

@wfayer Nice setup...
But here are a few suggestions that you can consider...

1. The mobo - The EVGA is a very good board but I have seen people complaining about the black heatsink that is near the CPU bracket, which can block certain aftermarket CPU heatsinks. And like you said, it might be a bit overkill...
So you can consider this mobo...
ASUS Rampage II GENE
Generally people advice the P6T but Reason to go with this mobo -
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/rampage-gene-lanparty,2302.html
If you check this review, you can see that this mobo performs better than the P6T too... and has a complimentary premium onboard sound.

2. CASE - Antec 300 is a very good case...but you can even check this one...It is a very high quality aluminium case
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B

3. Saving about $60 from mobo, why not a BD burner? but it is left to you if you require one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000100600%201698643414&bop=And&SpeTabStoreType=0&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16827136137%2CN82E16827136155

4. Graphics card - The GTX 285 is actually an overkill for that resolution...And for resolutions upto 1080p, the GTX 275, which is about $100 less, would perform very similar to the GTX 285...
You should check out this article before making a decision on the graphics card...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-price,2323.html

5. CPU Cooler - As you may overclock, get an aftermarket CPU cooler for better performance...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000110574%204802&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16835185093%2CN82E16835207004%2CN82E16835233029

And as you budget allows, get a newer faster harddisk like the WD Black 640GB as the primary drive....

 

[Why_Me]

i7 920 w/dual gtx 275's in SLI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $79.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009 $109.99 ($79.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
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.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.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010332 $239.59 ($219.59 after MIR) Free Shipping
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010332 $239.59 ($219.59 after MIR) Free Shipping
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133 $109.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L - Retail

Total: $1,412.91 | $1,347.91 w/mail in rebates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc <--- Save yourself some money on an o/s until March 2010 and dl the 64 bit version of Windows 7

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of that Gigabyte UD4P mobo used in this build

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=532 <--- That's the G.SKILL RAM that's posted in this build in action.

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm <--- Frosty Tech's review and rating of that Xigmatek h/s used in this build

 

[chronicbucks]

wow thank you Why_Me.... i am pretty sure you just gave me the entire blueprint to my new computer

 

[smithereen]

He does that alot.

 

[Yoosty]

wfayer,

If you have a Micro Center near where you live, I would suggest you buy your CPU from them. They have 75 in stock at $229.99 of the Core® i7 920 Processor DO stepping.

Also would suggest you get this Aftermarket HSF CPU Cooler, the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT CPU Cooler for $74.99.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0308566

Below is the Link showing all of Micro Center Store Locations'.
http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/

Have fun with your new build.