i7 Build Completed for $1769

[philw007]

Budget is $1000-2000.
Purposes is for gaming and general internet/surfing. Minimal encoding, etc.
Noob oc'er but will certainly do some mild-mod oc'ing with air cooling...no way will get into water cooling.
Generally fan of bang for buck as opposed to latest and greatest.

Mostly need advice on MB, Cooler, GPU, and any accessories like fans, hd, etc that are highly recommended and stand above the "popular" choices. Thanks in advance for any help.

Which case should I use? Prefer to use my p182 but realize it might be too small. Current build in the stacker so if full atx needed, would prefer to use the cosmos.

Current rig: amd opteron 165, geforce 8800gts 320mb, asus a8n32 deluxe

CPU: Purchased from microcenter $240
Intel i7 920

Memory: Purchased from newegg $232
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145224

MB: Ordered from newegg $300
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128362

OS: Own
Windows Vista 64 Ultimate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116493

Cooler: Ordered via Axiontech $78
Thermarlright 120U for 1366

GPU: Purchased from newegg $499
BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792E GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143167

DVD: Ordered from newegg $60
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM x 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151173

HD: Ordered from newegg $160
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM x 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136319

PS: Own (est $100 on sale)
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS750QBL 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703019

Case: Own (est $100 on sale)
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119138

Current Total: $1769 (not including os)

Disclaimer: I know c2d is better overall bang for buck, but I want a i7! Perhaps irrational but its what I want and bought. Thanks.

Extra Item: Although not technically part of build, this IPS monitor influenced the graphics card I purchased...needed to drive 2500x1600.
DoubleSight DS-305W Black 30" 8ms (GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor $1000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824185012

 

[Blain]

If your main purpose for this rig is "gaming", a C2D or C2Q combo would have offered you more bang for the buck.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Blain
.. would have offered you more bang for the buck.

where can i meet her at? j/k

go for a high end board

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: Blain
If your main purpose for this rig is "gaming", a C2D or C2Q combo would have offered you more bang for the buck.

+1 to that

i7 wasn't made for gaming, and games are still mainly dual-core optimized, if even any multi-core optimization. Difference between a C2Q in a quad-optimized game and an i7 is almost nothing, except SLI might scale a bit better. i7 wasn't made for gaming, so there's no real point sinking so much money into an i7 system if all you're doing is gaming.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: Blain
If your main purpose for this rig is "gaming", a C2D or C2Q combo would have offered you more bang for the buck.

+1 to that

i7 wasn't made for gaming, and games are still mainly dual-core optimized, if even any multi-core optimization. Difference between a C2Q in a quad-optimized game and an i7 is almost nothing, except SLI might scale a bit better. i7 wasn't made for gaming, so there's no real point sinking so much money into an i7 system if all you're doing is gaming.

clock for clock the i7's are faster, but by how much i'm wondering

 

[philw007]

I realize c2d is better bang for buck, but I want and have already purchased the i7 (on sale) and ram. So looking for advice on how to proceed from here...

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well in that case I'd go with the Gigabyte board, there won't be much of a performance difference between it and the Asus P6T6, and it's about $70 cheaper. Might want to consider getting a GTX280 since the price fell so much if you plan on gaming at 1920x1200 or higher, but the 260 is a nice choice too. As for the cooler, I'd go with the TRUE 120 and slaph 2 Noctua fans on it in push-pull for some damn nice cooling.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

RAM: Get the cheaper RAM that's <$180 on Newegg
GPU: get a GTX 280 for $230 from buy.com

 

[philw007]

TY...just purchased gtx 280 via buy.com's low price of $230

Ram is already on the way...

 

[JTsyo]

Phil, I'm curious to know how much the rig will cost you when you're done. I'm trying to decide between self build and buying a PC.

 

[philw007]

So far $1000 not including case/ps/os. Still need to add the motherboard. Can't decide!

 

[philw007]

After doing more reading, it seems like neither mb I picked is perfect. Both have issues. I want to go with the revolution but it still has some major issues with bios. Gigabyte also has major issues with bios. I have read about another board that sound interesting (premium)...the unreleased evga classified. It does look like it will be more expensive than I would like to spend on a mb tho ($450).

I guess I will sit tight and NOT do my build this weekend Wait till some of the smoke clears?

Kinda sucks since everything I need is on the way except the mb!

 

[Blain]

BIOS issues can be fixed with updates... No big deal

 

[philw007]

There are some concerns that the revolution problems might not be fixable with bios updates. I want to go with the revolution cause its built for servers and "workstations." Theoretically it should be more robust. I like the idea that it was redesigned without the dated technologies also.

If I had to buy right now, I think the UD5 would be best bet. Sounds like its problems can be fixed with bios updates. But, should I wait for the more expensive evga classified?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: philw007
I want to go with the revolution cause its built for servers and "workstations." Theoretically it should be more robust.

Asus marketing is some of the best in the industry... :laugh:

 

[philw007]

Blain, is that your way of telling me to go with the UD5 I wish I knew if the N200 is worth it. I just want to like the revolution, but my gut says the UD5 is a safer bet...

 

[krnmastersgt]

He's just saying that you're reading too far into what Asus claims/says in their advertisements. If you wanted a server/workstation class board you would buy one, the P6T6 is meant as a personal computer motherboard, plain and simple.

 

[mcc27]

If you are looking at gaming and plan on going 2 or 3 way SLI, go out and read the specs and reviews on just that.

Just built an i7 and discovered that many boards support 3 way but not at x16/x16/x16.

Also pay attemption to slot layout. Basically if you can't find a board review where they actually built one and stuck it in a case, don't bet that it will actually physically work. Especially if you every plan on adding in a double width card.

I ended up with a P6T deluxe because of OC'ing. When I bought Gigabyte was not yet totally stable, nor was it at the "top" of OC'ing bords.

The TRUE should be good enough cooling for a mild OC. The 920's get hot with OC RAM (>1066) and OC'd CPU. Your PSU should be good enough for now, but will need more watts if you want OC stable and multiple video cards.

On the bright side, the 920s OC like mad right now.

CHeck out and see if the MB's support VDroop adjustment (might be auto or manual), but a must have for smaller power supplies and OCing.

Good luck!

 

[philw007]

Thank you for the reply mcc. I am planning on eventually goin 2 way sli but not sure about 3 way. I think the only board that will support x16 x 3 will be revolution if they work out the bios/driver issues. So, do I want to take risk on a "new" untested board that seems cool or the more tested "traditional" board...

I feel like a woman...can't decide (no offense...i love women )

 

[krnmastersgt]

The EVGA X58 Classified is gonna be full x16 x3, but the performance differences are quite miniscule if you have just 1 card running 8x or something. Don't make that the deciding factor in your board, because you can always upgrade to more powerful cards if your SLI of weaker cards isn't cutting it for you.

 

[philw007]

True...the x16 x3 is not a major factor...just a minor factor...more bragging rights im thinking. I think the classified is way overpriced at $450 for my purposes. That still leaves deciding between the revolution and the ud5. I've heard a couple people recommending the ud5....no one recommends (meaning forum peeps) the revolution so far...

 

[krnmastersgt]

Because they're virtually the same for your intentions, and the UD5 is owned by more people since most members prefer Gigabyte to Asus, although both are good companies. Also, the P6T6 is $70 more, so you're paying quite a bit more for the same board, which doesn't make sense if you ask me Go with the UD5 and save yourself $70, spend it on something else.

 

[philw007]

Thanks for the help! Needed someone to tell me what to do! (referring to deciding on which mb to get)

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: philw007
Thanks for the help! Need someone to tell me what to do!

Uhh what?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: philw007
I am planning on eventually goin 2 way sli but not sure about 3 way.

Originally posted by: philw007
Need someone to tell me what to do!

Unless you plan on running a BIG monitor at high resolution, you won't need SLI GTX 280's much less a 3-way SLI with them.

Are you planning on a 30" monitor?