Thoughts on this new build?

C

Cybergooch

n00b
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
10
I'm getting ready to put a new system together, and wanted some feedback on some parts I'm considering. My current system (built 2 1/2 years ago) is an E6600. At this point, I can't see spending any more money on the LGA775 chipset.

The Q & A:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
3D graphics, Photoshop, Gaming

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$800.00 - $1400.00 budget. Not worried about shipping too much.

3) Where do you live?
Spring Creek, Nevada (out in the sticks, no good local stores)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
I already have monitor, keyboard, mouse. Need everything else for a new system.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Will probably reuse a couple hard drives.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Recently got the Dell 3008WFP 30".

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next month.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Haven't done raid before, so not too worried about that. No firewire needed. No crossfire or SLI needed.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
I should be able to transfer my current XP 64-bit license to this new build, although I'll be dual-booting to Windows 7, which is what I'm using now.


Please let me know if you spot anything that seems like a bad choice:

CPU: Core i7 920 2.66GHz…$279.00
CPU cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme 1366 RT…$65.00
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R…$185.00
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W…$100.00
RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8TU-6GBPI…94.99
Hard drive 1: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM (for OS)…$80.00
Hard drive 2: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (for data)…$75.00
Video: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB...$170.00 after rebate
DVD drive: LG GH22NS30 22X SATA DVD Burner…$30.00
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP…$150.00

Total: $1230.00

I won't be doing any sli/crossfire, as I use 2 graphics cards to drive 3 monitors for my photo/artwork. (already have 2nd card)
I probably won't even be doing any overclocking (haven't in the past) so I'm wondering if a special cpu cooler is even needed.
I was originally considering a blu-ray burner until I saw the price of blank blu-ray discs. I think I'll stick with dual layer DVD's for now.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
WD 640GB is faster drive than that first gen raptor. Beyond on that your build looks good.
 
A few things to note:

1. You might want to consider this 6GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 kit since there's no real-world difference between the timings but it runs at a lower voltage (1.5v) which translates into less heat and more overclocking headroom. However, I did just notice that they increased its price (again), making it more expensive than that PI kit. Might as well go with the PI sticks.

2. The WD Caviar Black 640GB you selected is actually faster than that 74GB Raptor, so I would suggest using it as your primary OS drive. For the data, you can get a WD 1TB Black or a WD 1TB Green for storage.

3. If you're not overclocking, there's no real point to get the TRUE-120. The stock HSF will suffice.
 
PC_User said:
A few things to note:

1. You might want to consider this 6GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 kit since there's no real-world difference between the timings but it runs at a lower voltage (1.5v) which translates into less heat and more overclocking headroom. However, I did just notice that they increased its price (again), making it more expensive than that PI kit. Might as well go with the PI sticks.
Click to expand...
Less heat is always good. Only six bucks more, I may go with those.

2. The WD Caviar Black 640GB you selected is actually faster than that 74GB Raptor, so I would suggest using it as your primary OS drive. For the data, you can get a WD 1TB Black or a WD 1TB Green for storage.
Click to expand...
Ha, I foolishly assumed that since it was a 10,000 RPM drive it had to be faster. In that case, maybe I'll get two of the Caviars instead.

3. If you're not overclocking, there's no real point to get the TRUE-120. The stock HSF will suffice.
Click to expand...
Sounds good, thanks.
 
lt_shiro said:
WD 640GB is faster drive than that first gen raptor. Beyond on that your build looks good.
Click to expand...

I'd like to have the OS on the fastest drive I can find without going to a SSD. (still too pricey.)
Any drives out there much faster than that WD 640?
 
Seagate 500 GB SATA2 7200.12 is also pretty fast also.

Formatted size: 465.76 GB
Avg/write: 109.9 MB/sec
Avg/read: 107.8 MB/sec
Burst: 214.4 MB/sec
Random Access: 14.4ms

Avg read & write are about the same as the WD 640 GB Black but Burst is about 265 MB/sec on black and random access is also bit lower at 11.4ms.
 
1. As others have stated, don't get the old raptor.
2. With the gigabyte mobo, many people said there were LAN problems. This is because Windows tries to download its own lan drivers; don't let it do that. Just a heads up.
3. If you're not OC'ing, stock is enough. If you are OC'ing, but not too much, I suggest Xigmatek Dark Knight, they say it has similar performance to the TRUE 120 but only $40. You'll probably want thermal paste too. AS 5 or MX-2 is a good option. Both on newegg... most of the time.

Nice case (Though you could save money there, as your pc is not quite the super-high end that requires so much space and air flow. Something like antec 900 or a cheaper cooler master case could probably suit you well)
 
Last edited:
Hmm.. kinda waste to get the Thermalright Ultra 120 for $65 and not O/C. You should just get the Xigmatek Dark Knight for $40 which is pretty good and $25 cheaper. Also, I would swap the mobo for another one. I don't like the UD3R since it only has 4 RAM slots. You can look at the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P mobo which has 6 x RAM DIMM slots and is a very good well rounded mobo. There is a combo deal with a Gigabyte Geforce GTX 260 (216) video card both for $425 ($20 MIR on Video Card & $20 MIR on Mobo). You can also look at the ASUS P6T SE for $200 ($15 MIR) w/free shipping from Zipzoomfly.com. As far as the HDD, The 640GB BE harddrives will have a higher datatransfer speed than the WD Raptor 74GB 10K drive. But, the 74GB raptor will still have a quicker access time than the 7200rpm 640GB drive. Still, 74GB is pretty damn small even though you will have a storage drive. My brother has the 74GB raptor drive and the programs consume space especially when you load games on the primary drive. He constantly needs to offload files onto his storage drive or uninstall some programs that he don't use. If you still looking at a 10K drive, they have the WD VelociRaptor 150GB for $157 w/free shipping from ZipZoomfly.com. But, me personally, I would just settle with the 640GB BE for now as it is pretty fast as it is for a 7200rpm. Faster than previous generations 7200rpm drives. Wait till SSD drives get larger and cheaper down the road and then get one of those later. The Coolermaster HAF 932 case can be found at Provantage for $133.00
 
I have the VRaptor, and no, its not much faster than the Caviar Blue, let alone Black (which are slightly faster than the blue drives) -- I honestly can't tell the difference between the two drives. Those are some nice numbers for the 'cuda.12 in lt_shiro's post. Though, I shy away from seagate right now cuz of their small firmware issue with the 'cuda.11's (I actually have about a dozen of them that I'm just waiting to brick on me, lol).

I also agree with PC_user. Oh, and I agree with HG, switch that mobo.
 
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Based on suggestions and more reading, I'm now looking at:

CPU: Core i7 920 2.66GHz…$279.00 (will use stock heat sink)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P…$225.00
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W…$100.00
RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)…$99.00
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (for OS)…$75.00
Hard Drive 2: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB (for data)…$99.00
Video: BFG Tech BFGEGTX260896OCE GeForce GTX 260 896MB…$145.00 after rebate
DVD Drive: LG GH22NS30 22X SATA DVD Burner…$30.00
Case: Coolermaster 690…$80.00

TOTAL ~$1132.00

I'm having a hard time deciding between the GeForce GTX 260 and the GTX 280. I'm not seeing a whole lot of difference in the fps between the two, but there's a $75.00 difference. Is the 280 worth the extra cost?

I'm getting ready to start ordering parts, so speak now or forever hold your peace! :)
 
Cybergooch said:
I'm having a hard time deciding between the GeForce GTX 260 and the GTX 280. I'm not seeing a whole lot of difference in the fps between the two, but there's a $75.00 difference. Is the 280 worth the extra cost?
Click to expand...

At your resolution, yes.
 
Cybergooch said:
Okay. I guess 30" monitors need all the horsepower they can get. ...
Click to expand...

Indeed... that res is what SLI/Crossfire was made for. ;) But if you're not such a demanding gamer, the single GTX280 should be ok.
 
Cybergooch said:
Okay. I guess 30" monitors need all the horsepower they can get.
Has anyone seen a better deal on a GTX 280 than this?
Click to expand...

Nope. That's pretty much one of the best deals' I've seen for the GTX 280. Might want to jump on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top