been awhile...

Q

Quality

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
170
Whats up all. I was just putting together a new build and was hoping to get a quick once-over from everyone more or less for a yay or nay and any/all input you might have. I'm not sure if I want to overclock, as I mostly play the CoH series....but with this computer, I plan on being able to pick up a few more titles since I'm sure it will handle it. I'm thinking i will let things be until i feel i really need an overclock? Not sure, I guess that input would be nice from you all too....maybe a little overclock? If it's worth it? I just want to be able to overclock if i want to...

So with much apreciation, here is my idea for a build. I think it looks good, if I'm not sure about anything, it would be the PSU...if its enough or not...good choice or not....but I think evrything is ok, but always, I would never buy componenets for a gaming rig without a thourough once-over from all of you.

Thanks in advance,

Quality


(All listed parts are from NewEgg)

LG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech Black SATA Model GH20NS15 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136149

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119137

COOLER MASTER RA-690-KWN2-GP CM 690 clear side panel with one 120 mm blue LED fan - Retail

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136322

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139009

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116488

EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813188046

OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227388

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115202

Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - Retail
Item #: N82E16835702007
 
Please answer the questions in the stickied titled "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" so that we can help you better
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

This PC is going to be for gaming only. Obviously general use as well.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

Tax and shipping included, around $1500

3) Where do you live?

I live in Hudson, NH

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

cpu
ram
case
power supply
cpu cooler
video card
mother board
wireless networking card
dvd/cd-rom burner

I honestly need everything to build a gaming computer; I have nothing.


5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

None
6) Will you be overclocking?

I would like to, but not too much…I’m not going for records. Longevity is also a goal of mine....

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

I have a 24” HP LCD.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

ASAP

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

I would like an I7, x 58 build. I only want one powerful video card for now, and will SLI it later if need be. I want to the option of SLI/Xfire, even if I don’t need it now, doesn’t mean I won’t want it later…..that’s my mentality.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

Nope….
 
I am too lazy to plug all of the part numbers in to see the prices but I will say unless you just really love the egg, search every part on google price search to see if you are getting the best deal. You may be able to save a couple hundred bucks. Especially if you feel like toying around with Microsoft Live Cashback.

The only other thing I see that I would maybe change is the video card. A 4890 would probably come out better bang for the buck if you get one of the ones under 200 after rebate. Would also offer a good overclocking thrill. Of course you would sacrifice the EVGA step up and I don't know how important that is to you.
 
SLI is best viewed as an all-or-nothing solution. As often quoted (emphasis mine):

Markyip1 said:
Just some info on SLI / Crossfire: It's absolutely not worth considering if a) you're gaming at a resolution under 1920x1200 (as you'll see no performance benefit over a single card,) and b) if you plan to buy one card now and another later. SLI / Crossfire as an upgrade path is usually a very poor idea, as by the time you're ready to get that second card, a new single card solution will likely be available that will outperform two of your older cards in tandem. Furthermore, there really is no cost benefit to the SLI Upgrade Route, as any additional cost in getting the new card can be easily mitigated in most situations by selling the original. By avoiding an SLI / Crossfire solution when it will not be of benefit, you gain a cooler running, simpler to maintain system and more importantly, access to a much better (and broader) selection of motherboards.
Click to expand...

You would be better served by purchasing two GTX 275 cards now, going for a dual-GPU card (like the HD4850X2 or the HD4870X2), or getting one high-end card (like the GTX 280/285).

Swap out the following parts as well:

RAM - your OCZ set runs at 1.65V, which is the near limit that the board can safely handle. Pick up a kit that runs between 1.5V and 1.6V, like the oft-recommended G.Skill kit.

HDD - I believe that the VelociRaptor is a bit overrated. You could pick up the WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS drive, which is only 10% slower in most benchmarks, for less yet you get a lot more for your money. Purchasing two of them together and running them in RAID 0 would give you better performance for less than your VelociRaptor.

HSF - Get the Xigmatek HDT-S1283V, a cheaper option that's known to be able to compete with the best (the TRUE 120 and the Noctua NH-U12P). It also has the bracket for the LGA1366 socket.

PSU - This goes hand-in-hand with my video card suggestion. If you aren't going to utilize SLI/CF, get one of the 750W power supplies, as they can be found for less than the TX850. For even the GTX 280/285, a good 650 watt PSU (like the Antec EA650, which is currently on sale), can handle it. If you insist on preparing for SLI/CF, get the HX1000, which can easily handle a dual card setup.
 
OK then, let me ask you this.....meeting the same critera above as far as what Im going to be using this computer for.....what are the cheapest parts I can get?

I want to build a new i7 based computer that will be used for gaming. I have built about 10 computers on NewEgg and can't decide on what the hell toactually hit the order button on....I always fall back on EVGA products to include thier motherboard and video cards because, while I have never own any of thier products, it seems they have the best custom support. So an i7 920, with EVGA x58, and EVGA GTX 200 series card seem like a good choice. I know I said $1500 limit....but Ideally, I would like it a whole lot lower then that. Any suggestions?

I don't really care if my computer is the most hanous looking thing to come along since people starting dressing thier pets up with Halloween costumes....but I wouldn't mind my computer to have at least a little style too....i mean not having bright red RAM in a baby blue colored motherboard....or having a computer case/components that look like it belongs in a circus...

I'm like all of you...i want jsut the right mix of parts that dont break the bank, but also perform well with good customer support, and will also last me at least 2 years...

Like I've said...I've built sooooo many computers online and have never bought one for fear of finding a better combination of parts....please help....please...desperation has sank in and if I play CoH with everything....and I mean EVERYTHING turned off and still have my "perf" in the red....i will lose it! "BTW, i play on a dell 1520 laptop connected to an 24" HP monitor"..........can you feel my pain yet?
 
Not the absolute cheapest but it's definitely one of the best bang for your buck builds out there:
$469 - Intel Core i7 920 CPU and Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58 ATX Motherboard Combo
$85 - G.Skill F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$170 - XFX GX260XADJF GeForce GTX 260 Core Edition Core 216 896MB PCI-E Video Card
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$25 - Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
$110 - Corsair 750TX 750W PSU
$80 - Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$40 - Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm HSF
$100 - Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM
----
Total: $1154 plus tax and shipping.
 
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tiraides said:
HDD - I believe that the VelociRaptor is a bit overrated. You could pick up the WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS drive, which is only 10% slower in most benchmarks, for less yet you get a lot more for your money. Purchasing two of them together and running them in RAID 0 would give you better performance for less than your VelociRaptor.
Click to expand...

in sequential read/writes its not much faster.
The velociraptor shines in Access Times.

The 640's have a much better $/perfomance ratio.
 
thanks for clarifying that....i went with the 640gb drive he recommended just to save money for the other components of my sig......maybe ill get a raptor in a few months...
 
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