Help with i7 build

R

Rythn

n00b
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Jan 1, 2009
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Please give me some advice guys, I plan on buying this computer by next week. Not sure on the motherboard.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Multitasking, Virtual Machines, Gaming.
2) What's your budget? Around $1,700, can be more if it's worth it.
3) Where do you live? Puerto Rico
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Motherboard, CPU, CPU Cooler, RAM, Video Card, Case, Power Supply.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Seagate ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache.
6) Will you be overclocking? I don't know how to do it, but would be interesting to learn.
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have? I have a 20" ViewSonic 1680 x 1050.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Next week.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? No SLI needed.

Here are the parts I've been looking at:

Case
SILVERSTONE TJ10-BW

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz

CPU Cooler
Thermalright Ultra120 eXtreme-1366 RT

RAM
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

Power Supply
ZALMAN ZM850-HP 850W

Video Card
XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition
 
If you don't want to spend a lot on an X58 motherboard, you could look at the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R or the MSI X58 Platinum. Likewise, you don't need an 850 watt power supply, especially since you aren't planning to use an SLI setup. If you're ordering from NewEgg, consider a cheaper power supply like the Corsair TX650. (Out of curiosity, where are you buying everything from?) Corsair Dominator RAM is overpriced; you could obtain a decent overclock with the G.Skill 3x2GB DDR3 1333 set.

For the TRUE 120, look for it at the Heatsink Factory.

And why are you going with the Silverstone TJ10-BW? Though it is a nice case, I don't believe that that alone warrants the $300+ price tag.
 
tiraides said:
If you don't want to spend a lot on an X58 motherboard, you could look at the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R or the MSI X58 Platinum. Likewise, you don't need an 850 watt power supply, especially since you aren't planning to use an SLI setup. If you're ordering from NewEgg, consider a cheaper power supply like the Corsair TX650. (Out of curiosity, where are you buying everything from?) Corsair Dominator RAM is overpriced; you could obtain a decent overclock with the G.Skill 3x2GB DDR3 1333 set.

For the TRUE 120, look for it at the Heatsink Factory.

And why are you going with the Silverstone TJ10-BW? Though it is a nice case, I don't believe that that alone warrants the $300+ price tag.
Click to expand...

Not sure yet what motherboard to get, but kinda leaning towards more to the Gigabyte one. For the power supply, I want it modular to cut down on the cable mess, and thought that Zalman looked prettry good, altough not sure how it would turn out on the electricity bill? Wouldn't that G.Skill memory run slower? 1333 vs 1600? or those numbers are just for overclocking (I've never overclocked a computer)?

Also, I've looking so long for a case of my liking (not too flashy(led lights), full tower, aluminium, black, with a window) and so far the TJ10 is the one that has met most of my spectations, the only cons being the price tag. Can you recommend me of another case that would fill those categories.

I plan on buying most of the parts off newegg.com or chiefvalue.com
 
The higher speeds would benefit you with overclocking, with DDR3 1600 offering you a higher (potential) OC threshold than DDR3 1333. Both sets of RAM can be adjusted to match the stock speeds of the processor -- though that's often done automatically through the motherboard's default BIOS settings.

As for the case, I may need time on that. But you should also look around at other retailers -- a list is available in the GenHard FAQ sticky -- to see if there's something similar to what you want.
 
DDR3-1333 is good enough for a 3.8Ghz OC. The performance difference between the two RAM speeds is negligible for most users, but the price difference isn't, so I'd suggest saving your money.

As for the case, the TJ09-BW is slightly cheaper, but here are some other options:
GIGABYTE 3D Aurora 570 GZ-FA1CA-ASB
GIGABYTE 3D Mars GZ-FA2CA-AJB
LIAN-LI PC-A70BW
 
How old is your current UPS?

Could you list the full specs of the system you plan on attaching to the UPS?
 
 
Go with one of the G.Skill 6GB (DDR3 1333 or DDR3 1600) kits. The Corsair Dominator set is comparatively overpriced.

You may want to get a new UPS, but how much are you willing to spend on it?
 
tiraides said:
Go with one of the G.Skill 6GB (DDR3 1333 or DDR3 1600) kits. The Corsair Dominator set is comparatively overpriced.

You may want to get a new UPS, but how much are you willing to spend on it?
Click to expand...

Is this good? It's CAS Latency 9 (compared to the Corsair: 8)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

The other GSkill memory seems to be close to the Corsair price.

As for the UPS, I can spend up to around $200, but that is if it is really needed to replace my current one. My current one (posted above) has never given me any problems but my main concern is since this is a more powerful system, will it bottleneck the system?
 
The G.Skill kit should be fine, as it's the memory that most often recommended here for Core i7 builds.

I follow a simple (yet stupid) rule in regards to UPS -- I get one that can handle the full load of my system. Since your new system will be more powerful, if you could afford to, I recommend finding an UPS with at least 1000VA. (I personally have a 1200VA UPS myself.)
 
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