Need advice and comments.

T

Tsuyashu

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
240
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
All of the above, will be doing graphic intensive work, gaming, etc

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I am trying to hit a 1k - 1.5k range

3) Where do you live?
New York

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
I need help seeking a power supply for my set up below, also keep in mind that I plan on getting another 5850 in the future to crossfire. So I want a capable PSU that can handle that.
I am pretty sure I am missing something, if you guys can skim through the parts I've chosen, let me know if I am missing any other vital component and recommend me a part.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I have a inferno FX-14 AM2 Heatsink, which I never used yet.

6) Will you be overclocking?
I've never overclocked in my life, if anything maybe a little or average clock up.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I have a 24in Syncmaster 245BW, planning on getting another 24in for dual screen in the future.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as possibly, during Black Friday - Cyber Monday.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I am pretty dead set on the MSI Mobo I included below.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes but I want to go with Windows 7.


I've done quite of a bit of research the pass few days but since I am a novice in computer building I wanted to double check with you guys.

Currently this is what I had in plan.

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA - 110$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 - 150$ (20MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

MSI P55-GD80 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - 180$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130238

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz - 279$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper Black Edition - 160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=cooler_master_sniper-_-11-119-194-_-Product

XFX 5850 XXX edition(Or any other version that comes in stock) - 300$ - 340$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4150455&cm_re=XFX_5850-_-14-150-455-_-Product

In total it is currently 1219$, please do recommend better prices if you can.
 
You can't use the Core i7 920 cpu on that MSI mobo. The Core i7 920 is an LGA 1366 socket and the MSI mobo is only compatible with Core i5 and Core i7 cpus with LGA 1156 socket. If you want that MSI mobo, then you will need to get a Core i5-750 or a Core i7-860 cpu.
 
Ah, thanks HardwareGuru. You just saved me quite a bit of trouble. Do you happen to know the difference between i7 920 and i7 860? The main reason I wanted the i7 was for the Hyper Threading. Is the i7 860 a downgrade? or quite similar?
 
the 920 overclocks better than the 860 to my understanding, and the 1366 socket will allow for future upgrades to six core processors coming up next year, so it offers a better upgrade path, the 1156 is unlikely to last very long and offers no upgrade path

choose 1156 if you want something cheap and functional, choose the 1366 and the 920 if you want a good upgrade path and a processor you can most likely overclock safely to 3.4-3.6 without much effort.
 
gwarren007: I like the PSU you linked up, and ty for showing that combo deal. However I don't like the design on those G skills and its only 4gb.

Regardless if the 860 can overclock well is a minor point. If Fail speaks the truth, I definitely don't want to have my upgrade path limited. So I am willing to give up on the MSI board(which is a shame...the design is well done and hardocp gave it a great review).

If I decide to keep the i7 920, what mobo should I go for?
 
The Core i7 920 bloomfield cpus has a triple channel DDR3 controller. The Core i7 860 cpu has a dual channel DDR3 controller. They both have similar features in that they both are 45nm technology with 8MB of shared L3 cache memory and both support HT. But, because the Core i7 860 has a dual channel memory controller vs triple channel on the Core i7 920, this would lower the cost of the system because you can just use 4GB (2x2GB) of DDR3 vs 6GB or (3x2GB) of DDR3 modules. Also, they made the Mobo design more simpler in that they have gotten rid of the IOH (Input/Output Hub) chip and QPI (Quick Path Interconnect) bus and replaced it with the QPI controller in the CPU with a PCI Express bus controller. Therefore, the Core i7-860 LGA Socket 1156 cpus have a have a PCI Express 2.0 bus controller instead of the high-speed QPI bus interface. This way, the CPU does not need much help from the Northbridge chipset.

They have a Microcenter in New York, it's located on 655 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 If you are close to this, you can pickup a Core i7 920 cpu for $199.99 in store.
 
God damn I am an idiot. The Inferno FX-14 AM2 Heatsink is only for 775 socket/others and not 1366 socket. Guess I will need to buy a new case for my old computer and stick this into it...

I think the EVGA mobo seems to be my best bet and it has some pretty good reviews. Unless someone can recommend me something else.

Now I need a heatsink for this setup ToT(Any recommendations?)
Tomorrow I'll head out to Microcenter and grab the i7 920 for 200$(about a 17-20min drive)
 
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You can get an LGA1366 board with LGA775 socket holes to use your heatsink, like the Asus P6T.

Actually, thats a Thermalright heatsink, so you can pickup an LGA1366 adapter backplate.

How often do you upgrade your CPU?
 
I did some checking and the CoGage True Spirit or True-120 Revision C would be nice. I am on the fence with the Cooler Master Sniper, I decided to get it in the first place due to the inferno part of mine...but since I can no longer use it in this build. I am wondering if I should go for something cheaper, however the sniper has wonderful cable management and airflow.

The Antec 300 you listed does not prick my interest. Initially I was going for the i7 920 but I checked on the site and it said it was out of stock >_>. I could...try going to the NJ chain(they have 65 in stock..) 30min - 1hr drive.

They do have the Coolermaster Scout for about 65$ on their Black Friday pamphlet.
 
This is the story. My old rig suddenly died along with my monitor at the same time...? I sent the monitor in for repairs and its back good as new. Apparently the mobo fried or died or something. What I am doing is buying a new PSU and mobo and converting it into an HTPC rig and handing it to my parents.

The main reason I have a spare heatsink was because my old case was too small to hold it. So for the longest time its been in the box. But if enginurd says there is an adapter for 1366 socket for my heatsink, then there is no reason for whatever I was saying.

I dont plan on buying all my parts at MC, if I can get free shipping online.
I am trying to get the best prices, and the reason I was going to go in the first place was because the i7 920 was such a good deal. But I mean if the prices only vary for a few bucks, I don't really mind at all.
 
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Sweet! I was really sad when I thought I couldn't use this bad puppy in my new rig and it only seems to be a 10$ part which is not bad at all. Thanks a lot!

PS: I'll definitely give it a shot and ask them to pricematch.
 
Updated list: Final Comments on current build?

Antec TP-750 $110 (80AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 1600 $135 and (115AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR X58 $220 (200AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

i7 920 $200
Microcenter

XFX 5850 XXX edition $340
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4150455&cm_re=XFX_5850-_-14-150-455-_-Product

WD 1TB Black HD $110
Microcenter

Cooler Master Sniper Black Edition - 160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=cooler_master_sniper-_-11-119-194-_-Product

Inferno FX-14 AM2 Heatsink $0 LGA1366 Bolt-Thru-Kit Rev.B $10
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article/2007/05/01/thermalright_inferno_fx14_cpu_cooler_preview/1

Windows 7 Pro $30
I already graduated around May this year, I'll have to see how my luck is and call in and inquire to buy it. Apparently I see people saying that you just need to provide a valid edu email account(which I have) and your good to go, since they dont verify if your still in school or not?


Total: $1315 & $1245 After rebates without S/H and Tax included

Will try to run a price match through microcenter with newegg and see how that goes.
Would it be in my best interest to get an SSD for the OS? and if so what size should I get? Remember I am trying to not exceed my costs.
Should I wait for Christmas to grab a SSD? and just reinstall Win 7 on it?
 
Your selection is good. I dunno about that Coolermaster case for $160 but, cases are personal preferences. I would just stick with a mechanical drive for now.
 
Would you recommend any other case for me? based on that setup? I want a case that provides
1. Good cable management
2. Good air flow
3. Removable Motherboard setup or slide door for the back of the Mobo to install heatsink fwith ease.
4.Have enough room to hold my Inferno heatsink
5. Looks good and has interior sprayed black. LED Flashy or non LED Flashy doesn't really matter but needs to look good.
6. Price range $1 - $160
 
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