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New Setup, Intel i7 960

S

Socore

n00b
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
4
I wasn't planning on doing very much gaming, I play LoL and just waiting until Diablo 3 comes out, but working at Bets Buy I was able to gain access to the Intel Retail Edge program. I figured I might as well build a PC if I can get a i7 960 for $98. Do you guys recommend buying a different Heatsink/Fan If I won't be overclocking?

They have a Mobo/Processor bundle for $280 that's a i7 960 and a Intel® Desktop Board DX58SO. That would be like $50 savings if I can get the processor for $98 standalone. However I'm positive there are better Mobos around that would work better with that processor and with my ambitions for the rest of my system.

Mobo
I was looking to stay in the $200-$250 range for motherboards.
A friend of mine recommended this motherboard, and I just wanted to see what your take on it would be. Can I get something better for not very much more that would work better with my system?
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...YTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/

I don't have a full list of hardware as some of it is dependent on what motherboard is decided on.

Since this motherboard utilizes triple-channel memory I was looking to put in 3 sticks of 2gb
Corsair 3X2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145250
This seems adequate for now and if need be I can upgrade in some time.
I've been out of the whole hardware scene for a while, so I'm not really sure whats been up with memory as of late. But this seems to have good timings and reviews.
How do you guys feel about this one?

I was looking for a mid level Video Card for around $200-250 and I honestly have no idea where to start. The last PC I built has a 9600GT in it and at the time they were pretty high end and now you can buy them for like $30 on eBay haha. What video card do you guys prefer at this price range?



So this is just the basics for what I was looking to throw together and just wanted your guys' input on the specs. These are probably the most important of my specs that I need advice on.
For the rest of it :
1 TB WD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
Sound Card will be purchased Later on.
Power Supply, depending on what case and motherboard, I was going to pick up a 800-1000W power supply. On Newegg given my desired config its giving me something like 750 Watt rating. I was reading reviews on Newegg and theres always a few people on every one who just get a complete dud product.

I was also looking to throw in a lower end SSD for the OS for faster boot-up speeds. What is the best way to utilize a SSD in a computer?
Probably looking to through this one in: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

Thanks in advanced to anyone who takes the time to look at my thread and reply :D
 
Last edited:
Get a nvidia gtx 470 video card, it will handel anything with an i7! If you aren't overclocking, i'd definitely recommend a cheaper mobo ~$100. That intel one is OK, but yeah there are a lot better ones. You could look into an Asus Sabertooth, i've heard they are suppose to last forever =) Everything else looks good! +1 for Vertex 2!
 
On the Intel website it lists memory specifications for the i7 960 as DDR3-800/1066
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37151

Would it benefit me most to stick with 1066?
On Newegg I have only one choice of memory available. (Due to incompatibility with other ddr3 240 1066 memory modules available on the site)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134829

Would It cause a detrimental effect to the way my systems processor and memory interact with each other if I go above the DDR3 1066?
 
I've been researching an i7 950 upgrade and from what I've seen, if you get RAM that supports Intel Extreme Memory Profiles, you can go in the BIOS and set the profile so your RAM runs at rated specs. That RAM in your OP supports XMP. However if your gonna OC, then YMMV.
 
Vola said:
I've been researching an i7 950 upgrade and from what I've seen, if you get RAM that supports Intel Extreme Memory Profiles, you can go in the BIOS and set the profile so your RAM runs at rated specs. That RAM in your OP supports XMP. However if your gonna OC, then YMMV.
Click to expand...

That is rated specs of the ram and not the memory controller meaning you are overclocking the memory controller by using ram that is a higher speed then listed on the intel page as a result the ram may or may not work especially if you fill all slots.
 
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