1st post and 1st build

[jcr]

Hi Guys, I've been scouring the forums here and elsewhere on the web and think I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on these parts. I'm in the US and plan on purchasing through Newegg but will go elsewhere if it makes sense.

This will be my primary system and I will be using it for a number of things: gaming, some video editing, some sound emulation programs for my guitar and likely a few Oracle databases. I've never OC'd but plan on doing so after a while. I also plan on running Vista 64 on a 24 inch monitor but haven't decide on which monitor yet...any suggestions are definitely welcome.

My primary goal here is to build a system that will hold its own for some time and hopefully come together with as few difficulties as possible as this is my first time building.

Processor i7 920 - new egg i7 920

Motherboard Asus P6t deluxe - asus mb

Video Card Radeon 4870 1gb - I was also looking at a gtx 260 as I heard that the drivers are a little more "evolved" and may pose fewer potential issues with an i7 system. My concern is with the power supply I bought (bundled with case - see below). It lists the output specs as follows: 12V1@16A,+12V2@16A,+12V3@16A, +12V4@16A. From what I've read the 260 needs 36 amps minimum. Do I sum these numbers, 16A * 4? Not sure how this works so am hesitant on the 260 card. This power supply is listed on the ATI approved vendor list for the 4870 though so I'm leaning toward that one. 4870 card

Case and PSU - Zalman GT1000 and Zalman ZM600 watt. Really liked this case but couldn't talk myself into $400. Then a few days ago Newegg listed it at $350 including a power supply so I bought it. Why anyone would buy it at $400 for the case alone which they are still listing I have no idea. zalman case and psu

Memory - corsair dominator ddr3 1600 - memory

Hard Drive - 300gb Velociraptor. Plan on picking up a second drive for storage later. HDD

CPU Cooler?? Need to find something...

Any and all comments appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Denithor]

AT recommends GTX 260 on i7 platform

Thus, we've decided to make a recommendation here based on platform. We still have some qualms with the AMD drivers running on Core i7 systems. Because people spending this much money should not have to worry about whether or not upcoming drivers will iron out all the outstanding issues, we will recommend that people with a Core i7 system go with the GeForce GTX 260 and those with other platforms pick up the Radeon HD 4870 512MB.

MSI GTX 260 $200 shipped - $20MIR = $180 (saves you $50)


Memory: G.Skill 3x2GB DDR3-1333 $150 (saves you $90)

AT found virtually no difference between DDR3-1066 and DDR3-1600 on i7 so just go for the cheapest from a quality maker.

 

[jcr]

Thanks for the suggestions. I still have my original concerns with my PSU being able to handle the GTX 260. If someone can confirm that it will i would happily switch to that card. I didn't realize that the difference between the 1066 and 1600 dimms was basically negligible with the i7. Will those G Skill Dimms clock higher than 1333? Even if it doesn't it sounds like I wouldn't have to worry about pushing the voltage past the 1.65 limit at 1333. The corsair dimm was bordering on that limit.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Put those high end parts in a high end case like the PC - A20.

 

[jcr]

That's a nice looking case but I already bought my case - zalman gt1000 - thought it a pretty high end case in it's own right!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I would water cool that thing. You can create a nice loop for around 2-300$ and with a CPU like that, water cooling it will solidify your confidence in keeping it cool. Lots of reports of hitting 70c-90c and its not even summer yet... Talk to Aigo, he's the man when it comes to H20 cooling and as a matter of fact, he's got his own 920 on water.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: jcr
Case and PSU - Zalman GT1000 and Zalman ZM600 watt. Really liked this case but couldn't talk myself into $400. Then a few days ago Newegg listed it at $350 including a power supply so I bought it. Why anyone would buy it at $400 for the case alone which they are still listing I have no idea. zalman case and psu

Generally speaking, 12V rail ratings are not additive. The best method to estimate the current your PSU can put out at 12V is to look at the PSU's label and divide the total wattage the PSU can supply over the 12V rails by 12V, which will give you the available current in amps.

If the description of your case is correct, this is the label on the side of your power supply.

According to the label your PSU can supply 504/12 = 42A on its 12V rails.

Edit: Incidentally, I don't understand why you bought the PSU if you weren't sure it could power your computer. These are two PSUs in the same power range with greater available 12V amps, and at good prices:

Corsair 650TX
PCP&C 610W

 

[jcr]

Thanks so much DSF, I've been searching for an explanation just like that! Fair point about purchasing the PSU and not being sure about its ability to power the GTX 260. I was watching pricing on this case for a while and it was always staying at $400 on Newegg...too much. Then it popped up at $350 including a $100 600 watt PSU....essentially $250 for the case so I jumped on it. The reviews on the PSU were good and 600 watts sounded like plenty. It was only after I started doing more research on the GTX 260 and the amp requirements that I developed some doubts. Thanks again for the explanation.