Board for new rig (i7, 460)

[Emultra]

Been out of the hardware loop for a while but it's time for a fresh build. I'm looking at an i7 (not sure which variant), 6GB RAM, GTX 460 (possibly SLi down the line) and running Win7.

I'm currently running Asus A8N mobo and 7600GT. They've been working well since 2005 so I'm thinking Asus again this time. Well, the chipset fan broke so I replaced it with a passive cooler that's been going for 2.5 years. Aside from the obvious mobo model recommendation, I'll ask if it'd be a good idea to put one of those passive coolers on a new mobo before even putting it in?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Include an SSD drive = big improvement over HDDs

 

[Emultra]

I'll probably get an SSD when the tech is more mature. A 1TB 7200 rpm will do for now. It helps that an SSD purchase won't waste anything since you can just add it and do an OS reinstall on it.

Can't progress with my build without which mobo, PSU, case and RAM models to get, though.

 

[Sp12]

If you can hold off I'd go for Sandy Bridge, if not I'd get an i5-760 and take the ~200$ savings and get a better GPU.

 

[Emultra]

If I were to get an i7 now, which model makes the most sense for gaming, is it 920? As for the Sandy Bridge, what will be the one to get at release?

Still need a motherboard though. Got no idea what's hot these days.

 

[tyl998]

the 930 is the new 920. Get that one.