cheap and fast i7 build

[vshah]

I've decided to finally retire my old desktop which I built in the summer of 2003 before freshman year of college. It has served me well but a 3ghz P4 and a 6800gt just doesn't cut it anymore

I've decided on an i7 since A) its fast and B) its fast.

This PC will be used for image editing, gaming and as a media server

Budget is $1000
Buying from USA
Brand Preferences: Asus for mobo, nothing else

Parts I have:
-vista x64
-Monitor/Speakers/Keyboard/Mouse/Flash reader
-Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 1TB for main drive, few others for random storage
-Video Card: MSI N260GTX--OCv2 - bought this new from my cousin for $150

I plan on overclocking

ordering/building within the next 15 days


So, on with it. Here's what i have so far:

CPU: Intel core i7 920
MotherBoard: Asus P6T Deluxe V2
combo is $524.98 from newegg

Ram: G-Skill 3x2gb DDR3 1600 - $85.99 from newegg
Case: Antec 900 v2 - $121.99 from buy.com
CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U12P - $76.99 from newegg
DVD burner: LG 22x burner - $24.99 from newegg



Total = $834.94


mainly i'm looking for advice on the power supply, memory, and case. The memory i chose because it is ddr3 1600 and priced reasonably, but if there is a good reason to spend more i will.

Power Supply: open to suggestions. calculators tell me that this system overclocked might hit ~590 watts at peak load


and does anyone have experiences with the antec 900 with the noctua cooler? i've heard problems of it fitting in some cases.


Thanks in advance,
Vivan

 

[ViRaLRuSh]

:thumbsup: p6t deluxe v2

 

[JTsyo]

That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

 

[bipartisanpwnage]

corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

 

[In2Photos]

If you are not concerned about having extra wires sitting in your case consider the Corsair 650TX instead of the 620. Should save you a few bucks. Otherwise the rest looks good. Cases are very personal so I won't comment on it, nor do I know if the Noctua will fit.

Also, Neweeg has a combo on the P6T and i7 920 for $524.98 saving you $10 from the two stores prices you have listed.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Co...?ComboStoreID=1&page=3

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

the 550w antec i have has 3 x 18A 12v rails, which are actually connected to the same source without limiters. = 54A on 12v. It is about 6 months old.

The noctua A) comes with one noctua fan already (they are $25 each otherwise) and B) includes mounting clips for a 2nd fan. with the TRUE you have to tape it..or zip tie it...or something else ghetto like that (i think...if i'm wrong correct me)

what is your opinion of the 650w corsair vs. the 620? i'm not sure who makes the 650 version...

edit: according to some power supply calculators, the system could run around 500-600 watts when overclocked. i think i'll play it safe and get a 600-700 watt PS

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

the 550w antec i have has 3 x 18A 12v rails, which are actually connected to the same source without limiters. = 54A on 12v. It is about 6 months old.

The noctua A) comes with one noctua fan already (they are $25 each otherwise) and B) includes mounting clips for a 2nd fan. with the TRUE you have to tape it..or zip tie it...or something else ghetto like that (i think...if i'm wrong correct me)

what is your opinion of the 650w corsair vs. the 620? i'm not sure who makes the 650 version...

Teh 650 is also made by Seasonic.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: In2Photos

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

the 550w antec i have has 3 x 18A 12v rails, which are actually connected to the same source without limiters. = 54A on 12v. It is about 6 months old.

The noctua A) comes with one noctua fan already (they are $25 each otherwise) and B) includes mounting clips for a 2nd fan. with the TRUE you have to tape it..or zip tie it...or something else ghetto like that (i think...if i'm wrong correct me)

what is your opinion of the 650w corsair vs. the 620? i'm not sure who makes the 650 version...

Teh 650 is also made by Seasonic.

Err wait I thought we were talking about the 650, which I know is made by Seasonic. Not that sure on the 620. Is there some reason why they made/sell a PSU that close to another of their products? Or is the 620 the modular one? Can't quite remember, but I'd probably opt for the 650 if not just use your current PSU which seems more than adequate for the job.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: In2Photos

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

the 550w antec i have has 3 x 18A 12v rails, which are actually connected to the same source without limiters. = 54A on 12v. It is about 6 months old.

The noctua A) comes with one noctua fan already (they are $25 each otherwise) and B) includes mounting clips for a 2nd fan. with the TRUE you have to tape it..or zip tie it...or something else ghetto like that (i think...if i'm wrong correct me)

what is your opinion of the 650w corsair vs. the 620? i'm not sure who makes the 650 version...

Teh 650 is also made by Seasonic.

Err wait I thought we were talking about the 650, which I know is made by Seasonic. Not that sure on the 620. Is there some reason why they made/sell a PSU that close to another of their products? Or is the 620 the modular one? Can't quite remember, but I'd probably opt for the 650 if not just use your current PSU which seems more than adequate for the job.

The 620 is the modular one, the 650 is not.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: In2Photos

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: In2Photos

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt

Originally posted by: JTsyo
That power supply seems expensive. You should be able to get a 650W for under $100. For my i7 build I had gone with the Antec 900. It's quiet and has plenty of airflow. The trouble I had with it though was that the power supply goes on the bottom so wires can be tricky and anything in the last slot will be right next to the power supply's fan.

That particular PSU however was made by Seasonic, undoubtedly the most trusted name around for PSUs. One should never skimp on the PSU, the single component capable of killing all others.

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

the noctua matches the TRUE's performance, and its easier to mount a second fan for push pull. if you do that, its actually cooler than the TRUE. i want the option down the road.


it seems the consensus is that my old 550 antec is not enough for this new build?

Or you could use the TRUE as your heatsink and use 2 Noctua fans in Push-Pull?

Also I'm thinking your Truepower Trio is enough to power this build, depends partially on the age though since older PSU = less efficient = less actual power going to the system. Run your system through a watt calculator or something for confirmation, I don't see anything in this system that really warrants more than 400-500 watts though (with decent amps on the 12v line, and assuming ~80% efficiency).

the 550w antec i have has 3 x 18A 12v rails, which are actually connected to the same source without limiters. = 54A on 12v. It is about 6 months old.

The noctua A) comes with one noctua fan already (they are $25 each otherwise) and B) includes mounting clips for a 2nd fan. with the TRUE you have to tape it..or zip tie it...or something else ghetto like that (i think...if i'm wrong correct me)

what is your opinion of the 650w corsair vs. the 620? i'm not sure who makes the 650 version...

Teh 650 is also made by Seasonic.

Err wait I thought we were talking about the 650, which I know is made by Seasonic. Not that sure on the 620. Is there some reason why they made/sell a PSU that close to another of their products? Or is the 620 the modular one? Can't quite remember, but I'd probably opt for the 650 if not just use your current PSU which seems more than adequate for the job.

The 620 is the modular one, the 650 is not.

I'm aware the 650 is not, I was wondering why they even sold a 620 but if it's modular it makes a bit of sense, I'm still giving my vote for the 650 IF the op is getting a new PSU, which isn't necessary.

 

[vshah]

i'm still on the fence about the PSU...i might post over in Power Supplies for more input. the 620 is the HX series which is supposedly higher quality than the 650 TX series...both seem to be very highly rated though

 

[supertle55]

I don't think you need the deluxe version of the P6T. Regular P6T can be found for $229 - $20 coupon from Ewiz.

 

[LostPassword]

extra 5 bucks off the ram with the hardocp code.
link

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: bipartisanpwnage
corsair 650tx is like $80, coolermaster sniper case will fit anything you want, has hands down the best cable routing system, and is $140, and a TRUE will pwn that HS any day of the week.

Right now you can get the 650TX for ~$65 AR using the code CORPS15:

link

 

[JTP709]

While many will argue it doesn't matter, I believe that those are really high timings on that memory, biggest con to having DDR3. I would recommend going with tighter timings, you can find a lot of CAS 7, and even CAS 6 DDR3, but you will pay for it. The saying "you get what you pay for" still applies to some degree. IMO tighter timings should improve gaming performance, at least it was noticeable when I went from DDR to DDR2

 

[theAnimal]

Your PSU should be plenty. Power supply calculators do not give you power consumption but recommended PSU size. And they tend to exaggerate because of all the crappy PSUs that are available.