New Build

[ktranacn]

I have 1k-1.2k to work with here. This is what I have in mind for the build. I've been out of the computer loop for ages and dont know what the best set up for this budget would be. I would love to be able to run HD movies and play current games like Mass Effect and the new upcoming games like Diablo 3 and SC 2. Here is what I have so far

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail ---$36.98

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-8GBRL - Retail----------$224.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s - Retail-------------$184.99

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail------------$169.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail------$69.95

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply - Retail------$41.99

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail-----------------------------$288.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-----------------------$99.99

My build is gonna be around the i7-920 ....i'm wiling to have imput on everything else. Thanks!

 

[MisterDonut]

Scythe Mugen 2 is better. You don't need 8g of memory, 4g will serve you well. Better off picking the 5770 for future use, and the 920 is not 1156 platform, and it uses triple channel memory. Take the money saved from RAM and upgrade GPU to 5850/5870.

EDIT: If all you want is gaming, AMD Phenom II 955 would give you a better bang for the buck. Let's you spend more on the GPU which matters more in most games.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Change that mobo to a 1366 socket. Perhaps the Gigabyte X58A-UD3R which supports USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. Might as well get a DX 11 compliant video card going forward. The 5770 would fit well for the same price as the 4870. Or opt for a 5850 if you have the cash.

Can anyone comment on the PSU? I've never known Thermaltake to be a a top quality PSU maker. Or top quality anything for that matter.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yeah, ditch the 4870 and go with at least a 5850. I've never had any issues with Thermaltake power supplies, but I know people generally don't like them and I would at least go with something beefier than 430 W. If you have to, drop the RAM to 4 GB in order to fit the 5850 into your budget.

 

[ktranacn]

Updated.....

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail ---$36.98

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail----------------$106.99

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ------------$209.99

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail---------$309.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail------$69.95

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply - Retail------$41.99

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail-----------------------------$288.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-----------------------$99.99


What should I do for in terms of power supply? You guys think I should up the power, another brand or both? Also about the Ram is that the right setup? Should I run 2 sticks or 3 sticks?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Generally, I'm pretty paranoid on power supply sizing. A good 430W power supply will probably be fine in that system. With that being said, if I were you, I would look at this BFG supply. It is 550 W, gets good reviews and is supposedly quiet, and is in the same ballpark as the Thermaltake pricewise. I just ordered one and it is sitting on my porch for when I get home.

Are you intending to overclock?

 

[jdjbuffalo]

You need triple channel memory (3 memory sticks) if you are going with the 1366 socket / i7920
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225

I would go with a little more of a power supply as suggested, I would recommend a 550 watt. If you plan on overclocking and/or SLI then look at the 650 watt or 750 watt.

Here are a few recommendations:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

SILVERSTONE ST56F 560W ATX 12V 2.01 & EPS 12V SLI Ready CrossFire Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163112

 

[MisterDonut]

SCYTHE MUGEN 2 > AC7

Silverstone is a severely underrated PSU maker, imo. I've never had their stuff, but people tell me it's reliable. Corsair is also another top reliable brand. You might want to consider dropping down to the 1156 platform and picking up a watercool setup if you want to do some serious overclocking.

 

[RaistlinZ]

You need triple channel memory (3 memory sticks) if you are going with the 1366 socket / i7920
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225

I would go with a little more of a power supply as suggested, I would recommend a 550 watt. If you plan on overclocking and/or SLI then look at the 650 watt or 750 watt.

Here are a few recommendations:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

SILVERSTONE ST56F 560W ATX 12V 2.01 & EPS 12V SLI Ready CrossFire Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163112

I would go with this RAM kit instead. CAS 7 instead of CAS 9. :sneaky:

 

[ktranacn]

Revision #3

Updated.....

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail ---$36.98

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound -Retail--------------$7.98

G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI - Retail---------------------$179.99

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ------------$209.99

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail---------$309.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail------$69.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... ------------$94.99

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail-----------------------------$288.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-----------------------$99.99

Alright looks like a solid build.....any other recommendations? I have windows 7 already.....cd rom drive.......what else did I miss that's miscellaneous like cpu compound and etc? Once finalized I'm gonna go forth with the build.

 

[MisterDonut]

Do you have a reason for keeping the AC7? Unless you already have one, AFAIK, I've heard some not-so-great reviews about it.

 

[ktranacn]

Do you have a reason for keeping the AC7? Unless you already have one, AFAIK, I've heard some not-so-great reviews about it.

What do you recommend me using in place of it?

 

[MisterDonut]

Scythe Mugen 2. Best in its price range, and it's gotten brilliant reviews for being what...35 bucks? If you're gonna do some heavier overclocking, you can get a higher end cooler, but at mild OC speeds, Mugen 2 will do you justice.

 

[mfenn]

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest a P55+i7 860 build. For your stated purposes, a 920 literally has no advantages. A 920 will actually be slightly slower in many games due to its less aggressive turbo modes. Add that to the fact that you get a 2.8GHz base clock with the 860 for the same price. Oh yeah, and P55 mobos are cheaper, allowing you to up the video card.

The 1366 platform is really for the hardcore enthusiast who will be heavily overclocking and/or running a multi-gpu setup. 1366 was the only game in town for Nehalem for so long that people have gotten stuck in the mindset that you NEED 1366. Unless you're doing one of the two things that I mentioned above, you really don't.

EDIT: Here's some specific recommendations:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=ga-p55a-ud3 $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274&cm_re=ripjaws-_-20-231-274-_-Product $105 (x2 if you want 8GB)

The savings on the mobo alone puts you in 5870 territory, which will make a noticeable difference. (Unlike the difference between 1366 and 1156)

 

[MisterDonut]

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest a P55+i7 860 build. For your stated purposes, a 920 literally has no advantages. It will actually be slower in many games due to its less aggressive turbo modes. Add that to the fact that you get a 2.8GHz base clock with the 860 for the same price. Oh yeah, and P55 mobos are cheaper, allowing you to up the video card.

The 1366 platform is really for the hardcore enthusiast who will be heavily overclocking and/or running a multi-gpu setup. 1366 was the only game in town for Nehalem for so long that people have gotten stuck in the mindset that you NEED 1366. Unless you're doing one of the two things that I mentioned above, you really don't.

ssssssssssss'what I said . Step down the 1156 platform and you can put the money where it really matters. Most of the people I know that run 1366's only use them because they got that Microcenter deal. I have two friends pending 860 builds. We discussed the 920 but ended up picking the cheaper 1156 platform (They're gamers too).

 

[mfenn]

ssssssssssss'what I said . Step down the 1156 platform and you can put the money where it really matters. Most of the people I know that run 1366's only use them because they got that Microcenter deal. I have two friends pending 860 builds. We discussed the 920 but ended up picking the cheaper 1156 platform (They're gamers too).

Whoops, I see where you suggested that now. Preach on brotha! :awe:

 

[MisterDonut]

Whoops, I see where you suggested that now. Preach on brotha! :awe:

Oh, I wasn't pointing out that you were repeating what I said. I was just a little hesitant to put out the 1156, especially with nobody else suggesting it, but I guess I'm not alone! My wallet kowtows. 'Nuff said.

 

[ktranacn]

Revision #3

Updated.....

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail ---$36.98

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound -Retail--------------$7.98

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL - Retail-------------$104.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail------$134.99

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail---------$309.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail------$69.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... ------------$94.99

Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail---------------$279.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-----------------------$99.99


You guys think this this 1156 setup is better than the 1366? I couldnt find the SCYTHE MUGEN 2 u know a good place to get them? Newegg is sold out. Also is there a better cpu heatsink than the Mugen 2? What else am I missing? I want to have this ordered up by this weekend. Thanks guys.