New Core i7 build advice needed

[RockGuitarDude]

I was planning on building around the Intel Core i7 920 with 6 gigs of DDR3 for now (later upgrade to 12GB). I probably don't want to go SLI right now but would like the option of doing it later on. Biggest question mark for me right now is, how big of a power supply do I need for an SLI system

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
AutoCAD, Audio editing with Cubase, Warhammer Online, Fallout 3, general internet usage, etc.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1250-1500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Nothing really. I just want the best parts for the money. I would like to upgrade the CPU fan from the stock cooler.

I would also like to use this case: LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112130

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

80GB SATA WD Hard Drive for the time being. I will be adding a 1 TB drive later.
I also already have a dvd drive.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

A little bit.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I plan on overclocking but just with air cooling.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Nowish.

 

[aatf510]

Can't comment on a Core i7 build right now as I am not very familiar with the motherboard and ram choices.

However, I would like to point out that you may run into heat problems with the case you chose.
Generally, from my past experience, these invented ATX case design can causes problem with big vertical aircoolers like the Themalright 120 for example.
Also, for your particular case there are only one 120mm exhaust fan on the "bottom" rear. Cooling would be a lot more effective if heat can be exhaust out from the top part of the case, and so most high end ATX case has multiple fans at the top rear portion.

Therefore, you might run into heat issues with that case since rumor has that the i7 cores are quite hot compare to current Core 2 Quads.

 

[roid450]

damn... that lian li case is jsut a time bomb once ur hardware starts overheating.if ur gonna get a i7 why not go al out and buy a good case to go with it. i strongly recommend the antec 1200 and cooler master HAF case.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: roid450
damn... that lian li case is jsut a time bomb once ur hardware starts overheating.

It may not be a time bomb, but the case is going to be extremely tight to work in.
I don't think a 1200 is needed, but at least get something larger than the Lian Li.

Lian Li Max MB size = 12.0" x 9.6"
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 = 12.0" x 9.6"

Noob builders may say... "WTF, the MB will fit".
Experienced builders say, sure the specs say it fits, but I don't want to be the one working on it.


BTW Just the Core i7, MB and 6GB memory is going to run about $850[/b]
My advice would be to pass on the pricey Core i7 combo and get a good 45nm quad core setup.

45nm quad core...
CPU: Q9550 @ $320
MB: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P @ $110 after rebate
RAM: Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB @ $25 after rebate
Grand Total = $455
It's a much better "Bang For The Buck"! :laugh:

That way you have plenty of $$ for 3 x 640GB WD "Black" HDs running a RAID 5 array.