Starting from scratch...

[jduke]

Hi there. Glad to be here. Lots of great info. Its been 5-6 years since my last build and my P4 system is way too slow. So I'll be building a new one.
HERES MY GOAL-
Priority #1: Stability, reliability, longevity.
Priority #2: Extremely fast, high performance.
Main usage: Business system with very small client database, casual vid/photo edits, casual gaming.
Misc: I don't plan to overclock, I'll run Win-7 x64, I'm targeting a budget of $1500-$2000.
After READING DOZENS of threads, I'm still confused on several points.
Heres the narrowed choices I have for several items:

CPU - i7-950 (already on the way)

MOBO - Asus Sabertooth x58 vs. Intel DX58O2
- Which will run cooler?
- Which will be easier for a basic non-overclock set-up?
- Which is likely to have a longer lifespan?

RAM - Mushkin vs. Kingston
- 1333mhz vs. 1600mhz
- 6GB (3x2GB) or 12GB (3x4GB)
- XMP support or manual settings
- Should I worry about latency?

HARD DRIVE - Crucial RealSSD vs. Intel X25M
- SATA II vs. SATA III.
- Will SSD have the longevity of a standard HDD?
- Any ideas for a secondary standard HDD thats reasonably quick?

Case - Lian-li PC-V1020 vs. Antec Nine Hundred Two
- Big cost difference...
- Will one cool better? (alum vs steel)
- Will one be easier to work in?

Video Card - Asus ENGTX460 vs. ATI ???
- Several forums stated that the Asus card ran very cool...
- Any other suggestions; cool, stable, etc...

Power supply - Antec - TP-750 Blue vs. ???
- Will 750 watts suffice?


...Honestly, while searching online, I found alot of conflicting opinions.
...I've even called manufacturers more than once and was given different part numbers and different advice each time!
So its hard to determine what'll be best for me... Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Jared

 

[Davidh373]

Send the i7 back... unless you got it for free... no way is it worth your while in the least.

Get an i5 760, LGA 1156 for ~$100, a $50 pair of 2GB GSkil DDR3 1333, and that 460 or a 6850 if you really are a casual gamer, if not you could apply the savings to a 6870, a 470, or a 570.

If you can't send the 1366 i7 back all hope is lost for you not looking like a noob... :-/

 

[mfenn]

Main usage: Business system with very small client database, casual vid/photo edits, casual gaming.

I agree with David. Send the i7 back and get a PC from a Tier 1 vendor (Dell, HP, Lenovo) that includes a warranty.

 

[jduke]

The i7-950 cost me $140. (Buddy works at Intel)
I don't plan to buy a Tier 1 PC.

I look like a noob because I AM A NOOB.
If I decide to build a Ferrari and never go over 45mph, thats my thing...

PLEASE give me advice specific to my questions. Thanks.

 

[Davidh373]

The i7-950 cost me $140. (Buddy works at Intel)

definitely worth the $140.

 

[Davidh373]

PLEASE give me advice specific to my questions. Thanks.

some of my recommendations still apply, GSkill 1333Mhz, and if you want the Ferrari a 570.

 

[mfenn]

I look like a noob because I AM A NOOB.
If I decide to build a Ferrari and never go over 45mph, thats my thing...

PLEASE give me advice specific to my questions. Thanks.

See, the thing about being a NOOB is that you don't know what the right questions are.

Anyways, $140 is a good deal on that processor.

To answer your questions:

• That Intel board has a whacked-out layout, which will make installing it a PITA. I'd go for the ASUS because its cheaper and has better cooling and features (USB 3.0 SATA 6Gb/s) anyway.
• This Mushkin 6GB DDR3 1333 kit looks fine. Since you won't be overclocking, you don't need to worry about DDR3 1600. Timings also don't matter much either (certainly not worth paying any extra for). I'd start with 6GB since RAM is so easy to upgrade later.
• My SSD choice would be a Sandforce drive like the Corsair Force (60-120GB depending on your budget). It's faster overall in the random reads and writes than either the Intel or the Crucial, and that's what you really want an SSD for.
• Samsung F3 1TB is my go-to choice for fast 7200RPM drives.
• Aluminum vs. Steel doesn't really matter unless you move the case around a lot. Of those two, I would get the 900 since the Lian-Li doesn't have anything that makes it worth twice as much. If you want something sturdy, quiet, and classy, I'd probably step it up to the Antec P183.
• A GTX 460 is quieter and cooler than the GF100 parts, but that isn't saying much. It still puts out more heat than the ATI equivalents. For "casual" gaming, a 6850 would suffice.
• 750W is WAY overkill for the system that you're considering. Get something efficient and high quality like a Seasonic S12II 520W.