Suggestions for this build...

[Dwarf]

CPU: Core i7 920
Mobo: eVGA x58 3-way SLI
Video: eVGA GTX260 Superclocked x 2
RAM: Corsair 6GB Dominator DDR3 (1600Mhz)
PSU: PC Power and Cooling 750W SLI Certified

Case: ???
Hard Drive: ???
Optical Drive: ???
Sound: ??? - built in?

So far the price is around $1,100 +/- $100 and I am looking for some help deciding on the case and hard drive... I've looked at Antec 902 model for a mid-tower ATX and Western Digital Caviar Black (~250gb) for SATA II.

Feel free to provide input for memory and motherboard also... the whole system is built around the CPU / Video card so I don't plan on changing those.

 

[krnmastersgt]

What type of monitor are you using for this build? 2 superclocked 260's is overkill unless you're at 1920x1200 or higher. The motherboard is also not really necessary since all X58 boards are capable of SLI and CrossFire, but if you chose that board for features/warranty, that's your call.

 

[yh125d]

Get an Antec 300 imo. A 250gb drive? Get a Sammy Spinpoint F1 1TB or WD Black 1TB, something big enough to be useful

 

[goobernoodles]

lol @ 250gb

Please get at least 1TB.

 

[mmntech]

Especially given how cheap 1tb drives are today. For something like that, you might as well throw in a Blu-ray ROM/DVDRW combo drive into it as well. They're around $100 these days.

I'd also suggest against using SLI or Crossfire given that a lot of games don't fully utilize it. It's better to buy a single high end card than two mid range ones. Pick up a single GTX 285 or Radeon HD 4890 instead.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: mmntech
Especially given how cheap 1tb drives are today. For something like that, you might as well throw in a Blu-ray ROM/DVDRW combo drive into it as well. They're around $100 these days.

Great suggestion - there's a Liteon BR/DVDRW drive for $90 free shipping at newegg.

I'd also suggest against using SLI or Crossfire given that a lot of games don't fully utilize it. It's better to buy a single high end card than two mid range ones. Pick up a single GTX 285 or Radeon HD 4890 instead.

Please get your facts straight before posting crap like this. If you bothered to read the SLI/CF comparisons on the main AT page from a few months ago you'd know that multiGPU setups work fine in most games. You don't get 100% scaling, no - but very solid improvements in a wide range of games.

I would suggest an SSD (OCZ Vertex or Intel X25-M) for your boot drive and a WD6401AALS for storage. Much faster boot times, loading times, everything basically runs faster on SSD.

 

[Dwarf]

Here is the build I now have...

CPU: i7 920 w/ D0 Stepping
Mobo: EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 3-Way SLI
Video: EVGA 896-P3-1257-A1 GeForce GTX260 Core 216 Superclocked x 2
Memory: Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D Dominator 6 GB 1600 MHz (3 x 2 GB)
PSU: PC Power and Cooling S75QB 750W
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750 GB w/ 7200 RPM and 32MB Cache
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP
Optical: LG Electronics GGC-H20L Blu-ray Read / DVD Burner w/ Lightscribe
Case: Cooler Master NV690
Monitor: ASUS VH242H 23.6-Inch (Maybe...)

The total comes out to around $1600 +/- $50

I am getting the CPU from Intel Retail Edge discount for $129 and got Amazon Prime for everything else...

Concerns:

1) Corsair 1600 MHz Memory with MCH on i7 limiting to 1066 MHz. Does anyone know if the 1600 MHz will work in 3 channel or will it revert to 2 channel?
2) Size of Coolermaster V8 in Case + GTX260 x 2 in case (Will they fit?)... I checked the Coolermaster site for NV690 case and it says it will hold CPU + Fan < 176 MM while the Fan is ~161 MM. It will also hold VGA cards < 315 MM while the GTX 260 cards are ~267MM long.
3) Power supply ~750 Watts on 1 rail +12 V should be enough for 2 SLI + CPU + MoBo + Misc?
4) Airflow in the NV690 is not as good as Antec 900 but better cable management + room for CPU + Fan. Anyone feel this is wrong?

Edit: The reason I am choosing EVGA is for its outstanding support + lifetime warranty.

I have a 7900 GT/GTO Superclocked that I RMA'd this past week and they already replaced it with a 9800 GT the day after they received it.