Opinions on this possible build...

[1Duke1]

Seeing as I can't get my current computer working ("It's dead Jim") it's time to rebuild/upgrade.  I built my last system and it lasted me eight years, so I'm gonna give it a try again.  I have talked with TD and had him give me a quote, which was extremely reasonable, but after giving it a night to think over, I still have the itch to do it myself.  So thanks again to Rich for taking the time to talk with me...it's nice dealing/talking with someone whose passionate, as well as knowledgeable about their work. <S>

Here's what I'm looking at putting together:

Fellas,

Thanks for the help, but I've decided to go ahead and rebuild/update my computer.  It lasted me 8 years without a single part needing to be replaced, so I think it's time.

I talked with TilDeath about building me one, and after getting his quote (which was a very good quote btw), but I still have the building itch to do it again myself.  Here's what I'm looking at, so please give me your opinions.


Motherboard            EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor                Intel   Core i7 920

Heatsink/Fan           ????? Needed (don't plan on overclocking at this time)<-----too much of a wimp

Memory                    OCZ Gold Tri Channel 6GB PC10666 DDR3 Memory - 1333MHz, 6144MB (3 x 2048)

Video Card                EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Video Card - 896MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0 x16,
                                 SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support

Power Supply            Corsair CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire
                                 Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Harddrive                    Western Digital Caviar 750GB Hard Drive WD7501AALS - SATA-3G, 7200rpm, 32MB

DVD/CD Drive             not needed, carryover from old sys

Operating System       Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM


Please let me know what you all think.  Thanks

[Getback]

I'm not sure about the Corsair ps. Maybe PC Power & Cooling PS.

[Denholm]

I think I would go ahead and buy a new CD/DVD drive as from what it sound like, the one you have is using ATA. It would probably be smarter to go all SATA with an X58.

I agree with Getback on this one since I'm not too familiar with Power Supplies. Apparently the OCZ and PC Power & Cooling brands are the most reliable and are considered to be the best. Power is the most important factor in constructing a system. You don't want to throw over $1,000 at a system and watch it go to pieces because your power supply was made with flimsy parts.

[Getback]

I think I would go ahead and buy a new CD/DVD drive as from what it sound like, the one you have is using ATA. It would probably be smarter to go all SATA with an X58.

I agree with Getback on this one since I'm not too familiar with Power Supplies. Apparently the OCZ and PC Power & Cooling brands are the most reliable and are considered to be the best. Power is the most important factor in constructing a system. You don't want to throw over $1,000 at a system and watch it go to pieces because your power supply was made with flimsy parts.

Hey! what do you mean on THIS ONE?! 

btw, SATA DVD is fairly cheap. So that's not a bad tip. It will be remarkably faster and probably have litescribe. (Which is fun)

Addendum: You may want to get a retail version so you have the software.

[TilDeath]

That MB has been having problems.  EVGA is not tending to the BIOS like it does with the X58 SLI or the X58 SLI Classified.  Many issues with memory etc.  I suggest the X58 SLI ot the X58 SLI Classified or the ASUS Rampage II Extreme.  Memory wise look at the OCZ Platinum 1600MHz (14400) mininum on an i7 board.  The ASUS board will pick up the higher end memory where as the EVGA boards need to be dialed in.

PSU.... PC Power & Cooling 750 watt min (there is a 20 or 25 rebate for this).  HSF you have to have.  The stock fan will show you temps in the 50's.  The Vendetta 2 with the 1366 bracket.  Msg me if you need pricing on all this stuff

[BaldEagl]

It looks like everything should work.

I'm not too sure about that PSU.  Many of us here on this board run the 750W PC Power & Cooling unit.  It will handle about anything you throw at it.

Stock heatsink/fan is fine as long as you don't overclock with it but you'll run 10-15C cooler with an aftermarket unit.  I dropped that much with a less than $30 Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on my E6750 (2.66 Ghz) overclocked to 3.2 Ghz.  It's a wothwhile investment but not absolutely needed.

I agree with the others... just pop for the $30 for a SATA optical drive.

I'd also go with XP.

[Getback]

It looks like everything should work.

I'm not too sure about that PSU.  Many of us here on this board run the 750W PC Power & Cooling unit.  It will handle about anything you throw at it.

Stock heatsink/fan is fine as long as you don't overclock with it but you'll run 10-15C cooler with an aftermarket unit.  I dropped that much with a less than $30 Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on my E6750 (2.66 Ghz) overclocked to 3.2 Ghz.  It's a wothwhile investment but not absolutely needed.

I agree with the others... just pop for the $30 for a SATA optical drive.

I'd also go with XP.

XP 64 bit?

[Silat]

Im using Vista Home Pre 64bit.. Its sweet and no problem............ You are building a machine that can handle it. Go for it..

[1Duke1]

Thanks for the feedback all, I appreciate it and taking it all down. <S>

[BaldEagl]

XP 64 bit?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378

[1Duke1]

TD, and anyone else...thoughts on the ASUS Rampage II Gene mobo??

[Denholm]

Be careful with it. Apparently the board is not the typical ATX board and is actually 12" x 10.6" (Standard ATX is: 12" x 9.6"). If you think it will fit the case, go for it. But just so you know, ASUS has been getting a lot of complaints recently.

[TilDeath]

TD, and anyone else...thoughts on the ASUS Rampage II Gene mobo??

I have the Rampage II Extreme in my new build.  Yes the board is wider then standard.  The Tempest case it fits with room still left over between the drive bays and the end of side of the board.  I don't have enough time on this board to make a real review.  But as of now it works great, reads my 2000MHz OCZ Blades without a problem.  Need to do a few things before installing it though.  As with most MB's the thermal paste the manufactures use on the NB and SB is not up to par.  Remove the screws and use some good thermal paste and replace.

[1Duke1]

Ok, here's what I'm looking at....thoughts?

Motherboard   ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard   P6T Deluxe V2

Processor   Intel   Core i7 920
   
Heatsink/Fan   OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler   OCZTVEND2
                OCZ Force 2 1366 (i7) Retention Brackets - Vendetta Series   OCZTFORC2V2

                Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound   AS5-12G

Memory                OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory -   
                                      Retail   OCZ3P1600LV6GK

Video Card   EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Video Card - 896MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0 x16, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual
                                       DVI, HDTV, VGA Support   896-P3-1255-AR

Power Supply   PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX
                         and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS   S75QB

HD                 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive WD6401AALS

DVD Drive   SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X
                          CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM   SH-S223Q CD Drive         
Operating System   Windows   Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM   

[Getback]

Looks good! I'm not familiar with the board but it is a good name I understand. However, I will leave the rest up to others.