First build config

[JamesMW]

H

This is my first build I and I am trying to decide what parts are the best. I will mainly be using it for gaming(RTS plus Crysis if possible) and music. I am an absolute noob in the computer building world so please bear with me if I messed up on the specs. I would like to keep the cost under $1500. I am interested in overclocking but it is not essential.

Here are my specs so far

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz
GPU: 1GB memory or better, ATI or NVIDIA, either single card or two cards runninng in SLI/Crossfire
RAM: 4GB or more, DDR3
Mobo: Any, would like maximum memory 24GB
PSU: 700W or better
HDD: 320GB or better
Case: ?

Is a sound card necessary? What about solid sate drives?

I would really appreciate any help on selecting the specific components.

Thanks

 

[Gilles]

Sound cards are not necessary unless you really love good audio, and have good speakers or a decent sound system.

SSD drives are a waste of money imo. They're fast, but the price tag just isn't worth it. If you have the money, you could get one for your OS and games.

I'm not the best at large budget builds, but no one else has answered, so I'll give it a shot.

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Good choice on that one.

Mobo: Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TPOWER X58A LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Don't really know my mobos that well. I'm an ASUS fan, but I know BIOSTAR is a good brand too.

RAM: Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Looks like a pretty solid deal to me. Those are good sticks from what I hear.

PSU: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
A tiny bit small for an i7, but it's a good deal, and I think it should run everything fine.

GPU: Newegg.com - XFX HD-489A-ZDEC Radeon HD 4890 Xtreme 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Good brad, and a free game right now!

Case: Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
I have the antec 300, and love it. I hear good things about the 1200.

HDD: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
It's big, you can definitely get a smaller one to save, but I went with it anyways.

Optical: Newegg.com - LG 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 IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
Basic.

 

[Slam'n Systems]

Why do you need a maximum memory of 24GB? I can't see a system logically needing/using anywhere near that much for a LONG time.

Video Card I would get either..
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
or
Newegg.com - BFG Tech BFGEGTX2801024OCXE GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards <-- This card I just bought, best bang for the buck IMO

Power Supply I would definitely go with..
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

Hard Drive just like Gilles said...
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

RAM I recommend the DOMINATOR Series from Corsair! Excellent OCing Ram (I have 4Gigs DDR2 1066 in my PC)
Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Case is your choice, DVD Burners you can get cheap but Lite-ON and LG make good ones like Gilles posted above and I don't know anything about Intel Mobos so can't help you out there.

 

[Asylum]

Make sure you get a top brand PSU like suggested above!!

 

[Slaymate]

If you don't go with the memory Gilles suggested I'll recommend getting this kit. It's faster and cheaper than the Corsair Dominator also suggested.

Newegg.com - OCZ Blade Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

 

[baron5]

He wont need ddr2000, its not worth the extra cash, he should just stick with the ocz platinums, this is a great build, should last you a while.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - XFX GX285XZWFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - LG 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 IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Comes to little over 1300 before rebates.
A great solid build, well under your budget, there isn't really any worth while upgrades that will justify spending extra at the moment. You could probably chuck in a solid state, but as people said, they are really not worth the money.

 

[JamesMW]

Thanks a ton

By the way, I found this list of video cards
http://www.techist.com/forums/f76/graphics-card-rankings-139202/

It ranks the HD 4850 X2 over the GTX 285 which two of you mentioned. Which is more important, memory or clock speeds? The HD 4850 X2 is a lot cheaper.

Any advice would be appreciated

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809&Tpk=hd4850 x2

Newegg.com - XFX GX285XZWFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[JamesMW]

Also, I have heard that the stock cooler for the Core i7 920 isn't very good. Would it be better to get an after market cooler? Can anyone recommended one?

Thanks

 

[Slaymate]

Well the 4850 X2 maybe rated above the GTX 285 in that list, but that list is just another persons opinion. It does offer excellent performance for the price, but the GTX 285 is the better card when cash isn't considered a factor (just my opinion). My problem with ATI cards is sporatic Driver Support, they seem to go all out for awhile and then they always seem to find something else to do.

Yes an aftermarket heatsink is a good idea. The Thermalright True 120 is the proven Champion.
Thermalright "Limited Edition" TRUE Black Ultra-120 eXtreme CPU Heatsink (Socket LGA 775 / LGA 1366 / AM2 / Xeon*) - FrozenCPU.com

An this one shows promise and it's less expensive
Prolimatech Megahalem for Intel Socket 775 /1366 Products Model: MEGAHALEM [MEGAHALEM] : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come

If I was on a tight budget I might try this
Newegg.com - XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

 

[baron5]

Yep go the dark knight or the sunbeam core contact, those are your best bets, they come with fans and are a lot cheaper then the other coolers.