i7 gaming rig specs...round 2 :)

[Ariakys]

A couple of months ago I was looking into purchasing a computer from a place like ibuypower but you all convinced me to just build it myself. I had a $2000 budget at that time but I never pulled the trigger due to moving. Well my wife has given me the go to build a new computer so I have been looking at these specs:

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

Video: 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

Monitors: 2x Newegg.com - ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

Case: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Memory: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

PSU: 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

HD: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Mobo: Newegg.com - ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

DVD: Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) 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 - CD / DVD Burners

HSink: Newegg.com - Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

CPU Bracket: Newegg.com - Sunbeam CR-LGA1366 LGA 1366 Core I7 Retention Bracket - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

Compound: Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

All this for $1698

My wife's laptop came with Vista Home 32/64 so I was planning on using that until Windows 7 is released.

This rig has been put together from research within these forums if most of it looks familiar

Any suggestions to the build? Did I forget anything?

Thanks in advance

 

[Pinscher]

Looks really solid.

I would get this GFX card instead. It is a little more expensive but it doesn't break your budget by any means. The GTX280 is a little old now but still a great card. I just figure if you're gonna get a new card, might as well get the newest.

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

Also, you can download the Windows 7 RC for free which is completely stable and awesome (I am using it now). You might have problems activating your wife's copy of vista.

Otherwise, everything looks great.

Oh, I would get TX-2 thermal paste instead. It is slightly better and the same price.\

Newegg.com - Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

 

[hikaricloud]

Don't get any thermal compound, the Core Contact comes with TX-2 already.

 

[baron5]

Great build, I'm guessing you have good uses for those dual monitors but i advise if you plan to game on these it's wise to just pickup a 24 incher instead, gaming is horrible over dual setups. But as pinscher said get a gtx 285.

get this gtx 285, comes with 2 gree games
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

 

[Pinscher]

Don't get any thermal compound, the Core Contact comes with TX-2 already.

Doh... forgot

Great build, I'm guessing you have good uses for those dual monitors but i advise if you plan to game on these it's wise to just pickup a 24 incher instead, gaming is horrible over dual setups. But as pinscher said get a gtx 285.

get this gtx 285, comes with 2 gree games
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

Ohh nice. Good find.

 

[erebus]

Everything looks good. I'm also building an i7 rig with a similar budget.

I don't mean to hijack, but would a single vanilla 285 be better than two superclocked 260s in SLI?

 

[tastegw]

Everything looks good. I'm also building an i7 rig with a similar budget.

I don't mean to hijack, but would a single vanilla 285 be better than two superclocked 260s in SLI?

no! a 285 is about 8-15% faster than a single 260

 

[Pinscher]

Off topic but Taste, once again I love your sig.

A single 285 will definitely not beat 2 260s in SLI

 

[Ariakys]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

After reading more, I have decided to go with a one monitor setup. Here is the monitor I'm looking at: Newegg.com - Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM) - LCD Monitors

That freed up some money to get the 285 video card: 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

After dropping the Arctic Silver thermal compound, the price is now $1659

Any more suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[tastegw]

you have a solid build, i see no room for any major improvments.

you should be good to go!