mmaenthusiast
Beta member
- Messages
- 5
Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for taking the time to evaluate my first build. My intention is to use the system largely for research, gaming, and home theatre use. While I have little utility for Intel's hyper threading technology presently, I would like to have that feature at my disposal in the future. Also, my budget is set at $1,500- $1,800. Some leniency in that budget is possible. I will purchase parts this Saturday/Sunday with luck.
As a side note I have considered the core i7 920, paring it with perhaps, the ASUS P6X58 D Premium motherboard, however once I begin researching consumer reviews I come across many questionable reviews regarding failed RAM modules, DOA boards, issues with setting bios, etc. As this is my first build such reviews elicit little confidence in the socket 1366 compatible boards. Nevertheless, upgradeability is a major concern of mine and as many, or all of you, are aware many of the newer Intel processors yet to be released will be directed at 1366 socket compatible boards and the future of the p55 series boards is largely unknown. What are your thoughts on this matter? What would those of you recommend? Should I upgrade to the core i7 920? And if so what motherboard would you recommend? (and obviously I would need to purchase compatible triple channel RAM to pair with it).
With the research I have conducted and my very limited technical knowledge I have compiled the following configuration:
-CPU $279.99- Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
-CPU Cooling System $34.99- ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail
-MOBO $139.99- ASRock P55 Extreme LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
-RAM $95.99- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
-HD $74.99- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
-Optical Drive $29.99- LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer - Retail
-GPU $314.99- HIS H585F1GDG Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card ... - Retail
-Case $139.98- COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
-Power Supply $119.99- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
-Monitor (may buy at retail outlet for comparison reasons) $229.99- ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers - Retail
-Keyboard/mouse $21.99- Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse - OEM
-Speakers $88.99- Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers - Retail
-OS $104.99- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
-Total- $1,681 (if my elementary math serves me right, rounded before shipping and rebates)
While ASRock is considered to be an inferior company, owned by ASUS, by many, and perhaps it is, reviews have been nothing short of outstanding for the ASRock P55 Extreme board, which is why I have selected it. I am more than open to criticism and if those of you recommend a different board by all means please let me know. Once more I greatly appreciate your two cents, it is invaluable to a computer novice such as me.
As a side note I have considered the core i7 920, paring it with perhaps, the ASUS P6X58 D Premium motherboard, however once I begin researching consumer reviews I come across many questionable reviews regarding failed RAM modules, DOA boards, issues with setting bios, etc. As this is my first build such reviews elicit little confidence in the socket 1366 compatible boards. Nevertheless, upgradeability is a major concern of mine and as many, or all of you, are aware many of the newer Intel processors yet to be released will be directed at 1366 socket compatible boards and the future of the p55 series boards is largely unknown. What are your thoughts on this matter? What would those of you recommend? Should I upgrade to the core i7 920? And if so what motherboard would you recommend? (and obviously I would need to purchase compatible triple channel RAM to pair with it).
With the research I have conducted and my very limited technical knowledge I have compiled the following configuration:
-CPU $279.99- Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
-CPU Cooling System $34.99- ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail
-MOBO $139.99- ASRock P55 Extreme LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
-RAM $95.99- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
-HD $74.99- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
-Optical Drive $29.99- LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer - Retail
-GPU $314.99- HIS H585F1GDG Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card ... - Retail
-Case $139.98- COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
-Power Supply $119.99- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
-Monitor (may buy at retail outlet for comparison reasons) $229.99- ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers - Retail
-Keyboard/mouse $21.99- Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse - OEM
-Speakers $88.99- Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers - Retail
-OS $104.99- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
-Total- $1,681 (if my elementary math serves me right, rounded before shipping and rebates)
While ASRock is considered to be an inferior company, owned by ASUS, by many, and perhaps it is, reviews have been nothing short of outstanding for the ASRock P55 Extreme board, which is why I have selected it. I am more than open to criticism and if those of you recommend a different board by all means please let me know. Once more I greatly appreciate your two cents, it is invaluable to a computer novice such as me.