Buildin My New Computer

So after much thought I have decided to build my own computer...that said I could still use some help figuring it out. Does this set-up for it look alright. Any advice, opinions, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. System: Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504 Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 Optical Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164 Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028 Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 Operating System - Windows Vista 64 Ultimate w/ W7 upgrade Proccessor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212 Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188050 RAM memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224ChThunder

il have to link is stuff for more suggesiton and help it quite easy il have to copypast all those url one by one. take a minute lol

GeForce GTX 295 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504 499$
You should wait for HD5870 2GB 2 week of now it much stronger will crush 295GTX on every aspect of graphic power but no physic X GTX300 (december 2009)

Hard Drive 1TB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 159$ ? what with that HDD price ?
Optical Drive - LG Blue-Ray Burner 179$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164
Power Supply 1000W OCZ GOLD Series 299$- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028
Case HAF-932 139$ with Free Shipping - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

CPU Core i7 975 Extremely Overpriced 999$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212
I may Suggest to not Get any thing higher then Core i7 950 and wait for core i9 (about march 2010) those will be compatible with any X58 motherboard

as for ram / motherboard it up to you

Yeah, thanks for the help guys. I'm definitely gonna wait for the new Ati series and I'll probably downgrade the motherboard /cpu a bit. Is there a decent equivalent motherboard at a lower price? I keep hearing that motherboard is for liquid-cooling which I don't plan on getting.ChThunder

The regular EVGA Classified 141-BL-E760-A1 mobo if you are wanting all the features from the classified hydro that you had picked out. Except it isn't set up for a water cooling system.

EVGA Classified 760 = 399.99

The EVGA X58 SLI 132-BL-E758-A1 mobo if all you are wanting is a good mobo that is capable of SLI/Crossfire without all the bells and whistles of the Classified.

EVGA X58 SLI = 299.99

Forgot to add both have lifetime warranty it you register them within 30 days of purchase.

Ok, so that first motherboard you list is basically an equivalent w/o bein set up for water cooling? The other major question I have concerns the processor. I'd love to save some money and downgrade to the 920, I've read that it's a great way to save money and get around the same speed as the 975, but I also have no experience with overclocking, and no idea how to do it. My question is: Is it a pretty simple process or complex to overclock something? I planned on doing it with the RAM, processor, and possibly the gpu, but yeah I just have no idea how to.ChThunder

The EVGA forums have a lot of good info about overclocking the i7 9xx cpu's. I have an i7 920 overclocked to 3.8Ghz (stock is 2.66Ghz). I have never overclocked a cpu before and I found it fairly easy to do. I haven't tried 4Ghz yet. If you are going to overclock I would suggest getting an aftermarket heatsink.

These two heatsinks are decent and have a fairly good price tag.

Scythe Mugen 2 = 36.99

Xigmatek Dark Knight = 44.98 I have the Dark Knight and it does a pretty good job, especially for its price.

These two are considered to be the top performing heatsinks for the i7. I don't know about the TRUE but the Megahalems do not come with a fan so you will need to buy one.

Megahalems =64.99

TRUE 120 =74.95

Here is a guide for overclocking the i7 over the EVGA X58 forums. Gives you an idea on what to expect for overclocking.

EVGA Overclocking Guide

I might sound like a total idiot, but that looks really complicated. Thanks for posting the guide though. Hopefully I can figure it out after I get the parts and all, but maybe I won't bother.ChThunder

So after much thought I have decided to build my own computer...that said I could still use some help figuring it out. Does this set-up for it look alright. Any advice, opinions, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. System: Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504 Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 Optical Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164 Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028 Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 Operating System - Windows Vista 64 Ultimate w/ W7 upgrade Proccessor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212 Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188050 RAM memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224ChThunder

that's way too much money for a comp and a waste of money unless you really got some money to burn and your all about games

I might sound like a total idiot, but that looks really complicated. Thanks for posting the guide though. Hopefully I can figure it out after I get the parts and all, but maybe I won't bother.ChThunder

[QUOTE="ChThunder"]I might sound like a total idiot, but that looks really complicated. Thanks for posting the guide though. Hopefully I can figure it out after I get the parts and all, but maybe I won't bother.UltimateGamer95

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/09/08/intel-core-i5-and-i7-lynnfield-cpu-review/7
core i7 920 D0 Stepping Kill Phenom II X4 965 cause the 965 as issue to pass over 4.0Ghz : D0 Stepping Core i7 920 go at 4.2Ghz Stable under Airflow

As others have stated, save the $700-800 by getting a D0 Revision Core i7 920. If you have a MicroCenter near your house, you can go there and pick one up for $199 and ensure you get the D0 stepping ones. Definitely get a cheaper motherboard. You explained that you don't know how to overclock. Well, the only point people buy expensive boards is for their overclocking potenital. Next up, invest in a better hard drive. Hard drives in computers are often times huge bottlenecks, and since you're splurging on just about every other component, you should definitely get a better drive. You don't have to go SSD, but I'd suggest a WD VelociRaptor or a WD Caviar Black. Further, that ram you chose is again overclocking ram. If you don't plan to OC, don't waste your money on it. Save it and apply that to future upgrades. Oh, and for CPU heatsink, Prolimatech Megahalems paired with a couple Scythe fans will totally complete your awesome gaming rig.

Alright here's what i think. First go to microcenter.com, and find the nearest one. Then go and buy the i7 from there. From what i hear they have em for $200. That's saving $80. Secondly, your hard drive links to your cpu, it's the same link. And my my third suggestion, switch to this psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007 . First that saves another $100 or so, it's an awseome psu and by a the most realiable( if not, one of the most) psu manufactorer's and it's modular. Now take this saved cash and in my opinion i'd spend it towards this case. It's extremely sweet. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001&Tpk=Corsair%20Obsidian

That's an amazing build. If you plan to RAID those VelociRaptors, you are going to be speechless at the performance. I definitely agree with a couple of posts above me, that OCZ PSU is way overkill. It's a good PSU, but again you could save the $60 and get a better PSU by going with the Corsair HX 1000 Professional series PSU. They're both modular PSUs which will be great for cable management (as you will only need to use the cables that you need and you won't have a bunch of unused cables lying around).

Your build is what I've dreamed of building. That computer will smoke just about any computer out on the market today, even those overpriced Alienware ones. Regarding the motherboard question, the actual motherboard has 4 PCI-E 2.0 slots. However, because of the "limitations" of the X58 chipset, you can only have up to 32X PCI-E lanes. Meaning, if you are running a tri-SLI setup, you will have the primary card running at 16X and the second/third card both running at 8x each (for a total of 32X). Same concept applies if you have dual SLI GPUs plus a sound card, the primary GPU would be 16x, the secondary card would be 8x, and the sound card would be 4x.

I'm a huge fan of ASUS, as are many others, they're the world's largest motherboard manufacturer. If I had to choose, I would go with the Asus P6T Deluxe V2. It is $279 (on sale) and overclocks like a champ.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

If for whatever reason you dislike that board, go with the EVGA E758-A1.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

And again, reread my message that I edited. The board will have 3 or 4 PCI-E slots but based on the X58 chipset, you can only go up to 32X PCI-E lanes. So basically, if you were running a TRI-SLI setup (which you probably won't), you will have GPUs getting the full 16x. Three cards would run at 16x/8x/8x.

Ok, sounds good I'll get the other power supply then. Sorry about not getting back to you about that ultimate, I would rather build it myself. I guess the last thing it comes down to is the motherboard. Everyone says I shouldn't go above around $300, so could someone link me a few good ones? I really don't know much at all about motherboards. My other two questions are: When under the PCI Express 2.0 Slots it lists two different speed types ex. x16/x8 what does that mean? Also will a $300 motherboard be alright for overclocking the i7-920, the Corsair RAM I have linked, and a ATI 5xxx Series GPU? ChThunder

Mhmm 2 velicirapters >.< You're building my dream build minus the sweet looking green water cooling and the epic corsair obsidian. Honestly take a look at the Corsair Obsidian it's a beast, and is the best case for cable management. It's simply amazing, it's made so you don't see any wires.

Mhmm 2 velicirapters >.< You're building my dream build minus the sweet looking green water cooling and the epic corsair obsidian. Honestly take a look at the Corsair Obsidian it's a beast, and is the best case for cable management. It's simply amazing, it's made so you don't see any wires.

RedxSniper

That's an amazing build. If you plan to RAID those VelociRaptors, you are going to be speechless at the performance. I definitely agree with a couple of posts above me, that OCZ PSU is way overkill. It's a good PSU, but again you could save the $60 and get a better PSU by going with the Corsair HX 1000 Professional series PSU. They're both modular PSUs which will be great for cable management (as you will only need to use the cables that you need and you won't have a bunch of unused cables lying around).

Your build is what I've dreamed of building. That computer will smoke just about any computer out on the market today, even those overpriced Alienware ones. Regarding the motherboard question, the actual motherboard has 4 PCI-E 2.0 slots. However, because of the "limitations" of the X58 chipset, you can only have up to 32X PCI-E lanes. Meaning, if you are running a tri-SLI setup, you will have the primary card running at 16X and the second/third card both running at 8x each (for a total of 32X). Same concept applies if you have dual SLI GPUs plus a sound card, the primary GPU would be 16x, the secondary card would be 8x, and the sound card would be 4x.

CStheGreat

A lot of people consider ASUS mobo's to be the best. EVGA also makes great motherboards. Usually you will hear a lot of complaints about ASUS' customer support and tech service. EVGA has some of the best customer and tech support of all the manufacturers. It is really just a choice. Both make great mobos and lots of people have had bad experience with every manufacturer out there. I don't know about ASUS but the two EVGA mobo's that people have recommended (EVGA-758-A1 and EVGA-760-A1) have lifetime warranties.

The EVGA-760-A1 Classified is the same mobo as the $500 mobo that you originally picked out. The difference between the two is that $500 dollar one comes with a water block for the x58 chipset. The Classified is geared for those that overclock rather than just gaming. It also offers TRI-SLI w/dedicated physx card. The EVGA-758-A1 ($299) is also good at overclocking but it lacks some of the bells and whistles of the classified.

Now to explain the PCI-E slot speeds. The X58 offers up to 36 PCIe Lanes

The classified offers 4 PCI-E slots in this configuration: Slot 1 - 16x/8x Slot 2 - 8x Slot 3 - 16x/8x Slot 4 - 8x. If you are going to SLI or Crossfire 2 video cards you would put them into slot 1 and 3. This way both cards are in PCI-E slots at full speed (takes up 32 lanes). If you go with 3 or 4 video cards then all slots will run at 8x (32 lanes)

The vanilla EVGA-758-A1 X58 mobo has 3 PCI-E lanes in this configuration: Slot 1 - 16x Slot 2 - 16x/8x Slot 3 - 8x. If you SLI or Crossfire 2 video cards put them in slots 1 and 2 so both slots run at full 16x speed. If the third slot is occupied with another video card then slot 1 will still run at 16x but slots 2 and 3 will run at 8x speed. If you were to have 2 video cards installed into slot 1 and slot 3 then the slot 1 will still run at 16x but slot 3 will run at 8x.

As of right now, the GTX 295 and the 4870 X2 are the only cards that exceed an 8x speed PCI-E bus. However, I don't know about the upcoming HD 5800 series or the GT300 series. The new DX 11 cards may need the full speed PCI-E lanes.

I have an EVGA X58 SLI LE mobo. It has 4 PCI-E slots. Slot 1 - 16x Slot 2 - 8x Slot 3 - 4x Slot 4 - 8x. Uses the total amount of 36 lanes that the X58 chipset offers. The slots are locked at those speeds unlike the other two EVGA boards which have slots that will run at both 16x and 8x depending on how many video cards you have installed and what slots they are in.

For the Classified, I think you meant Slot 1 and Slot 3 if you wanna run it on full 16x/16x. WWII_Warrior

I believe if you are going to build a new computer you should at least get two slots at 16x. The next generation of cards is around the corner and if you plan on keeping your system for awhile, you will end up doubling up on cards.

il have to link is stuff for more suggesiton and help it quite easy il have to copypast all those url one by one. take a minute lol

GeForce GTX 295 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130504 499$
You should wait for HD5870 2GB 2 week of now it much stronger will crush 295GTX on every aspect of graphic power but no physic X GTX300 (december 2009)

Hard Drive 1TB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 159$ ? what with that HDD price ?
Optical Drive - LG Blue-Ray Burner 179$ - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164
Power Supply 1000W OCZ GOLD Series 299$- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028
Case HAF-932 139$ with Free Shipping - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

CPU Core i7 975 Extremely Overpriced 999$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115212
I may Suggest to not Get any thing higher then Core i7 950 and wait for core i9 (about march 2010) those will be compatible with any X58 motherboard

as for ram / motherboard it up to you

marcthpro

NO! You totally missed the point there! At least 975 has a purpose: for you to d**k around how you have the fastest CPU. But 950 is totally insane. 0.4GHz difference for $550??? Is Intel freaking mad? But wth am I saying, people still buy 950.

Thanks for all the great info guys, and explaining how the PCI-E slots work. Do you think it would be worth it (knowing whats going into my computer) to throw down the extra $100 to get the EVGA 760 rather than the 758?ChThunder

well i just said never go higher then 950's if you find a sale but i say go with core i7 920 i seen people with 950 reaching 4.2ghz it not worth the extra money tough but some people are just that rich / enthusiast i alway say just get 920 wait Core i9 for X58 ul be having quite more power :

eitherway if he OC like a pro he either need a IFX-14 + Two 2800RPM fan or a prolimatech Megahalem + 1 FAn 2800-3000rpm it seem two fan don't get well with design of prolimatechm megahalem