New Build, can't decide

[Seakins]

Well guys this is my first post here. I have been doing some research on a bunch of products, and i plan to upgrade my pc in a coupld months and want to get some "professional" opinions. First of all i will post up the build i was leaning toward until about a month ago, then i will post the build i am seriously interested in. Please give me your feedback on both builds

Initial Build:
Case: Cosmos 1000 Full Tower
Motherboard: Asus Rampage Extreme
Processor/CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Power Supply: Ultra X3 1000w modular
Video Card: XFX GTX 280 (x2 running SLI)
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Memory: Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 2000 Mhz (x2 for a total 4gb)
DVD RW: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04

Rough total Cost: $2540


New Interesting Build: (this is very intriguing to me, and i have the money to do it, but want your opinions plz)
Case: Cosmos 1000 Full Tower
Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe
Processor/CPU: Intel Nehalem 3.2Ghz
Power Supply: Ultra X3 1000w
Video Card: XFX GTX 280
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Memory: Corsair 6GB DDR3 Kit 1,600MHz Dominator (maybe x2)
DVD RW: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04

Rough Total Cost: $2760
w/ 12 Gb ram Cost: $3060

Ok well those are the two builds i am trying to decide between. One build relies on the new technology of intel, the other on the tech of the past. Tell me what you guys think, and if you have any suggestions on either build.

Thanks for the info and the great site guys, glad i found a good pc home for the future.

[shadowpr]

I would go with the initial build.

I would get a better power supply though. Ultra's are garbage. The corsair 1000 would work nice with those video cards.

We usually don't recommend sli since you get minimal increas of performace versus cost.

I also would get that mb. DDR3 isn't worth it with that processor, and really won't be until i7. Get a mb with ddr2 instead. Then get a 2x2gb pack. That works better than a 4x1gb.

Might want to check out seagate hds. They come with 5year warrenties. The 7200.11 series is nice.

[Seakins]

Thanks for the help man. I didn't realize there wasn't a significant gain in performance when running SLI. Also, thanks for the headsup on Ultra. I will look into the Corsair.

I also would get that mb. DDR3 isn't worth it with that processor, and really won't be until i7. Get a mb with ddr2 instead. Then get a 2x2gb pack. That works better than a 4x1gb.

That is the reason i was thinking toward the i7 build, because when i build this rig i expect it to last 6-7 yrs with minimal upgrades. I want to get as close to the leading edge of the tech curve as possible, without selling my arm, leg, and first born.

[shadowpr]

For me, I think the new i7 is too new.

As for sli, the only way it is worth it is when getting two of the best cards, and that's what you have planned, but when you look at the extra cost and the increase in performance that you would get, that's when i think it has less returns. You would spend an extra 500 - 600 just to get a few more fps. Also depends on what size monitor you're using. If your resolution is only like 1680 x 1050, then it's really not worth it in my opinion.

Here is one chart that shows the difference: http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/g...dx876,794.html

[Doom]

I'll second the motions in both PSU and SLI advice. I've used Corsair PSUs in two builds now and they've both been solid for me. Also, I went SLI on my first build and was a little disappointed. Based on the stats posted at www.tomshardware.com, there are only a very few instances when and SLI configuration is considered to be a good buy for the money. I started my first build w/ a single EVGA 9600GT and then put a second one in SLI config. I did notice a slight improvement...but nothing cosmic and certainly not $180 worth. For the money you'll be sinking into a single GTX 280... it's extremely likely that a second one will do anything special other than allow you to brag about a seriously intense graphics setup.

The money for a GTX 280 can be much better spent on other components, or saved away for a GPU upgrade a couple years down the line.

I think that after you've spent about $2200 on a self-built rig you really hit the point of diminishing returns.

[Seakins]

Thanks for the input guys, i have looked into the Corsair PSU's and i think the 1000w would be sufficient to run this setup, i am curious though if you guys think that 1000w is a little overkill or if i should stick with the 1000w. Also, I have killed the idea of SLI GTX-280's based on the tomshardware stats. Thanks for that headsup.

Now as far as the i7 tech, I find myself leaning more and more toward this setup, due to the upgradeability that will be available shortly down the road. I think starting the build with 6gb ram would be plenty to start, and could easily, and fairly cheaply upgraded to 12gb ram in the near future. the 6gb tri-channel ram is only running $220-$280 per kit. Therefore i could get 12gb ram for right around $500 which compared to 4 gb DDR3 dual channel if very comparable. Also, i know the 3.2GHz proc is $1000, and by the time i build this rig, they should have any bugs worked out. I am looking to build in the next 2-3 months. Also, the i7 boards are also very comparable to the Phenom/Quad Core boards. The only drawback is it will run around 3k for the build. But this build would last me a good 6-7 yrs if not more, and would be easily upgradeable for that timeframe.

Let me know what you guys think.

[Doom]

By getting an i7 now, I see it as investing in the future (assuming you have the budget to support it... and you appear to). If you're looking to go with something that you don't really have to touch for the next six or seven years... i7 might not be too bad. I can't say I'd build one myself because it is indeed a new product and not "proven," but I've read a few posts here and at other places where people feel Intel and Asus are pretty solid. So they are willing to take the chance.

I was very suprised at the prices at newegg.com and Micro Center... I was expecting a $400 chip just because it was new... but you can get something for about $300... which isn't much more than what I paid for my Q9300 earlier this year.

Anyhoo... since SLI is (smartly) not in your future right now, 1000w is way overkill. The only reason you need a 1000w PSU is if you feel confident that you're eventually going to SLI two major cards (i.e. 2x GTX 2X0) eventually. The new Asus P6T gives you SLI or CrossFire capability (which kicks butt), which means it's an option. It's up to what you think you'll want to do in the future... but if I were buying for myself I'd stick with a 620-750w Corsair unit and hook up a single GTX 280.

Regardless... this is going to be a smoking hot rig when you're done (based on performance...I'm not implying it will catch on fire or anything).

12GB RAM is probably way overkill also. I'm getting dizzy just thinking abou it. RAM is so cheap and easy to install... you can easily forego it now and sometime in the distant future when you might actually need 12GB of RAM... you can hop in your hovercar and go get some on the cheap.