Desktop Build

[MrDravenX]

I posted a few months ago about building a desktop. I have an Alienware case with a 1000 watt PSU. My current desktop is a Dell XPS 400. I think I got it back i 2004. The NIC is no longer working and I don't want to waste time on trying to get it to work when it's totally outdated. I have 3 notebooks and one file server which I only use for file sharing. I would like another desktop.

I want the best parts for the money and performance. I know the new Windows OS might be released later this year but I don't really want to wait for it. I am thinking of getting Vista but which one would be better? 32-bit or 64-bit?

I am looking at going with a i7 build with the Extreme Edition. Has AMD released anything better? Money is not a problem. I just need to decide on what parts and when to get them.

Any suggestions? if I should hold out for AMD latest chip, wait for the latest Windows OS, etc?

[jdeb]

Is it for gaming?

[MrDravenX]

Forgot to say what I would use it for. It's all of the above. Gaming, multimedia, etc. I would like to have multiple displays as well for multi-tasking purposes.

[shadowpr]

I would stick to intel.

The i7 is still new, but it would offer the best performance and upgradability.

As for waiting for windows 7, I wouldn't. It's still too far away. Get vista 64 home premium.

[MrDravenX]

That answers those questions. Lets take this one part at a time. Here are the motherboard choices for the i7 chip.
1. ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
2. ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
3. ASUS P6T Deluxe/OC Palm LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
4. ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
5. ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

[shadowpr]

The first board would seem good to me. For me, it would have all I would need.

Get a triple channel ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231223

A 4870 x2 video card, or a 295 if you want nvidia.

A corsair 750 for psu.

Lite-on, asus, or lg dvd burner. Not sure how good the blu-ray players are yet. Might want to hold off a bit longer if you want that.

HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

[MrDravenX]

The ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution seems to have the best reviews.

Should I go with Dual video cards? Do I need to get a different PSU? I have the 1000W PSU that came with the case. I will look later today when I get off work and see what kind it is.

[shadowpr]

If you're going to get dual cards, then you definately would want the best cards.

Most suggest not going sli or crossfire and just getting the best single card, and then upgrading later on. That saves you money.

If you do go dual, then you need a certified psu.

[MrDravenX]

This is what I have so far.
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
Motherboard: ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Processor: Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 965 Nehalem 3.2GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Video: ASUS ENGTX295/2DI/1792MD3/A GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
HDD: Western Digital RE3 WD1002FBYS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series 70SB088600007 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express Interface Sound Card - Retail
Headset: Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless USB Supra-aural Headset
Mouse: RAZER Copperhead Tempest Blue 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse - Retail

Does the PSU have enough power to run this build? Do all the parts fit together? Any suggestions on the monitor setup?

[shadowpr]

It looks compatible to me.

That hd is more geared towards servers I believe.

[tomtoon]

Get this HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136317

[MrDravenX]

I think i looked at that HDD last night. Do you have one? I'm thinking about going with 2 500GB HDD.

The motherboard I have listed is not in stock so I am looking at the ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

I am looking at this memory to: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

[MrDravenX]

The latest config:

Motherboard: ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU: Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 965 Nehalem 3.2GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Video: ASUS ENGTX295/2DI/1792MD3/A GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Optical Drive: LITE-ON Black 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-Ray DVD Drive & DVD Burner with LightScribe Model iHES206-08 - Retail
Monitor: Dell S2309W Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

The PSU is up in the air. The PSU that came with the case is a HIPRO 1000W PSU. With this config is a 1000W PSU overkill or will it do. Here is one I was looking at; CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

I am looking for the ability to upgrade as well. Upgrade to dual video and maybe even another HDD but the 1TB will be fine for now. I am ready to purchase once everything is final.