Build advice, looking for recs on mobo/case

[Moviesnob]

This will be my first build of a new PC. I don't really have a budget, around $1500 or so I suppose, I'm not watching my wallet with this build as you can see from my parts, so any recommendations are welcome. My main focus with this build is a great gaming PC with some longevity. I would like any recs on a good case and motherboard. I'll also be getting a Vista 64-bit OS as well.

Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202 - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801 - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148335 - Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CD-ROM Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171 - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X 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 Burner

Speakers - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121010 - Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220365 - Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

I had this MOBO recommended to me:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130221 - MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

[shadowpr]

Switch the hd to a western digital caviar black sata drive. Seagate had some serious issues a while back. I'm still not comfortable recommending them myself.

And change the dvd burner to either a asus, lg, or lite-on dvd burner, sata, retail.

Othat than that...looks good.

You could up the video card a bit, or a lot if you drop from the i7 to a dual core, or quad core.

The video card will be the biggest factor in gaming anyway.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by Moviesnob This will be my first build of a new PC. I don't really have a budget, around $1500 or so I suppose, I'm not watching my wallet with this build as you can see from my parts, so any recommendations are welcome. My main focus with this build is a great gaming PC with some longevity. I would like any recs on a good case and motherboard. I'll also be getting a Vista 64-bit OS as well. Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202 - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801 - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148335 - Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM CD-ROM Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171 - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X 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 Burner Speakers - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121010 - Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220365 - Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory I had this MOBO recommended to me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130221 - MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

As far as i7/X58 goes, the motherboards with the best track records currently are The GIGABYTE models UD4P - up and the ASUS P6T.
With DFI right now, you may as well RMA the board before you take it out of the box.
FOXCONN is slow and the enthusiast sector of their motherboard manufacturing is on shaky ground.
BIOSTAR also has one but it's 269.00 and that's A LOT of money for a BIOSTAR.

SEAGATES are OK. Whichever you decide upon, go ahead and get two identical drives and set up a RAID 1 so you'll have a mirror image of your data and downloads should a drive fail.

You know that you can get X48 platform motherboards for a deal now. If you want to build a gaming rig, then something like that is really all you need. The greater flexibility in funds should allow you to purchase two video cards and run Xfire. You'll also have the benefit of full X16 lanes.

Something like this for core hardware:

Two of these
This
And this
And these
Here is your CPU cooler-
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thhrplforso7.html

Core i7 platforms are a whole lot of money for what you actually have when all is said and done. CORE 2 systems will be around abit longer and the CORE 2 has already proven itself when it comes to longevity.
Just some food for thought.

[glc]

Chuck, I have to withhold Seagate recommendations for now due to the firmware fiasco. I'm recommending Western Digital Blacks instead. They have a 5 year warranty, and Seagate just dropped their 5 year warranty, this should say something.

[Moviesnob]

Thanks for the recommendations, all. Chuck, I will definitely look into your suggestions, as well as a WD HD.

[Moviesnob]

Ok, I've revamped my build a bit. I downgraded in some areas, and took some of your suggestions concerning the optical drive/RAM/HD.

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

Mobo: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

HDD: Western Digital RE3 WD7502ABYS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

RAM: GeIL Evo One 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Pri Optical: Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Speakers: Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker - Retail

[glc]

1. The mainstream P5Q/P5Q Pro is a much better value for a mobo.
2. You picked a server RAID drive - what you want is a Caviar Black, not a RE3.
3. DDR2-1066 is an unnecessary expense, a better bet is standard DDR2-800 CAS 5 1.8 or 1.9 volt ram.
4. I'd get a Lite-On, LG, or Asus DVD burner, and retail, not OEM, so you are guaranteed to get software.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Moviesnob Ok, I've revamped my build a bit. I downgraded in some areas, and took some of your suggestions concerning the optical drive/RAM/HD. Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail Mobo: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail HDD: Western Digital RE3 WD7502ABYS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM RAM: GeIL Evo One 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Pri Optical: Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Speakers: Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker - Retail

Looks like a pretty good list. I have a few suggestions, one would be to change the motherboard; the P45 chipset has better performance and costs less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299

I would stick with your first choice of video card since it only costs a bit more than the HD4850 and provides a good amount of additional performance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801

If you are not doing any overclocking, you don't need DDR2-1066 ram, a good inexpensive set of DDR2-800 will work fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by glc Chuck, I have to withhold Seagate recommendations for now due to the firmware fiasco. I'm recommending Western Digital Blacks instead. They have a 5 year warranty, and Seagate just dropped their 5 year warranty, this should say something.

Thanx. Noted.
But I thought that firmware issue was with a couple of runs of 7200.11, and that the 5 to 3 year warranty slash was just on bare drives.
That still sucks about going to a 3 year warranty on bare drives. In a roundabout way it's like they are stating that they have cut corners in the manufacturing process of those.
Disappointing isn't it?
I have had exceptionally good luck with SEAGATE.
Well.
I have another build to do so I may just give a couple of those WD Blacks a road test, just to be on the safe side. Then we'll just have to see if SEAGATE pulls any rabbits out of their hat.
I do remember how just a few years ago, the only drive that you saw recommended on this site was the 250GB PRT 410AS - which is still pretty much a problem free drive!
How things do change.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 As far as i7/X58 goes, the motherboards with the best track records currently are The GIGABYTE models UD4P - up and the ASUS P6T. With DFI right now, you may as well RMA the board before you take it out of the box. FOXCONN is slow and the enthusiast sector of their motherboard manufacturing is on shaky ground. BIOSTAR also has one but it's 269.00 and that's A LOT of money for a BIOSTAR. SEAGATES are OK. Whichever you decide upon, go ahead and get two identical drives and set up a RAID 1 so you'll have a mirror image of your data and downloads should a drive fail. You know that you can get X48 platform motherboards for a deal now. If you want to build a gaming rig, then something like that is really all you need. The greater flexibility in funds should allow you to purchase two video cards and run Xfire. You'll also have the benefit of full X16 lanes. Something like this for core hardware: Two of these This And this And these Here is your CPU cooler- http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thhrplforso7.html Core i7 platforms are a whole lot of money for what you actually have when all is said and done. CORE 2 systems will be around abit longer and the CORE 2 has already proven itself when it comes to longevity. Just some food for thought.

i just did a dfi lan party jr x58 board and it went fine... now you got me worried a little. I didn't recommend the board, I just fixed what someone tried to build themselves. I was fairly impressed with it though and was considering recommending it on occasion, I will back off for now. I have built a couple of foxconn x58 boards... renaissance and a blood rage. ( a pt6 as well) they were nice but in terms of speed I have not really used or compared them enough to comment on. I will say this, I didn't see a huge difference between a p45 dual or quad core system but I attributed it to the software applications. My guess is that the I7 would really shine with video and music professionals.

[Moviesnob]

Ok, just made the purchase. Here's the final product:


CASE ANTEC|NINE HUNDRED BK RT - Retail $109.99
MB ASUS P5Q PRO 775 P45 RT - Retail $129.99
VGA SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL HD4870 1G R - Retail $189.99
PSU CORSAIR|CMPSU-650TX 650W RT - Retail $99.99
CPU INTEL|C2D E8400 3G 775 45N R - Retail $164.99
MEM 2Gx2|GSK F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ R - Retail $41.99
HD 750|WD 7K 32M SATA2 WD7501AALS R - OEM $79.99
SPEAKER LOGITECH| X-240 RT - Retail $48.99

Overall was around $930 with shipping. Thanks for all your help!

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Moviesnob Ok, just made the purchase. Here's the final product: CASE ANTEC|NINE HUNDRED BK RT - Retail $109.99 MB ASUS P5Q PRO 775 P45 RT - Retail $129.99 VGA SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL HD4870 1G R - Retail $189.99 PSU CORSAIR|CMPSU-650TX 650W RT - Retail $99.99 CPU INTEL|C2D E8400 3G 775 45N R - Retail $164.99 MEM 2Gx2|GSK F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ R - Retail $41.99 HD 750|WD 7K 32M SATA2 WD7501AALS R - OEM $79.99 SPEAKER LOGITECH| X-240 RT - Retail $48.99 Overall was around $930 with shipping. Thanks for all your help!

Looks like a good list, make sure you get a optical drive if you don't already have one as it will be necessary for installing the OS (unless you plan on using linux which can be booted from a USB stick); good luck with your new build.

[Moviesnob]

I did get a Lite-On DVD Burner as well, looks like I mistakenly erased that off the list.

[Moviesnob]

Everything arrived the other day, and I put it all together yesterday. Everything appears to be working great, OS is installed and it all looks and sounds amazing. THanks for all your help!