New gaming system

[Alberot]

Hi all, new to these boards.

I'm planning to build myself a new gaming system and, with the help of a friend who has a little experience in building computers, I've put together a list of the parts I'm considering.

Case: Antec 1200

Motherboard: Foxconn Bloodrage

CPU: Intel i7 920

HDD: 500GB Western Digital x2

Memory: 3 x 2GB Corsair DDR3

GPU: ATI HD4850x2

DVD: Samsung

Cooling: Thermalright Ultra 120

PSU: NorthQ 850W

OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Planning to use a Razer keyboard and mouse that I already have, as well as a Sony HD TV as the display.

Only part missing is the network card for wireless as I've had a lot of issues with different ones in the past and don't really have a clue what I should go for.

I'm hoping the community here could maybe tell me if all of the above is compatible and recommend a wireless card to finish it all off. Any other comments or advice also welcome.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[glc]

Not a fan of i7, but if you must build one:

1. I prefer the Asus P6T series boards.
2. Those are server duty hard drives, WD Caviar Blacks perform better. Recommend standalone drives, not RAID.
3. I prefer Lite-On, LG, or Asus opticals.
4. No need for that CPU cooler unless you are going to be overclocking, and use of a 3rd party cooler will void the 3 year processor warranty.
5. Any idea who really builds that PSU? Never heard of that brand.

What brand and model is your wireless router? Suppport for Vista 64 can be very spotty with wireless cards. Is running a CAT 5 out of the question?

[LeftyAce]

First of all, what's your budget?

i7 is a tricky chipset to get running stable. A Core2Duo (e8500) or Core2Quad (q9550) would be a better bet depending on your budget.

[Alberot]

Thanks for the replies.

My budget is £1,500 in total, for everything, although obviously I'd like to keep it lower than that if I can.

The reasoning for the i7 and motherboard is that my friend built a system just recenty using the same pair and seems pretty happy with it. He also overclocked it to 4Ghz although I'm not sure if I even need to overclock just yet, not that far at least, but that's why the extra cooling is in the list.

Thanks for the heads up on the hard drives glc, I'm looking at this instead now: 1TB WD Caviar Black. That the one you were referring to?

As for the PSU, my friend suggested it to me (yeah I seem to be relying on his judgement quite a bit) but I have nothing holding me to that one in particular. I just want something that can do the job reliably.

My router is a Speedtouch, although I'm not sure of the exact model (it came from my ISP). And yes, unfortunately any sort of cabling to the router is impossible as my place at college only has one phone socket a long way from my room.

[glc]

Yes, I'd get one of those Blacks instead of two of those RE2's.

I think you would be better served with this PSU:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/750W-...ool-80plus-Eff

Here is a wireless adapter that has Vista 64 driver support:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...ss-PCI-Adaptor

[Khalil]

That bloodrage is a nightmare, I gave one a try, talk about bugged. Anytime I order any hardware it is always a minumum of 5, all of 5 of those boards were bugged. Go Asus. P5Q Pro with a Q9550.
For that kind of money you should be able a great gaming computer but as glc suggested an LGA775 system will serve you better. Gaming is about video cards first processors second. A fast hard drive is always very helpful. The WD blacks are best for the task.

[Alberot]

Ok well I've switched up the PSU with the one suggested and added in the wireless adaptor, thanks for the links! And it seems the general Asus support has me looking to them for a motherboard now.

I've also gone for an LG optcal drive on glc's suggestion.

Now I'm just torn between the i7 or a core2 quad and a compatible motherboard.

Will an LGA1366 board leave me with realistic upgrade options in the future? And why will LGA775 serve me better? (Sorry if they seem like stupid or lazy questions). I have tried reading around on the i7 but I'm having trouble telling the difference between facts and marketing crap. Seems some people are wary of the potential cost of future 1366 compatible CPUs?

[nicolaus corelius]

northq are usually made by enhance, a very good oem. however im not sure about that particular model.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by Alberot Ok well I've switched up the PSU with the one suggested and added in the wireless adaptor, thanks for the links! And it seems the general Asus support has me looking to them for a motherboard now. I've also gone for an LG optcal drive on glc's suggestion. Now I'm just torn between the i7 or a core2 quad and a compatible motherboard. Will an LGA1366 board leave me with realistic upgrade options in the future? And why will LGA775 serve me better? (Sorry if they seem like stupid or lazy questions). I have tried reading around on the i7 but I'm having trouble telling the difference between facts and marketing crap. Seems some people are wary of the potential cost of future 1366 compatible CPUs?

The current i7 is on its way out. There will be a new i7 and i5 built on a different platform.
Intel engineers are not happy with the current i7 because of the enormous problems and returns.
This is why we are not recomending them. We have nothing to gain, we simply like to save people the pains of an unstable platform but the bottom line it is your money, time and frustration at the end of the day.
Good luck

[glc]

Build a 775 or wait till fall for the new socket and chipset - or build an AMD.

Suggested 775 is an Asus P5Q Pro with a E8500 or Q9550 and 4gb of DDR2-800 or 1066 ram. I'll let Khalil advise you on AMD if you are interested.

[Alberot]

I see, thanks for clarifying that. And yeah I'm gonna take a look at some AMD options too, any recommendations?

[Khalil]

Yes, AMD Phenom II 955 is an amazing performer.
For a motheboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131366

[Alberot]

Thanks, I'd been looking at those two. What do you think of the Asus Crosshair III?

[Alberot]

Ok I've got a new list together now, I think I've changed every single part (besides the case) from my original plan.

Case: Antec 1200

Motherboard: Asus Crosshair III Formula OR a slightly cheaper board like Khalil suggested based on your opinions of the Crosshair (it seems to have gotten a lot of good reviews).

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black

HDD: 1TB WD Caviar Black

Memory: 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 CAS9 x2 (total of 8GB). Maybe a little excessive but it's only slightly more expensive and I'd likely end up upgrading it eventually anyway.

GPU: ATI HD4870x2 Seems the price dropped so switched that in.

Optical Drive: LG GH22NS40

PSU: 850W Corsair TX

Wireless: Asus Wireless PCI Adaptor

In total the basic hardware comes to £1,010 which I'm pretty happy with. Seems switching to AMD has saved me a good bit of money.

So would really just like to know if you think the Crosshair is worth the extra £50, bearing in mind that I likely will be overclocking at some point down the line.

[Khalil]

That will make a supreme gaming machine.

[Alberot]

Great to hear, thanks a lot for all the help.