I7 rig

[Aaron_8015]

Okay I know how much you guys like doing this

My uncle wants a new computer he i running a p3 1ghz with 128mb ram so he finally thinks its time to upgrade

Budget is about $3000 but the cheaper you can get it without killing performance will be nice....

He wants a couple of screens 24"+ which needs to fit into the budget.

He would like something fast for editing, multi-tasking, a little gaming. Large storage is a must! (at least 1tb) Will need a case, also add in a cpu cooler as I plan to overclock it.

Thanks muchly

[I have a basic list will post with links shortly]

[KarmaKiller]

Newegg.com - Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
$56

Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
$289
(or you can go to Tankguys and get the better stepping D0 for slightly more)

Newegg.com - Foxconn BloodRage GTI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$235
or
Newegg.com - EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$270
or
Newegg.com - Foxconn BloodRage LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$289
(all depending on how far you want to clock)

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$90

Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Power Supplies
$100 ($70 after MIR with free flash drive)

Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$250

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
$65 free shipping

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
$105
(personally, I'd get a 640Gb Black edition for a main boot drive, then use the 1Tb for storage and such.)

Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) 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±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
$25 (free shipping)

Newegg.com - Acer H233Hbmid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM) Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors
$200 x2
(look at the specs)

----------------------------------------
Total: $1650 with no rebates/shipping factored in.(used the price of the EVGA board) With 2x LCD's. Really there is no need to spend anymore then that, that will handle everything you could ever throw at it. If your really gonna be clocking, you'd benefit from a water setup, which is still well within your budget.
Whatta think.

[Aaron_8015]

Wow cheers karma All looks good will proberly go with bigger lcd's though (I would get one of those personaly). Most likely be going with the evga board as I had that on the list anyways.

Water cooling would be a valid option, but I dont know much about it other than you saying the kits are useless and buying the pump, reservoir etc seperately is always best. I want to try and get atleast 3.7Ghz

Does that PSU have enough room for one (or mabye 2 (which is proberly going to need 1kw)) more 275 in the future?

The idea of the 3k budget was for however less I get it, the more I get towards my i7 system

[KarmaKiller]

Hmm, well 3.7Ghz is doable on air with the D0 stepping for sure. The older stepping it's possible, but no promises.

If you want me to make a water setup list I can, no issues.
And that PSU will support only one 275. I wouldn't put 2 on it personally.

(so you get a I7 rig to?)

[Aaron_8015]

A watercooling list would be great thanks

(so you get a I7 rig to?)

Yea he will buy me an I7, we are gonna get 6x2gb so I can have half and I am looking at that evga mobo for myself

[EXreaction]

You read any reviews of that Foxconn motherboard?

[H] Enthusiast - Foxconn BloodRage Motherboard

I don't think specs like that are at all anything like what is needed from what you said to start. A little gaming != GTX 275, even if you have $3k to spend.

[Aaron_8015]

I don't think specs like that are at all anything like what is needed from what you said to start. A little gaming != GTX 275, even if you have $3k to spend.

He does a little gaming now but his hardware has limited the games he can play. After I get this build going (which will be purchased in 2 weeks) he has the choice of a wider selection....

Ultimately he wants it to last a few years....

[KarmaKiller]

I'm making the list from Jab-tech, overall they are slightly cheaper then petras.
I want to point out, there are TONS of variables in water setups. Depending on what your cooling, how loud you can tolerate it, how your mounting it, etc.
There are RADS that are made to perform better under low/medium speed fans. (quiet fans) Then there are rads that are made for high pressure fans (loud fans).
Not only that, you can add in different res configs, fittings, tubing, etc. So this is by no means an all inclusive list.
Personally, I like to keep all my water goodies internal. Just so nothing gets bumped or knocked out of place, etc. But that depends on what case you get. There are cases made to fit internal 240mm/360mm RADS. So there are A TON of different options.

Block: Swiftech Apogee GTZ Extreme Performance CPU Waterblock
+
Swiftech Apogee GTZ Core i7 Hold down plate

Pump: Swiftech MCP 355 12v DC Pump
+
XSPC - Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC

Rad: Swiftech MCR320-QP-K Triple 120mm Radiator
(made for low/medium speed fans)

Fans: Scythe "ULTRA KAZE" 120 x 38 mm Case Fan - Medium - 2000rpm
(these are great fans for RADS. They provide LOTS of pressure. And you can do 3 or 6 depending on what your cooling)

Again, there are lots of things you can change. I like the pump/res combo in one. There is less tubing you have to run. Plus takes up less room in your case also.

[ShyguyXPC]

Karma, also not sure if you noticed (latest Evga email) their releasing the 1.7GB GTX 275's as well... one of those should be very sweet for high res images/displays.

Newegg.com - EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR GeForce GTX 275 1792MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

[Aaron_8015]

Karma, also not sure if you noticed (latest Evga email) their releasing the 1.7GB GTX 275's as well... one of those should be very sweet for high res images/displays.

Newegg.com - EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR GeForce GTX 275 1792MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Thanks Shy will proberly go with one of those then. The only real undecided factor is the case as he is very picky so he is off hunting for one he likes.....

[cksboy15]

Thanks Shy will proberly go with one of those then. The only real undecided factor is the case as he is very picky so he is off hunting for one he likes.....

I've been looking at cases myself because the logo on my xion 2 case is flickering. well the x is at least. Maybe I should stop using hand-me-down computer parts.

well anyway I like the way this one looks Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Sirius ATX-701WS Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

[Aaron_8015]

^^^That case looks okay but from the pictures it looks like you have to leave the front open just to let the air in which is kinda stupid. Will proberly pass on it. Been looking at the thermaltake armour case.

Newegg.com - Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Looks nice also has alot of room (which would be good if he goes for water cooling) and from pictures fairly good cable management, but as im overclocking the I7 and most likely graphics card a little too I want as much air as possible to be able to enter.

[KarmaKiller]

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER COSMOS S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Both of those cases you can fit an internal 260mm rad in.
But by far, the best case for a water setup is the TJ-0x series. My personal favorite is the TJ-07
Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE TJ07-BW Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
But it's pricey.

[cksboy15]

^^^That case looks okay but from the pictures it looks like you have to leave the front open just to let the air in which is kinda stupid. Will proberly pass on it. Been looking at the thermaltake armour case.

the front vent had me wondering to. I was thinking that if i bought it i would cut out the bottom lip thingy.

I would get the mid tower version of that armor case because its cheaper. They both look pretty much the same too.

[ShyguyXPC]

I have the original Armor case with the optional side fan, and love it, so not saying its not a good case or anything, but I know many of Coolermasters cases are also good for air flow, cable management and room.

one I love of theirs and would get if I had the money, as well as if my i7 mobo was a SLI capable one (and had 1 or more Nvidia cards instead of the ATI cards), is this one

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 NVIDIA Edition NV-830-KKN4-GP Black ( Green Mesh) Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

I only wish Coolermaster had the rights to do an ATI themed case as well, they have an nvidia themed 690 case as well. but no ATI themed case


not sure though if that case has any Watercooling tubing holes in the back at all?

[cksboy15]

not sure though if that case has any Watercooling tubing holes in the back at all?

i would of drilled my own...

[Aaron_8015]

Well as I said at the begining price is not a real problem If he likes it and does the job well he doesnt mind paying for it.

The first case karma linked to is nice and will be considered....

That nvidia stacker also looks good, the green and nvidia logos are a nice touch. Im not object to drilling holes in it..... (most likely will leave the watercooling inside though as he does have kids)

[KarmaKiller]

I have a stacker 830 (same as the one shy posted, but different colors) and I gotta say, it's really a awesome case, but not for water coolers IMO.
I have a triple rad in mine, but I couldn't find a better place to put it without heavly modding the case. So I just sat it on the bottom of the case.
The Coolermaster 690 was actually easier to put the triple rad in, because it was easy to mount to the top.
Pics are worth a 1000 word right?


compared to



(I should also mention setup of the stacker took ~3-4hours longer then the 690)
And just for another comparison, I found a pic of the TJ-07 with a liquid system in it.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...k/DSC00641.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6609/pc2e.jpg

See the difference?

[Aaron_8015]

Pics are worth a 1000 word right?

Yes they are.....

That TJ-07 looks like it has alot more room in it when you see components in there. (especially down the bottom)

So that is the new fav. Will be deciding between that and armour case (wether or not he will be having watercooling)

Im still open to suggestions of anything else....

I will most likely take pics of the building/finished product when he gets paid in a couple of weeks...

Already ordered one of those monitors karma linked to just to give it a whirl and see if its big enough. If not he wants 3.....

Edit:- Just to add your comp looks kewl.......^^^

[KarmaKiller]

Thanks.

Those monitors are great from what I've seen of them. My bro ordered one a couple weeks ago, and it looked pretty nice. (only saw WoW on it though)

Just the setup of the TJ makes it superior to most cases if you water cool, IMO of course. There are a hand full of others I can probably dig up if you want some more options.