Looking for opinions and suggestions on new system build.

Hello, I am new to these forums and I was hoping you guys could give me some opinions and suggestions on the new system I am planning to build. I am a freelance Interactive Designer and my current system has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time. Last week during a project it finally decided to give up and throw in the towel, so it needs to be replaced ASAP.

I have been out of the PC building field for quite some time. I have done a little research in the last few days, but ultimately I am still behind, so I would really appreciate some input from you guys.

Without further delay, let's get onto the system. I am also using Win7 Ultimate 64bit for this build.


Case

Cooler Master ATCS 840 -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187
Corsair Obsidian Series 800D -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001

This decision has been the hardest for me. I have read multiple reviews and just can't decide, opinions on either of these is extremely appreciated.


CPU

Intel Core i7 - 920 Bloomfield -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

From what I have read it is pointless and a waste of money to buy the higher end 1366 processors. I will just OC this to a 4.0 and call it a day.


Heat Sink

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

To be honest, I am not an expect when it comes to heat sinks. I have picked this one up per Maximum PC's recommendation.


Motherboard

Asus P6X58D Premium -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

I personally have always liked Asus when its came to motherboards. I haven't done extensive research into what other companies are currently offering and I really like the fact that USB 3.0 is on this board.


Power Supply

Corsair 750HX -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

I really like the modular connectors with this power supply, but I don't really know if they are worth it...for $10 less I could get an 850. I haven't had experience with modular connectors, but it seems like a great way to get rid of clutter in my case.


SSD

Intel X25-M 80GB -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023

With the introduction of SSDs it pointless to build a new system without one for my OS and programs. This will mostly house Win7 and Adobe CS. There are tons of different companies offering SSDs and I really don't know who to go with. I have heard good things about this one, but I am very open to suggestions.


Storage HDD

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

I have chosen to grab a few of these from their review with Maximum PC. According to the review they were the fastest 1TB drive at the time. If these is a new king of the TB drives I would love to know about it, larger HDDs are also an option.


RAM

Corsair Dominator 6 x 2GB 1600 -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

RAM has been another big question for me, I will probably go with Corsair just because of my track record with them. Is it worth dropping the extra $ to get the Dominator series over the standard XMS? Is there a big difference with OCing the RAM in Win7?


Video Card

Radeon HD 5770 -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103086

I have decided just to go with this card for the time being. It will be enough to hold me over until I can drop the $ for a 5970. I just can't decide on who's card to buy. There are around 15 5770s on Newegg. I personally have no attachment to any of the companies so a suggestion would be nice here.


Sound Card?

From what I have read the sound card market has dried up and died. Has on board sound really came this far or have I just been looking towards the wrong sources? Opinions here would be great.


I think that about sums it up. I want to thank you guys in advance for anything suggestions. Have a great night.

-Zach

looks good to me..

case: dont know much about the CM, but the corsair is supose to be the ****!, from what i have read a fan upgrade is not a bad idea.

CPU: the 930 come on the 28th not sure if you want to wait and see how that OCs

Heatsink: i would go with ultra 120 or the noctua, both great and cool very well.

all good choices almost the same system i just built but i would go with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227469
for a SSD much faster write times and has great support,im pretty sure the intel ssd has trim support now so im sure it would be fine.

i agree with jazon, i personaly have not used one but i have see some AWESOME benches with that drive.

Thanks for the input so far guys. I will have to look into the i7 930. I can pick up a 920 from from Microcenter for $200, we'll have to see how the 930 compares to that. If its close it might be worth the upgrade.

That SDD looks very nice too, almost twice the write speed. I will definitely have to look into incorporating that into the system. I need to decide if it's worth $20 more and a loss of 20GB compared to the Intel OEM drive.


From the case standpoint, they both have their good and bad points. I just can't make up my mind.

The ATCS 840 has better stock cooling and I like the solid side panel door (I'm not 18 anymore and I could care less about showing off my flashy LEDs inside my case.)

The 800D has great wire management and hot swap SATA drives. But if I went with this case I would need to purchase some after market coolers and possibly a solid side panel for it.


I would really like to hear from someone who has owned either of these cases to give me an owner's perspective. Once again thanks for the input so far.

liquid349 said:

Thanks for the input so far guys. I will have to look into the i7 930. I can pick up a 920 from from Microcenter for $200, we'll have to see how the 930 compares to that. If its close it might be worth the upgrade.

That SDD looks very nice too, almost twice the write speed. I will definitely have to look into incorporating that into the system. I need to decide if it's worth $20 more and a loss of 20GB compared to the Intel OEM drive.


From the case standpoint, they both have their good and bad points. I just can't make up my mind.

The ATCS 840 has better stock cooling and I like the solid side panel door (I'm not 18 anymore and I could care less about showing off my flashy LEDs inside my case.)

The 800D has great wire management and hot swap SATA drives. But if I went with this case I would need to purchase some after market coolers and possibly a solid side panel for it.


I would really like to hear from someone who has owned either of these cases to give me an owner's perspective. Once again thanks for the input so far.

Click to expand...

acutely look again at the OCZ SSD its $60 cheaper well $80 after mail in rebate

So, I finally picked up a few of the pieces for this system. I grabbed the Cooler Master ATCS 840, Intel i7 920 D0, Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme, and a Corsair TX850.

@jazon1 - I was actually refering to the Intel X25-M OEM edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016). Last week it was only $219.99. Makes my decision easier now that it's $290. I'm really disappointed that I missed the sale on the 30GB OCZ Vertex (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393.) I wouldn't have minded throwing a few of those in a Raid 0.

I was wondering if I could get some input on the Ultra-120 eXtreme. I am interested in making it a push/pull fan system, does anyone have a suggestion for a fan? If not I'll just purchase the same model from Thermalright.

Will probably be placing an order for an Asus P6X58D Premium, 6GB Corsair Dominator 1600, XFX Radeon 5770, OCZ Vextex Turbo 60GB, and a couple Samsung Spinpoint F3s, unless someone has a suggestion on any of those parts. I have heard Gigabyte has a good motherboard that rivals the P6X58D, I personally haven't read anything about it.

Thanks again for the input guys.

liquid349 said:

So, I finally picked up a few of the pieces for this system. I grabbed the Cooler Master ATCS 840, Intel i7 920 D0, Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme, and a Corsair TX850.

@Jazon1 - I was actually refering to the Intel X25-M OEM edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016). Last week it was only $219.99. Makes my decision easier now that it's $290. I'm really disappointed that I missed the sale on the 30GB OCZ Vertex (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393.) I wouldn't have minded throwing a few of those in a Raid 0.

I was wondering if I could get some input on the Ultra-120 eXtreme. I am interested in making it a push/pull fan system, does anyone have a suggestion for a fan? If not I'll just purchase the same model from Thermalright.

Will probably be placing an order for an Asus P6X58D Premium, 6GB Corsair Dominator 1600, XFX Radeon 5770, OCZ Vextex Turbo 60GB, and a couple Samsung Spinpoint F3s, unless someone has a suggestion on any of those parts. I have heard Gigabyte has a good motherboard that rivals the P6X58D, I personally haven't read anything about it.

Thanks again for the input guys.

Click to expand...

yea i looked at that giga too http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128413
its a nice looking board but i dont know anyone who has one yeat as most are going with the asus boards.