New System for Christmas - Gaming/i7 core

[Make Melodic]

Hello, I am new here as you could probably tell by my now 1 post. I have been here before looking at reviews and bits of information.

Now first off I currently have an old P4 (Single core) 2.99Ghz CPU setup with a radeon 9800 pro that has burnt out so now I have decided to finally get a new system that I would be using for gaming, and would like little limitations so I can play newer games with my friends. I plan to buy everything with this setup new mouse/keyboard, monitor etc.

The way I see it is I wanted to get an intel i7 and an 1366 socket mobo and if needed upgrade around it as looking it seems the new i7's are pretty cheap for new CPU's, and I read that the i7 620 2.66ghz you can OC (If needed) so I don't plan to get anything higher.

Well here is the setup (sorry for the long read.)

Case:Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower ATX Case - $173.99
PSU: Corsair TX Series CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX 12V 60A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - $147.99
PCU: Intel Core i7 920 Quad-Core Socket LGA1366, 2.66Ghz, 4.8GT/s FSB, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm - $949.99
Mobo: Asus P6T Deluxe Socket 1366 Intel X58 + ICH10R Chipset Crossfie / 2-WaySLI Dual-Channel Triple-Channel DDR3 1600oc/1333/1066Mhz 2x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 Dual GigaLAN 8-CH HD Audio 6x SATA 3.0Gb/s
Ram: Patriot Viper Series Tri-Channel DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz 3GB (3x1GB) CL 9-9-9-24 Eased Latency DIMM Kit
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATAII 7200RPM 32MB Cache - $81.99
Video Card: BFG GeForce 9800GTX+ OC - $239.99
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8 (RR-UV8-XBU1-GP) for Intel Socket 1366/775 (LGA1366 Bracket Included) & AMD Socket AM2/940/939/754 - $81.99
DvD/RW/CDRW Drive: LG GH22NS30 Black SATA DVD-Writer 22xDVD+R/-R 8xDVD+RW/6xDVD-RW 16xDVD+R DL 12xDVD-R DL 48x CD-R 32xCD-RW OEM - $29.49
Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 2253BW Black 22" Widescreen LCD - 1680x1050, 2ms, 8000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 300cd/m2 - $199.99
Mouse: Microsoft Habu Gaming Mouse - $60.99
Keyboard: Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard - $56.99
Headset: SteelSeries 5H V2 USB Gaming Headset - Black - $119.99
Windows Vista: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit - $249.99
Soundcard: Creative Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme audio - $46.99

Total - estimated 2,750.00 (Taxes/shipping included) I will also after opening everything get a nice $90 rebate!
Advice on PSU needed, I have no idea what wattage I would need to run this setup, so I have went with what I thought would be good.

And I would like to ask for your advice on pretty much all of it, are there things that maybe I could get for cheaper that is pretty much the same just not a big name brand. I plan to play the newer games as well as older games. I decided to go with a 9800GTX+ OC instead of an GTX260 because of price. I have a $2,800 limit Could push $3,000 but I would rather have to upgrade things like the video card later.

I am buying this from CanadaComputers.com, and I will probably buy it off them online all at once for taxes purpose and they have promotional offers when buying online.


(The Mobo, i7 920 and RAM are part of a bundle. for $949.99, that is why I have the price only on the processor.) I also plan to put this together myself, It is something I have always wanted to do for many reasons.

For those of you who have read it and for those of you who will post advice I thank you in advanced.

[sswilson]

If you jump right now newegg.ca has a killer deal on a 4870. (Basically the same price as your 9800GTX+).

[Supergrover]

Soundcard: Creative Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme audio - $46.99

A complete POS, aside from the point that I hate Creatives software and drivers this card sounds as good as onboard, what are your audio demands? Gaming, music, movies? How many speakers? 2, 4.1, 5.1, headphones?

Mouse: Microsoft Habu Gaming Mouse - $60.99
Keyboard: Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard - $56.99

I don't like the Habu, what is your style when holding a mouse? With your fingertips?like a clew or more of a Palm-on type? How you hold the mouse will tell alot of what mouse to point you in. Keyboards, theres alot more nicer KB than that out there IMO Saltek, g15 springs to mind.

DvD/RW/CDRW Drive: LG GH22NS30 Black SATA DVD-Writer 22xDVD+R/-R 8xDVD+RW/6xDVD-RW 16xDVD+R DL 12xDVD-R DL 48x CD-R 32xCD-RW OEM - $29.49

I swear by my Pioneer dvr-216 it has yet to burn a coaster, A Sammy would be my second choice.

I would pricematch everything at NCIX since I believe that monitor comes with free shipping for entire order.

[3.0charlie]

The TX750W is more than enough for your build; as for the 9800GTX+ OC, I recommend you go for a 260GTX (216). If your old 9800Pro lasted that long, I would shell out the funds needed for a 260GTX.

[Squeetard]

^^What they said X2.
The x-fi xtreme uses the old audigy chip, it's crap.
Get a logitech g5 or G9 mouse
Go for a gtx 260 216.

[Make Melodic]

I prefer standard style mice, I use for FPS mainly.
For the keyboard I Just wanted something basic, I am actually looking at a few.
I have a 2 speaker setup for music, but would use the Steelseries 5HV2 USB headset (It has a soundcard built in, but was not sure if Soundblaster X-FI extreme audio was better or not)
As for the Pioneer Dvr-216D It is practically the same price so I think I'll take your word and go for it instead.

I am actually thinking it would be a better investment for the 260GTX because the price isnt that much different like maybe $60.

And I did price match with Ncix, they where my first pick for any site but sadly I am getting a lower price at canadacomputers for it all in bulk, that is though ncix usually has really great deals so it really depends on the day I process the order what site is going for cheapest.

Thank you for the feedback, I am still looking around at different sites seeing what is best and I wont be purchasing for another week or so. and I'll keep checking this thread.

[Supergrover]

A USB Headset will bypass your soundcard if I am not mistaken. So just stick to the onboard IMO, plus you can always get a soundcard at a later date.

You do Know what I mean when I say Pricematch right? NCIX FORUMS - How do you price match with NCIX

[Evylldemon]

I agree about dropping the sound card.

Get a GTX 260 Core 216. I got one of these a couple weeks ago and it was awesome. Alternatively NCIX has the GTX 280 on sale for $350 right now which is a pretty crazy deal.

$950 for the CPU Mobo and Ram seems high consdering you are only getting 3GB of DDR3-1333. I priced my 920 + GA-EX58 + 6GB DDR3-1333 for $850.

Good choice on PSU, i just ordered one last night. Again NCIX has a better price ($134 -$20 MIR)

For the Heatsink I ordered a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme. I've heard unanimous reviews saying this was the best LGA1366 cooler available atm and it's roughly the same price $79.

Also do you really need Vista Ultimate? Home premium 64-bit should give you everything you need for half the price.


I always order my stuff through NCIX especially with the PMing function. I've never had a PM denied. My roommate likes CanadaComputers so I'm sure they are a good company to order from. In the end just go wherever you can get the best deal. Usually it's NCIX in my experience.

[Make Melodic]

Sorry, I was completely oblivious to the pricematch. as you can guess I just myself matched prices.

Anyway it would be cheaper actually and I would be able to get a BFG GTX260 MAXCORE OC with the system.
I wont be buying the soundcard I'll wait.

All for $2,638.15.
I havent tried but could I pricematch with different sites? IE newegg, canadacomputers. etc mixing and matching the prices until I get what I want? this would make it even cheaper I would assume.

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by Make Melodic

Sorry, I was completely oblivious to the pricematch. as you can guess I just myself matched prices.

Anyway it would be cheaper actually and I would be able to get a BFG GTX260 MAXCORE OC with the system.
I wont be buying the soundcard I'll wait.

All for $2,638.15.
I havent tried but could I pricematch with different sites? IE newegg, canadacomputers. etc mixing and matching the prices until I get what I want? this would make it even cheaper I would assume.

Yep, you can mix & match pricematch from any Canadian websites. The price compare link up top is quite handy for that..... :)

Keep in mind though that they'll only match the pre-MIR price, and that the item must be in stock. (Direct Canada is often a good place to look for prices.... :) ).