Please critique/advise me on my new build

[squilliam]

How does everyone like this build? Any advice/critique would be greatly appreciated.

Case:
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129043

Motherboard:
ASUS P6T Deluxe
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CatId=4068

Processor:
Intel Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819115202

Video Card:
Nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX+
Newegg.ca - EVGA 512-P3-N873-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Memory:
G Skill 6GB DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black (lol, nice name, "caviar")
Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Optical Drive:
Some Samsung
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6827151171

I do have some questions,
I was looking at this PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817703009

or this one: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817139006

but is there a better one out there?

Secondly, I was looking at getting 2 more 120 mm fans, which company would everyone recommend?

Lastly, I've been hearing a lot of mixed reception to intel's stock heatsink/fan that comes with the i7's...are they really that bad and should I get an after market one?

EDIT: comes in at around $1750 CAD before tax and rebates, so let's just call it an even $1800, what do you guys think, is that a good price for this machine?

[rjbarker]

For a nice build like that I'd ditch that 9800GTX+ in favour of a 260 (216) SC, very noticeable gains!
NCIX.com - Buy EVGA E-GEFORCE GTX 260 Core 216 SC 626MHZ 896MB 2.1GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E 2XDVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card - 896-P3-1267-AR In Canada.

Everything looks good....

[rjbarker]

Oh sorry, also try and find some decent 1600Mhz Memory vs the 1333.

[chrisk]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

For a nice build like that I'd ditch that 9800GTX+ in favour of a 260 (216) SC, very noticeable gains!
NCIX.com - Buy EVGA E-GEFORCE GTX 260 Core 216 SC 626MHZ 896MB 2.1GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E 2XDVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card - 896-P3-1267-AR In Canada.

Everything looks good....

+1 on the GTX 260 core 216 card (see my sig). Rjbarker provided a link to ncix for the OC version of the card, and the exact same card is at Newegg for $312: Newegg.ca - EVGA 896-P3-1267-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Figured I would point you to that card as the rest of your gear is coming from newegg and the egg has it a little cheaper.

Evga also has a step up program in case you want to upgrade in the next 90 days so the Evga is a good choice all around.

[squilliam]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

Oh sorry, also try and find some decent 1600Mhz Memory vs the 1333.

I asked around and I'm pretty sure that the core i7 and x58 chipset can only got up to 1066 Mhz without overclocking, I don't know, I think it has something to do with the 1600 being 1.65 v and the processor only being able to handle 1.5 v

EDIT: If I do go for the 1600mhz ram, would this be a good choice?:
Newegg.ca - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

or should I go for the "Dominator" series from Corsair? as well, I was also looking at this:

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

any other companies you'd recommend?

[LCB001]

One thing to consider about the Antec 1200, it's a great case with lots of airflow but the front filters are a real pain to clean. You have to take off both side panels and undo the thumbscrews on both sides for each of the modules, if you live in a dusty appartment like I do it gets old really fast.

[squilliam]

Originally Posted by LCB001

One thing to consider about the Antec 1200, it's a great case with lots of airflow but the front filters are a real pain to clean. You have to take off both side panels and undo the thumbscrews on both sides for each of the modules, if you live in a dusty appartment like I do it gets old really fast.

I see, well that doesn't sound like a huge problem, but what other cases would you recommend?

I saw this one case in a store, it had like a gigantic 250mm fan on each side, lol, it was pretty tank...forget what it's called though.

[chrisk]

Originally Posted by squilliam

I asked around and I'm pretty sure that the core i7 and x58 chipset can only got up to 1333 Mhz without overclocking, I don't know, I think it has something to do with the 1600 being 1.65 v and the processor only being able to handle 1.5 v

QUESTION: I'm guessing that something that is "superclocked" will create a lot of heat? Or will I be fine?

oh yeah, and what is the difference between this: Newegg.ca - EVGA 896-P3-1267-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

and this:
Newegg.ca - EVGA 896-P3-1264-A3 GeForce GTX 260 SSC Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

The "Core 216" card has 216 shaders, and the regular one has 192. Certain games will work better with the extra shaders.

Basically, the Core 216 card is between the regular 260 and 280 in performance.

As for the heat, it will be a little warmer but these cards exhaust the heat out the back of the card outside the case so i would not worry about it. For the sake of $3 at newegg, the extra performance will be worth it imho.

[chrisk]

Originally Posted by squilliam

I see, well that doesn't sound like a huge problem, but what other cases would you recommend?

I saw this one case in a store, it had like a gigantic 250mm fan on each side, lol, it was pretty tank...forget what it's called though.

This case is cheaper than the 1200 and if you like the looks, is a great case:
Cooler Master HAF 932 Case Review

Reviewed on this site and is on my short list of cases. The power supply options, space, cable management, hole in the MB tray for cooler installation, and the huge fans are all exceptional options on this case.

You can get at canada Computers for about $175

[squilliam]

Originally Posted by chriskwarren

Reviewed on this site and is on my short list of cases. The power supply options, space, cable management, hole in the MB tray for cooler installation, and the huge fans are all exceptional options on this case.

You can get at canada Computers for about $175

wow, looks impressive..and it even offers the ability for integrated water cooling? I just might buy this case