$1189CDN i7 Build, feedback very much appreciated!

[Major_Tom]

Hi I'm new here and I'm relatively new to building PC's. I just can't stand stock anymore and my 8600GTS literally sucks lol. Here's the build I have so far, please critique as much as possible I want to cut as many corners as possible. My resolution is also 1680x1050 Samsung Syncmaster.

This rig will be primarily used for games with some focus on media and school.

Here is the following I am willing to get as of right now:

Gfx: Gigabyte Radeon HD 4890 1GB 850MHZ 1GB 3.8GHZ / $256.79*
Gigabyte Radeon HD 4890 1GB 850MHZ 1GB 3.8GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDTV Video Card - DirectCanada

[update]HDD:Western Digital 7200RPM 500GB 32MB SATA DUAL PROC / $79.99 - thanks for the heads upBuy Western Digital [WD5001AALS] Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc SATA 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM 5YR MFR Warranty

CPU: Intel i7 920 2.6ghz 8m / $355.99*
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=438196

RAM: OCZ 6GB Kit XTC 1600mhz DDR3 / $110.99*
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=020538&cid=RAM .346.539

MOBO: Gigabyte Ex58-UD3R / $209.28*
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/206754/Gigabyte/GA_EX58_UD3R/

Dvd-Rom Burn/read: LG GH22N530 / $25.99
http://www.swiftgamers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GH22NS30BLACK

Case: Cooler Master CM690 ?Nvidia? Edition / $87.00
http://www.directeasybuy.ca/proddetail.php?prod=CASE-CM-CM690

PSU: 610W (SLI) Pc Power and Cooling EPS12VATX / 78.13*
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/177538/PC_Power___Cooling/S61EPS/

$ Total: $1204.16* /w Mail In Rebates

Over all I think that's a pretty good cost to performance ratio, but this is the first time I'm attempting this. I hear if I'm going to be gaming with a 4890 and a i7 that my rig is going to heat up pretty quickly, should I try and get the Noctua Cooling system? I do plan to overclock.:help::help:

[Dwayne]

I don't see any after market cooling... you really need that if you plan to overclock. I like the other components though, nice picks. Maybe replace the HD with a WD Black of some kind, they are getting rave reviews and they are close in price.

[Major_Tom]

Yeah WD is getting pretty good reviews, also for the Heatsink i was thinking Noctua, but I'm not sure if the CM690 has enough space?

[Dwayne]

Originally Posted by Major_Tom

Yeah WD is getting pretty good reviews, also for the Heatsink i was thinking Noctua, but I'm not sure if the CM690 has enough space?

Your best bet is to look up a few reviews and see what they have been installing in the past. I would bet there is room, not sure if you added the side fans though. My Antec 900 has just enough room for the Vendetta 2, but when I add a side fan I have to trim the fan so it will fit.

[Major_Tom]

What is the difference between blue/black/green? HDD's?

Anyway, the best 'black' one I could find is Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

Is this a preferred make, it's only $16 more dollars but is the performance that much greater?

[Dave510]

Originally Posted by Major_Tom

What is the difference between blue/black/green? HDD's?

Anyway, the best 'black' one I could find is Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

Is this a preferred make, it's only $16 more dollars but is the performance that much greater?

Green is the one that uses the least power and runs quiet, but the lowest performance of the 3 (but not a big, if even significant, drop in performance). Blue is the mainstream one, while Black has the highest performance of the 3. I don't think it's loud, but it is louder than the other two drives.

640GB Blacks have better performance since they use 2x320GB rather than 2x250GB (and therefore higher platter density). They only cost 10 dollars more.

[Soultribunal]

Green = Efficent , slower
Blue = Balanced
Black = Performance.

Thats the Breakdown of the WD Drives, and yes it is worth it to get a Black edition WD, as they almost mirror the more expensive Raptor Drives.

Regards,
ST

[Major_Tom]

I've updated the cost of the rig due to the hard drive change. Anything else I should change or switch around or does it seem pretty spot on? Other than a heatsink or some kind of cooling solution that some one might link me to. The best I've heard of is Noctua and a couple of my buds have it in there computers. 75 bucks is alot of moneys though for one solution.

[Dazmode]

Looks good for me. Just check that case comes with enough fans installed, otherwise pick up a few extra.

I would take nVidia g-card, but that my personal preference.

[Major_Tom]

Originally Posted by Dazmode

Looks good for me. Just check that case comes with enough fans installed, otherwise pick up a few extra.

I would take nVidia g-card, but that my personal preference.

I dunno, the benchmarks aren't really telling me the same story. I really don't care which is preferred I just want the best for performance and the money and the 4890 is definitely one of the best cards in its category. Plus the 4890 scales well with overclocking which is a huge benefit to me at least.

The case comes with 5 fans in total.

Anyway, what are some recommended heat sinks that I could use preferably cheap but good quality for my i7