researching an I7 build - need opinions

[quikgp]

BEWARE! LONG WINDED POST! SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO GET TO THE POINT!!!! LOL



so I'm in the process of planning out my I7 Build, and I figured I'm probably going to have to start from the ground up, but to give you guys an idea of what I'm looking for and why I might seem a bit ridiculous, my last build went like this:

original purchases:
-thermaltake soprano case
-corsair 520HX
-4gb Muskin ddr2 1066
-500gb wd hd
-Asus P5Q-LE
-Intel Q6600
-Sapphire 4850 (reference card)
-20" samsung 206bw
-OCZ vendetta 2

Now, after I finished that build and started using/overclocking, within about 2 months this is what my system changed to:
-Thermaltake soprano
-Asus Maximus formula 2 motherboard
-corsair 620HX
-4 gb Mushkin ddr2 1066
-500gb wd hd
-intel q6600
-Sapphire 4850 (Reference card)
-zalmaan gpu cooler (9500? I think thats the number)
-Palit 4850 sonic edition
-NZXT dual bay fan controller
-2x black ice gt 120 rads
-apogee gtz block
-swiftech northbridge block
-3.5" bay resovior
-swiftech mcr355 pump
-20" samsung 206BW

(6 months later) Now my system consists of:
-Coolermaster Cosmos S
-Asus Maximus formula 2 motherboard
-corsair 620HX
-4 gb Mushkin ddr2 1066
-500gb wd hd
-intel q6600
-Sapphire 4850 (reference card)
-zalmaan gpu cooler (9500? I think thats the number)
-Palit 4850 sonic edition
-Scythe Kaze 5.25" bay fan controller
-1x swiftech 320 QP rad
-apogee gtz block
-swiftech northbridge block
-swiftech micro res v1
-swiftech mcr355 pump
-26" samsung 2693HX

SO in a really long winded way, what I'm trying to say is: I WENT CHEAP AT FIRST AND REGRETED IT. I hated my motherboard, I couldnt overclock due to cheap motherboard and heat issues. my case was really small for incorporating a watercooling loop, so I ended up paying almost double to get what i wanted in the end.

So I'd like to hear what people think I should use/keep for my build, what they recommend etc.

So far the only things that Im set on getting are:
-intel I7 920
-Corsair 1000HX

which leaves me needing:
-gpu - use the 2 4850s? or get new ones?
-motherboard: recommendations?
-ram: DDR3 recommendations?

I dont want to break the bank on this upgrade, but I will pay more to get a better product that will leave me with options in the future and is more dependable. (ie I dont care to have a $1000 cpu, or a nvidia 295, but I'll fork out $400 for a mobo if it means I can push my cpu 1/2 ghz farther)

[magictorch]

I guess for the mainboard there was a used EVGA X58 here for sale. I bought an EVGA X58 A1 2nd hand here as well and was kind of skeptical after reading mixed reviews. After using it for a few weeks now I'm very very pleased with it and overclocking it to 3.8 has been effortless. Trying for more soon. Plus the 24/7 tech support is really good.

There are also rumours of more X58 boards on the way. Out of the current ones I'd also think about the mini-rampage and the DFI X58 flagship.

For RAM I'm using the Mushkin XP 7,7,7,24 kit and they've been great to work with so far.

As for the GPU's thats more tricky-there are rumors of more powerful GPU's in June. Personally I'm using a pair of 4870's and have found they pack more punch in Win 7 on the i7 platform-i.e. averaging 83fps in farcry 2 benchmark (DX9 maxed out) at 3.8~13fps over my previous X38 best. That said right now I'd aim for a strong single card (280/285)...... with a psu like that who cares if they use more power than the weaker 275.

[quikgp]

Originally Posted by magictorch

I guess for the mainboard there was a used EVGA X58 here for sale. I bought an EVGA X58 A1 2nd hand here as well and was kind of skeptical after reading mixed reviews. After using it for a few weeks now I'm very very pleased with it and overclocking it to 3.8 has been effortless. Trying for more soon. Plus the 24/7 tech support is really good.

There are also rumours of more X58 boards on the way. Out of the current ones I'd also think about the mini-rampage and the DFI X58 flagship.

I was looking at the evga. Looks like a decent board.
I am also very keen on Asus. I love their boards, but I dont understand why the rampage gene is $200 cheaper than the Rampage extreme. only difference I can recall is extra PCI slots, which unfortunately is a must at my resolution....damn 26" monitor...I love it

[ImmaPC]

I've got the EVGA X58 SLI and it's an excellent board for the price nowadays, I bought mine on sale at NCIX I think it was for about $300 but it's a dream to OC. If you really dont want to go cheap you could take the Rampage II or the X58 Classified, but those might be too high-end (they're easily $450+)

For RAM, just get any DDR3. Of course, if you're OCing and want to be an enthusiast you might want to invest in some of those Elpida chips that can do DDR3-2000 @ 7-8-7-20, but then again its like $400 for a 6GB set of that stuff. Otherwise, just some DDR3-1600 will be fine, maybe 1866 but that's really pushing it.

4850CF is basically a GTX285, but it takes up two slots and again isn't supported by all games. I would sell them and put that money towards one or maybe 2 275's (1 275 costs like $275-ish, and can almost reach a GTX285)

[quikgp]

Originally Posted by magictorch

For RAM I'm using the Mushkin XP 7,7,7,24 kit and they've been great to work with so far.

From personal experience I love mushkin. They are super reliable. I've never had a set go bad on me, and they have always overclocked, and done so stable. That being said I've always felt like they don't overclock as high as other brands. Does this hold true for DDR3?

[quikgp]

Originally Posted by ImmaPC

I've got the EVGA X58 SLI and it's an excellent board for the price nowadays, I bought mine on sale at NCIX I think it was for about $300 but it's a dream to OC. If you really dont want to go cheap you could take the Rampage II or the X58 Classified, but those might be too high-end (they're easily $450+)

For RAM, just get any DDR3. Of course, if you're OCing and want to be an enthusiast you might want to invest in some of those Elpida chips that can do DDR3-2000 @ 7-8-7-20, but then again its like $400 for a 6GB set of that stuff. Otherwise, just some DDR3-1600 will be fine, maybe 1866 but that's really pushing it.

4850CF is basically a GTX285, but it takes up two slots and again isn't supported by all games. I would sell them and put that money towards one or maybe 2 275's (1 275 costs like $275-ish, and can almost reach a GTX285)

There are games out there that support SLI, but not X-fire?

[Flasker]

Originally Posted by quikgp

From personal experience I love mushkin. They are super reliable. I've never had a set go bad on me, and they have always overclocked, and done so stable. That being said I've always felt like they don't overclock as high as other brands. Does this hold true for DDR3?

The new Redlines overclock like crazy, you will not be disappointed.

Newegg has them in stock
Newegg.ca - mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

or if you want the Ascents with the better heatspreader, CanadaComputers has them
Canada Computers - Memory > Desktop Memory > DDR3 1600 PC3-12800+ : Mushkin Redline Ascent 6GB(3x2GB) 240-pin XP3-12800 DDR3-1600MHz, (6-7-6-18) Triple Channel Kit (998692).

[quikgp]

is it really worth the money to jump from the $300 boards to the $500 boards?

[futures]

Originally Posted by quikgp

is it really worth the money to jump from the $300 boards to the $500 boards?

My two cents for what its worth..

My home systems are AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 with EVGA 9800GTX+ can play most games in high to decent settings.

Your system kills mine...

You said you felt as if you messed up and ended up paying double.. learn from the error of your ways and hold off for the 32nm Gulftown 6 core LGA1366 CPU :)

Search the forum and read my post regarding X58 B3 stepping if you want further reasons to hold off a little..

P.S... looking to sell your Cosmos S :)

[quikgp]

Originally Posted by futures

My two cents for what its worth..

My home systems are AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 with EVGA 9800GTX+ can play most games in high to decent settings.

Your system kills mine...

You said you felt as if you messed up and ended up paying double.. learn from the error of your ways and hold off for the 32nm Wolftown 6 core LGA1366 CPU :)

Search the form and read my post regardinb X58 B3 stepping if you want further reasons to hold off a little..

P.S... looking to sell your Cosmos S :)

LOL I love my Cosmos S! so sorry, its not for sale :P