$1500 i7 Build, need some help :P

[Bumchoda]

Hey,
Could you guys take a look at this build that a friend and I have come up with. If there is any way to reduce the cost or even significantly improve the performance please tell us- I think we checked for compatibility, though we could have made a mistake on some parts.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before Sept. 1st, 09

BUDGET RANGE: (target) $1,500 CAD after taxes. (Maximum flexibility) $1,600 CAD after taxes. (tax: 13%)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming | Work, Photoshop, Movies, Music, Compiling

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, CD-Drive, Floppy (?),

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Any Canadian Site. Preferably, newegg.ca or tigerdirect.ca

PARTS PREFERENCES: See Build. i7 Build

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (More so than RAM, RAM not necessary)

SLI/CROSSFIRE: Yes if our choice of Video Cards are good

PC Build I have come up with:
- (CPU) Intel Core i7 920 (D0) Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CP1-I7-920

- (RAM) G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820231247

- (VGA) 2 x ATI HD 4770 (CROSSFIRE)
For some odd reason, this card has vanished from newegg or tigerdirect

- (MOBO) ASUS P6T LGA 1366 X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku= [...] ure=NCIXPC

- (CASE) Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower Black Case
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CatId=1510

- (HDD) Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822136319

- (PSU) OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817341010

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Do you think the is a good choice? For what we want, do we need to spend that much on a mother board and will it work good?

Are the 2x4770 VGA's a good choice for the price and performance?

Is the RAM any good? We aren't really looking to clock the RAM in the future.

Is the PSU any good and is the power enough for the build above?

I tried to research as much as I could about all these parts and comparing the price as well as performance (and not trying to sacrifice too much of the performance) this is what I have come up with.

Any suggestions &/ advice would be great!
Thanks

[SynCroNiz3]

Just one quick note, when clicking on the motherboard link it brings up the 4770, and the card is only available with a pre-built ncix system lol. Just thought I'd let you know.

[sswilson]

Any particular reason why you'd rather not deal with NCIX? It's up to you of course, but generally the ability to price match at NCIX (and their frequent shipping deals) makes them pretty hard to beat for price, plus if you're located outside of BC (and not in one of the provinces with HST) you'll also save the provincial sales tax.

[Bumchoda]

They will pricematch even though I am purchasing it online? How would i get a hold of a representative?

Also, what happened to the 4770s in canada? they all dissapeared!

[sswilson]

Price matching is part of the on-line ordering process. When you place your order there's an option to price match where you type in the price you've found and include a link to that price. Generally anything below a certain percentage (10 - 20%) seems to be automatically accepted by the software, anything above a certain percentage is reviewed by staff. If they can't meet your price (below their wholesale costs) they'll counter-offer with their best price. If all of your price matches are accepted the order will go through, but if they deny a PM they won't process the order until after you confirm.

As far as the 4770s go.... could be they were only a limited run here in Canada. ATI seems to have forgotten their roots.

[Junglebizz]

I don't know how many computers I have bought through NCIX (30-40?) but they have never refused a price match I have done. Top notch service from them!

[Cowboy]

Second that on NCIX...

Even if they cant match it exactly, for whatever reason, they will offer you their "best price" which is usually pretty good.
Also, they only charge 5% tax in Ontario, 13% for the maritimes, and 7% for BC... or something along those lines.

[rjbarker]

Consider NCIX and Direct Canada...why limit yourself??
Get a higher rated PSU...yes 600W is ok for now, bit in all honesty, it will limit you in the future very quickly! Go 750W - 850W...

Did you list an HSF for OC'in that 920?

[Dave510]

They've only refused my price match once. It was for the Vertex, reason was below cost. However, they had a sale just 1 week before I submitted the Price Match request for exactly the same price.

[Bumchoda]

Don't plan on getting an aftermarket CPU cooler quite yet. However, is it safe to overclock the i7 a little bit with the stock fan?

Also, excellent advice on NCIX, as of now, the price dropped $130 after shipping and tax :D.

Now is the "Express RMA" from NCIX, worth it?