Need Advice on a i7 $2800 budget build

[MrBear09]

I've finally come up with the money for a new build, and I need some help with a few things.

Corsair Obsidian 800D or Cooler Master ATCS 840 (love them both alot i cant choose)
Core i7 920
XFX 850W Black Edition (Would go with HX850 But with the color scheme im going with the XFX works better)
DFI LP UT X58-T3eH8
Corsair XMS3 6GB 3x2GB DDR3-1600
2x Seagate 7200.12 1TB drives (86.99/each at memexpress)

SSD and Graphics cards ??
This is were I need help. For the SSD, I really have no clue, ive heard good things about the intel x-25M and OCZ Vertex, I also like the Patriot Torqx. I would like something that has 100+GB of storage.

As for the graphics cards, my original plan before the release of the 5870 was 2x XFX GTX 285's in SLI, but now im not sure because the 5870 is clearly better, but Im not a huge fan of ATI (just my preference) and would probably like to wait for the new Nvidia cards, but Don't want to wait on buying the whole computer. Should I just buy a cheaper solution and wait it out? or go for the 285's?

Thanks for the help in advance!!

[Overclocker~4.1]

Correct me if i'm wrong. but 2 285's would only be about $150-$200 more then the single Ati card? and out perform the single card... I'm set on 2 285's myself, but i'm going to try and get them second hand. (lots of people are prolly going to be going to the 5870 soon, mide as well cash in)

[MrBear09]

ah sorry if i confused you, but in terms of the single vs the 2 gtx 285s, it would be 2 5870's in crossfire vs the 2 GTX 285s and i know the 5870s in crossfire would be better for only a bit more (seeing 5870's for about $430, and ive seen the gtx 285s for 390) but, im not a fan of ati myself, and would probably want to wait for the new nvidia cards, but they are still a ways from release.
as for buying the cards second hand, thats not a bad idea, might look into that.

[MrBear09]

just want to know, my friend just told me he has a patriot SSD, and that he cannot install his operating system onto it? is that like with every SSD? i thought the main reason for getting one was for OS boot time, and main program loading times.

[martin_metal_88]

Originally Posted by MrBear09

just want to know, my friend just told me he has a patriot SSD, and that he cannot install his operating system onto it? is that like with every SSD? i thought the main reason for getting one was for OS boot time, and main program loading times.

There is 2 choice for this issue.
1 : your friend have a defective SSD.
2: your friend have fail rock solid and he forget to initialize the drive before.

For the card go with the 5870. If you wait like 800$ of Nvidia now when new card will be out they will probably be priced higher again like 700 or 800 forthe best of the line XD Nvidia price tag are ridiculous IMO. Get a 120GB vertex, they are good, I know that intel are better but I don't really know the price tag. For the case, I have a ATCS 840BK and I would definitely tell you, go with the corsair. ATCS is a awesome case but 800D is outstanding everything that ever come out with cool think like a WTH cable management:) I just like this case so much! Or buy it and trade it to me with my ATCS

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[odis172]

wait, did you just use "$2800" and "budget build" in the same sentence?

Looks like a nice build, I say go for the ati cards, 5870 looks amazing

[MrBear09]

lol yes, budget build because 2800 is my budget :)

The only problem i hesitate with the 800D is airflow, it just doesnt look like you get enough with just one intake on the bottom, i know i will have 3 fans up top exhausting and will probably change the rear exhaust fan but will it really be enough to keep an overclocked system 3.8-4ghz hopefully that will run around the clock for at least a week at a time?

And would you choose the vertex over the torqx? ive heard good things about em both but dont know enough about em, and what do you mean by initialize the drive before hand? Ive never used an ssd before.

and yeah i think i might end up getting 1 5870 for now, and see what happens, sell it off later if i want to get newer cards or whatever

[steers]

Originally Posted by MrBear09

lol yes, budget build because 2800 is my budget :)

The only problem i hesitate with the 800D is airflow, it just doesnt look like you get enough with just one intake on the bottom, i know i will have 3 fans up top exhausting and will probably change the rear exhaust fan but will it really be enough to keep an overclocked system 3.8-4ghz hopefully that will run around the clock for at least a week at a time?

And would you choose the vertex over the torqx? ive heard good things about em both but dont know enough about em, and what do you mean by initialize the drive before hand? Ive never used an ssd before.

and yeah i think i might end up getting 1 5870 for now, and see what happens, sell it off later if i want to get newer cards or whatever

Airflow in the Obsidian is pretty decent. I'm running on stock air cooling right now, with 3x 68cfm Panaflos up top as exhaust, and with the rear fan flipped around as an intake, and my CPU temps are something like 48 idle/65 gaming (haven't done a stress test for a 100% load temp yet, but I mean come on, it's the stock heatsink). The GTX 275 superclocked is more like 41 idle/85 gaming (40% fan, batman AA, 1920x1200, max). Those temps aren't great, but I plan on water cooling anyway. Might get a bit toasty if you are going with a multi-card setup, but I'm not really sure.

I went with the Vertex 120 and I can't believe how freaking fast this machine is. I haven't even started overclocking and everything is instant.

[MrBear09]

wow, thats it with a stock heatsink? im going with the TRUE myself, so there really should be no heat problems, especially since im going with a push pull configuration and im gonna be using GELID Wing 12 UV Green 1500RPM fans rated at 64CFM. I also decided on just 1 5870 so i shouldnt get too much heat from the graphics area.

[martin_metal_88]

Well if you are not sure about the corsair Airflow get the ATCS. I can affirm you that airflow is really decent. with 3X 230MM + 1 120 MM it`s pretty cool.

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