Hi All. Looks like it is time to get this this thread set up. Some of you here will know about my impending computer build. Well, I have finally got around to creating this thread for the topic. I hope to have this build up and running / crunching (at stock settings) by New Years Eve, which is also my 3rd year anniversary of crunching for S@H.

My knowledge in computer hardware is good, but some intricacies may dazzle or confuse me, I might need your opinions at times and... (dare I say it) help. Eventually, I'll need you folks help with overclocking it, but I've got a few top of the line cooling components that were recommended to me by a friend.

I've put together a list of all the components in my spare time to check compatibility issues and keep a running total of the cost...

Component------Product-----------------------------------Store--------------Price (NZ/US)
Case-------------NZXT Lexa Blackline Red LED ATX-----------Paradigm PC's-------NZ$193.00/US140.53
CPU-------------Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.66Ghz------------------iFocus-------------COMBO NZ$1329.00/US$967.74
RAM-------------Corsair XMS3 C8 6GB (3x2GB) 1600Mhz DDR3----iFocus-----------COMBO NZ$1329.00/US$967.74 - Mark urged me not to buy these, but I will have to since they form a combo.
Motherboard------Asus P6T Deluxe ATX LGA1366---------------iFocus-------------COMBO NZ$1329.00/US$967.74
Monitor---------2x Dell ST2310 23" Full HD LCD Flat Panel--------Dell--------------NZ$640.00/US$466.03
HDD------------Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 7200rpm-------iFocus-----------NZ$138.76/US$101.041
CPU Heatsink----Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme 1366RT---------Overclockers------NZ$149.00/US$108.49 - Pinnacle in i7 heatsink technology. Recommended by Mark.
CPU Fan---------Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000rpm 120mm 133CFM-----Paradigm PC's-------NZ$43.00/US$31.31 - Most powerful 120mm fan available. 133CFM! Will be attached to heatsink in push configuration.
Case Fan 1-----Raidmax 120mm Red LED 46.7CFM---------------Overclockers NZ---NZ$18.00/US$13.10 - Replaces optional case fan at the front
Case Fan 2-----OCNZ Tri LED 80mm 24.5CFM--------------------Overclockers NZ---NZ$16.00/$11.65 - Replaces case air vent with fan
Graphics Card---Asus GeForce GTX260 Core 216 Extreme-------iFocus--------------NZ$314.37/$228.96
Keyboard-------Logitech G110 Gaming Keyboard----------------?-------------------?/? - Not currently available in NZ, but from reports will be in here December
Mouse----------Razer Diamondback 3G 1800dpi Blue------------Playtech NZ--------NZ$82.00/US$59.71
PSU------------Antec Truepower 650W Modular ATX 80+ ------PC Online Shop NZ--NZ$162.69/US$118.51
Optical Drive---Asus 24x DVD Burner 24B1ST-------------------iFocus------------NZ$73.97/US$53.88
Sound Card-------Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Value 7.1 HD--iFocus------------NZ$69.37/US$50.53
Speakers-------Logitech X-210 25 Watt w/ SW----------------iFocus------------NZ$61.26/US$44.62
Cathode Lights---Cold Cathode Dual White/Red Kit-------------Overclockers NZ----NZ$56.00/US$40.79
Thermal Paste---Artic Silver 5 3.5g Tube----------------------iFocus-------------NZ$18.79/US$13.68

Total cost: NZ$3300-NZ$3500 (US$2403-US$2549)

If anyone here can find any compatibility issues, or they've used one of the above components, feedback would be deeply appreciated! (Or even just feedback or comments about my build)

I've already ordered the case and the monitors (since Dell have a limited time $60 rebate). They should be arriving soon.

All items are from New Zealand, I'd prefer to order from USA, because the base prices would probably be cheaper, but the shipping prices kill it.

All comments are welcome! And I will keep you updated.

- Luke.

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- Luke.

Sounds good Luke, I tend to think the motherboard is ok, But It's not My choice, I'd get the following:

MSI P55-GD80(1156),
Intel i7-860 2.8GHz cpu,
Corsair Ram(4 or 8GB) 1600MHz,
Antec 902 case(8 slots in the rear, Good match for 3 pci-e slots on the MSI),
Asus VH222H 21.5" widescreen LCD monitor,
Corsair 650w psu(CMPSU-650TX or CMPSU-650HX[modular]) Single 12v rail w/52A(Amps).

The rest of that stuff outside of the fans, are fine, The fans aren't needed with the Antec 902 as It has lots of real good fans and 1 or 2 are 200mm in size, plus It has air filters too boot.

Good Luck.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Impressive list.

I would ditch about a third of it, but then I am a frugal person.

All the best on the build.

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Thanks SJ and Spitfire...

Yeah, I could probably build a solid bare bones for about half the price of this, but this is the desktop that will replace my aging Celeron.

I'll try get pics of the case in when it arrives. Should be here tomorrow or the day after.

- Luke.

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- Luke.

Thanks SJ and Spitfire...

Yeah, I could probably build a solid bare bones for about half the price of this, but this is the desktop that will replace my aging Celeron.

I'll try get pics of the case in when it arrives. Should be here tomorrow or the day after.

- Luke.

Not a problem Luke, The cpu I mentioned is an 1156 type cpu of course and the MSI seems to have a one touch overclock with their OC Genie that does pretty good from what I've read Here. Also the MSI motherboard uses a LOTES socket which doesn't have problems like Foxconn socket does above 4.3GHz(As AnandTech documented).





MSI P55-GD80 Review @ overclock3d.net

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Thanks SJ and Spitfire...

Yeah, I could probably build a solid bare bones for about half the price of this, but this is the desktop that will replace my aging Celeron.

I'll try get pics of the case in when it arrives. Should be here tomorrow or the day after.

- Luke.

Not a problem Luke, The cpu I mentioned is an 1156 type cpu of course and the MSI seems to have a one touch overclock with their OC Genie that does pretty good from what I've read Here. Also the MSI motherboard uses a LOTES socket which doesn't have problems like Foxconn socket does above 4.3GHz (As documented).

I'm not sure why Intel in it's infinite wisdom created two completely different sockets in the same product demographic. It would have just been cheaper and easier to keep LGA1366 and force motherboard producers to make their products cheaper, the only thing two sockets in the same generation is going to do is confuse consumers.
The concern I have with the Asus P6T Deluxe is that it will not be able to fit the Thermalright heatsink, and even if it does fit it, the case might obstruct it from being mounted horizontally.
Here is the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme 1366RT heatsink I'd prefer to buy. It's a pretty large heatsink and it's made of aluminum I believe. There is a copper version available, but it's slightly larger, alot heavier, and more pricey. And Thermalright don't guarantee the ability of a motherboard to support it.


- Luke.

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- Luke.

The Corsair H50 beats the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme according to Hexus, As to the reason for socket 1156, It's to replace the aging LGA775 I've read.

Edit: Ultra120 eXtreme 1366 RT Motherboards Compatibility List

MUX-120 Motherboards Compatibility List(1156)

P6T Deluxe Okay

So relax Luke, It'll fit.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

The Corsair H50 beats the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme according to Hexus, As to the reason for socket 1156, It's to replace the aging LGA775 I've read.

The 1156 platform is intended to become the "mainstream" platform - i.e. cheaper, with higher stability and lower OC potential. The 1366 platform is being aimed at the "enthusiast" market - i.e. high end performance etc. The i9 (6 core, 32nm) due in the first half of next year will replace the current i7 1366 processors. Hard to tell with Intel, but I suspect the 1366 platform will have a longer future than the 1156.

I am also a huge fan of the H50. If your can fit it adequately in your case (the pipes are about 30cm long and not that pliable) I would go that route.

The Corsair H50 beats the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme according to Hexus, As to the reason for socket 1156, It's to replace the aging LGA775 I've read.

The 1156 platform is intended to become the "mainstream" platform - i.e. cheaper, with higher stability and lower OC potential. The 1366 platform is being aimed at the "enthusiast" market - i.e. high end performance etc. The i9 (6 core, 32nm) due in the first half of next year will replace the current i7 1366 processors. Hard to tell with Intel, but I suspect the 1366 platform will have a longer future than the 1156.

I am also a huge fan of the H50. If your can fit it adequately in your case (the pipes are about 30cm long and not that pliable) I would go that route.

We'll see on what lasts longest, But then the Crystal ball is in the shop(It's on the Fritz), As It just brings up the Weather. :D

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Wow living in NZ is pricey, sorry about that.

Looks like similar components going full tilt have RACs between 18000 & 24000. Will that be satisfactory?

If you've not fresh built before, get a static strap and a good PC toolkit & maglight ;-) A few spare tie-wraps will also help, kept loose until the very end (which is 2 days after what you think is the very end).

Some thoughts:

-- 650w should be fine, but I might have gone higher in case a year from now you add a second cuda card.

-- On dual mon, I usually make one an LCD TV. It doesn't add too much to the cost, has adequate built-in speakers, and provides a ton of in-home flexibility. I'm not a fan of TV cards. I also make sure what I get has mounting holes on the back (not all LCD monitors do, and those ones usually have permanent ricketty crap stands, go figure -- I'm sure DELL does not do that).

-- I encourage trying out HDMI for monitor cables. Your monitors are ready, but you'll need converters for that card. And don't lose the audio pass-thru cable for your cuda card (regardless if you stay DVI or HDMI).

-- I tend to agree with Joker on 1156 vs 1366. Intel's roadmap makes my head hurt. I'm sure you've gone through the pros & cons on tomshardware.com, and your choice is great for multiple GPUs.

-- Don't forget an OS :D Are you considering 64 bit?

-- Might be useful to get one of those Power meters on a dedicated power strip so you see what this new rig consumes powerwise. Especially handy when you experiment with clocking.

-- No CAM ??

Have a blast.

Wow living in NZ is pricey, sorry about that.

Looks like similar components going full tilt have RACs between 18000 & 24000. Will that be satisfactory?

If you've not fresh built before, get a static strap and a good PC toolkit & maglight ;-) A few spare tie-wraps will also help, kept loose until the very end (which is 2 days after what you think is the very end).

Some thoughts:

-- 650w should be fine, but I might have gone higher in case a year from now you add a second cuda card.

-- On dual mon, I usually make one an LCD TV. It doesn't add too much to the cost, has adequate built-in speakers, and provides a ton of in-home flexibility. I'm not a fan of TV cards. I also make sure what I get has mounting holes on the back (not all LCD monitors do, and those ones usually have permanent ricketty crap stands, go figure -- I'm sure DELL does not do that).

-- I encourage trying out HDMI for monitor cables. Your monitors are ready, but you'll need converters for that card. And don't lose the audio pass-thru cable for your cuda card (regardless if you stay DVI or HDMI).

-- I tend to agree with Joker on 1156 vs 1366. Intel's roadmap makes my head hurt. I'm sure you've gone through the pros & cons on tomshardware.com, and your choice is great for multiple GPUs.

-- Don't forget an OS :D Are you considering 64 bit?

-- Might be useful to get one of those Power meters on a dedicated power strip so you see what this new rig consumes powerwise. Especially handy when you experiment with clocking.

-- No CAM ??

Have a blast.

Wow! Thanks for the input 52 Aces!
Yeah, NZ is really pricey for anything tech. And it annoys the hell out of me. It's because we are geographically isolated, I suppose.

That RAC level you just posted is 2.5x as high as I thought I could achieve. It will be an interesting ride as far as overclocking goes. And I will probably have a few spare components after the build, so I'll be giving them away (less shipping and postage) to you guys.

I believe I do have pieces of that sort of set lying around amidst the chaos, but if cannot find them I'll go out and find myself a dedicated set for this build.

I thought about that too, but I really can't see myself spending anymore, I think Mark said his Frozen Nehi uses 620W at full draw. So I think I'll be fine for now. But I'll look into it, because I know there is a 750W version available. Or would that not be enough to handle 2x CUDA?

I though about buying a LCD TV instead a few months back, but I just can't find anything cheaper than what I prefer to buy now. I buy Dell because I've had good trades and experiences with them in the past. The laptop I type on right now is a Dell XPS M1530 (temps can get up to 95 Celsius under full load without a clean!) and I also own a Dell Printer. So it makes sense to me to buy Dell monitors.

If I didn't want a converter for the sound card for HDMI, what (reasonably cheap) sound card could you recommend that would be happy with HDMI?

Thanks. I've heard good things about Asus. And the reviews are positive so it looks like it's a strong motherboard. Mark uses the Asus Rampage II Extreme, I wish I could splash the cash like him, but right now I really don't have the money to spend NZ$1000 on a Motherboard!

Oops! I forgot to list that, since I directly copied the list off my budgeting sheet. I already own a (unused) copy of W7 64 Home Premium OEM which will be fine for the job. 32-bit should be illegal, considering the RAM we use these days. LOL.

Yeah, A Killawatt could come in handy. I'll see if I can grab one online!

No camera because my laptop already has a 2.0 mpxl webcam installed, and I barely ever use it!

Thanks again 52 Aces.

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- Luke.

Well I have a bunch of P6T's. I had a Deluxe for a while but the PS/2 port on the back of it refused to work with my KVM. If I wasn't using a KVM i'd prefer it over the standard P6T. It has better cooling and spacing for 2 x double width graphics cards.

I have the same ram (corsair 3 x 2Gb, 1600Mhz) in the machines i'm taking up to Win 7 x64. Existing machines have 3 x 1Gb corsair and run XP (32 bit). Coolers are Coolermaster 120's. Already burnt out one fan and replaced under warranty. Interesting the shop has now gone for Noctua 120mm fan as they think they will last longer. Airflow isn't as good but they are rated at 150,000 hours mtbf. Cases are all Coolermaster Storm Snipers, except one. They have fans everywhere, front 200mm, extra 140mm on bottom, top 200mm and back of case 120mm. Plenty of airflow in them.

The GTX260 is a little slow these days, i'd suggest a GTX275 if you want a single GPU or go for a GTX295 (dual GPU). You can easily get a pair of them into the box, but you'd probably need an 850w power supply. I'd suggest a Corsair or Seasonic (ie one that actually can deliver the watts they are rated for).

Out of interest why the dual monitor setup? Also why a sound card when the P6T has it built in?

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BOINC blog

That RAC level you just posted is 2.5x as high as I thought I could achieve.

I'm running an i7-860 with a GTS250(512m), both clocked up a lot, but I didn't spend any time trying to max tweak, and getting ~13000 on it (and have lots of competing tasks during the day). The numbers I quoted came from looking about 5 pages deep into the top Host list ... so the truth is probably somewhere in between. I assume you'd run both GPU & CPU (it's fun watching 9 WU's crunch at the same time).

I think Mark said his Frozen Nehi uses 620W at full draw. So I think I'll be fine for now.

Agreed, you're fine with 650w for a long time, and I don't know if 750w gets you to that magic 2nd card anyway. As long as the designers took no shortcuts (I guess some supplies skimp on the 6pin PCIe connectors or share the amps, I don't know enough about it though to say). But I bet Fermi expects more juice than what you'll have, and that ships in days.

what (reasonably cheap) sound card could you recommend that would be happy with HDMI?

The HDMI connector would always be via the video card. The top of your nvidia card will have one plug for SLI, one plug for Power, and a small plug that allows you to jack the nvidia into an Audio output (be it the motherboard or a Sound Card). It's strictly a convenience thing, one less set of cables to run out the back of your machine. I use the Sound from the motherboard, but I'm not a serious gamer. What you spec'd looks fine (but could be moved to a phase 2, along with the speakers --- I used headphones for the first week until I figured out the patch cable to the video card).

I already own a (unused) copy of W7 64 Home Premium OEM

Sounds great. It'll try and use your whole disk by default (vs advance settings). I know others have a lot of good ideas about how best to chunk & backup a terabyte. One thing I did do a few weeks later was disable AERO. In my case, my RAC went up (Aero loves your video card memory too much).

The Corsair H50 beats the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme according to Hexus, As to the reason for socket 1156, It's to replace the aging LGA775 I've read.

The 1156 platform is intended to become the "mainstream" platform - i.e. cheaper, with higher stability and lower OC potential. The 1366 platform is being aimed at the "enthusiast" market - i.e. high end performance etc. The i9 (6 core, 32nm) due in the first half of next year will replace the current i7 1366 processors. Hard to tell with Intel, but I suspect the 1366 platform will have a longer future than the 1156.

I am also a huge fan of the H50. If your can fit it adequately in your case (the pipes are about 30cm long and not that pliable) I would go that route.

I have the H50 on my new I7 machine and it works great with small overclock. I got an open box P6T SE for $134 and it works great. Not sure if you are into that but it can save a lot. Of course it came with no manual or cables but I have tons and the manual was online.

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Official Abuser of Boinc Buttons...
And no good credit hound!

Just wanted to say I am using the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R SLI motherboard, and it's been very stable with DDR3 1600. I think the UD5's have even more features.

I wondered why so cheap a sound card when you are putting such a platinum coated PC together. BTW I'd have waited until the Q1 2010 to see the new AMDs.

Coolermaster makes a massive tower HSF that costs around $50 US. That HSF will take anything I throw at it.

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

I think Mark said his Frozen Nehi uses 620W at full draw. So I think I'll be fine for now.

Agreed, you're fine with 650w for a long time, and I don't know if 750w gets you to that magic 2nd card anyway. As long as the designers took no shortcuts (I guess some supplies skimp on the 6pin PCIe connectors or share the amps, I don't know enough about it though to say).

You should be able to run a couple of GTX 260s off a 750w PSU, but probably not a couple of dual GPU cards, like the GTX 295. But what the 750 will really get you over the 650 is (usually) either 4 6pin connectors for the 2 cards, or 2 6pin and 2 6+2 pin connectors, so you don't have to use any adapters if you do decide to put in a second GPU. Prices down there are astounding, so you have to decide if it's worth it for you, but I would think that the price diff. for a 750 wouldn't be too bad over the 650.

-Dave

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I think Mark said his Frozen Nehi uses 620W at full draw. So I think I'll be fine for now.

Agreed, you're fine with 650w for a long time, and I don't know if 750w gets you to that magic 2nd card anyway. As long as the designers took no shortcuts (I guess some supplies skimp on the 6pin PCIe connectors or share the amps, I don't know enough about it though to say).

You should be able to run a couple of GTX 260s off a 750w PSU, but probably not a couple of dual GPU cards, like the GTX 295. But what the 750 will really get you over the 650 is (usually) either 4 6pin connectors for the 2 cards, or 2 6pin and 2 6+2 pin connectors, so you don't have to use any adapters if you do decide to put in a second GPU. Prices down there are astounding, so you have to decide if it's worth it for you, but I would think that the price diff. for a 750 wouldn't be too bad over the 650.

-Dave

The 750w should, Me for My next psu, It will be the Corsair 950w psu, I have an Enermax Revolution 1050w psu and except for the shoddy molex hdd/fdd connectors, It could just about turn into the HULK anytime It wants, the 950w psu allows for expansion later on and then I don't have to rip out a psu and install a new psu just to install another GTX295 or whatever. :D But then I also don't believe in the No Win Scenario either. ;)

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I think Mark said his Frozen Nehi uses 620W at full draw. So I think I'll be fine for now.

Agreed, you're fine with 650w for a long time, and I don't know if 750w gets you to that magic 2nd card anyway. As long as the designers took no shortcuts (I guess some supplies skimp on the 6pin PCIe connectors or share the amps, I don't know enough about it though to say).

You should be able to run a couple of GTX 260s off a 750w PSU, but probably not a couple of dual GPU cards, like the GTX 295. But what the 750 will really get you over the 650 is (usually) either 4 6pin connectors for the 2 cards, or 2 6pin and 2 6+2 pin connectors, so you don't have to use any adapters if you do decide to put in a second GPU. Prices down there are astounding, so you have to decide if it's worth it for you, but I would think that the price diff. for a 750 wouldn't be too bad over the 650.

-Dave

If his vid card choice remains the 260, he should be fine with the 650w PSU. If he were to change his mind and upgrade to a 295, he would probably still make it, although then I would recommend a 750w PC Power and Cooling Silencer.

My i7 920/Ultra 120 rig, with GTX295, both heavily OC'd....draws around 540w from the mains, as shown on the Killawatt. Within the range of a 650w PSU, but I prefer a bit more headroom. and most PSU's are more efficient when not pushed to their limits. And that rig has a RAC of a bit over 37,000 right now.

I have a core 2 rig sporting a 260 running pretty tight......it's RAC is around 19,500.....so I would expect a 920 with a 260 to end up in about the same range, as I don't suspect Luke will be pushing the OC's quite as far on either the CPU or GPU.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Just to be clear, my comment wasn't about running a single card, it was about future-proofing it so that he can pop in a second card... A 650w PSU should be fine for any single card, but if 6 months down the road he wants to pop in another card, it's short money to have the capacity/connections on hand.

-Dave

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