Another FSX build ~ $1500 (USD)

[dswo]

This is based on Ted's suggestions. I'm looking to build the first week of June, so some components will probably be more expensive, others less.

Noteworthy changes:

- Lian Li case: I want something quiet, but I'm not wedded to this model in particular.

- Nvidia 260 instead of 275 or 285: I could go up on this if it makes a difference. Again, noise matters, which is why I selected the MSI "Frozer" that was discussed last week.

- One Caviar Black hard drive instead of two: I'll be moving #2 from my current system

Still need to add a DVD writer. Will purchase W7/64 separately, keep old monitors.

Queries:

- Am I missing something obvious? (I already know about the DVD writer; happy to take recommendations, but I'm planning to spend ~$30 for another of what I have now: Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-116DBK - OEM.)

- Do I need RAM this good? At this point, I'm not looking to OC. (Chicken/conservative personality.)

- Do I need a mobo this good?

- This totals $1300 plus shipping. I could spend a couple hundred more. Where would that money be best spent?

- Is there a quieter PSU that would still do what I need? E.g., SilentPCReview recommends Antec CP-850 or Seasonic M12D, both 850W. The Antec is $110 from Newegg but I would need to get an Antec case for it (probably P183). Seasonic seems a little harder to find; out of stock at Newegg.

All prices, components from NewEgg.com

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price 1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$139.99
$109.99 1 MSI N260GTX Twin Frozr OC GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814127464
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy -$15.00 Instant
$214.99
$199.99 1 Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy -$5.00 Instant
$299.99
$294.99 1 ASUS P6TD Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131403
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy -$15.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$289.99
$274.99 1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136283
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$79.99 1 LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62 Black 0.8 mm SECC, Plastic + Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811112239
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$30.00 Instant
$129.99
$99.99 1 CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMP6GX3M3A1600C8
Item #: N82E16820145295
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$253.99
$243.99

[NoNewMessages]

I love Newegg! Ordered on a Friday night, Monday afternoon I had my stuff. But I'm local to their HQs.

Grabbed this case and like it; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

It has four big fans; 2 in front, 1 in back, 1 on top. Room for another on the side to blow on the video card if needed down the road. Has switches for the fans to set the speeds, but they are internal, so to change the speeds I would need to take the left side panel off. But I'm a wannabee-geek, so that's not a concern for me. Reasonably quiet for sitting right next to me.

I question just how much better the WD Cavier is with FSX? I don't know one way or the other, but it is expensive, as Newegg has Hitachi 1tb HDs on sale for $70, with free shipping; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-287-_-Product

Just me, but I prefer the full box when it comes to HDs. Too many comments about the OEM drives and Newegg's shipping.

You'll need thermal paste for the CPU and cooler. I've used Arctic Silver 5, it seems to do the job; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-007-_-Product

DVD burner was a LG OEM; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-144-_-Product

Couple of things to consider. First check the Asus site and the specific motherboard, looking for ram compatiability. There should be a list of what has been checked to work. Second, what ever you do decide on, get a ruler out and try to visualize the parts together. Luckily I escaped any pratfalls, as the cooler I got (Cooler Master V8) just fits into the width of the case when all put together.


Any $$ saved or budgeted should go towards a better video card. The CPU can go to higher speeds quite easily, so when it's pumping out more data you want the video card to not be the bottleneck in the system. Right now I have an nVidia 9800 GTX+ and if I'm going to overclock and I'm sure I will, I will want a better video card to keep things humming along.

Keyboard and mouse? Speakers?

[dswo]

Thank you for the suggestions!

Keyboard and mouse? Speakers?

Should have mentioned that I'm keeping my old sound card, speakers, mouse, and keyboard. Also my two monitors.

[harleyman]

I like the X58 gigabyte mobo and its cheaper and runs 3.0 USBs

Ram is great

Get a 24X DVDRW

If you are OverClocking the CPU get the 920 ....

[dswo]

Thank you, Harleyman.

[harleyman]

Thank you, Harleyman.

You are welcome.....

Just noticed that you are going to use the old sound card...

Unless you really love it, all new mother boards rrun great onboard sound these days..All the way up to 8-1 surround....

[dswo]

You are welcome.....

Just noticed that you are going to use the old sound card...

Unless you really love it, all new mother boards rrun great onboard sound these days..All the way up to 8-1 surround....

Perhaps that card (X-Fi Gamer) has been more trouble than it's worth. Coming from the onboard sound on my last Gigabyte motherboard, I noticed no difference in gaming, and Creative has been slack about improving the drivers for W7.

[harleyman]

Creative Drivers in a word over the last few yearts have really *STUNK* to put it mildly !

I would drop that card at first and see how you like the onboard sound...leave power close if the sound card needs it during the buildincase you ever want to add the card back in, then its easy enough... JMO !

[OleBoy]

Time is almost here for me to build my long awaited sim PC. I like the solid base specs here

How is this working out David?

[dswo]

Time is almost here for me to build my long awaited sim PC. I like the solid base specs here

How is this working out David?

I'm embarrassed to say I haven't started it. I've been traveling for the last three weeks, and right now I'm still catching up. But reading the comments that Ted and others have made subsequent to the conversation here, I'm MORE convinced that 930 is the chip to build around, rather than 920 or lower.

[Zommoz]

Sounds like a nice build so far. My EVGA 8800GT recently gave up the ghost and I purchased the MSI N260GTX Twin Frozr and it is pretty quiet. Of course that's subjective but, when cranked up, I cannot hear it over my stock cpu fan.

What I really wanted to share though, was this. They offer legitimate registration keys at a fraction of retail. I got 64bit Windows 7 Ultimate for $75 US. Of course, it is OEM and you have to download the ISO and burn your own disk but it was well worth it for me. They even supplied the download link.

Good luck with the new build!

[txnetcop]

I'm embarrassed to say I haven't started it. I've been traveling for the last three weeks, and right now I'm still catching up. But reading the comments that Ted and others have made subsequent to the conversation here, I'm MORE convinced that 930 is the chip to build around, rather than 920 or lower.

David, Harleyman is right about the Gigabyte board he mentioned. While I have become an ASUS fan for the Core i5 and Core i7 I have seen what the Gigabyte boards are capable of when it comes to overclocking and cooling. Gigabyte does incorporate the new USB standards and is extremely fast yet cool compared to ASUS on the northbridge. Based on our tests at TechCorp. the 930 stock is faster than the 920 stock and overclocks easier than the 920 and higher than the 920 on air. It also does not have the memory set defect that the 920 had. Besides the 920 is phasing out no new production.
Ted

[harleyman]

Thanks for that 930 info guys...