My first build

Bill Nichols · 03-02-09, 11:41 AM

Having always purchased brand-name PCs for my gaming habit, I at last decided to try building my own PC.

Here's what I've bought so far; I intend to start building next weekend:

Intel i7 920 processor
Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler (probably overkill, I know0
Asus P6T motherboard
6GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 RAM
2 X EGVA GTX285 (SLI)
SoundBlaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer
WD 300GB Velociraptor HD (for performance)
Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda HD (for mass storage)
Cooler Master HAF 932 case
Corsair 1000 W. PSU
Vista Ultimate 64b

For sound, I'll be re-using my Logitech 5.1. Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse are still TBD.

I'll post pics as the build progresses.

Respenus · 03-02-09, 11:49 AM

Looks like a solid build. Might I enquire about the price?

goldorak · 03-02-09, 12:04 PM

Thats a pretty heavy rig

. I wonder why 2 GTX285 though.

You're planning on simulating nuclear explosions or what ?

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 12:08 PM

Nice Bill! Get with Neal. He is thinking i7 core also.

Looking forward to the pics!

Zachstar · 03-02-09, 12:09 PM

That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!!

What are you? A prince or CEO?

FIREWALL · 03-02-09, 12:13 PM

Sounds great Bill.

You'll love the Power.

Onkel Neal · 03-02-09, 12:26 PM

Bill, that rocks. I will be watching with anticipation. This thread needs pics!

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zachstar

That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!!

What are you? A prince or CEO?

Go big or stay home as they say

Looking forward to the details of this Bill.

Bill Nichols · 03-02-09, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zachstar

That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!!

What are you? A prince or CEO?

Go big or stay home as they say

Looking forward to the details of this Bill.

A long time ago, I came to the conclusion that the only way to keep my PC from becoming obsolete within 3 years is to go big. The PC I'm using now is a Dell XPS600 I bought 2-years ago for over $3000. Compared to that, my new build should be a bargain.

Simulating nuclear explosions? Naahh, just tired of being GPU-limited with the latest games!

Zachstar · 03-02-09, 12:45 PM

Hmm any chance you could sell it to me for say 400 USD?

( I know that aint going to happen I just like the XPS cases and had to try

)

Its OK to go big but In my view there is still alot of bargain in going mid and snapping up the great deals like with AMD Tris and ATI 4670s

goldorak · 03-02-09, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Nichols

Simulating nuclear explosions? Naahh, just tired of being GPU-limited with the latest games!

I hope you'll use a 30 inch display for those 2 gtx285.

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Simulating nuclear explosions? Naahh, just tired of being GPU-limited with the latest games!

Roger that Bill. I too tired of tweaking this and that just to see a damn game play some what decent. Not anymore with my latest. I do not blame you a bit for seeking something in your life that does not aggravate you

Zachstar · 03-02-09, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldorak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Nichols

Simulating nuclear explosions? Naahh, just tired of being GPU-limited with the latest games!

I hope you'll use a 30 inch display for those 2 gtx285.

I could not agree more with this. Matter of fact you mise well buy a full up LCD TV.

Oh and tho they advertise HDMI out. Do NOT use it! HDMI can output widescreen resolutions but if these cards have 7.1 PCM audio paths in use (They most likely do by expecting Spd/IF inputs) You will end up with a horrid picture.

Stick with DVI and use analog out for sound.

EDIT: I am not badmouthing HDMI BTW. Its PERFECT for Blu-Ray at 1080P with 7.1 but that is for movies

CaptainHaplo · 03-02-09, 01:26 PM

Bill - if you run into any problems - post here and we will all do what we can to help. BTW - great choices. I would suggest you look at a second sata drive just for either storage - or better yet - a home for your swap file. Having the swap on a different drive can increase speed by a nice little chunk.

Also - once installed - make sure you check out www.blackviper.com for tweaking vista to its max.

03-03-09, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zachstar

That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!!

What are you? A prince or CEO?

<georgecarlin> Well, if you're gonna play.......PLAY! </georgecarlin>

May as well "over-do" it, saves at least 2 or 3 upgrades next month, right?

03-02-09, 11:41 AM	#1
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	My first build Having always purchased brand-name PCs for my gaming habit, I at last decided to try building my own PC. Here's what I've bought so far; I intend to start building next weekend: Intel i7 920 processor Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler (probably overkill, I know0 Asus P6T motherboard 6GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 RAM 2 X EGVA GTX285 (SLI) SoundBlaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer WD 300GB Velociraptor HD (for performance) Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda HD (for mass storage) Cooler Master HAF 932 case Corsair 1000 W. PSU Vista Ultimate 64b For sound, I'll be re-using my Logitech 5.1. Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse are still TBD. I'll post pics as the build progresses. __________________ My Dangerous Waters website:

03-02-09, 11:49 AM	#2
Respenus Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,169 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looks like a solid build. Might I enquire about the price? __________________

03-02-09, 12:08 PM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 27,343 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Nice Bill! Get with Neal. He is thinking i7 core also. Looking forward to the pics! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

03-02-09, 12:09 PM	#5
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!! What are you? A prince or CEO? __________________

03-02-09, 12:13 PM	#6
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Sounds great Bill. You'll love the Power. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

03-02-09, 12:04 PM	#3
goldorak Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,320 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thats a pretty heavy rig . I wonder why 2 GTX285 though. You're planning on simulating nuclear explosions or what ?

03-02-09, 12:26 PM	#7
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,284 Downloads: 534 Uploads: 224	Bill, that rocks. I will be watching with anticipation. This thread needs pics! __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-02-09, 12:45 PM	#10
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Hmm any chance you could sell it to me for say 400 USD? ( I know that aint going to happen I just like the XPS cases and had to try ) Its OK to go big but In my view there is still alot of bargain in going mid and snapping up the great deals like with AMD Tris and ATI 4670s __________________

03-02-09, 01:26 PM	#14
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Bill - if you run into any problems - post here and we will all do what we can to help. BTW - great choices. I would suggest you look at a second sata drive just for either storage - or better yet - a home for your swap file. Having the swap on a different drive can increase speed by a nice little chunk. Also - once installed - make sure you check out www.blackviper.com for tweaking vista to its max. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo