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.

:know:

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

Thats a pretty heavy rig :D . I wonder why 2 GTX285 though. :hmmm:
You're planning on simulating nuclear explosions or what ? :haha:

Nice Bill! Get with Neal. He is thinking i7 core also. :up: Looking forward to the pics!

That is over 2000 dollars worth of parts!!

What are you? A prince or CEO?

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

Go big or stay home as they say:D 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!

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 :O: )

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

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

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:up:

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

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.

<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? :rock: