[Whitticker]

Hi there, this is my first time on these forums, and my first attempt at building a high-end gaming rig. In the end, this should come out somewhere around $2,000, potentially a little more, but hopefully by the time I buy the parts, prices have gone down. Any help and/or tips would be greatly appreciated.

My concerns are mainly if everything is compatible and if the included 750W PSW with my Antec chassis would be enough to power my set-up.

Chassis
Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply - Computer Cases

CPU
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Internal Hard Drives
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives -Bare Drive

RAM
CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Desktop Memory

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Optical Drive
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support
Newegg.com - LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Full - 64bit
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Full - Operating Systems

For the hard drives, I intend on using the 300gb raptor as my main drive, and slave the 1tb hard drive for storage.

For the i7 920, I plan on learning how to overclock, and that's also the reason why I got the ASUS PT6 mobo -- from what I've heard it's a good mobo for OCing. Hopefully I'll reach at least anywhere between 3.5GHz and 3.8GHz. Also, I was thinking about buying the EVGA X58 Motherboard instead of the ASUS, but I'm still not really sure.

Again, any help, comments, tips, etc. would be appreciated

Thanks
- Whitticker

[aliasaid]

Looks good. You don't need all that ram, a 3 X 2GB kit will do you just fine. That powersupply is good enough for your build, since i don't see you going crossfire or anything like that...

As for the hard drive, SSDs perform a lot better than the raptors, so i recommend you get one of those instead.

And do you really need the retail version of windows 7? I would just get the OEM version.

[Whitticker]

Originally Posted by aliasaid

Looks good. You don't need all that ram, a 3 X 2GB kit will do you just fine. That powersupply is good enough for your build, since i don't see you going crossfire or anything like that...

As for the hard drive, SSDs perform a lot better than the raptors, so i recommend you get one of those instead.

And do you really need the retail version of windows 7? I would just get the OEM version.

What's the difference between retail and OEM?

Also, what are some things I should know about SSDs when purchasing, and what should I look for when selecting one?

Thanks for the info about the RAM -- saves me about $150

[masteroc]

There is no real difference except maybe the packaging that it comes in. Go with the OEM (for system builders).

[aliasaid]

My understanding is that with the retail version you're allowed to legally carry it over to a new computer if you decide to change your computer, whereas with the OEM version, you're not allowed to (legally); You're allowed to make minor upgrades with the OEM version, but you can't change the motherboard as that constitutes a different computer. Also, i believe that with the retail version, you're entitled to Tech Support, whereas the OEM version you don't get any; but who needs MS tech support when you have Tech - Forums :-P. Again, this is my understanding of it, not 100% sure. Maybe someone can verify?


As for SSDs, I'm no expert on the matter. I know that SLC technology is what you should look for; apparently faster and maintain their performance longer (performance decreases with prolonged use with SSDs). Of course you'll notice that the size of these drives isn't very big, so you'll want one that will hold your OS and main programs that you will run often. Most other stuff you can put on the other HD. Also, i hear Intel have the edge with SSDs.

Good Luck.

[Whitticker]

OK, so I'm starting to finalize my setup, and I've concluded that I'm not going to go with SSD. I'll just stick with the 300gb WD VelociRaptor. I'm not going to be sticking with the same RAM either -- probably going to be changing to the Corsair Dominator 6gb RAM. I'll also be able to get Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for free, or any other Microsoft OS for that matter. Also, I'm still very unsure about which motherboard I'll be getting. I'm rather interested in overclocking so I can get the most out of my system, which is why I kind of want to get the EVGA x58 SLI Classified, but I'm also still considering the ASUS PT6 Deluxe V2. From what I understand, the original ASUS PT6 had layout issues where it would be a hassle to have multiple GPU's along with sound cards, etc., but the ASUS PT6 Deluxe versions have fixed this (not sure how true this is). Also, the ASUS PT6 doesn't register DDR3 1600 RAM for the 1600, but at 1033, or something like that, but can be changed in BIOS (again something I heard in some forums; not sure how true this is). I'll probably end up using CrossFire somewhere down the line, which is why I'm interested in getting a motherboard that not only supports it, but can fit it well.

So, my question is, how well does the ASUS PT6 Deluxe V2 compare to the EVGA x58 SLI Classified in terms of overclocking, multiple GPU's, and overall performance?

At the moment, this is my setup:

Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply - Retail
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply - Computer Cases

EVGA E760 CLASSIFIED "Overclocker's Pick" 3-Way SLI + PhysX 1366 Intel X58 EATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - EVGA E760 CLASSIFIED "Overclocker's Pick" 3-Way SLI + PhysX 1366 Intel X58 EATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Retail
Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Desktop Memory

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives -Bare Drive

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
Newegg.com - LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

Currently, this setup will cost me a total of $1,925.92

With the ASUS PT6 Deluxe V2, it would cost me $1,810.92

Also, considering I plan on overclocking my CPU, RAM, and GPU once I learn how, what are some good cooling products for my Antec 1200 case other than water cooling?

[Slaymate]

The Corsair Dominator memory is a big waste of your hard-earned cash. This is cheaper and faster.
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Desktop Memory

I have the Classified and while it is a good mobo it's not going to help your overclock unless your going with an extreme cooling solution (phase-change, LN2 or Dry Ice)

[Hefemeister]

Also save your cash with the velociraptor. It is not worth it at all. Just pick up a 640gb WD black to run your OS and programs if you do not want to go for an ssd.

As for retail vs oem:
Differences between OEM and Retail

[Fat.Clown]

switch to a SATA optical drive

[Whitticker]

I'm thinking about going with the ASUS PT6 Deluxe V2 considering I'm really not intending on going water cooling, and at most 2 graphic's cards at once. The EVGA Classified looks really nice, but since I want to stick with the Antec 1200 and I'd like to save $100, it'd be easier to fit and more cost efficient to go with the ASUS PT6 Deluxe V2.

Anymore input on this would be appreciated because I'm still on the edge about these two motherboards.

Also, any ideas on the HAF 932 vs the Antec 1200? Which would be better for air cooling?

And does it matter which HDD I place the OS and primary applications on? I mean, if I were to get the 640GB WD Black and the 1TB WD Black, will one run the software better than the other?

Thanks again guys, pretty much set on what I'm gonna get besides the motherboard and the case.