Input needed

I am about to graduate high school and have asked my parents for an extreme performance gaming computer, they have yet to give me a maximum price but seeing as how my sister received a new car for her graduation I think it is safe to assume it will be fairly high. I built my current system freshman year for around $1000 and it has lasted me till now(was nothing special but became greater than the sum of its parts 6600gt,AMD 64athalon, 2GB RAM). So needless to say it is time for an upgrade. This computer is mainly going to be for hardcore gaming and CAD programs as I will be majoring in Architecture and I want it to last me through 6 to 8 years with minor upgrades(RAM and later graphics cards) considering the cost of it and the fact that my $1000 system lasted 3 years. So here is my current build I have changed it too many times to count.

Ticket Number: 265027
Total Price with Instant Savings: $6,030.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=265027

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 Classified 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 2000MHz Corsair Dominator GT (Extreme-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (32GB Solid State (By: OCZ) (High Performance)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 2x SLI Quad (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 1.792GB) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: Specialized FrostBite Separate Dual Loop System for CPU & Two GTX 295 Video Cards
Liquid Color:Black: Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 Cooling Package)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: McAfee Internet Security (Includes: AntiVirus, FireWall and AntiSpyware)
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: 3D Mark Vantage Advanced Edition (By: Futuremark) (Pre-Install) (Vista Compatible Only)
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: Acer 24 inch (Widescreen) (Black) (High-Performance Gaming Display)
Surge Shield: APC 1500VA Uninterruptible Backup Surge Conditioner (Recommended)
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Large)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

For the longest time I had the i7 965 as the processor but found after hours of searching that the 920 could overclock stable to over 4Ghz with proper cooling and after seeing that result time and again I decided the 965 wasn't worth the extra money. The SSD I have for my OS is for the OS only and nothing else other wise I would have used a larger one. The Velociraptor is for my games till the price of a fast large SSD comes down to where it isn't such a large price to GB ratio, and does anyone know the projected price for the Vertex 2 that I have seen a lot of talk about on these forums? Also is ESA effective, I have heard mixed emotions about it some say it works terrific some say it sucks.


Edited by Okovo - 30 Mar 2009 at 8:07pm

youll save a sh*t load of $ by not watercooling the graphics cards, which you dont need too do mate

also you need to change the ram speed
you cant use 2000mhz ram with the 920

1600 or lower my frnd

another thing i would suggest is just getting 2 gtx 285s
unless you have a monster monitor then keep thte 295's
lastly get windows vista home premium 64bit

edit*
thats wat i would change:

System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)

Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1GB) (Includes PhysX Technology)

Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)

the overall price goes from about 6000 to 4200

i dont thnk ESA works with the x58 chipset



Edited by <8) slunK parade - 30 Mar 2009 at 8:43pm

okovo,

Edited by Onkel_Ken - 30 Mar 2009 at 8:59pm

right now i cant find any info as far as pricing is going to be for the vertex 2 ssd.
the io version is way to expensive and is ment for business storage and its going to be $30 / usable gigabite.  The you and me version, vertex 2, should be way more cheaper then that.

Check into the asus sound card if you want a sound card.  i've noticed that a few of the folks who use audio say thats better then the labs version.

Does anyone know what liquid cooling parts are used in the H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU?

Do they allow you to request specific parts not in the selection they have listed in on customization page?

I heard the Asus D2x is a better sound card then the Fatal1ty, but the Asus doesn't support EAX 5.0 unlike the Fatal1ty.  There is a list of games that use EAX that can be seen here:

http://www.soundblaster.com/technology/welcome.asp?j1=eax&j2=gamelist

Games like Crysis, COD4, and CS:S don't seem to support EAX so I would go for the Asus as it is a gaming and audiophile sound card, which means it's also better for music.  Quality is also a noticeable difference then the Fatal1ty.

Also, Asus does support EAX 2.0 and it also tells EAX 5.0 games that it is compatible, so Asus can still be used on EAX 5.0 games.

EDIT: The new drivers for the D2X has EAX 5.0 support, but through software.


Edited by Instinct - 31 Mar 2009 at 8:45pm

Originally posted by Onkel_Ken I still love the Fatal1ty!  Having it and using it is a real blast when playing games like World at War. The 3d 360 sound effects are cool.  You can hear them trying to sneak up behind you and then you just spin and shoot and get them everytime.  Fatal1ty put his name on this thing for a reason.

But the question is have you tried both?  I haven't, but I'm going to try Asus' first.

your LC system is almost a copy of mine, accept I was going with a Laing D5 pump, my rad is a bit better, you do know that the new Laing 3.2 with a modified head has a better flow then the MPC655

$200 for the crate.

you will pay extra for those parts, it will be pretty much:
$50 extra for the pump, $40 extra for the water block, $90 more for the 360, and I think $65 labor.

what is the cfm of the Scythe fans you want to use?

take into account how long it will take you to scan, search or back-up that storage drive once its to 750GB full.

build looks great, I think with the 920 you should just go with the regular frostbite and not order the parts you have mentioned, we have seen the 920 do 3.8GHz on the regular frostbite, your modifications cost a lot and will not make much of a difference that would be worth all those modifications.

having said all that, your build looks great, IMO it would be better with my modifications

Edited by DST4ME - 03 Apr 2009 at 8:32pm