Will this work (computer build question)

hey welcome to the forums someone will be able to help you better so all I am going to do is ask you what resolution will you be gaming at and what is your ticket number. Also what would be your budget 

In place of water cooling what would you recommend?

I like the computer you built, but I'd really like to shave some money off it. When I said under 3,000 dollars I was hoping for something around 2500-2600 not just a hair under. That number was the absolute maximum I would go, with tax/delivery.

I don't really need the second hard drive, I'd be happy to just keep with the 500g one. And I'm not planning maximum over clocking, so I don't know if I need the 300 dollar stage 3 liquid.

Thank you all for the feedback thus far, please keep it coming.

Sorry for that, thanks for the explanation here are two builds more along your budget

Ticket Number: 242445 Right now it is $2753 with $150 off you get $2603 shipping is free and well I do not know which state you live in but when I used to live in California that is the only state that charged a sales tax. So that should be your final price. You could also go with a single GTX 285 which is awesome too which would save a lot too.


Copy of 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 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 1.792GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
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 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Here is another with almost the same specs but I just put in an ATi 4870X2 which is an awesome card too and is the best bang for your buck deal, and the way the prices are falling later you could add another 4870X2 if needed. Also in both builds you could save another $200 by going 3GB instead of 6GB and then adding another three down the line sometime. I got rid of the LC also and gave you the V8 which is awesome too, and personally I love the look of it.

Ticket Number: 242451 Here is the 4870X2 build costing $2708 before the discount, and with the discount costing $2558. Hope these help you.


Copy of 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 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
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: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
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 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Hope these help

I built a new one, using a lot of the advice I've gotten here, but I can't help it that I can't seem to shake the idea of liquid cooling, for whatever reason it's gotten stuck in my head.

Tell me what you think of this one, the ticket number is 242497.

Originally posted by theyhm I built a new one, using a lot of the advice I've gotten here, but I can't help it that I can't seem to shake the idea of liquid cooling, for whatever reason it's gotten stuck in my head.Tell me what you think of this one, the ticket number is 242497.

this build looks good, change your first DVD drive to a RW, and change your windows to premium 64bit.

no matter what CPU you use, you will never notice the difference between 1333MHz ram and 1600MHz ram.

again your first DVD drive is still just a reader, change it to writer.

you don't need the extra airflow, one of the main reason the HAF is a great case is because it comes with all the fans stock, providing great air cooling.

you know my build was a much better build for the money and after the discount it would be $2503

with my build you got a 300GB raptor for OS/apps/games and a second 500GB drive for file storage. and you got liquid cooling, giving you a better chance at higher OC speeds

Edited by DST4ME - 06 Feb 2009 at 12:58am

the HDD is not the size, its the speed, the 300GB I picked is a raptor which is a very fast HDD.

if you want a good shot at a the high oc, then liquid cooling is the way to go.

I'm telling you the difference between the two optical drives one is a reader and not the writer, your second one is a writer, right now you have 2 readers? what is the point of having 2 readers?

as I mentioned my build is more powerfull with only a $90 difference.


however I Can drop the LC if you want (but don't blame me if you endup with a oc of 3.2) and make it even lower price:

here you go Ticket# 242665 --- Price: $2409 (To see this build click here)

Copy of 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 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
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: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB (216 Cores) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
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 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

again remember you get $125 off this price so it comes out to be $2283

at your resolution, which card you have won't make a difference, you are gaming at 1440x90,. I can come in the middle of the night and change your 295 with a 260 and game wise you would never know the difference.

right now the 260 is discounted price, the 295 just came out and is in full price.

if later you get a different monitor and your resolution goes higher then 1600 x 1050, then you can get a second 260(which by that time will be even cheaper. to upgrade the GPU it will take 2 minutes and I can teach a 12 year old to do it, in short its really really really easy.

in short in the long run with my build you save lots of money and have the same performance.

liquid cooling always give you the chance at highest OC. Air always has the lowest OC speeds and liquid always has the highest.

I have not changed my build cause I don't' see a build that is better then mine and something you will use.

I'm just putting myself in your shoes and just trying to not spend money on things I don't need or use or is not wroth it to me right now. your 295 at your resolution is worthless to you right now, and by the time it is, you can get it for much much cheaper, if you wanted it, but with my build you won't, you will only need another 260, which by the time you need it will be dirt cheap.

Edited by DST4ME - 06 Feb 2009 at 5:30pm

So, I'm at it again, I've built a new computer using all of the advice given here.

The ticket number is 243245

Now, the explanation for this build. I actually based it off of your most recent saved ticket DST.  I dropped off from my 295 dream and put in a gtx280. It is entirely possible that I'll be using the computer in two years, and I'm not sure if the 260 is going to fit my needs to well then. I figure having a 280 now, and possibly a 280 later is going to be better for the long term.

I dropped the power supply down to a 750, since I won't be running the 295 anymore, which freed up some money for semi-advanced water cooling. That way I can make up what I'm missing without the 295 with a further overclocked i7.

Now, would a 750w power supply support this all? That seems to be the one hang up with this build to me.

Either way this build came out better, and the price came out lower at $2478 or $2353 after discounts.

Edited by theyhm - 06 Feb 2009 at 11:08pm

Alright, this computer looks great. I'm going to order it next weekend (I get paid next Friday) and I'll be sure to post reviews or whatever. I'm really looking forward to this.

Thank you all so much for all of your help.

Sounds like you guys got this guy set up with a dream machine that he will enjoy and be very proud of!  Good Job!!!!!