Bluecow003

I know you guys go through this a lot, but I'd like some feedback on a Core i7 build I'm planning sometime in the next month. I'm currently using my sig rig which I built in October 2005 (which will be turned into a HTPC), so it's time for a new build.

I'm building this new computer for gaming on a 24" monitor (1900x1200, dual actually, but only game on 1 obviously) and to use for things like Photoshop/Premiere/After Effects. I'm not too concerned about saving money here or there, but I want very good performance for the value (hence the i7 920, things like that). I plan to overclock, but not to the bleeding edge, just a solid overclock that can be used 24/7.

My main concerns are compatibility between parts, or if they will be replaced by something better in the next month, or if there is something that is better right now. If I didn't list a component, then I already have that part (like monitors and a case). I really appreciate the feedback.

Intel Core i7 920
Prolimatech Megahalem cooling
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
EVGA GeForce GTX 285 1GB
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB (x2 for RAID1)
HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Sound Card

I'm going to be using my current Antec 900 case and a PC Power and Cooling 750W power supply. I also have a SATA DVD drive too.

Am I missing anything? Suggestions? Compatibility Issues? Anything coming out better within a month or 2?

Thanks!

Thanato

Your set up looks awesome, i have a few of your parts listed. The only thing that i will caution you on just because ive experienced it. I have a 1xSSD drive and 2x500gb drives. i was going to put the 2 500 in raid 1. Unlike my older board where you specifically tell the board to have sata port 1 and port 2 be in raid and leave everything else be, in the p6t deluxe v2 it will put all the ports in raid configuration even if you dont want them to be ie my single SSD drive. Vista took minutes to load even after trying to load the raid driver on the single drive. and the bios would hang because it was trying to reconize my sata dvd drive. I havent found an answer yet, im hoping im just doing it wrong and overlooking something.

As far as performance goes, you will be able to get to 3.8 on low voltages and run chilled with that cooler 24/7 no problems

Bluecow003

So there might be a problem with RAID1 on it? I've got 2 Raptors in RAID0 and 2 750GB drives in RAID1 on my current mobo, PLUS another single Raptor running too with no problems.

Like on my current mobo, it has 2 sets of 4 SATA ports and they are run by separate controllers. How is the P6T V2 setup? Can I just put the raptor on 1 of the SATA sets and the 2 1TB drives on the other set? That's a pretty big problem if I can't set it up as the Raptor as a single drive for OS/programs and a RAID1 for media storage.

Bluecow003

Does anyone know about this RAID issue on the P6T Deluxe V2?

Also, can anyone think of any parts that will be coming out in the next month or 2 that are worth waiting for?

7hm

Good build only thing id change is skip out on the velociraptor set those 2 1tb on stripe and take the other cash and buy something else like another gtx 285 ^_^ or put that money in for some watercooling for your i7.

__________________

Bluecow003

I just need a small, fast drive for programs. I don't want all my music, pictures, and movies on the same drive as my OS and programs. It just makes it so much easier for reinstalling the OS. I thought about doing an SSD, but I'd want at least 120GB and they are really expensive right now. And I want RAID1 to protect all my pictures and music.

I'd like to get this RAID issue clarified. I guess I'll have to do some research.

The_0ctogon

Putting two 7200RPM in RAID 0 would be faster and cheaper than a single Velociraptor. There's no reason to get one of those.

__________________
There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who can read binary, and those who can't.

Bluecow003

What do I need that much space for? Plus I double the odds of it failing. I currently have 2 74GB Raptors in RAID0 and I still have 20GB free on it with all my programs and games on it.

Although, if what the first guy said is true about all the drives on the controller running as RAID even if one of the drives is just a single drive, then running 2 320GB drives in RAID0 and the other 2 larger drives in RAID1 for storage might solve that problem.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136074

Those are fast 7200 rpm drives, right? Aren't they single platter? Thoughts?

Atomagenesis

I would get a 32mb cache HD.

Bluecow003

Isn't the smallest 32mb cache hard drive 640GB? The 1TB drives I'll be using for storage are 32mb. If I was going to use 7200 rpm drives for my OS and programs, I would definitely do RAID0 for the speed. I certainly don't need 2 640GB drives for programs and the OS.

Also, doesn't the 32mb cache make like zero real world difference?