New computer, anything I'm missing?

[Sosseres]

I am getting an upgrade, happy with my case, graphics card, psu (700 W), cpu fan (also fits this new socket), mouse, keyboard, headset, mic and screen. I live in Sweden so linking to newsegg (sp?) and similar sites for prices is a bit pointless unless I want transatlantic shipping (it would be cheaper than buying here even with that, but I don't want the warranty issues).

So was thinking of getting the following:

Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL7 3x2GB CL7-8-7-20
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5
Intel Core i7 920 2,66GHz Socket 1366 Box

I need at least 6 sata slots, so picked a motherboard with 6+ slots instead of just 6 of them. The cpu is the cheapest that support tri channel memory (a feature not really worth its price, but why not).

If I buy windows 7 I was considering Premium OEM as the choice since the only other feature I want is Windows XP Mode, which is free if I install a third party tool and the higher ram limit, where 16 should last me the entire windows 7 time.

[mgz]

ide suggest looking up some of the major mfgr for the mobo you like and look up folks who sell them in sweden. Instead of getting a sparkle pony mobo

[DeadSpaceX]

Make sure the ram is supported completely by the mobo, been researching a new build myself and kept running across DDR3 issues with some mobos and cpu's. Some timing issues, some cases where ram just wouldn't work, etc. And buying win7 if you can afford it is a better option than pirating it, less hassle.

[K7IA]

Oh, does pirated windows 7 work well enough to not need to buy it?

I think you should read about this before making a decision => http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2359686,00.asp

[Sosseres]

Make sure the ram is supported completely by the mobo, been researching a new build myself and kept running across DDR3 issues with some mobos and cpu's. Some timing issues, some cases where ram just wouldn't work, etc. And buying win7 if you can afford it is a better option than pirating it, less hassle.

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into my considered combination.

[molbjerg]

i7 920d overclocks nicely, paired with a good board. Pushed mine to 3.6ghz very easily. Had a good mobo though... which I would recommend...

I'd generally go corsair for memory, but that's just me.

[Sosseres]

i7 920d overclocks nicely, paired with a good board. Pushed mine to 3.6ghz very easily. Had a good mobo though... which I would recommend...

I'd generally go corsair for memory, but that's just me.

So going up to 3.2 ought to be pretty stable and make memory ratio 1:2 as it should be for ddr3. I'll compare a corsair memory around that price class as well then and check. That would be the Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL7 3x2GB (CL7-8-7-20), opted for that over OCZ Platinum XTC DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL7 3x2GB CL7-7-7-20 due to the solution for transport 2 vs 3 shops and a slightly lower price. ^^

Make sure the ram is supported completely by the mobo, been researching a new build myself and kept running across DDR3 issues with some mobos and cpu's. Some timing issues, some cases where ram just wouldn't work, etc. And buying win7 if you can afford it is a better option than pirating it, less hassle.

This I have a hard time finding info for on the corsair ram, seemed fine on the ocz. CMX6GX3M3C1600C7 and GA-X58A-UD5 doesn't turn up anything good. :/


Edit, I am feeling pretty satisfied with these right now, no future proofing on motherboard, but oh well. Will leave it up until after the weekend to get any further input then order and hope the shops keep everything in stock...

edit 2,

ide suggest looking up some of the major mfgr for the mobo you like and look up folks who sell them in sweden. Instead of getting a sparkle pony mobo

Re-read the first post, I am thinking of buying a gigabyte motherboard and a sparkle graphics card.

[Sosseres]

I think you should read about this before making a decision => http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2359686,00.asp

Lets not turn the thread into a discussion about pirating windows 7, would just get it locked.

If a system is found to be non-genuine it will display dialog boxes informing the user of the situation and giving them information on how they can get genuine. The desktop wallpaper will turn blank with a watermark reminding the user of the problem, and the dialog boxes will reappear periodically. The only updates they will be able to install are important security updates. Microsoft stresses that no user functionality will be lost.

If that nag screen isn't annoying there is no reduced functionality from using a non genuine windows version.

[K7IA]

Lets not turn the thread into a discussion about pirating windows 7, would just get it locked.

Sorry, just wanted to inform you about the new mechanism that microsoft will put in place to fend off illegal versions and that it might annoy you at a point where you won't be able to revert back.

I was using a pi**ted version of 7 and then sometime later it warned me that the key was invalid and reasked for activation. I had installed it on a spare hdd, so I just removed it.

[molbjerg]

Oh actually, it's worth mentioning that OCZ ram is NOT compatible with some motherboards. I almost ordered some OCZ ram for my Q6600 system and discovered they had a problem with Asus boards amongst others...

[BuriaL]

Make sure the ram is supported completely by the mobo, been researching a new build myself and kept running across DDR3 issues with some mobos and cpu's. Some timing issues, some cases where ram just wouldn't work, etc. And buying win7 if you can afford it is a better option than pirating it, less hassle.

What you should do it google something like "[mobo-name] problems". If its a well known mobo and you dont find alot of complaints about it, then its prolly nice.
Check the details of what OS the drivers support.
Buy memory thats fully supported by the mobo.

Have another computer with internet at the ready, for downloading bios and drivers.


If i had done these things when i bought my last mobo, id had less of and headache getting it to work.
My mobo is a MSI. In retrospect i should have sent it back and gotten another brand. I were blinded by the newest games.. and never did.

[Mag-X]

The cpu is the cheapest that support tri channel memory (a feature not really worth its price, but why not).

If you don't think triple channel memory is worth the money, why not save some and look at 1156 socket motherboards?

If you want to save some money on Windows, you could get the upgrade version. You can do a fresh install with it (with a trick), and since you're upgrading your current PC which already has a valid Windows licence, it's actually not even against Microsoft's rules (not that anyone actually cares.)

[fohfoh]

For windows 7 don't you need business or ultimate to get the XP mode? AFAIK, Home premium doesn't have it. (Unless they changed it)

[nstgc]

Professional also has it.

[Natheria]

Since no one mentioned the video card i guess i will.

I'm not sure of the exact prices you are looking at in Sweden (or what kind of deal you are getting on that GTX 275) but i would recommend ether looking at ATI's Radeon 5850 or waiting for nVidea to release their new 300 series. The 5850 is a much better price vs performance than anything nVidea can offer right now.

[Sosseres]

Since no one mentioned the video card i guess i will.

I'm not sure of the exact prices you are looking at in Sweden (or what kind of deal you are getting on that GTX 275) but i would recommend ether looking at ATI's Radeon 5850 or waiting for nVidea to release their new 300 series. The 5850 is a much better price vs performance than anything nVidea can offer right now.

The 275 is cheaper than the 5850. Does the 5850 offer a lot higher performance since it is almost 30% higher in price? (Due to the sparkle being on campaign.)

[Mag-X]

waiting for nVidea to release their new 300 series.

The 300 series is out. It's just renamed low end 200 cards made for OEMs. They'll probably fill out the rest of the line by renaming the rest of the GTX200 cards after Fermi is released. The Fermi cards will be the GTX400 series.

The 275 is cheaper than the 5850. Does the 5850 offer a lot higher performance since it is almost 30% higher in price? (Due to the sparkle being on campaign.)

The GTX275 is DX10, and will soon be replaced by whatever Nvidia calls their mid-ranged Fermi card. The 5850 is DX11 and supports Ifinity.

[Viseroid]

You need one of these babies:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/21/usb-mini-fridge-keeps-the-dorks-cool/

[lapa321]

275 vs 2850 = DX10 vs DX11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR40GwRtFyw

The pricing prediction for nVidia's fermie isn't looking too good.

[Sosseres]

275 vs 2850 = DX10 vs DX11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR40GwRtFyw

The pricing prediction for nVidia's fermie isn't looking too good.

Watched that video and picked the cheaper dx 10 card due to not being impressed.