Rebuilding Comp, return customer

vileguy · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:19:03 Post Subject: Rebuilding Comp, return customer

If I was big on hardware I'd prob be active on these forums. You guys are awesome and did a great job helping me build my current PC a couple years ago. Well the last few months have been hell and I'm going to build a new comp using less than half of the stuff from my old PC. Here's what I'm looking at so far:

Asus P6T Mobo
Intel i7 920 Nehalem 2.66ghz
Cooler Master N 520 Heatsinc and Fan
OCZ 2GB x3 240-ping DDR3 1333 PC3 10666 Triple Channel
Topower Powerbird Top-900W

I've got an evga 7950 gt ko which I think works, a soundblaster xtreme music, usb mouse and keyboard, and an analog lcd monitor. I'm trying not to spend a ton of money but I don't think I want to spent a good amount if I'm going to be on the 775 socket and regret it later, so I went with i7 and for the memory. Any input is great, if you like or don't like 1 piece especially if you suggest another item. Right now I'm looking at 800 on newegg which is more than I was hoping to spend but it's managable. I'll upgrade my videocard eventually, probably to a sapphire atomic. I don't care about SLI/Crossfire, I don't overclock or run raid. I basically just play games like left 4 dead, team fortress 2, and looking forward to some games like starcraft 2 and diablo 3. I currently run dual view with my nvidia drivers and love it, but I can live without it via WMP media server hosting so I can stream to my PS3 (what a waste of power!).

I believe my motherboard is malfunctioning but I haven't pinpointed the problem yet (varying problems booting and if it does make it to windows, it randomly crashes and restarts after 0-10 hours. Basically unusable as it's seemingly random whether it'll boot at all). So I'm building most of a new computer and will try to fix the old one up to sell. Thanks everyone for your time and input. Here's a link to all the parts I'm looking at on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227375
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817342012

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:15:48 Post Subject:

Hi - Good luck with your build... Some of my comments would be:

1. That CPU cooler is pretty weak. I'd stick with the stock Intel unit over that. Maybe the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer? Or spend a bit extra on a bunch of other brands.

2. That OCZ memory has been deactivated. I might go for something at 1600MHz instead of 1333MHz anyway. For good stuff, and rather cheap, I'd look at OCZ, G.Skill, Patriot. Check out thtis OCZ 1600MHz (CAS 7) kit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

3. I don't know much about that PSU. Never seen it in action... But it does seem expensive. 900W may be excess too... What about something like a PC Power and Cooling 750 (color matched to that case, too)... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703019

mrweasel · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:45:43 Post Subject:

I have that memory that Jason linked to, good headroom for OCing. CAS 7 is nice.

heck with only a 7950, you could get away with a 600w. something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171039

Grayheart · Rated PG Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 21

I would not skim on the motherboard and risk getting the open box motherboard. Half the time, I don't think they tested costumer's return before reselling them as open-box item. Of course, half the time, people returned items that are fully-functional, either because they don't want it or they don't know how to use/install it correctly, so there is a chance the item is good as new, but I would not risk it for a motherboard. It is the foundation for your entire system, and would cause the exact random crashes, errors that you are encountering with your current older system. It is a headache to troubleshoot compare to other problem since it is not easy to swap out a motherboard and unlike other computer components, like memory or CPU or video, you can't just ask your friend or borrow from your other working system to test it on your to see if what you have is defective.

vileguy · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:12:36 Post Subject:

Thanks for all the replies.

The cpu cooler seems ok to me. Running at full w/ 3pin connector doesn't bother me, I may prefer it, and I don't see why this wouldn't perform well, althought the recommended sunbeam one looks fine as well. I'm leaning towards the one I selected.

The memory did deactivate right after I posted, but I did find your suggestion a better choice.

Looking at some of the coolermaster psus I'm not too confident in them. The powerbird 900 is going to be a chunk more money than a regular psu but modular cables are a big plus to me and the review linked from this site left me with confidence in it.

I am going with a new mobo, not an open box. Thank you for your suggestion.

My current total is about 1000 after tax and shipping. I don't feel confident downgrading any of the parts so I will probably just put off purchase or buy the parts as they go on sale. Thanks everyone for the help. Here's my current list but it's still up for debate:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=7030889

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:16:55 Post Subject:

Check out reviews of that cooler, I don't think many (if any) people liked it. Including me:

http://www.bigbruin.com/2009/cmhypern520_1

I didn't even notice the mobo was open box, so could call switching to new.

As for the PSU, I'd still shop around. PCP&C is a good choice, but you could probably save at least $50-$75 over the TopPower by selecting a 650-800W unit from a handful of manufacturers.

borschtBomber[SS] · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:17 Post Subject:

To be honest the N520 isn't a horrible cooler, but installation is a pain and you can do better for the money IMO.

I'll agree with the other guys as well that 900 is probably overkill for what you are looking at. PCP&C and Corsair are two good choices.

vileguy · Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:29:25 Post Subject:

Thanks for the link to the review. I'll be going with the Cooler Master Hyper Z600 with the LGA 1366 bracket. I know I'm basically overpaying for the power supply but I like the features enough that I'm willing to overpay for an efficient psu as it's such a crucial part. There are lots of good cheaper psus I know but I think the combination of features and performance (from what I've read) in this psu has sold me.