Super Computer 1st Build

[RobL]

Hi, did some more research on Cyberlink Powerdirector 8 and have been able to narrow down the build I want. Please have a look and straighten me out before I order this monster.

CPU: Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s
http://http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supplyhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Card Reader: Koutech IO-RCM621 All-in-one USB 2.0 3.5" USB 2.0 Front Panel Multi-format Card Reader with USB 2.0 Port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162024

Video Card: GIGABYTE GV-N250OC-1GI Rev 2.0 GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125285

Wireless Card: D-Link DWA-556 IEEE 802.11n (draft) IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b PCI Express Xtreme Desktop Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127218

Hard Drive 1( for OS ): Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Hard Drive 2 ( Storage ): Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Case: LIAN LI PC-7FN Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112249

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Video Editor: Cyberlink PowerDirector 8 Ultra
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832117001

Monitor: HP 27" HD LCD Monitor 2710m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176160

For an optical drive, I will re-use the one I installed/replaced in my Dell about a year ago.

Added up at the bottom of the Newegg cart is $1686.01 with $25 in shipping. There are also 3 rebates which subtract $50 from the total to $1636.01.

I could probably shave another $100 if I were to use a case/PSU combo and some lesser hard drives, but I like the idea of a full aluminum case for heat and weight as well as some decent drives. Please correct me if I'm silly for thinking that. I'm not using the least expensive monitor as well, I could probably save another $100 by reducing size to a 24", or something like that.

The video editor I want to use is all about i7 processors and Nvidia Cuda use for some of the editing procedures, hence the higher end processor/gpu. I do have a question, clicking around on Newegg, I could get an i7 930 for a couple dollars more ( plus another $50 for the 1366 chipset mobo,) or the i7 870, any reason I should. I'm definitely not throwing around $50 like it's nothing, but I'd like to do this once and be happy with it for years to come.

I looked at doing another Dell, but after reading reviews, magazine and owners, I couldn't help but feel that the best bang for the buck rest with a home built pc.

I think I've followed the "Super Build" with some minor changes, once again, thanks to everyone on the forum and of course Rob for the site to begin with. I'm looking foward to putting it together.

Thanks, Rob.

[The Wise Monkey]

That all looks great.

If you do decide to go with an i7 930, then you would need to get triple channel RAM as well, which would bump up the price again. Just something more to consider. This will be more future proof though.

[RobL]

My SuperPC is up and running!!!!

Many thanks to Rob, Wise Monkey, Ricky, and everyone else here. I followed the tutorial online while building and I'm off and running. I had trouble with the Gigabyte Disc not reading properly, so I went downloaded the drivers from the website and all is well.

I need to hook up the second HD, finish the case, and add some more software, but the monster is alive! Time-wise, I've spent about 8 hrs so far and it's time for a break.

I'll post some pics when I get it all finished up.

Any reason to partition my second hard drive? I'm using it for data storage and that is it.


Thanks again,

Rob.

[RobL]

In case my thread ever helps anyone I'm trying to add all the hick-ups I go through to get 100% running.

After I had the pc up and running, I connected the 2nd HD, ( 1TB, data storage, ) and didn't do anything else. I fired her back up and went to see if the drive was recognized, and it was not. Then I rememberd that I forgot to plug in the power cable to the 2nd dive.....doh! Plugged in power, still not recognized. Google search "Win 7 doesn't recognize 2nd hard drive," and came up with answer.

Start > search " diskmgmt.msc" > clicked on drive ( now recognized,) and did a "simple" format in which I assigned a drive letter as well.

Done!

Rob

[RobL]

In case my thread ever helps anyone I'm trying to add all the hick-ups I go through to get 100% running.

After I had the pc up and running, I connected the 2nd HD, ( 1TB, data storage, ) and didn't do anything else. I fired her back up and went to see if the drive was recognized, and it was not. Then I rememberd that I forgot to plug in the power cable to the 2nd dive.....doh! Plugged in power, still not recognized. Google search "Win 7 doesn't recognize 2nd hard drive," and came up with answer.

Start > search " diskmgmt.msc" > clicked on drive ( now recognized,) and did a "simple" format in which I assigned a drive letter as well.

Done!

Rob

[RickyTick]

Nice job Rob.

[RobL]

Quick Win7 question, ( that I can't seem to find yet with google.) When I am looking at files on my digital camera's SD card, I can copy them but I can not delete them. If I put the SD card in my Vista laptop, then I can, but not on Win7. Any ideas?