New Gaming Rig

[Grandcruiser]

Alright, so it has been about 2 1/2 years since I've built my current computer. I generally replace my computer every 2 years, so this is pretty overdue. However, during that time I managed to rake up a bit more cash for my rig.

Specs:
Core i7 920(Probably going to overclock this)
EVGA GTX 480
ASUS P6X58D Premium Intel X58
Corsair HX1000W 1000W Modular Power Supply
OCZ Vertex Series 30GB MLC Internal Solid State Drive for OS
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 32MB Cache SATA-3G for other data
Corsair Dominator 6144MB PC12800 DDR3 1600MHz (3x2GB)
Lite ON 24X DVDRW SATA w/Lightscribe
Possibly a Cooler Master HAF 932

Liquid cooling will be added for the GTX 480 and Core i7 920 when I get some more cash.

This costs me a total of about $1800 at the moment with tax and shipping. I'll be posting pictures of the building process when I receive all of my parts.

[krofunk]

are you going for a flashy case or a slightly more discreet option?

[Smith6612]

Nice setup there. As for the liquid cooling system, I'm going to be installing it into my system in the next coming month or two. I have enough cash sitting around to get a heavy duty system set up on my case. Just need to get it cooling 3 video cards and an i7, then we're in business.

[Grandcruiser]

are you going for a flashy case or a slightly more discreet option?

A little bit of both. :P If a case has the air flow of the HAF and the design of the Cosmos, then I would get it. I was actually thinking about buying a Cosmos S(still thinking about it). What do you recommend?

Nice setup there. As for the liquid cooling system, I'm going to be installing it into my system in the next coming month or two. I have enough cash sitting around to get a heavy duty system set up on my case. Just need to get it cooling 3 video cards and an i7, then we're in business.

Nice! I've actually decided to take liquid cooling out of my plans. I find it too much of a hassle in the long run. I'm going to be giving this computer to a family member in 3 years when I'm done with it, so I don't want them to have to fuss over maintaining the cooling system. I'm going to go with a very high end air cooler for my CPU instead.

[krofunk]

Thinking about it, I think the Cosmos Is actually a pretty good choice.

1) REALLY easy to work with + lots of space
2) Looks like a performace case minus all the ribbions



I always think it's a bad idea to build a gaming rig that you

1) can't sell once its "over the hill" because it's to flashy for the average user.
2) looks like an average work station

..The problem is finding the happy medium

If you wanted a "little bit" more of a gaming PC look you might want to think about the VA8003BWS made by Thermaltake <- I have heard good things



The cooling in this case is pretty good as standard see -> here <-

[Grandcruiser]

I've decided to buy a HAF 932. It has great airflow and awesome cable management. I'm not planning to sell this computer anytime soon and the next owner will be a member of my family. My family doesn't really care much about looks as long as the computer doesn't pop on them. In addition to that, both the Cosmos S and the Thermal take are not available at my local retailer(so sad). Thanks for your recommendations, though.

[krofunk]

The Haf 932 is a good looking tower, you made a good choice ;) and no problem. I don't know where you live but if you are in the UK dabs (clicky) is a great place for all your computer needs, they also stock both of the cases mentioned

[Grandcruiser]

I live in the US, so I use TigerDirect, Newegg, and usually Micro Center. The big drawback for me for online stores is usually the expensive shipping that they charge for the case. I usually just buy the case from Micro Center or (rarely)Fry's. I've received most of my parts from TigerDirect. The only things missing are the graphics card and the case. The graphics card should be arriving on Monday, so I'm going to go pick up my case on Monday as well. I have a 5% off coupon available for use on Monday too. :D I'm going to try to find a Noctua NH-D14 for the CPU.

Do you think I really need a sound card? Would the P6X58D's onboard sound suffice?

[Smith6612]

I live in the US, so I use TigerDirect, Newegg, and usually Micro Center. The big drawback for me for online stores is usually the expensive shipping that they charge for the case. I usually just buy the case from Micro Center or (rarely)Fry's. I've received most of my parts from TigerDirect. The only things missing are the graphics card and the case. The graphics card should be arriving on Monday, so I'm going to go pick up my case on Monday as well. I have a 5% off coupon available for use on Monday too. :D I'm going to try to find a Noctua NH-D14 for the CPU.

Do you think I really need a sound card? Would the P6X58D's onboard sound suffice?

For almost ever use On-board audio suffices. Many of the ones that you can get these days will play 5.1/7.1 audio at 24-bits and higher with 192000Hz Sampling Rate. I use on-board audio with my rig with no issues via Optical out. Sounds great too. That, plus the video cards on my system with the TV tuner are taking up ports. Why waste another port on a sound card?

[krofunk]

I agree with smith6612, I use a sound card purely because my on-board died I lost the audio ports on the front because of that (alot of pci based cards don't seem to support front audio jacks)