Alienware Fiasco/Building new computer

[2048Megabytes]

You left out the Windows operating system installation disk. I would go with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

 

[jgoff14]

As an Alienware owner I can say first hand RUN FAR AND FAST! For example: I priced all components as I wanted on the egg vs AW and found 24gb of ram for $350... Alienware wanted $1200 as upgrade price from 6gb! They have MASSIVE markup and HORRIBLE service.

 

[Red Love X]

You left out the Windows operating system installation disk. I would go with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

Thanks for that. Is there any real differences between the full and OEM versions other than the OEM can only be attached to one computer?

I think this is going to be my final build, and I apologize if I'm kicking a dead horse or bringing this up too many times.

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

Mobo (when it gets back in stock):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131682

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

HSF:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716

Final questions:

1. Will all of this work together? Am I forgetting anything?

2. Are anti-static bands/mats worth it? I know I need something, as I'll be building on carpet.

3. Any final tips?

Thanks for everything, this forum has truly been invaluable.

 

[Drenlin]

You've got a pretty good build put together there. You'll need to add an OS to it though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

I've got some ideas on how to improve some spots:


1- faster/better hard drive for the same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
cheaper here if it comes back in stock: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD103SJ

2- Cheaper (and still very good) 1KW PSU-
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

or, a TX950...only $20 more than the 850 for 100 more watts and slightly better performance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013


3- Higher quality RAM for $2 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427


4- If you're trying to cut the price down, there are some very good cases for $100 or less. None as good as the Phantom, but you save $40 or more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112236




As far as the motherboard goes, I have to say, that one is a beast. As far as I know, it's one of only two boards currently available with an NF200 chip in it, which is what provides the extra PCIe lanes. (the other being the Asus Maximus IV)

The PCIe controller in the processor itself only has enough for x8/x8, but the NF200 chip is somewhat similar to Hyperthreading in that it basically squeezes the extra data into the spaces that aren't being used. It should provide you plenty of bandwidth for two 6970's.


edit: Another possible way to chop the price would be to go with an Antec FD-85/1200. (same case, different skin...DF-85 is cheaper)
They allow for Antec's CPX power supplies, which kick all kinds of ass at a very low price. The Phantom is the better case of them, but the Antecs are still full towers with plenty of room. The Phantom + the HX 1000 is about $370, while the DF-85 plus the CP-1000 is $325 from Newegg, but you can get both for as low as $305 elsewhere. Granted, while you'd lose some quality, one of those $100 cases and the TX950 would be ~$255 and still a notch above what many people have...your call.

Newegg:
CP-1000- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371036
DF-85- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Elsewhere:
CP-1000- http://www.google.com/products/cata...cid=6375269381253335319&os=sellers#scoring=tp
DF-85- http://www.google.com/products/cata...cid=3501838498203426339&os=sellers#scoring=tp

cp-1000 review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=173

 

[Red Love X]

You've got a pretty good build put together there. You'll need to add an OS to it though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

I've got some ideas on how to improve some spots:


1- faster/better hard drive for the same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
cheaper here if it comes back in stock: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD103SJ

2- Cheaper (and still very good) 1KW PSU-
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

or, a 950TX...only $20 more than the 850 for 100 more watts and slightly better performance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013


3- Higher quality RAM for $2 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427


4- If you're trying to cut the price down, there are some very good cases for $100 or less. None as good as the Phantom, but you save $40 or more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112236




As far as the motherboard goes, I have to say, that one is a beast. As far as I know, it's one of only two boards currently available with an NF200 chip in it, which is what provides the extra PCIe lanes. (the other being the Asus Maximus IV)

The PCIe controller in the processor itself only has enough for x8/x8, but the NF200 chip is somewhat similar to Hyperthreading in that it basically squeezes the extra data into the spaces that aren't being used. It should provide you plenty of bandwidth for two 6970's.


edit: Another possible way to chop the price would be to go with an Antec FD-85/1200. (same case, different skin...DF-85 is cheaper)
They allow for Antec's CPX power supplies, which kick all kinds of ass at a very low price. The Phantom is the better case of them, but the Antecs are still full towers with plenty of room. The Phantom + the HX 1000 is about $370, while the DF-85 plus the CP-1000 is $325 from Newegg, but you can get both for as low as $305 elsewhere. Granted, while you'd lose some quality, one of those $100 cases and the TX950 would be ~$255 and still a notch above what many people have...your call.

Newegg:
CP-1000- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371036
DF-85- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Elsewhere:
CP-1000- http://www.google.com/products/cata...cid=6375269381253335319&os=sellers#scoring=tp
DF-85- http://www.google.com/products/cata...cid=3501838498203426339&os=sellers#scoring=tp

cp-1000 review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=173

Thanks, I took your advice on both the RAM and the HDD and replaced them with your suggestions. I think I'll also go with the 950W (I'm going through Newegg for personal reasons). That 950W PSU will fit just fine inside the Phantom, right? Oh, and I've now been linked the OEM system builder's model twice...is there no real difference between that and the full version other than the retail copy can be installed to several computers (one at a time, though)? Does it still get the same support and updates the retail copy receives?

 

[Drenlin]

It still gets the updates, yeah. You don't get their customer support, but forums are far more efficient anyway.

If you want the full version it's another $80...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716


Although, if you're a college student, I believe you can get the full version of Windows 7 pro for ~$65. (I was lucky and got it for $30...)


edit: The TX950 will fit just fine

Honestly, I can't really think of anything that won't fit in a phantom, other than an EVGA SR-2.

 

[Red Love X]

Thanks, that saves me another $80 off my build! That's every last question I can think of, so I appreciate all the help. In about a week when the mobo gets back in stock, I'll order everything and put it together!

So hopefully you all won't have to answer to a "Oh my god how do I get this thing together" thread in two weeks or so! Thanks again!

 

[Drenlin]

Nah man, by all means make a thread on it. Build logs are like porn to geeks, haha.

Besides, everybody runs into some stupid problem when they're building...I forgot the 8-pin CPU power at least three times while I was messing with mine, and once spent 10 minutes trying to figure out why it wouldn't power on when I'd actually flipped the power switch on the back off. Would've been a lot simpler if I'd asked about it, haha.