** Updated June 17, 2010 **
I wanted to note here that I actually returned this computer back in March and *did* eventually get my money back after suffering a catastrophic raid array failure.
The refund took a bit of effort to realize and I ended up paying way too much for shipping for a system that ultimately failed.
** End June 17, 2010 update **
OK, let’s try this again. My last computer purchase attempt fell through when, after I had waited a couple of weeks already, they let me know that there was going to be further delay on the box. I took a look around and checked with my boss who was very pleased with his custom built machine and, after checking them out online (in spite of the B+ rating at the BBB), I decided to go ahead with Cyberpower.
This system will be about $500 cheaper and one gpu shorter than my last attempt. But I think I’ve got a stronger system overall. I did a *lot* of research on the motherboard, power supply, memory and overclocking aspects and feel comfortable that I’ve put together a machine that not only kicks butt now, but will be solidly satisfying 3-5 years into the future.
CyberPower X58 Same Day (NO MONITOR) SAMEDAYI7Z, http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_X58_Same_Day/
- *BASE_PRICE: [+1155]
- BUNDLE: None
- BLUETOOTH: None
- CD: LG 22X DVD±/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)
- CD2: None
- CAS: * AZZA Solano 1000 Full-Tower Advance Cooling Case w/ Dual 230mm Fan + Extra 3 Fans [+60]
- CASUPGRADE: None
- CS_FAN: Default case fans
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-920 2.66 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366
- FAN: Asetek LCLC 240 Liquid Cooling system w/ 240MM Radiator and Dual Fans (Extreme Overclocking Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) [+79]
- FREEBIE_RM: None
- FA_HDD: None
- FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer [+10] (BLACK COLOR)
- FLOPPY: None
- HDD: Extreme Performance with Data Security (RAID-0+1) with 4 Identical Hard Drives [+119] (1TB (500GBx4) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+52])
- HDD2: None
- IEEE_CARD: None
- KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
- MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
- MODEM: None
- MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
- MONITOR: None
- MONITOR2: None
- MOTHERBOARD: * (3-Way SLI Support) GigaByte GA-X58A-UD7 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Ultra Durable™3 Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 24 Phase Power ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 HD Dobly Audio, Dual GbLAN, USB3.0, 2 x SATA-III RAID, 4 Gen2 PCIe, 2 PCIe X1 & 1 PCI [+215]
- MEMORY: 12GB (2GBx6) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module [+209] (Corsair Dominator [+143])
- NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
- OVERCLOCK: Extreme OC (Extreme Overclock 20% or more) [+49]
- OS: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional [+31] (64-bit Edition)
- POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts Power Supplies [+143] (Thermaltake ToughPower 750W – Quad SLI Ready)
- PRINTER: None
- PRINTER_CABLE: None
- RUSH: RUSH!!! READY TO SHIP IN NEXT BUSINESS DAY
- SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
- SPEAKERS: None
- TEMP: None
- TVRC: None
- USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
- USBHD: None
- USBX: None
- VIDEO: ATI Radeon HD 5870 PCI-E 16X 1GB DDR5 Video Card [DirectX 11 Support] [+330] (Major Brand Powered by ATI)
- VIDEO2: None
- VIDEO3: None
- VC_PHYSX: None
I just got an email (and phone call!) today that the Corsair memory that I spec’ed is on backorder and they suggested that I could go with the Kingston X memory for $10 less. But I’m going to have this for a while and the Corsair seems to be more highly regarded for overclocked applications so I need to follow up with them to see what kind of delay this will introduce.