Have you heard of Jetline Systems???

[Skittles]

Hey, thanks again. I've printed this post and the linked page and tucked it into my "New Computer Tech Reference Manual"

I'm going to start walking the web for other Win7 tips. I'm still stuck in Vista land.

[Skittles]

One last item...

I can't find my Building/Installation Checklist. Do you use anything like a cheat sheet when you assemble computers?

I had something like...

• Install OS & Partition as req'd
• Configure Internet/LAN
• Allow Windows Updates
• Install AV software
• DL'd drivers
• Install chipset/MB drivers
• Install Trackball drivers
• Install video drivers
• Install usb drivers (If needed)
• Install USB Equipment
• Install CD/DVD drivers (if needed)

[Slotback]

This is what I would do after you assemble the computer.

1. Go into BIOS (system setup), make sure SATA configuration is in AHCI mode and set RAM voltage and timings. Save and reboot. Go back into BIOS, verify that RAM voltage are actually what you set it at. If they're not, try again. Do not run the RAM at anything above 1.65v, ever.
2. Install Windows 7.
3. Disable User Account Control (Click start type in "User Account Control", go the UAC page, drag the slider to the lowest setting it can go.)
4. Download & install latest chipset drivers from the ASUS website for your mobo
5. Download & install latest videocard drivers from the nvidia website, download & install sound drivers from ASUS website for your mobo, download & install network drivers from ASUS website for your mobo. Do NOT install SATA drivers.
6. Install anti-virus. Microsoft Security Essentials is good. Do NOT install some bloated crapware anti-virus program like NORTON which will make your PC run like crap and negate the whole purpose of a fast computer.
7. Windows Update
8. other drivers
9. do this: http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=82516
10. make sure TRIM is enabled http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=86403 (forget about the enable AHCI bit, you did that in BIOS before you installed windows)
11. Install Firefox, Chrome, or Opera as an alternative to Internet Explorer.
12. Install Applications.

And then when you're ready, overclock. I'll try to find some guides, and some guidelines.


Also, I've read more about the Intel fan. Apparently it can be loud when set to performance mode... if you find it too loud you can always buy a better one later on I suppose.



Also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115070

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131682

[Skittles]

5. ...Do NOT install SATA drivers.

Are they installed on step 8 or are they installed at step 4?

6. Install anti-virus. Microsoft Security Essentials is good. Do NOT install some bloated crapware anti-virus program like NORTON which will make your PC run like crap and negate the whole purpose of a fast computer.

SSHHHH!!!! Don't even say that "N" word!"

7. Windows Update

This is always the most time consuming part. For those who have been following or are reading this for the first time... Getting Windows updated properly is a very repetitive process. After every update... REBOOT and then check for more updates manually. I recently updated a friends .NET framework from 2 to 3 and there were additional updates for .NET along with updates for XP related to .NET. So check, check and check again.

Thanks again... I've added the P8P67 to my newegg wishlist... Only one thing left, well two. The CPU and then getting the Mula!!! Yes I will bump when I'm ready to buy!

[Slotback]

Are they installed on step 8 or are they installed at step 4?

SATA drivers will be on the ASUS page for your motherboard. But from what I've heard they are not needed unless you're running a RAID system. Apparently they might interfere with TRIM with the SSD, which could mess things up.

[Skittles]

SATA drivers will be on the ASUS page for your motherboard. But from what I've heard they are not needed unless you're running a RAID system. Apparently they might interfere with TRIM with the SSD, which could mess things up.

All-righty then! Go figure.

[Slotback]

On the Core i-series processors, the memory controller is integrated within the CPU. Hence high memory volts can kill the CPU because even if the memory can take it, the processor may not. 1.65v was the absolute max for Core i7 chips on the old manufacturing process, the new manufacturing is more fragile. The documentation on the Intel website is partially complete and there is still confusion about the maximum memory voltage. Apparently Intel says 1.58v is the max, but RAM manufacturers and some motherboard manufacturers are claiming that that 1.60-1.65v is compatible.

Therefore, to play it safe, change memory to this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231444

1.50v versus 1.65v, and it's cheaper anyway.

Also when overclocking don't go over 1.35v for the processor voltage. Also if overclocking I recommend you disable load-line calibration unless you know exactly what it does.

Do NOT change BCLK Base Clock, make sure it is at 100.0mhz

PLL Voltage - Do not exceed 1.9v!!

Do all overclocking manually.

[Skittles]

Okay, It's been printed and included with my other notes. Thanks.

[Skittles]

With the increased budget, I went back to the GTX 580. I've also picked out a monitor and Flight Panel. Do I need the 750w PS or is the 650, OK?
Links are at the bottom.

[code]COMPONENT            PRODUCT       PRICE      
Monitor            NEC Display Solutions P401 Black 40" Large Format Monitor       $1,055.99      
Case            Corsair Graphite Series 600T Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case       $159.99      
MB            ASUS P8P67 PRO LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Intel Motherboard       $184.99      
PwrSup            CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...       $119.99      
CPU            Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K       $329.99      
Memory            G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL6D-4GBXH       $159.98       x2
GPU            EVGA SuperClocked 015-P3-1582-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...       $529.99      
CD/DVD            ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM       $33.98       x2
HDD            SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive       $139.98       x2
SSD            Corsair Force CSSD-F120GB2-BRKT 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)       $229.99      
OS            Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM       $99.99      
Panel            VRInsight - ProPit

[Slotback]

Desktop versions of 2nd generation core i-series processors usually use the P67 chipset...

Hard disks use SATA cables.

As do many optical drives.

SATA III drives will work fine plugged into SATA II ports.... and vice versa..

Anyways;

They found a bug with the P67 chipset... apparently after a couple of years the SATA II ports might start giving errors which will mean a degradation of performance or the ports might stop working completely (P67 motherboards usually have two SATA III ports and four SATA II ports). If you're using more than 2 SATA ports then it might be prudent to wait until the bug is fixed, which means a couple of months, otherwise, plug it into the SATA III ports, most motherboards have two of them. Or you can just get a motherboard with a marvel controller.... most ASUS boards including the P8P67 Pro/ evo have four SATA 6 gb/s ports hence you should be fine with up to four hard disks (or 3 hard disks + a SATA DVD burner... etc)

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4142/inte ... ins-recall

In other words, for maximum reliability you will be limited to four SATA ports when using the ASUS P8P67 Pro motherboard. The ports are colour coded... use only the (gray) and (navy blue) ports. If you need to use more than those (or don't want a defective motherboard) then wait until around march/april (competitive AMD processors might be around then anyway). The navy blue ports will only work with hard disks and not with optical drives.

[Skittles]

Thanks, very valuable info. Should I then wait for the Z68???

Gee, saying "thanks" just doesn't seem to cover it.

[Slotback]

I guess you should wait for AMD Bulldozer and Z68... just a couple of months. LGA-2011 is coming up at the end of the year too, which is basically the really high-end version of Sandy Bridge.


And I'll reply to your email soon, been busy.

[Skittles]

I guess you should wait for AMD Bulldozer and Z68... just a couple of months. LGA-2011 is coming up at the end of the year too, which is basically the really high-end version of Sandy Bridge.


And I'll reply to your email soon, been busy.

I think if I keep waiting for the next best thing... I'll never buy a new computer. Newegg has already discontinued the P67 and fixed P67 is reported to start shipping again in April.

It also looks like my budget is going to get cut too. We'll see.

[Mark_TE72]

This was a good read, I myself am about to build my FSX rig based on the things I've read on this thread. I will be ordering parts from newegg in less than two weeks so I would love any suggestions about the list that I will order.

Right now here's a list of the parts I was looking at (my budget is around $2500):

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K ........$328.99

ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

[Slotback]

The problem has since been solved for all new motherboards.

I wouldn't bother with a really expensive motherboard. $300 max IMHO.

Thermal paste usually comes with the heatsink. IMHO get a Prolimatech megahalems or something.If thermal paste doens't come with that, get some arctic silver 5 or something.

LGA-1156 compatible coolers should be compatible with LGA-1155 processors.


Also you might be over-doing it with the SSD's, but if you need the space...

Rest looks good.