Well, I wouldn't have bothered with the i7 965. I am pretty sure the performance difference from the i7 920 doesn't really justify the four-fold price increase; but, hey, if you've got money to burn, and it is worth it to you, then why not. (I would've used the money to get better/more graphics cards.)

I though there was a bug in Sins that it only limits the ram usage to 2gb? If it is true, why go with a 6gb ram when 4gb would do. and on your processor, unless you are doing video editing and extreme modelling, I also wouldn't bother with an insane processor, I probably would gone with a quad-core instead, and probably spend the extra cash for either better connection or like what setar said a getter graphics card or even larger harddrive

Nice!  

Will you adopt me and give me your now "old" desktop?  Surely, you've outgrown that one by now.   

That looks like an AWSOME machine. I personally love computers and I love talking with those enthusastic about building them.

As said above, the 965 is a waste of money relative to the 920 (especially the d0 stepping), unless your planning on putting it under ln2 and going for a world record (even then you'll be beat by the 975).  I just dont know what to say, I sure hope your overclocking cus otherwise you paid 800-900 more for speeds that you could of easily surpassed with a moderate overclock on an I7 920 D0.  You could of taken that saved cash and put it toward gtx 295 sli or something of that sort.

I am assuming you got that motherboard as part of a bundle (they bundle it with processors pretty often).  Otherwise, there are many better options.

well the cost can sometimes can be justified if you are buying based on time till you replace your machine, maybe he doesn't intent to change machine for 3 to 4 year then ...

Mooster that's true of many things but not so true for computer hardware at the high end.  The 920 D0 is approximately $350 cdn whlie the 965 is $1300.  The difference is only in clockspeed, which is 2.66ghz -> 3.2.  A 920 D0 can be overclocked to 4ghz guaranteed, with 4.25 or better not uncommon (4.5 pretty consistent on a quality motherboard such as the EVGA Classified).  The 965 overclocks are very similar and will GENERALLY only surpass the 920 if you are using liquid nitrogen.  The price difference is huge, the performance difference at stock speed is minimal-moderate - nowhere near worth it... And when you factor in overclocking you basically are just throwing your money away.  Money which could of been spent elsewhere.  The GTX 260 is alright, but having 4890 crossfire or 295 sli (with the i7 920) would be cheaper and give much better performance in games, even at stock speeds.  The 920  D0 also runs cooler.

Spending money for the top of the line in computer hardware doesn't guarantee you long lifetime viability, but it does guarantee that you will pay through the nose due to diminishing returns.  

I have read some of your posts and in general, you sir, and an elitest asshole. Not everyone wants to fucking overclock their computers.

To the OP > Don't let this asshole get you down, I hope you enjoy your new computer and your daughter enjoys your old one

This :/ thought tbh I'm just jealous cause I can only handle 4 gigs of ram on my new (2 month old) mobo. But at least it put me under $400.

themadmanazn, even without overclocking the money would of been better spent on more expensive video card(s) and/or an ssd for his OS/games.  He asked for our thoughts, and computer hardware is something I have quite a lot of thoughts about.  I'm being honest.  I suppose I could of kept to myself since he's already purchased it and probably can't change that.  If everyone tells him that it is a perfect match of components and an excellent buy then he's not likely going to be asking for advice on his next build.  Judging from his choices though I feel he would benefit from a bit of help next time, might save him money and boast more performance.

Systems like these ensure the collective laziness of programmers for years to come.

*high-five*  

-DrGonzo

You are being honest, I am sure the OP appreiatres that but here is the reality, if I spent $2000 on parts, I don't want some person in a forum telling it I could have done this and that, etc.

Yes, he puchased something where he will most likely not see any performace increase.

I have been building computers for years and I am graduate who studies processor design, sepcificly parallel and gpu's. However, whenever someone doesn't buy the best price/performace, I don't go off on them telling them they made the wrong choice.

I understand your point of view, but it seriously comes off as condecending. If we were REALLY gonna be nit picky, we could go on about pretty much ever part he chose, lol. If he has the money for that kind of processor in his kind of economy just because his daughter asked for his old computer... I wouldn't worry about his financial situation, he can prolly still afford games, lol.

Nice system...   One potential upgrade for you would be to install a second hard drive in a RAID configuration.    Drives are fairly cheap now.

And if you get tired of your system, adopt me first then upgrade!  

I really do appreciate the input, and i do not take offense, maybe it is luck, maybe its how i have it configued, but in all honest, this thing screams, and i havent even overclocked the gpu or the cpu yet, that is coming when i know exactly how to do it, reading  a lot about it, i already fried an DX58SO in december a month after i bought it, so now i am doing my homework on the overclocking, i guess you would call it learning the hard way, but i love to learn, to build something that really works well gives a good successful feeling to say "i built that and it works pretty darn good" thank you everyone, i have been coming here to wincustomize for a few years, never really posted that much since i joined in 05, but i have always felt weclcome and the help i have received from folks like you is second to none, nowhere is there a more honest helpful group of people,t thanks so much

Jpmurph1

Tiduz > I would like to apolgize for the harsh comments ealier. I will admit It was rude and I would like to explain I work in a high stress enviorment and I was very tired (on break) when I made that post. I hope you provide good and honest remarks in the forums (maybe a bit straight forward). I also hope we can get along after this incident.

themadmanazn , i never took any offense, dont be silly, i am still in the learning phases (isnt everyone with the way technology changes daily) i take it as good constructive criticism, hey i am retired from law enforcement i dont think you can offend me LOL, maybe i will adopt you and give you this one LOL, plus you will find i have an excellent sense of humor, life is too short not to have one, !!!!

This is another good reason for coming here. Soon I'll be in the market for my own rig and this kind of back and forth is very informative. Thanks to themadmanazn and jpmurph1. You guys rock

Personally, Jp, I wouldn't buy a machine like that... but hey, I'd more than happily accept one if donated.  I recently upgraded to an AMD Phenom II x4 920 @ 2.8ghz, boosted my DDR2 800 Ram from 6gb to 8gb and installed a Galaxy 9800GT @ 1gb, mostly 'cause that's all I could afford, but to me it absolutely flies compared to what I had and I'm happy with what I got.  That's all that matters, and if you're happy with your purchase, then good for you.

I would like to have been able to go with an i7 965 based upgrade, but that was well out of my league and probably will be for quite some time yet... prices here in Oz would have to drop dramatically, and I don't see that happening any time soon.  Heck, Jafo just forked over AUD S2,700 + for an i7 920 based upgrade, so with an i7 965 starting around AUD S1750 + on its own (no mobo, Ram, PSU, HDD or graphics, etc), a rig like that is gonna be getting up around AUD $5,000.

Maybe one day????  In the meantime, however, you enjoy your new rig, it should handle anything and everything you throw at it, so have yourself a ball.

Starkers, are things really that much more expensive "down under" yeah i went a little overboard, but i believe most of us when we have an opportunity to do that, we do it, i am just very fortunate, being retired from law enforcement, my pension check is my mad money, as i have another job, that is why i am able to do these things, plus no mortgage on the house as we paid it off 3 years ago after 30 years of payments, but i bought my home in 1976 for 28,000 dollars can you believe that, and another thing i have never believed in credit cards, just my ATM card, if the cash is there i spend it, if not i dont get it