HSF and OS for i7 build

[rails]

Hey guys,
I just started a new pc build:

-i7 920
-asus p6t deluxe v2
-corsair 750w tx
-6gb OCZ DDR3 ram
-sapphire hd 4890 OC
-640GB Caviar Black HDD
-cm storm sniper

I've bought a Titan Fenrir TTC-NK85TZ which is still unopened. I'm thinking of returning it and getting a Xig Dark Knight S1283 instead. On Frostytech reviews, the Titan Fenrir comes out top value/performance for money. However, having looked at the Fenrir up close, I'm starting to wish I got the Dark Knight instead. What do you guys think?
This Thermalright Ultra 120 1336skt w/Fan and Noctua NH-UH12p dual fan seems to be absolute top performers for air cooling as well, but not sure if it's worth the money.



Also, what OS would you run on a system like above and why? I'm thinking of buying Win 7 when it comes out later this year, but in the meantime, I'm looking either at XP SP3 32bit or Vista Ultimate SP1 64bit to make do. Just not sure what's ideal for now... 60% of the time the system will be for games - crysis,far cry 2, cnc3 etc, the rest for development and video playback/encoding.

Would appreciate any comments =)

Cheers

[Deadpæce]

I'm in the same boat as I've recently ordered all the parts for my I7 rig.

Personally, I'll be going with the Thermalright or the Scythe Mugen 2.

I'll be using XP SP3 until Win 7 is officially released, but only because I already have a copy and don't really see the need to spend extra for an OS I'll be replacing soon anyway.

two pence

[synaesthesia]

Hold fire for 2 more days and grab the release candidate. An I7 (a core2) is entirely wasted on XP and you'll certainly reap the benefits from it.

[Gazza]

I have just finished my new i7 build with the Noctua NH-UH12p dual fan and i'm very happy. it has a good installation kit and although I have only overclocked to 3.2ghz at the mo it's still happily in the mid 50's after 12 hrs at 100% use and it's VERY quiet.

I'm also using Windows 7. I don't see how you can lose with it. Installation was a dream. It seems to be very stable already and it looks like you can keep it for free till mid next year enabling you to skip buying a copy of vista altogether.

Enjoy your new build the i7 is an awesome pice of kit.

[rails]

thanks. my only gripe with a win7 RC is that it will expire, and it will be a pain to save the settings and reinstall all the apps you've already got...

Having said that, I will probably reap the most of my system with win7 now....

[MrChimpy]

thanks. my only gripe with a win7 RC is that it will expire, and it will be a pain to save the settings and reinstall all the apps you've already got...

Having said that, I will probably reap the most of my system with win7 now....

Vista/Win 7 have migration agent for shifting files/settings across. I'd expect you'd be able to use that to get between Win 7 RC and retail when it comes out if there isn't a straight upgrade procedure.

With the number of people trying the RC and the need to maintain the enthusiasm for 7 I'm hoping it's pretty straightforward, but you never know with MS

[rails]

I think I'll be sticking with Fenrir for now. It's cheap and value for money. Guess I'll upgrade when the time comes.

Win 7 RC here I come. I think the RC will last me till I buy Win 7. By the way, how would you partition/split a 640GB caviar black for OS,apps,games and media ?

Would you stick apps on same partition as OS?How much free space should you dedicate for the OS?