Build your own Blackbird (except better and 1K less)

M

modode

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Joined
May 30, 2008
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Big News: The HP Blackbird 002 will be in big box retailers soon. For only $3200 one can be yours. Of course, with the new GPU release upcoming, it'll be obsolete by the time it hits shelves.

story: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/hps-blackbird-002-gets-exclusive-configuration-for-retail-launc/

Nevertheless, if you want to replicate it, check out the newegg list below. I took the liberty of upgrading the specs from 2 X 9800GT in SLI to 2 X 9800GTX in SLI, from 900W PSU to 1000W PSU, and from a 500gig HD to a 640gig HD. I also threw in a nice 22'' monitor, and some decent speakers. And you still save almost $1000 over the retail Blackbird:

1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
$119.99 -$35.00 Instant $84.99
1 SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B
$29.99 -$3.00 Instant $26.99
1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack $109.99 -$15.00 Instant $94.99
1 Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support
$249.99 -$20.00 Instant $229.99
1 Microsoft 4GC-00002 OEM Silver/Black Wireless Ergonomics Laser Desktop 4000 Mouse Included
$49.99 -$15.00 Instant $34.99
1 Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader
$16.99 -$2.00 Instant $14.99
1 EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
$199.99 -$10.00 Instant $189.99
1 CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply
$279.99 $279.99
1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450
$339.99 $339.99
2 EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$309.99 $619.98
1 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$109.99 $109.99
1 COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
$209.99 -$10.00 Instant $199.99
1 XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
$36.99 $36.99
1 Creative Inspire T6100 76 Watts 5.1 Speaker

$79.99 $79.99
Subtotal: $2,343.85
 
isn't that just a regular custom built computer? :confused:

the only way it can be called a blackbird is if you have their case and they don't sell it seperately as far as i know

and at least toss in the 64-bit os
 
..and isn't the Blackbird water cooled with some hi-tech Voodoo watercooling system?
 
The OP is showing how to build a computer comparable to the Blackbird but cheaper.
 
but its not comparable to a Blackbird. A computer is a computer pretty much anymore nowdays, what makes the Blackbird a Blackbird is things like its case and cooling system.
 
If the blackbird case and watercooling (and having someone put it all together for you) are worth $1000 to you, then so be it. Yes, the intent was to replicate (and actually upgrade) the hardware. The markup on high-end gaming rigs just never ceases to amaze me.

FWIW, with that Xigmatech cooler and that CPU, you can overclock just fine without watercooling. Or add 100-200 bucks to the cost of the build if you really want a water-cooling setup. In my experience, they're more trouble than they're worth, especially with the cool-running CPU's and excellent air coolers available today.

Sure, should've been Vista 64, I guess.
 
modode said:
If the blackbird case and watercooling (and having someone put it all together for you) are worth $1000 to you, then so be it. Yes, the intent was to replicate (and actually upgrade) the hardware. The markup on high-end gaming rigs just never ceases to amaze me.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why this system isn't meant for you... This is meant for people that want a nice computer, and don't want to build it. Therefore that extra $1000 is worth it to them.

I can't believe anyone is still trying to prove that building your own computer is cheaper than buying one.
 
You'd be surprised how many people still argue that a system like the blackbird is a "good value for what you get."
 
you're right that the case and watercooling isn't worth $1000 and a system can be put together for a lot less

but if I built my own computer, the last thing I would want to copy is the hardware in the blackbird - they were quite far behind the curve a while back, still pushing e6850s when the e8400 was definitely the better choice.

thanks for the info about the big box stores though - that should give them a leg up for sure
 
modode said:
... I took the liberty of upgrading the specs from 2 X 9800GT in SLI to 2 X 9800GTX in SLI ... I also threw in a nice 22'' monitor
Click to expand...

You'll see hardly any performance benefit with SLI on a 22" monitor -- and if you do see any performance gains, most people will agree that its not enough to warrant the cost of SLI over a single card setup -- again, for a 22" monitor. So, you should change that to at least a 24" monitor. ;)
 
I would build something very different than those specs, and wouldn't be likely to go with SLI. I was just trying to stay close to the blackbird's hardware.

Totally agree about 24'' monitor. I'm not sure the blackbird at 3200$ even includes ANY monitor however.
 
modode said:
You'd be surprised how many people still argue that a system like the blackbird is a "good value for what you get."
Click to expand...

It is a good value for what you get. You get a great preforming computer in a very stylish case with some great watercooling. It may not be for you and it isn't for me, but if I was better off, and I was shopping for a gaming PC, the Blackbird would be on the top of my list.

I have some rich friends and they all support me and my other normal friends when we build our PC's by giving us props and saying good job, but they all still buy Dell XPS systems just because that is what they prefer. (and the high end Dell XPS has some serious Peltier/H2O cooling going on it it.)
 
Long-time builder here (had a home-built dual-P3 as a workstation when I was in high school), and I'll admit that I'd love a Blackbird. I don't really care if it's pre-built or not, but there is something to be said for over-engineering. First off, HP has already made sure all the hardware works together- no issues with incompatible power supplies (Antec), no missing patches (Vista KB929777 for 4GB), a case that has more claim to the phrase "work of art" than any LiLi I've ever seen, and a warranty that beats just about anything else out there to boot.

Every component in a computer is important- we laugh at people who cheap out on power supplies, yet I've seen plenty of high-end systems in crappy cases (lots of Sagitta's at MicroCenter, for example). I picked up one of those Alienware workstation cases for $100 courtesy of Woot last time, and would have gladly paid $300 for it if they'd asked (and I don't even drool over Lian Li's normally). I love my MJ-12, and if I ever have an opportunity to buy a Blackbird case by itself I'll be glad to fork over $500-600 for it (finances permitting). And I'm talking bare case, no cooling or power supply necessary. That's a case I'll be glad to show off, even if it means sitting on a coffee table in the middle of my living room.
 
It's definitely a nice-looking case. Very, very nice looking. I just don't think I'll ever see a case I like enough to pay $1000 bucks for it.

But I get your point. People still buy Ferrari's even though a Corvette will give them equal performance at a third of the price.

Edit: It'd be interesting to see if you could pick up a blackbird case on Ebay 3-4 years from now when the hardware is obsolete for a couple hundred bucks. Then it'd be tempting to buy it, gut it, and rebuild with the latest hardware. Assuming the motherboards available by then will still fit. (with the new socket for Nehalem and all).
 
I think most of us know how to build our own computer, but if you could give me a tut on how to buy/build a Blackbird case.
 
modode said:
You'd be surprised how many people still argue that a system like the blackbird is a "good value for what you get."
Click to expand...

No, please, surprise me. Because what you listed is just a regular computer, not comparable to the blackbird.
 
RangerSVT said:
No, please, surprise me. Because what you listed is just a regular computer, not comparable to the blackbird.
Click to expand...

Other than the case and liquid cooling (which I'm actually not sure the model in question even has), enlighten me as to how what I listed is not comparable to a blackbird?
 
modode said:
Other than the case and liquid cooling (which I'm actually not sure the model in question even has), enlighten me as to how what I listed is not comparable to a blackbird?
Click to expand...

A Blackbird is a Blackbird due to the case and the mobo. The Blackbird's 780i mobo supports both SLI and Crossfire setups, something that no consumer motherboard can do. Intel's SkullTrail can do the same but it's hardly a regular consumer motherboard. In addition, the case gives the Blackbird its signature look.

While I disagree on the choice of monitor and mobo (Get a 24" monitor if you're going to use SLI. Anything less is a total waste of money. If you stick with a 22" monitor, forget SLI altogether), your choice of parts is very nice.
 
Danny Bui said:
A Blackbird is a Blackbird due to the case and the mobo. The Blackbird's 780i mobo supports both SLI and Crossfire setups, something that no consumer motherboard can do.
Click to expand...

I'll admit, I didn't read up on this, and excuse my laziness for not looking it up myself, but can I get a link? :D 'cuz I just looked at the tech specs and they listed two boards, the 780i eVGA and an Asus X38 board. So, I assumed they would use whichever board necessary for whichever GPU config you chose. Again, pardon my laziness.
 
I'll admit, I didn't read up on this, and excuse my laziness for not looking it up myself, but can I get a link? 'cuz I just looked at the tech specs and they listed two boards, the 780i eVGA and an Asus X38 board. So, I assumed they would use whichever board necessary for whichever GPU config you chose. Again, pardon my laziness.
Click to expand...

they used to do it on the Asus Striker Extreme but maybe not the 780i or X38

edit: quickly found this article:

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/09/07/hp_blackbird_002_crossfire_on_nforce_/1
 
enginurd said:
I'll admit, I didn't read up on this, and excuse my laziness for not looking it up myself, but can I get a link? :D .
Click to expand...

Oops, I'm slightly wrong. It was the Blackbird with the Asus Striker mobos that could do SLI and Crossfire. Link:
http://www.custompc.co.uk/news/601278/hp-offers-crossfire-on-nforce-sli-motherboard.html

Though when one chooses dual HD3870 during the Blackbird configuration, they don't recommend a motherboard change at all. In fact, going through configuration, you can't choose a different motherboard other than the eVGA 780i. So it does look like you can do a Crossfire setup on a 780i motherboard.
 
What would impress me more, is if they got SLI working on an X38 board. :p
 
modode said:
Big News: The HP Blackbird 002 will be in big box retailers soon. For only $3200 one can be yours. Of course, with the new GPU release upcoming, it'll be obsolete by the time it hits shelves.

story: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/hps-blackbird-002-gets-exclusive-configuration-for-retail-launc/

Nevertheless, if you want to replicate it, check out the newegg list below. I took the liberty of upgrading the specs from 2 X 9800GT in SLI to 2 X 9800GTX in SLI, from 900W PSU to 1000W PSU, and from a 500gig HD to a 640gig HD. I also threw in a nice 22'' monitor, and some decent speakers. And you still save almost $1000 over the retail Blackbird:

1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
$119.99 -$35.00 Instant $84.99
1 SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B
$29.99 -$3.00 Instant $26.99
1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack $109.99 -$15.00 Instant $94.99
1 Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support
$249.99 -$20.00 Instant $229.99
1 Microsoft 4GC-00002 OEM Silver/Black Wireless Ergonomics Laser Desktop 4000 Mouse Included
$49.99 -$15.00 Instant $34.99
1 Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader
$16.99 -$2.00 Instant $14.99
1 EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
$199.99 -$10.00 Instant $189.99
1 CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply
$279.99 $279.99
1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450
$339.99 $339.99
2 EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$309.99 $619.98
1 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$109.99 $109.99
1 COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
$209.99 -$10.00 Instant $199.99
1 XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
$36.99 $36.99
1 Creative Inspire T6100 76 Watts 5.1 Speaker

$79.99 $79.99
Subtotal: $2,343.85
Click to expand...

I basically built a very similar system a month ago, with the coolermaster cosmos S, and only 1xGTX, pretty neato, but its no blackbird

doesnt have the awesome case, or cooling

a blackbird is a blackbird because its a blackbird, essentially
 
you figure there is about 700$ in profit for hp in this maybe less if you think about the warranty and support provided. And besides can you name one company that selling a product or service that isnt looking to make some type of profit and is still in buisness?


sometimes its worth the convenience to call one company for the warranty. I'm sick of paying shipping back to to evga/bfg/xfx/ect.. when a part that i most likely paid 300$ for goes bad. my computers down two weeks for the rma process.Most pc makers sends a prepaid label or a tech out to your house.

theres no way an end user that would be buying this type of system would call evga to get the mobo fixed or call corsair when the memory goes bad ect..

on a side note i dont like HP and if i was going to buy a shelf pc it would be a Dell.
 
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