New system bulild after 8 years! Any advice?

[Zaeem]

I need some advice from experts as I am really puzzled:
I am going to buy a new PC after 8 years. Should I go for and i7 920 (future-proofing)

or Core2Quad 9550? What GPU should I buy? nVidia 9800 GTX+ (only as it

supports PhysX) or ATI's 4850?
I am mainly buying a new PC for running latest applications (without them being

slow) and graphic intensive games (like Crysis, Far Cry 2 at 1280x1024). My budget

is around $850 (plus or minus) (Only main system). Also I want my PC not to be

upgraded for at-least four or five years.
Thanks in advance!

 

[3lvis]

Unfortunately, i7 is out of reach of your budget. An i7 920 is roughly $300, x58 motherboard is around $300, and the DDR3 memory is anywhere between $100-250 depending on how much and what type you pick. This would leave you with no room for a PSU, GPU, case, drives and OS.

What size monitor will you be using?

 

[o1die]

I like my $199 compaq pc. Even after upgrading the power supply, cpu, and adding a better video card, it was still cheaper overall. Only negative is the micro atx case. The motherboard can be changed, provided you get a dell oem cd or dvd for loading windows. There is no such thing as future proofing. It's all a marketing ploy to get you to spend more than you really need to. You'll spend 33-40% more for a low end core i7 system over a closeout oem system for maybe a 20% performance boost overall. Focus on the video card and case cooling if you build your own. I wouldn't even overspend on the power supply; the deals are out there for just about everything. It's a buyer's market.

 

[Zenthar]

OP: Just out of curiosity, what were the original specs of your 8 years old system and what upgrades did you do over time (and when)? This would give us ideas of what you consider "acceptable computing" as most of enthusiasts (or even mainstream gamers) would consider an 8 years old CPU a good ... keychain.

 

[kubes]

Asus p5q pro $130 after rebate $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

PSU: $95 after rebate: $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Ram: $50 after rebate $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

Case & CPU Combo:
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?submit=ChangeItem $245

GPU: $248
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398

heat sink: $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046

Total before rebats $803

This rig would last you for a good while. With the q9550 being $320, i really don't think this item is in budget range. The i7 is for builds that are $1200+ i'd say.

What kind of monitor do you have? I did not figure this item in on your build. (I would reccomend something that is 1900x1200) with this setup.

 

[kubes]

@Zenthar
I actually get 8 year+ cpus put on my desk and I have to fix them all the time. Its like watching paint dry when loading them up lol. Some people don't understand that technology is evolving and its time for an upgrade instead of trying to fix a "Key chain".

 

[zenmaster]

I need some advice from experts as I am really puzzled:
I am going to buy a new PC after 8 years. Should I go for and i7 920 (future-proofing)

or Core2Quad 9550? What GPU should I buy? nVidia 9800 GTX+ (only as it

supports PhysX) or ATI's 4850?
I am mainly buying a new PC for running latest applications (without them being

slow) and graphic intensive games (like Crysis, Far Cry 2 at 1280x1024). My budget

is around $850 (plus or minus) (Only main system). Also I want my PC not to be

upgraded for at-least four or five years.
Thanks in advance!

This plan will not work in any way shape or form..........

#1 - Neither CPU is in your budget.
#2 - It's not possible to build a system today that will be good performing in 4-5 years.

Your best bet is to set a reasonable budget (May even be less than $850).
Build the best PC for that money.
Then in 2 years (Not 4/5) sell your old PC and build a new one.
Use the money saved from not maxing out your budget + the sale price to build the next PC.

This will let you have a usable computer in 3-4-5 years.

 

[Zenthar]

@kubes
I know, I may have exaggerated a bit, those old machine make great NAS for tech-inclined people who always end-up with their relative's old crap .

What we need to know are his performance expectations just to make sure they are realistic. Based on my needs, an 850$ system would last a year top ...

 

[kubes]

@Zenthar
ya, an $850 dollar comp would last about a year for myself.

Its funny because when I do get those old computers that's exactly what i suggest to most people. Nas are pretty helpful for most people. The problem is they just don't know what they can do for them.

 

[zenmaster]

Antec 300 Case - $50

PCP&C 500w PSU - $50 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

Gigabyte P43 Mobo - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347

4GB of Corsair Ram - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Q6600 - $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

250GB HDD - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

4850 - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272
=====================================================
Total - $575 + Shipping After Rebates.

Add in a After Market Heat Sink if you are going to OC. (Recommended)
If not OCing, go for an E8400/E8500 for less money but faster clock.

You can spend more on the HDD as well and get one slightly bigger/faster.

 

[Zenthar]

@kubes
BTW, the "Case & CPU Combo" link doesn't work for me.

Maybe I would skip the HSF for now IF the 35$ could be put to better use elsewhere (ex: 4870 ... overkill now for 1280x1024, but in 2-3 years ...). Later-on he could always add one and OC his CPU ... would be a small cost "upgrade" in 1-2 year.

 

[Zaeem]

Thanks a lot! I live in Pakistan and prices here are some what high (when coverted from $ to Rs.). I will buy an i7 only if the prices of mobo and RAM drop significantly, otherwise I would go for a quad. My old system is still usable for simple applications like browsing and composing, and I have been long waiting for the right time (for a year or so) to buy a new one. Specs of my good old PC are, 650MHz Duron (AMD), 256MB RAM, 32 MB NVidia TNT2 Card, Creative Sound Blaster, Gigabyte mobo. I am excited to buy a new system as it will be a huge upgrade!

What about nVidia PhysX? Should I buy an nVidia card only as it supports PhysX or may I go for ATI?

 

[kubes]

I would suggest googling benchmarks on the games you play and determine what card works best for you. ATI and Nvidia are neck and neck for your price range. You really cannot go wrong with either card. Benchmarks scores are probally the best way to break the tie in titles your gonna play.