New Build - C2Q vs Core i7

[blacklion228]

I am finally getting ready to order the components for my new system which will mainly be used for gaming and some video editing. My goal is to try and keep the cost under $1700.

Not sure whether to go with a Core 2 Quad ($1442.89 @ newegg) system or the new Core i7 ($1699.90 @ newegg) system...

The video card is a bit better on the C2Q build, but I'm curious if the rest of the build on the i7 will make it worth it. Thanks for the input.

SAME ON BOTH BUILDS:
Case : Antec P182 Gun Metal
ROM: Samsung 22x DVD Burner SATA
Mouse: Logitech G5
Monitor: Acer X223Wbd 22" 5ms Widescreen
HDD: WD Caviar SE16 640GB SATA 3.0Gb/s
Additional: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

Core 2 Quad:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P P45 ATX
CPU: Q9550
RAM: Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800
Video: eVGA GTX280 01G-P3-1280-AR
PS: PC Power & Cooling S75Qb 750W

Core i7:
Mobo: eVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 ATX
CPU: Core i7 920
RAM: Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1333
Video: eVGA GTX260 896-P3-1260-AR
PS: Corsair CMPSU-1000HX 1000W (still need to find out if it will fit in the Antec P182 case)

 

[J2FcM]

The 2nd build looks like you're paying top dollar for small increases in performance. I like the top build because its similiar to what I went with... except PCU was E8500 for gaming and potential OC'ing later on, and 4870 due to price\performance and Crossfire having more praise than SLI.

 

[WR2]

Core i7: Less powerful video card but more powerful PSU?
Also that GTX260/192 should be replaced with one of the GTX260/216 models.

Overall performance will be very close so you can decide on price alone if you want.

I'd suggest the Q9550 with the GTX260/216 as being the best bang for the buck. The GTX260/216, when OC'd, is very close in performance to the GTX280.

 

[blacklion228]

thanks for the info guys...i'm going with the Q9550

as for the video card...i've never had an ati card, but i've considered looking into the 4870...the reviews and other forum threads make it tempting

 

[Liderc]

I had a similar option, but I chose to go I7 because X58 is the platform we're going to be using for a while, so I figured why not.

I'm sure you're Q9550 build will be great though.

 

[blacklion228]

i have another deciding factor also...the less money i spend on the pc, the more i get to spend on the new TV / surround sound

 

[chris312]

Dang, that's a sweet price on the P182! I may just have to order one, even though I'm not planning on building a new computer until the spring.

If I had to spend exactly $1700 and decided on Core 2 Quad (Which I would, if I were in your shoes. I think. It's hard.)

P182
$110
Samsung DVD Burner With Lightscribe (Lightscribe is worth $3, but if you have to order now then the other Samsung is fine)
$29
Logitech G9 (Well worth the extra money over the G5 in my opinion. I've had both.)
$90
Western Digital 6401AALS (Newer model, more cache)
$85
Arctic Silver 5
$6
P45-UD3P
$137
Q9550
$320
2x Corsair 4GB of DDR2 800 (Why not; it's cheap and will help with video editing)
$110
PC P&C 750W PSU
$125
Sapphire Radeon 4870 X2
$490
Acer 22" Widescreen Monitor
$170

TOTAL: $1672

Now, because you say that any extra money will go to your new TV, I would without hesitation swap the 4870X2 for a GTX 260 Core 216 for the better value. My goal was just to compare apples to apples-ish on the price, Core i7 vs Core 2.