New build, need advice/comments

[ubertoast]

Ok I am building a new computer for christmas, and I have been reading up on all the new stuff lately, and I am having a hard time making my final decisions. I have some different builds, and i would like your opinions on them.

The first one I am thinking about is a E8500, 4gb OCZ plat DDR2, with a Asus HD4870x2 (tri-fan), GB UD3R.
The other build I was suggested on other forums was with an I7 920, EVGA x58, GTX260, 3gb gskill pi black.

The first build leaves me a little more flexibility in price. I will be buying a 22" LCD soon also. I have recently started thinking about the HD4850x2, basically the next months marathon build you guys have in this forums.

I dont know what to do. The 1st build i assume will be better for gaming, but takes a hit for general applications, video editing and such. The 2nd build takes a FPS hit. I do game a lot, and i have been wanted to play all the games that have been comming out in the past few years (I havnt had a new PC in a while).

So what do you guys think?

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: My target price range is 1300-1400$ at the moment.

 

[Proximon]

I think you have two extremes going there and would be happier somewhere in the middle.

How about a P45 crossfire board like the UD3P along with a Q9550, then put a single 4870 1GB on it. You can always add a second later if you feel you need it.

 

[ubertoast]

Ok well i have done a lot of thinking, and looked at more benchmarks, and I think this is the build I am going to go with:

CPU: I7 920
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-DS4
RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
GFX: XFX GTX 260 Black Edition
HDD: WD Caviar 640GB (32mb cache)
PSU: Corsair 750TX
Case: Antec 300
OS: Vista Home Prem. 64bit
Monitor: SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22"

Total w/o monitor is 1350$
How will the black edition do on a 22" monitor?

 

[lunyone]

It should do fine. I just don't see spending more on the CPU/mobo combo than the GPU when you want a gaming machine. The i7 is nice, but for gaming right now, I'd take the 4850x2 or even just a 4870/280gtx for the GPU of choice. The >$500 price tag for the i7 CPU/mobo is just quite a bit. I'd even splurge more and get a 24-30" monitor over getting th i7 setup, if it were me. Just make sure you get the 4850x2 or the 4870x2 with the bigger monitor. It's up to you, but I'd opt for a better gaming rig over the i7 setup. I know the i7 should allow you more upgrade time, but who know how long the i7 chipset will last??? s775 lasted quite some time, but the chipsets changed like every 3-6 months and were hard to keep up with. IDK, but that is how I see it.