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Vos17   01-08-2009 at 05:12:57 PM

I have posted a quad core build on here, and i keep seeing people telling me to go to i7.
This is what i have so far

Power Supply: 750 watt corsair
Motherboard: EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Video card: SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5

This all comes out to 1,086 US dollars.
My quad core build was 900 US dollars.

Is it worth the extra 200$?
Think if i went with i7, i would have a better computer, that would last longer in terms of gaming.
I would like to at least to christmas of 2010 without buying anything new for it.

All opinions and suggestions are welcome. =D

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liquidrider_4   01-08-2009 at 05:27:36 PM
- 0 +

You do want to go w/ i7. I just built my new PC on an i7 base. Same mobo, same processor, 6GB 1600 OCZ memory (you want to go in triples ie. 3x 1GB or 3x 2GB etc. otherwise you won't take advantage of triple channel), EVGA 260 GTX 216 Superclocked, and 750 Watt PC Power & Cooling, antec 900 case

all came out to 1250 (great deal on some stuff during christmas and black friday)

It is most definitely worth the extra 200. The gaming is superior to the old quads and you are future-proofing your computer with the new socket and technology involved in the i7. The only thing you MIGHT upgrade before christmas is yur videocard. but that is only because they come out w/ like 2 new cards ever 3 months...

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Vos17   01-08-2009 at 05:58:54 PM
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so getting 6gbs is what i should do? i wanna stay at 4 at first
Also, how is your 260? it was the other card i was looking at.

Do you play fall out 3 or call of duty world at war? if you do it would be great to tell me your computers performance on it =]

Reply to Vos17
lurker87   01-08-2009 at 06:11:01 PM
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Either go for 3gb or 6gb to take advantage of the tri channel RAM. If you go 3gb, then you'll have to get rid of the RAM altogether to upgrade to 6gb, so going 6gb now and being done with it would be the way to go.

 

Of course, if you are trying to just save on the cash, then 3gb shouldn't be that bad, since it is a gaming rig.


Message edited by lurker87 on 01-08-2009 at 06:12:41 PM
Reply to lurker87
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 06:13:33 PM
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is tri channel really that much better?
based on the computer i posted, think it would be a great pc for at least a year or 2?

Reply to Vos17
Zenthar   01-08-2009 at 06:20:26 PM
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Based on recent benchmarks, 3-channel changes about nothing since the added latency voids most of the bandwidth gained. Just make sure you get modules that can run at 1.65V, more than that and you could fry your i7 ...

------------------------------ The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. - Rebec of Ginaz
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/600609.png
 Reply to Zenthar
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 06:25:37 PM
- 0 +

wow, anything more than that can fry it? yikes o.o
That is an expensive part to accidentally destroy.
Think you could suggest a good heat sink for it?

Reply to Vos17
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 07:06:11 PM
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I am going with 6gbs of g.skill ram (3x2gb). I have windows vista 64bit, would that be really good?

Reply to Vos17
Zenthar   01-08-2009 at 07:23:52 PM
- 0 +

With Vista 64bits, more RAM is always good :). With that 920 (4 core / 8 virtual ones) you will be able to run plenty of things simultaneously and the RAM will help. Moreover, we don't know what Windows 7 will be like memory-wise ;).

------------------------------ The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. - Rebec of Ginaz
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/600609.png
 Reply to Zenthar
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 07:38:47 PM
- 0 +

8 virtual cores on the i7? wow, don't think im dumb or anything but what does that mean in specs, performance, everything. I am really interested in that right now o.O

Also, i am using my 64bit Vista disc for my new computer cuz i want to buy Windows 7 when it comes out =]

Reply to Vos17
leo2kp   01-08-2009 at 07:54:22 PM
- 0 +

Awesome performance and amazing overclockability. As long as you have an i7 920 and 6GB RAM, you have the beginnings of a formitable rig.

------------------------------ "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" -- Jim Elliott
 Reply to leo2kp
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 08:00:12 PM
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with a radeon hd4870 1gb. think it would be really good?
I think i have decided on that card for the dx10.1

Reply to Vos17
leo2kp   01-08-2009 at 08:08:08 PM
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Depends what you play and at what resolutions. If you're going for high res, you'll be better off Crossfiring two slightly lower cards.

------------------------------ "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" -- Jim Elliott
 Reply to leo2kp
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 08:17:55 PM
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1920 x 1080 is what i want. So, what do u think would be good

Reply to Vos17
Zenthar   01-08-2009 at 08:48:15 PM
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For that resolution maybe crossfired 4850 or 4870 would be better (or their X2 versions).

------------------------------ The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. - Rebec of Ginaz
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/600609.png
 Reply to Zenthar
Vos17   01-08-2009 at 08:50:51 PM
- 0 +

how come in the benchmarks, the 4870x2 has lower minimum frames but the highest max frames? does it really dip that much during game play?

Reply to Vos17
liquidrider_4   01-19-2009 at 05:30:26 PM
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It can yes. Some games have a large variation of demand on the GPU.

Reply to liquidrider_4
xthekidx   01-20-2009 at 09:14:49 AM
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If you are just going to run the CPU at stock specs, the stock heatsink will be fine. If you think you will overclock (and seriously, who doesn't buy the 920 with overclocking in mind) Get the TRUE for a heatsink...or wait for Zalman's Thor's Hammer late feb. It looks awesome.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to xthekidx
Akebono 98   01-20-2009 at 10:09:49 AM
- 0 +

xthekidx wrote :

If you are just going to run the CPU at stock specs, the stock heatsink will be fine. If you think you will overclock (and seriously, who doesn't buy the 920 with overclocking in mind) Get the TRUE for a heatsink...or wait for Zalman's Thor's Hammer late feb. It looks awesome.


Btw, it's the Xigmatek Thor's Hammer and the Zalman CNPS 9900. ;)

Reply to Akebono 98
xthekidx   01-20-2009 at 10:14:35 AM
- 0 +

thats what i meant

Reply to xthekidx
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