Core i7 system for 1350. Worth it?

Latsabb

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Hello, I am looking at spending 1,350 dollars to build a Ci7 system. I am wondering though... Is it worth it to try to skimp on the parts? For example, my previous build was using OCZ platinum ram, and now I am using G Skill... Also, I feel that the previous MB I was planning to get was of better quality than the MSI I will need to settle with... Here is my newegg "wish list" which defines everything.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=6275469

Please note, this cost is WITH a 22" monitor. If you cannot view the above, here is the quick breakdown:

260GTX (216 version)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

G.SKILL 3 x 2GB DDR3 1333- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130221

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

ZALMAN CNPS9500 (with 1366 bracket)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118003

Anyway, my list has more than that on it, but most of it doesn't really matter, as they are not the "core components".

So... Yeah... Is it worth taking a non-name brand ram and an inferior quality MB to go with a Ci7 system? My original plan was to go with these:

OCZ Platinum 4 x 2GB DDR2 800- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227291

GIGABYTE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

Thanks for your insight!
 

Latsabb

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Is it? G.Skill has always rubbed me as a second rate ram... It is not exactly a big name like Kingston, Crucial, OCZ or Corsair...

If it is in fact a better brand than I am making it out to be, then I apologize.
 

Helloworld_98

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drop the '260 for a 4870 512mb if your using a 22" monitor and then get a thermalright ultra 120 and a fan with the spare cash you save.

You might just also be able to get 1600mhz ram aswell.
 

Latsabb

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I was looking at the 4870, but a few of the games I play (Age of Conan being the main problem) have massive issues with ATI cards. Plus, just about every game forum I have ever read on talks about artifacting or graphical errors related to ATI cards, since many companies dont seem to want to support ATI cards. That is just a huge minus for me.

EDIT: Also, is there some reason that I should get a Thermalright Ultra 120 instead of the Zalman that I listed? I cant even find one on Newegg...
 
Only you can answer that question. And it revolves around your expectations for your system.
You're going with a 19x10 res monitor and GTX 260 on a motherboard that doesn't allow for a possible future SLI upgrade.

Keep yourself informed of the testing reports and reviews then make your decisions based on the best information you can find. MSI X58 Platinum @ HardOCP
Overclock3d.net
TrustedReviews.com
 

Latsabb

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I am a "buy a completely new computer every 3 years" kind of guy, so SLI is not a huge deal for me. If needs be, i could just buy a completely new single card solution, but I am going to assume that the 260 GTX is going to suit me well for the next 3 years. Hell, I have been on this 7600gt for 3 years, and it is only the very recent games that I cannot play, and those are mostly because I have a single core system.

I will check out the reviews, so thank you very much!
 

Greg_77

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The coolermaster V8 is a good cooler. If you shop at newegg, the OCZ platinum 1600 6 gb is often $150 or below. It could be a worthy upgrade.