Build My First Computer

[Quinton95]

I want to see which build is better and if all the parts are compatible. I have two builds one is a AMD and the other is Intel. The price range for me is around $1200-$1600.


Intel Build and AMD

INTEL Case/CPU/Motherboard (CASE Haf x)(CPU ntel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core)
(Motherboard ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.540792

Nvidia (EVGA 012-P3-1472-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

Power supply (CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013

Hard drive (Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

Memory (G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000))
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231407

Windows 7 (Home 64bit)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Blu Ray Burner (LG)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181

AMD Radeon (Asus 6870)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6816351&CatId=2306

AMD Processor (Phenom II X6 1090t BLACK EDITION)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849&cm_re=amd_phenom_ii_x6_1090t-_-19-103-849-_-Product

AMD Motherboard (Asus Crosshair IV Formula)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644

AMD Case not sure if I should get this one or the HAF X (Haf 932)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

 

[saint19]

Hi Quiton95 and welcome to Tom's forum.

That's easy.

1- Yeah all the components (Intel and AMD) are compatible.
2- Which is better build? Intel for performance, AMD for price
3- Which has better lifespan? AMD

And the most important question.

Which one I'd choose? NONE

Why? Build a new rig now, when Sandy and Bulldozer and on the corner for enter to the game isn't a good idea, is something crazy.

 

[Quinton95]

What is wrong with my build ?

 

[saint19]

Nothing wrong, just that you are build a rig when new technology is near to comes out.

 

[Quinton95]

Oh well do you know when the release date is for Sandy Bridge and Bulldozer is ?

 

[MadCatz900]

Definitely go with the i7 950 if you are going to buy before sandy bridge which is January 5th.

 

[Quinton95]

Do you know when bulldozer is?

 

[MadCatz900]

Nope i dont think there is an official release date, my guess would be no earlier than march but its just a pure guess.

 

[Quinton95]

I might just wait but my computer is about to die so I don't wanna wait long

 

[MadCatz900]

Mine was being dodgy so i upgraded just recently, i could of waited but im more than happy with my i5 760 now.

 

[jsc]

Regardless of the system, if any, you pick; avoid the Seagate HD. The larger 7200.11's were notorious for a firmware problem that would turn the drive into a brick.

 

[saint19]

OK.

The Intel rig gives you more performance, but with the Sandy up coming isn't a good options IMO.

AMD gives you more lifespan to update, so, I would go with it, but with few changes.

1- I'd go with this RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=ripjaws_1600-_-20-231-303-_-Product you don't need 8GB unless that you use maybe adobe applications at the same time.
2- Change the HD for the Spinpoint F3 1TB, or Seagate 7200.12, both are very good.
3- You don't need a 950W PSU, unless that you want install 3-Wasy Crossire or SLI. Go with a good 650W or 750W PSU like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&cm_re=750W-_-17-151-087-_-Product or like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016&cm_re=750W-_-17-139-016-_-Product both, Corsair and Seasonic can handle your rig and 2-Way Crossfire or SLI
4- Sames as above for the case, the HAF 932 is more that enough for your rig and 2-Way crossfire or SLI.

The rest, mobo, CPU and GPU are fine.

 

[Quinton95]

1- Price is some of my concern because I can't go out and spend 150 dollars on a power supply.

2- I'm not going to go with a solid state drive because there way to expensive.

3- i7 950 vs. Phenom ii x6 1090t

4- New to the tech talk

 

[saint19]

1- One of this:

a- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=750W-_-17-139-006-_-Product
b- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&cm_re=750W-_-17-139-010-_-Product

2- Not problem, get a Spinpoint F3 or Seagate 7200.12

3- Like I say up, i prefer AMD for lifespan and price, but is your choice. Intle gives you more performance, but also cost more and can't be upgrade it as AMD can.

4- In other words. Intel is the same that buy a Rolls Royce excelent car but very expensive, while AMD is something like Ferrari, not as good as Rolls Royce but give you the best for the price.

 

[Quinton95]

Saint you have been a big help. Thanks for the information, and explain more about the AMD upgrade

 

[saint19]

Not problem.

In one had we have Intel, is excellent for performance but always comes with a new socket for a new CPU, i.e. the Core 2 Duo is 775 socket supporting DDR2 RAM, while the new i3, i5 and i7 comes with 1156 and 1366 socket respectively and only support DDR3 RAM.

Now in the other hand we had AMD, i.e. an Athlon X2 6400+ is socket AM2 supporting DDR2 RAM, after that AMD comes out with the AM2+ socket, but the old AM2 CPU can be installed without problem in the new AM2+ socket with a BIOS update of the mobo. After the AM2+, AMD release the AM3 socket, Phenom II line and Athlon II comes out to the market.

The big thing about AMD comes here. The new AM3 socket can works in a AM2/AM2+ socket if the mobo support the new AM3 CPU, and other point. AM3 works with DDR2 and DDR3 RAM, so, you can have a 2010 CPU working with DDR2 on a three or four years old mobo without problems. Here is where you see the AMD's lifespan, you only change that you need.

 

[warpcrash]

I used to be big on AMD but I've been impressed with intel in my last 3 computers. and they lasted alot longer than AMD rigs in my experience.

And even though AMD comes close in gaming power if you do more than game grab the intel.

You can also find some nice asus refurbs that will OWN. Like this one my nephews have it and it's price / performance is fantastic.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220051&cm_re=Asus_Essentio-_-83-220-051-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

My brother had a similar one built before they made those and it cost him $2,000 and then at best buy they had that asus for only 1 grand so he got it for his son.

and as for the lifespan thing i've been using intel socket 775 for around 4+ years +1 intel

 

[saint19]

and as for the lifespan thing i've been using intel socket 775 for around 4+ years +1 intel

Wow 775 for 4 years. Can you install an i3, i5 or i7 in your current mobo? Because I installed an AM3 Phemom II X4 955 in a old 4 year mobo like yours.

 

[warpcrash]

good luck with that better hope your 4 year old mobo can support that wattage

 

[saint19]

Enjoy it

It's supported without problems, equal that a i7 in you 775 mobo wait, that's not possible with Intel :lol:

Even, the X6 1090T is supported by the same MSI K9A2 Platinum.

Now, come back to the original thread.

@OP: It's your choice, Intel or AMD, I give you the good and bad thinks about both, the final word is yours.

 

[Quinton95]

Ah well im going with AMD Phenom II x6 1090t build and what memory is good for that?

 

[warpcrash]

lol you getting hardcore all fun and games.


I have a feeling that was a pricey mobo when it came out. But yea nice rig for AMD needs more ram for these days though from what I understand here at Toms. how much was it? But that $600 refurb with the i7 would smoke it and most likely the 6 cores amd.




I think we forgot to ask you the most important question Quint. what will be the main purpose of your rig? Because if for gaming I don't think the 6 cores give you any benefit at all and actually perform less from what I've read here. If you photoshop and do video editing they will rock it.

 

[saint19]

Ah well im going with AMD Phenom II x6 1090t build and what memory is good for that?

This G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 are very good for a good price.

 

[saint19]

lol you getting hardcore all fun and games.


I have a feeling that was a pricey mobo when it came out. But yea nice rig for AMD needs more ram for these days though from what I understand here at Toms. how much was it? But that $600 refurb with the i7 would smoke it and most likely the 6 cores amd.




I think we forgot to ask you the most important question Quint. what will be the main purpose of your rig? Because if for gaming I don't think the 6 cores give you any benefit at all and actually perform less from what I've read here. If you photoshop and do video editing they will rock it.

Check this17 Games that already benefit from six cores CPUs

 

[Quinton95]

Well its like my gaming, editing, personal use, and some thing i can learn off of because I'm majoring in high school to be come a computer engineer