New Build $1200 Want a Beast! -x4 940 vs x2 6000+ / SSD vs 7200 or 10K

Buildmadness

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: week or so no longer.
BUDGET RANGE: $1,000-$1,200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (warcraft III FT - Civ 4 - but am looking to get into more recent games), video editing PS/ Ilust - Nero 7 Ultra, motion detected wire cameras (home security) auto record software to PC, family MPG2 & 4 videos storage and view as well as pictures storage and editing, lastly lots of music.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor (22" LG 1680x1050) , speakers (7.1 Creative)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type . I am thinking AMD CPU, Gigabyte board, open on video card (graphics) thinking ATI Radeon HD 4850 PCI-E 16X 1GB , SSD or HDD boot drive, HDD 7200 Sata II 500Gb back up and storage drive, PSU open,
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (never have b4) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Unsure if needed

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Current is 22" LG 1680x1050 (no change there)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: OK, I am making a major upgrade. I have a Compaq custom comp that is many years old, Has 128MB graphics, 1800+ Athlon (1.52GHz I believe), DVD writer, cdrw, 1 gig ram, 80gig boot drive (ide 7200rpm), 250 gig back up (ide 7200). I have maxed this thing out many years (per board specs) ago and been using hamsters and Popsicle sticks to keep up.

I dabble in video and audio editing for sporting events - want to do more with better software ( that requires greater CPU, graphics, ram & drive speed than I have). I want to get into better games, too many to list (Crysis). I also just want a beast now with a bit of room to expand. Below is the current list I am looking at right now.

Questions
1.a. SSD vs HDD 7500, 10k 15K (Boot drive and working program drive - thougt of using a 500 gig Sata II 3.0g HDD for storage and read write drive for movies, music files and so on.
1/b. AMD x2 6000+ (3.0GHz non OC'ed) or x4 940 (3.0GHz non OC'ed).
Is there a gain from standard HDD 7200 as boot drive vs SSD (64G) boot drive, combined with a x2 6000 or x4 940? It seems the write speed for SSD is lower than HDD but it is the read speed that would realy be needed for running programs (SSD faster than HDD?) as I would like to use a back up drive to store and gather files from to run (modify - edit).

2. I guess to be clearer can I get the same performance from a small (80 gig) HDD 7200 rpm boot drive and say the x4 940 CPU or say a solid state boot drive with the x2 6000 AMD?

3. I am undecided with 32 bit or 64 bit operation, which is better in my case?

I really want a beast as well and was thinking :
CPU AMD II x4 940
Upgrade CPU heatsink and fan
SSD boot drive 64gig (sata II)
Graphics ATI 4850 HD 1gig
4gigs (2GBx2)ram ddr2 800
Vista Prem 64 bit (32 bit?)
case and other hardware

I may not have links for every part:

CASE: Thermaltake M9 VI1000BWS Mid-Tower 420W Case w/ Side-panel Window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133058
$65 ($50 w/rebate)

POWER SUPPLY Upgrade: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
$99.99

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773
$89.99

or

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
$189.00

COOLING FAN : COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057
$44.99

MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P AMD 790X CrossFire Chipset with PCIe slot DDR2 SATA RAID MB w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387
$109.99

MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209
$54.99 x 2 = $110

VIDEO CARD: - SAPPHIRE 100258-1GL Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802
$149.99

HARD DRIVE: Boot drive: G.SKILL FM-25S2S-64GB 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231220
$174.99

Data Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
$59.99

Optical Drive: (LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$24.99

Just like the look!
Extra Thermal Display : NZXT SEN-001LX Sentry LX Aluminum dual bay fan controller - Retail
Free card reader with purchase, ends 5/31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992004
$59.99

Lots of camera cards
Flash Media Reader/Writer: Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223073
$12.99

Always feel like it is useful
FLOPPY: SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LFBL1 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821103203
$7.99

32 or 64 Bit ?
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
$99.99

$1120 - $1,220 approximately (can trim up a bit but also am missing a few misc items like case frame for SSD 2.5" to 3.5" drive bay)

I understand I have a lot here already but want to give you guys all I know. I have built systems previously (back in the Athlon XP AMD days) so I have a little experience but this would be my biggest baddest rig so far with about a 4 year break in building.

So am I overdoing it a bit too much with the build :), I know I could spend more but compared to my needs?

I have heard the Raptor 10k HDDs are the best right now but noisy and hot but have heard a few good things about the SSD drives. I have read that SSD only lags in write speed (when installing software, or write temp a/v data - which may slow my video editing and dvd writing but thought using the 500gb hdd b/u drive as the working writing location/drive for those programs temp files would help) I have also read a lot of good rigs in here use a 1TB 7200 rpm drive and suggested in here. So a little confused on the best for my needs.

I would rather not get a SSD if a 7200 RPM sata II 3.0 will be more than I can use (save the money and gain more space), not just for the instant like boot times either. Just looking to get Mozilla, War Craft III, Outlook 2007 working instantly all the time and Nero 7 not maxing out my CPU and slowing every other program running to a stop or retreat!


I will have the above programs along with a Anti Virus spyware program running. Nero 7 Ultra, PS Ilustr, divX, and a few other misc programs installed as well.

Would like to be able to surf web, work on editing A/V, listen to music and maybe even write a DVD at the same time (watch movie vs music) without missing a step. About the most active I think I could be on the computer at a given time.

I have read many rigs here and many suggested changes and you guys have great advice! So please help me with what I think is my own over-thinking madness, building gods! Thx ahead for any advise or opinions.
 

dna708

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If you are considering a dual core cpu, it might be better to look into an Intel based system unless you are dead set on AMD. I won't post any examples if you do want an AMD system.

It seems that you have a decent amount of multitasking going on so it might be helpful to look into the x3 720, since it has 3 cores for multitasking, it overclocks pretty well, and it's cheaper than the 940.

Within a $1200 limit, you can make an awesome gaming rig. The reason why I suggested the 720 over the 940 is mainly because most games don't support even support tri-core cpus much less quad cores. The 720 would be a good balance between the x2 6000 and the x4 940.

With the extra cash in hand, you can readily upgrade to a gtx260/275/280 or an ATI 4870/4890 that will serve you better in more recent games.

Now your main concern, to me, appears to be the responsiveness of the system in terms of general multitasking. True SSD's are fast, but I tend to shy away from them. Instead of the 64gig SSD and the 500gig hard drive, I would recommend 1 or even 2 Caviar Black 1 Tb Western Digital's. They provide great performance and immense hard drive space, and since you do seem to work on things like video editing and photo editing, the extra space will come in handy in the future especially if you plan to do some hd video editing.
 

tidefan94

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Buy the 4870 because you're mobo already supports crossfire, and it would be a great eventual upgrade.

Also 2 gig isnt worth it in any way, so just keep the 1 gig and save the money

Also keep the i7, its amazing for multitasking, and i'ts completely future proof
 
This build is set up for you to add another gtx 275 for SLI in the future if you so choose not to mention it's also set up to over clock. btw, welcome to 2009 :)

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/gigabyte-nvidia-sli-motherboard,7463.html <---- Gigabyte: Enable SLI On X58 Boards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $74.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750w-tx-series-80-plus-certified-power-supply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178325.html $114.99 Price After Rebate(s): $104.99 Shipping: FREE
Corsair TX CMPSU-750TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R $181.14 | $166.14 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187411 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $509.98
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093 $36.99 Free Shipping*
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365 $94.99 ($74.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Free OCZ 8GB flash drive w/ purchase, while supplies last

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186064 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $154.98
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223073 $12.99
Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port - Retail

Total:$1,211.03 | $1,166.03 w/mail in rebates
 

Buildmadness

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Thx again guys and yes Yme it feels that long ago bro. I like your build and a few of the other suggestions, to be short, but I do like AMD as I have never built an intel machine and have only worked on one via work (laptop and it was slow) Dell T6 or something like that.

I notice you all still tend to stay with a standard HDD, good for price and storage. There is only a small dif in cost between the 940 and 720 and core per core the chip is a bit ahead which is good, right?

so to summarize from hear:
Drop performance (& cost) on boot drive for space & price (keeping the needed performance).
Increase the ram to 6gb @1600 (over the 800)
increase graphics card slightly
64 bit os (seems developers need to catch up to this vs 32 and multi core cpus at the same time, lot of room to grow). I think I will go 64 for sure.


As I am going from a 1.5ghz single now to either a x2 or x4 core with both at 3.0ghz, to use your exa to a more $ saving degree, I would think I would see a huge change in performance anyway but I would really like to have my apps pop instead of load. Do you think going with the 6000+ 2 core 3.0ghz OC'd with the quality WD drives give me the multi tasking and pop? Dropping the CPU to that lvl and drives from SSD price is a big savings to off set a few of the ram and video upgrades.

I do have the board that will allow the AMD3, AMD2+ & AMD2 so I could expand later as the 720, 920, 940 chips come down a bit in the future.

Thx again gents
 

binwhui

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if you're on multi-tasking go with the 720 BE..
pair it with either a gtx260(216 shaders) or 4870 1gb..
the WD drives is good enough...
 


http://www.legitreviews.com/article/898/1/ <--- or better yet get the best of the best and go with the i7 ftw
 

xthekidx

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Dec 24, 2008
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I'm going to side with Why_Me on this one. Only reason to get the PII build is because you can't afford a good GPU with the i7, but Why_Me has done an excellent job finding deals for you. The GTX 275 that he included in that build is plenty for that monitor that you have, there is no reason to get a more powerful graphics configuration. The i7 is a far better CPU than the Phenom II 940, and it excels at video editing. The PII 940 just can't compete with it outside of gaming. In games, the PII narrows the gap, but the i7 is still better, and it will overclock higher. at .34ghz slower at stock speeds, the i7 is faster than the 940. At the same clock speed or at higher clock speeds, its just not a comparison anymore.
 
Well nice try...but like other have pointed out, the SSDs are still pricey and better off buying HDDs...

And to clear out things,

"Drop performance (& cost) on boot drive for space & price (keeping the needed performance). "
Yes...At this point, the HDDs have better value than SSDs...

"Increase the ram to 6gb @1600 (over the 800) "
That 1600MHz RAM is for the intel i7 CPU and not for the AMD 940...

"increase graphics card slightly "
If possible...

"64 bit os (seems developers need to catch up to this vs 32 and multi core cpus at the same time, lot of room to grow). I think I will go 64 for sure. "
If you want to get the full 4GB RAM, then you would have to go with 64bit OS...

To make things easy...
Here is a setup you can check out...

CPU + Mobo...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190732

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Hdd - !TB WD Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

CPU Cooler - Same

Graphics card + OS
4870 1GB is more than suffice for that resolution...And if required you can add one more later...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186044

PSU - If you want to Crossfire later...
If no plans to crossfire, then stick with the 650TX...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Better rated case but no side window...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

DVD - Same

Total - $949...
Without adding the accessories...

If you want to improve more then, you can change the graphics card to HD 4890...but I would again say you that a 4870 1GB is more than suffice for that resolution and the 4890 would be a serious overkill...

But there is another graphics alternative...
2X 4770s in crossfire...
Would cost about $200 and would beat the 4890 costing $240...
Get the 4770s if you are OK with crossfire...And they are better value than the 4890s...
 
Well as for the i7 vs the P II 940,

The i7 setup is very powerful compared to any other setup here and would be a tight fit for your budget and you may have to extend your budget little to fit in those accessories...
If you are able to then get the i7...

Else if you want to keep the budget to minimum, then get the P II 940 build
 

xthekidx

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Dec 24, 2008
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The i7 that why_me put together is set up to allow for a second GTX 275, which is unnecessary. At his resolution, he could drop the 750tx for a 550vx and pick up two 4770's instead, which will actually outperform the GTX 275 and use less power, and be cheaper. 4770's crossfired will max out any game at that 1680x1050 resolution, and will max out all games except Crysis at 1920x1200 resolution with playable framerates, on crysis you may have to play on "high" settings instead of "enthusiast". Doing that saves you $50. You can also swap the Case for the Antec 300, which saves you another $20, and that case actually has better cooling stock than the CM 690 (both come with 3 fans, but the antec is a slightly smaller case, which means it doesn't need as much to move the air through it as a larger case, and it has 1x140mm fan and 2x120mm fans, vs 3x120mm fans in the 690). I think the i7 is well within reach and should be seriously considered if you can get over being an AMD fanboy. Like I have told Why_Me, fanboyism is stupid and only limits your options, there is no plus side to it that I can see.
 
First of all the SSD is a waste of money...we all agree with that

Second of all floppy's went the way of the EIDE and 8 track players....but for $8 is not a problem to fit it in the build....so like you said lets have a looksy at what options there are with that i7.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127430 $174.99 ($154.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
MSI N260GTX-T2D896-OCv4 GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

or....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022 $74.99 ($49.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate)
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102835 $99.99
SAPPHIRE 100277L Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102835 $99.99
SAPPHIRE 100277L Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

*btw with that 260 card it drops the price, and if the OP ever gets a better monitor the option of SLI is there for little cost.
 

Buildmadness

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Thx so much for all the advice. I do not really like the 17 intel chip. I have read many reviews where it beats the 940 but I am an AMD guy. It is also about $100 cheaper than the i7, sorry but thx for the input.

gkay09 - I really like the set up you have there.

Here is what I think the advise of all here has made my mind up on

Hoping not to need the bigger PSU as I dont think i need the crossfire if I go big enough on the single card (see graph card below & I think I will stay with the PSU i have)

OS 64 bit

AMD 940
1. AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
2. GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
combo $270 (saves $30)


EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Call of Duty: World at War w/ purchase, limited offer
Customer Choice Award2x Winner of Customer Choice Award - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Cart price $155 + $20 rebate ($135 total)


G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$60
(Thought about going 8gb - $120)


Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
or the one I had earlier (either seems fine +/- $10
$40


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
Combo $155 (about a $10 saving)

Same case, display, floppy, card reader, lg dvd rw 22 and so on

4gig ram (not eight)
I am at $900 parts newegg and $940 with shipping (I had just bought the PSU I have as a prelude to building this system say there's another ($80).

Do you think this will take care of the multi tasking, video editing, gaming & app pop?

I think with all of you guys'es advise and what i started with I have the high end average here with great cost savings.

I did got with the GTX 260 graphics instead of the 4870 or 90, seemed to be comparable performance and loss per the cost of the card I have here. Went with the 448 bit, slight drop in ram & speed and 216 core to save over $100 over the 4870 1gb - the free game helps too ;)

Thx for the combo turn ons, the ones you suggested and the ones I found save some $$$.

Would love some OC advise but this is not the place for that discussion. I have seen people say the 940 is at 3.0 stock and OC'd possible 3.6's with good heat sink and fan. And if it is just 3.0 S and 3.2 OC'd with the 4x core, graphics card & ram this thing should fly compared to what I have now.

Any more tips guys? This has helped a lot. Let me know about the current build I have hear.
 

xthekidx

Splendid
Dec 24, 2008
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:pfff: Well Why_Me, we tried. I guess logic doesn't work on some people.
 


Not to hi jack this thread, but what do you think of this case for SLI for a pair of gts 250's xthekidx ? Too small ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196 $109.99
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
New Arrival

It says here on the coolermaster link that it's set up to add another 2x120mm case fans on top of the fans it already comes with. I like the looks of this thing.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=1665&product_id=2912
 


It's your money, and your build...but just so you know it, you screwed yourself. I have no idea why you don't like the i7 chip...you never posted why, but if I had my choice between a Ferrari or a Mustang...I would get the Ferrari seeing how it eats up the Mustang and spits it out. Congrats on buying yourself a Mustang. :p
 

Buildmadness

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I am ignorant to the i7 really, just have had very reliable luck with the AMD.

Now would I really notice the dif in performance between the 940 and i7 going from the AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.52GHZ single core) I currently have? The reason I ask is we are talking $100 in price increase as well as changing to the higher cost board and losing a few bucks on combos I have in the above build.

Obviously you guys are Intel and I will not hold that against you, as you didn't my AMD love, hehe.

Is there any change in built, set up, installation of drivers, OS and so? Does it go just like and AMD build? I know a novice question but I really know nothing of Intel chips other than specs I've seen on line in passing.

With being at $900 I can spare another $150 if you really think I would notice the dif?
 


I went with AMD for years...why ? Because they were the best at the time for my use. Times change, and AMD has played second fiddle to Intel since mid 2005. One day AMD will probably be ahead of Intel again....it goes back and forth. I go with what's best atm.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/898/1/ <----take a good close look at these test results on here, and you tell me why we recommend the i7. There isn't any fanboyism on here, we are just trying to get you the best for your money and your PC needs.
 

astrotrain1000

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Ultimately you have to set a price and then buy within that range, the I7 is better than the 940 but do you want to pay around $900 or around $1100.
 

Helloworld_98

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^ Or they could just up the L3 cache to 12MB and the L2 cache to 384KB per core on their P2's and then they'd out perform the Intel i7 and Core 2's since programs are very much cache based at the moment.

One reason Why I don't like the i7, Over here on a £700 budget for i7 I can get a build with a 920 D0, 6GB of 1333mhz memory, P6T SE, antec 300, silverstone 650w and a 4770 along with a DVD-ROM. For the same price I can get a 720 BE, 4GB of 1333mhz memory, a 790GX AM3 motherboard, a coolermater 690, a 850w silverstone PSU, a DVD-ROM and a 4870 X2, stretch the budget a bit more and I could get dual 4890's.
 

Kill@dor

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18,980
Price over performance...or performance over price?! Thats what people base their purchases off...

Personally...i will pay good $'s to see my system fly. But i will only buy single parts until later when i can SLI or Crossfire (for graphics at least) for a good price. As bad as Intel is on over charging for chipsets...i'd have to say they did well on pricing the Core i7's this time arround. It could have been worse or as bad as the QX9770's...
 

Helloworld_98

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2009
3,371
0
20,790
^well that all depends on the 975's price.

but the buy really depends on what the owner is going to do with the PC, if your playing FSX or using apps that can use the extra threads then go for i7. But if your a gamer then amd's P2 wins the race since you save a good few extra $ to spend on a powerful gfx card.
 

Kill@dor

Distinguished
Apr 28, 2009
663
0
18,980
True...

Can't wait for the performance specs on that...although, its all dramatic and they make it sound like a miracle from heaven on some articles that i read...