Choosing MB for i7

[stark700]

Getting ready to build first system, and having trouble chooing which MB to go with. Is spending the extra money worth it for the x58 deluxe boards? I'm looking to spend around $1500-$1800, or close to it. I'm not really concerned about a flashy case, but mainly starting with the best MB and power supply, and being able to upgrade as I see fit. I figure a 275gtx will be fine as a starter GPU. I'm hoping a 850W PSU will be adequate And I figure the 920 i7 will be fine. My main concern is going with the best motherboard.

Also, now I'm conflicted on the RAM as I keep reading that 6 strips is bad.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (sooner the better, longer I wait and the more I'm tempted to wait for Win 7 and prices to drop some more)

BUDGET RANGE: ($1500-1800, 2000 if I wait a few weeks)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (gaming, movies, media)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (speakers, keyboard, mouse, network cards, dvd-for now)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg, tigerdirect)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not a one brand man. If looks reliable, has good feedback and price I'll usually try it if I've heard of it.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: SLI, thinking 2 275gtx 1792 MB for $300(1 to start)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Have a 46" 1080P XBR4 Bravia 120hz, not hooked to a CPU at this point so I'm not sure what resoltion it would support. Probably buy a new monitor at some point, but right now it would be a 22" Acer at 1600x1200, hopefully 1920x1200 eventually.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (I want opinions on which motherboard YOU would choose if price wasn't the concern, and make the best rig possible considering everything. I read the 2 articles on this site, but it says the MSI is the best board, which hasn't been getting praise. I'd rather spend extra $$, if it is really going to make a difference and prolong the life.

 

[gkay09]

Hi...Welcome to the forums...
Have you read the stickies???
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Copy paste this and fill it ...We can help you better then...
And just for start you wont need 1000W at all...And the 850W is only required only if you plan to run 3 GTX 260 in SLI...

 

[Outlander_04]

Its not mentioned any where often enough on this forum but the very first thing to decide about a gaming pc is the monitor resolution .

Higher resolutions require more processing power from the gfx system

A 19 inch wide screen monitor has 1440 x 900 pixels = 1296000 pixels
a 22 inch w is usually 1680 x 1050 = 1764000 pixels
a 24 inch w is usually 1920 x 1200 = 2304000 pixels

The digital world scales very well
at those resolutions a game would run 27 % slower on a 22 inch than on a 19 inch , and a massive 44% slower on a 24 inch .


The first choice of your gaming pc is the monitor .

Then build a system around that that can run the games you want to play at decent frame rates . Ideally 40 -60 .
More than 60 fps you probably wont notice . Less than 30 fps and the action gets noticeably less smooth

BUT NEVER BUY GFX CARDS JUST BECAUSE THEY FIT YOUR BUDGET

 

[stark700]

Sorry I wasn't more descriptive, but I was trying not to nail down my brands until I can decide on a board. The processor is going to be a guaranteed 920 i7, I can't afford the 950 and it sounds like money burned. I've used newegg and tigerdirect many times each. I've been doing some figuring on the parts, but most combo's include a Seagate hard drive, which has lots of reviews that aren't to great. Now I'm unsure what version of Vista to get, 32 or 64 bit? Ultimate? For system builders? LOL, I just need some opinions on the best route to go and the best board layout wise and performance wise. Here's kind of where I'm headed:

Bundle for 920 i7 and Vista Ult 64 bit $430
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4538404&CatId=4072

RAM, Im thinking Mushin since I've read only good things. Either the 8-8-8-24(100), or the 7-8-7-20(138)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

PSU, I'm going to go with an 850W, but I'm trying to find a bundle with a case. Here's a nice bundle, but a big spread in price from buying seperate (315 to 250 after mailins I believe).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.192822

PSU for $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

The case for 105 after mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133073

HD, another area that has become grey. I would love to get a SSD drive, but I would only be able afford a 128G at best. It might be the most reliable, but seems kind of small. Probably going to go with a WD 650 GB or something. Not sure on HD anymore....

As for the motherboard, here's which one's I've been mulling over: a DFI($270), or two ASUS($280 & $350)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131358

There's several others I've been looking at, but those 3 seem to be the best rated that I've seen.

May change my mind on the 2 260gtx's and go with one 285gtx 2 GB(430) or 275gtx 1792 MB($300).
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4635292&CatId=3669
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4635293&CatId=3669

My main question is, which board is the best with everything considered. Which one will be the best for upgrading, bios, etc. I really don't mind dropping the extra $$, I just want to get some opinions if there really is a big difference between the $200, $280, $350, and $400 x58 boards. I have a 46" XBR4 Bravia that I want to run from the rig, and I figure a 22" LCD for $150 for now will do. Any DVD drive will do, but I would like to have another blue ray so as to not burn up my P3 anymore than I have to watching movies. That can be figured out after the motherboard.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[gkay09]

Well I guess this setup should fit your budget...

CPU + Mobo
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 is the suitable option for the i7...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190227

PSU - Corsair 850TX is the best option...
RAM - Corsair XMS3...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.192905

CASE - Same
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133073

HDD - 1TB WD Black
OS - you would need 64bit OS for recognizing the whole 6GB RAM ...
And you dont need the Ultimate...Home Premium would be best suited...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186062

Graphics card - Get the GTX 275...It can easily handle the 1080p resolution of your TV and the 22"...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475
If you want you can add one more if the budget allows...

BD Burner -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136137

Total - $1520
$1460 with Mail-In-Rebates...

 

[stark700]

Thanks for the input gkay09. Just a few questions...

1. About the RAM, for the same price, the Corsair is better than the Mushkin? Even with the timing being lower with the Mushkin, 8-8-8-24 vs 9-9-9-24 for the Corsair, or are they basically the same?

2. About the GPU, is there something really bad about the 1792 MB gtx275? There aren't any reviews really. Just asking, because for $50 more you get double the GPU($250-$300).

3. About the PSU, how many cards and of what type will the 850W Corsair support comfortably: can it handle 3 275gtx cards, or is that pushing it? Can it handle 2 285 gtx? Any computer you can configure, it always says need over 1000W(usually 1200W) for 2-3 high end cards.

4. About the motherboard, is there any reason why you went with the Asus deluxe? Why not the DFI, or the $350. This is one of few areas that I am not concerned with the $$. I don't want to go through the process to find out later that an extra $60-$80 would have bought me another year before being a dinosaur. That Asus P6T deluxe does seem to be very popular though.

 

[eagles453809]

well...your gaming...any reason why you need an i7...a core2 will be just fine. get a big monitor, a good core2 cpu a nice cooler and a really good gpu. i7 you will NOT see a difference in gaming. if you do video/audio/photo editing then the i7 is what you want.

 

[stark700]

Found some better deals, just not sure of reliablity:

RAM: found this OCZ platinum, way marked down with mail in rebate, from 140 to $75.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

OS/HD: Found that bundle for the WD 1 TB and Vista Premium is $180(nice), but right above that they had Vista Ultimate w the same drive for $225?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.182632
Is it worth getting the Ultimate for an extra $45 over the Premium?

Case: still veering towards the $105 deal

PSU: Probably still the 850 W corsair for $145

Pretty much leaves the CPU, MB, and GPU I'm still looking for. Which is good, since there are lots of bundle deals to choose from with the CPU/motherboard. Probably around $540, just can't decide if I should go bigger on the board....

GPU: Unless I hear otherwise about running too hot or way too big for certain boards, I'm going to keep the 275gtx(1792 MB) as my primary option for $300. Mainly need to know if 2 275 gtx can run of the 850W corsair to cement my deicsion there(or if they just suck).

Should be around $1350, and probably throw some fans in, not sure which ones are best for this setup. Keep reading posts about Dark Knight.

 

[stark700]

Some of the deals I had posted have changed it looks like, but most of my choices will remain the same, depending on drastic price changes, like the case Still hoping for some input on which motherboard you would pick to build the best system, all things considered. DFI, ASUS deluxe, ASUS Revolution, or something else maybe? Again, a few extra dollars on the board is not going to bother me, just want the best


Just found an OK deal on a case/psu, but a little pricey. Antec is a good brand, but is it better than Corsair on the PSU, enough to spend more $$ on it??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193730
The 1000W is only $20 more than the 850W.

And now I see a nice Cooler Master combo w/ 900w PSU for $260 after mailin.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.192519
Again, I'm just not sure which brand is "better", or if they are at all....


Any input appreciated.

 

[gkay09]

1. Well about the RAM, both Mushkin and Corsair are pretty much in the same league...And yes like you had pointed out the Mushkin has lower lat but when I saw the mushkin, their prices had jumped high and the corsair had a good combo deal...

2. The 1792MB version is not at all worth IMHO as these cards cannot fully utilize the extra memory to the full extent...they are more of marketing strategies...1GB memory is the best option...And like you said for $50 more, you would get double GPU and that is better than double the RAM

3. As for the PSU, am sure for a dual SLI setup be it GTX 285 SLI, you wont need 1000W PSU(except maybe dual GTX295/ dual 4870X2) and even for GTX 275 tri-SLI, the 850W is suffice...but like you said it will be cutting close...But I wouldn't suggest going tri-SLi as they are not at all worth especially for you and no one would simply like to spend the money, which would bring no use of it...

Reason : The highest resolution that you want to run is 1080p and for that resolution, a single GTX275/285 can easily run most of the games at the highest settings without a sweat and 2 GTX 275 in SLI, well it would cut through the games at that resolution like knife through butter ...And anything more on the graphics h/w is just waste of money...
So just stick with the 850W PSU and GTX 285/GTX 275 - Preferably get a GTX 285 1GB(Actually GTX 275 would do but its your choice) for now, check its performance(Like I said it would easily handle that resolution and even more for the current games)...if it doesn't satisfy, you can always add one more in SLI...
The GTX285 SLI can run 2500X1600 resolution (26" and above monitors) with ease...

4. The reason I went with the ASUS deluxe is that it is the most preferred board by the h/w reviewers and ASUS as we know is one of the best when it comes to quality...And I dint go for the $350 as it would be wasting money on features that you would probably wont use such as direct voltage control for the components, so on whcih is required for extreme overclockers and for people who would want to push their h/w to the limit for benchmarks...
You can check out the reviews of that Deluxe board yourself and if your are satisfied then get that...
For OC say even upto 3.6GHz, the Deluxe would easily handle that...
Well there is also another option...the EVGA board...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
But the ASUS still stands as my 1st choice...

Now as for your options...

1. The OCZ Platinum is a very good RAM...though many people believe that the Mushkin, GSkillz, Corsair are better...
But checking the reviews posted by the users in newegg, it is a very good RAM and has Lifetime limited warranty and that too with CAS 7 and there is no reason for you not to go with...
Check out the combo deals with it...

2. OS + HDD - Dont go with the Vista ultimate...
Actually you know what people who are building new computer are doing....
Getting the WIN 7 RC1 for now, saving the money for the release of the WIN 7...
Reason : The vista support is not better than the WIN 7 RC1 support and mainly Ultimate IMO not at all worth it...So if you are not comfortable with the WIN 7 RC1, the Home premium is the best option and when WIN 7 releases, you can upgrade to that...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186062

3. CASE + PSU deal - If you want A high quality 850W Modular PSU with a good case...
The antec Signature is known for its very high quality and high efficiency...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193732

But still the CM HAF + Corasair 850TX is another best option if you want to keep the cost down...

4. GPU - Like I said before and am again saying dont get the 1792MB GTX 275...Instead for around the same price, get the GTX 285 1GB...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150367
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480

And I am still sure about the 850W PSU running 2 GTX 285 in SLI with ease...that too with the high quality PSUs like the Corsair and that Antec Signature, I have no doubt...Well if you check out the other similar post regarding the PSU issue, you can see people suggesting a Corsair 750TX or other high quality 750W PSU for dual SLI and I had suggested the 850TX solely for your concern and not for the actual requirement of it...
And for the heat factor, the full tower cases with so many fans would provide adequate air flow and the ATX boards have proper spacig between the pcie slots for air flow...

5. That Antec 1200 with that TP 850W is also a very good deal but the PSU is not as good as the Antec Signature...

6. No CoolerMaster PSU...

So I guess these suggestions would have provided you a better idea...
And am again saying dont waste money on things that you wouldn't use such as 1000W PSU, a very costly mobo...

And as for combos, first confirm the components and then we can check out the combos...

PS : This the longest post that I have ever written

 

[kuai900]

Now as for your options...
The OCZ Platinum is a very good RAM...though many people believe that the Mushkin, GSkillz, Corsair are better...
But checking the reviews posted by the users in newegg, it is a very good RAM and has Lifetime limited warranty and that too with CAS 7 and there is no reason for you not to go with...
Check out the combo deals with it...


But still the CM HAF + Corasair 850TX is another best option if you want to keep the cost down...

4. GPU - Like I said before and am again saying dont get the 1792MB GTX 275...Instead for around the same price, get the GTX 285 1GB...

So I guess these suggestions would have provided you a better idea...
And am again saying dont waste money on things that you wouldn't use such as 1000W PSU, a very costly mobo...

And as for combos, first confirm the components and then we can check out the combos...

PS : This the longest post that I have ever written [/quotemsg]


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