First build - $1500 quad core gaming rig

[ambientmf]

Canadian Prices

Approx Purchase: Late July/Augst 2009
Budget: $1500 max
System Usage: Gaming, music/movies, Internet browsing
Preferred e-tailers: ShopBot, newegg.ca, Memoryhouse, NCIX, DirectCanada
Parts not req'd: Key+mouse, speakers, display
Part preferences: Corsair RAM/PSU, Intel CPU, WD or Seagate HDDs, Antec cases, No preference for optical drives
Overclocking: Basic graphics card overclocking and possibly CPU OC'ing if cooling is adequate
SLI/Crossfire: SLI and/or Crossfire compatible motherboard. Want room for dual GPU expansion

I've only ever used NVIDIA cards in the past, however I've been reading lots of reviews and benchmarks and am considering ATI as well for the best value and longevity.

Motherboard

Gigabyte EX58-UD4P ATX LGA1366 X58 DDR3 3PCI-E SATA2 Sound GLAN 3-WAY CrossFireX SLI Motherboard
ASUS Rampage II Gene mATX DDR3 X58 2PCI-E16 PCI-E4 PCI GBLAN CrossFire SLI Motherboard
ASUS P6T X58 ATX LGA1366 DDR3 3PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI CrossFire SLI SATA2 GBLAN Motherboard

CPU

Intel Core I7 920 D0 Stepping Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.66GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366

Memory

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Graphics Card

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Case

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc 3.5IN SATA Hard Drive

Optical Drive

LG GH22NS30 Black DVD+RW 22X8X16 DVD-RW 22X6X16 DL 16X/12X 2MB SATA

 

[gkay09]

Hi... I see you are leaning towards nviida...but for that price range, you can also look into the ATI 4850 and you can easily get a AMD Quad core with dual 4850s in crossfire for that budget of yours...

 

[armi]

First off, if you want price/performance, you MUST go ATI/AMD. That's their target consumer. Phenom II X4 955 + 4870x2 + 640GB HD + 6GB G.Skill DDR3 Memory (Heard its good) + ASUS M4A79T Deluxe = about $1000-$1100. Then you have the rest of your budget to buy case/psu/monitor/cables/fans. This is similar to a build an acquaintance of mine has.

Imo, I don't think Core 2 Duo will last any longer for more intensive games. If more titles like GTA IV are coming out, it doesn't stand a chance.

I always recommend ATI to people for graphics. Its better bang for your buck and Nvidia just haven't offer anything to compete yet. The benchmarks on Toms Hardware all say the same thing. Also, there are more crossfire compatible motherboards than SLI compatible motherboards. Some food for thought.

 

[ambientmf]

With all the benchmarks out lately, I've been having trouble deciding which routes to take with my processor and graphics card. It's between GeForce GTS250's/GTX260's and Radeon HD 4850's, which are virtually neck-and-neck and have VERY similar price-points.
EDIT: Sorry, nvidia ARE definitely the most expensive between the two...But like I've mentioned, it's just getting over my 'fear' or lack of experience with ATI that's making me consider between the two.
On the CPU side, I also see Core 2 Quad's and Phenoms pretty close in performance, although the C2Q are a little pricey versus Phenom II X4's...

It seems I'll have to continue my research...I know a lot of people have gone the AMD/ATI route for budget and price/performance ratios.
Still nervous to take the plunge into ATI, since I've been using GeForce's since I've been using a computer.

EDITEDIT: From what I've read, G.Skill is a quality brand for memory. I won't be wanting high-end DDR3, my memory needs aren't too intensive. Between Corsair and G.Skill, I will be getting good quality memory.

PS: Thanks gkay09, Armi and helloworld_98 for your advice so far. It's definitely made me re-consider my GeForce affliction and continue researching before I make any final decisions. I have a month and a half to wait anyways. *shrug*

 

[Helloworld_98]

for the gfx card, get one of the ASUS glaciator 4850's, I've got mine upto 800/1049mhz and no problems so far. But you could probably go higher, it's just that CCC limits you to overclocking only to 800mhz.

 

[ambientmf]

for the gfx card, get one of the ASUS glaciator 4850's, I've got mine upto 800/1049mhz and no problems so far. But you could probably go higher, it's just that CCC limits you to overclocking only to 800mhz.

I like the idea of using ATI software to overclock with...It's somewhat annoying dealing with third-party apps like RivaTuner to tweak my card. And to my knowledge, ATI has some tools with CCC to test your OC settings for stability? (an artifacting test, if I'm not mistaken?)

Your 4850, is it stock cooled by any chance?

 

[Helloworld_98]

^ nope, it uses the glaciator cooling which ASUS 4850's come with.

 

[gkay09]

Actually you can get an i7 build with dual GTX 275 within $1500...

Core i7
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Mobo
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

Hdd-
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

RAM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

PSU - Corsair 750TX - one of the best PSU around and can easily handle GTX 275 SLI
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

CASE - Antec 900
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

DVD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Graphics card GTX 260x2
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143189

Total - CAD 1473

 

[gkay09]

But if you dont want to hit the higher limit of the budget and still want to get nearly the same performance, then AMD/ ATI is the way to go...
If you stick with AMD, you can get HD 4890 crossfire into that budget...
But the main thing is @ what resolution do you play ? You would be needing that much graphics power only for 2560X1600 resolution...

 

[ambientmf]

Wow, that EVGA board seems to be surprising lower priced...I was originally looking at an Asus P6T (the original board) but even that mobo was still in the $300's.
Obvioulsy, I'd be going with a Core i7 920. Every other i7 CPU seems like a complete waste of money.
The OCZ DDR3-1600 seems like a decent value and like I said, I'm SO not picky with high-speed memory...It really doesn't seem worth it. I wouldn't even care if I stuck these DIMMs in and only got 1066MHz speed (I've seen that I'd have to tweak voltages at speeds higher than 1333MHz with most motherboards. Not something I'm particularly interested in)

I'd be gaming at 1680x1050 almost exclusively. I may be upgrading to a WUXGA monitor later this year if I can afford it, but nothing over 1920x1200 even if that were the case. Anti-aliasing and aniso would be a nice commodity but it's in no way required for my gaming needs. In my opinion, at those res, I would barely need AA anyways...

Everything will depend on how much money I can throw around by the end of the summer...Damn college, sucking me dry atm

 

[gkay09]

^ Then stick with a single graphics card for now and later add one more when you upgrade your monitor...

 

[ambientmf]

^ Then stick with a single graphics card for now and later add one more when you upgrade your monitor...

I'm thinking that would be the smartest route.
A single 4850 would probably suffice at high(er) settings for the games I'm playing right now.

Company of Heroes, Far Cry 2, Mirror's Edge, Call of Duty 4, UT3 and F.E.A.R. are what I play nowadays.
I hate gaming at 1024x640 with medium/lower settings.

 

[gkay09]

And replace that OCZ with this RAM...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

 

[ambientmf]

And replace that OCZ with this RAM...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

Why is it that DDR3-1600 memory is almost ALWAYS cheaper than DDR3-1333 and lower?
I find it very odd...Either way, if I go DDR3, I'll be purchasing G.Skill or Corsair.

 

[ambientmf]

Oh, and one thing that also confuses me...AMD Sockets.
AM2 is the older Athlon 64 socket, correct?
What is the big difference between AM2+ and AM3?
Will a Phenom II X4 work on AM2+ or only AM3?

I find Intel Sockets less confusing, but that's just me.
Not enough research I guess.

 

[gkay09]

It is because the demand for the higher speeds are high and hence more production - standardised price...

I had not included any aftermarket CPU cooler...Get one if you want to overclock the CPU...

 

[ambientmf]

I had not included any aftermarket CPU cooler...Get one if you want to overclock the CPU...

I'm pretty certain I'd be getting a Zalman CPU cooler. It seems if I go AMD, I'd be saving some cash over an i7 build because there's more CPU coolers by Zalman supported for AMx sockets and LGA775...
As far as I know, the only compatible Zalman cooler for LGA 1366 is CNPS9900 which is $99.99...Not bad if I had a larger budget.

As for my GPU, I'm pretty confident in a Radeon 4870.

SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

Minus the 512MB memory difference, this is what I will be paying for a GTS 250 if I go the nvidia route...I'm starting to see a pattern here, with what you were saying about AMD/ATI price/perf vs Nvida price/perf. Also, I've noticed in a LOT of benchmarks, the 4870's are almost always at the top.

 

[gkay09]

No Zalman...they are not the best any more...
Get this...it is one of the best of its price...check its reviews...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236033

And as for the graphics card, get the 1GB version of the 4870...the difference is not that much and they help in improving the FPS...
You can also look into 2x 4850s...you can get them for about $95 to $100 each and 2 of them in xfire are unbeatable for that price...

 

[ambientmf]

No Zalman...they are not the best any more...
Get this...it is one of the best of its price...check its reviews...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236033

And as for the graphics card, get the 1GB version of the 4870...the difference is not that much and they help in improving the FPS...
You can also look into 2x 4850s...you can get them for about $95 to $100 each and 2 of them in xfire are unbeatable for that price...

I'm not experienced in CPU OC'ing so an aftermarket cooler would be an after thought, really.
I think I will try it once I get my base system set up, if I want a little extra juice. Btw, that's linking to an Asus monitor .

I would think that a 1GB 4870 would be a better investment at the moment...It's basically the same price (a tad cheaper I think) as dual 4850's. I can always add another later for more performance. Like I said, I don't need 8xAA/16xAN in any game

I'll be picking up an Asus 21.5" HDMI LCD this Fall/Winter depending on finances.

ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

 

[ambientmf]

A lot of people are saying now that LGA775 is basically finished and done with.
To quote someone on another forum, Intel released their last LGA775 processors 2 months ago so LGA775 is a "a dead socket".

For longevity, I think it's between to AMD Phenom or Core i7 with a Sapphire 4870 1GB.

Two systems considering:

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+
Antec Nine Hundred Mid-tower
Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX (Non-modular)

vs

MSI MB X58M microATX
*newegg's still sold out of the X58M's...$189.99 was their price, its a little over $200 elsewhere like this link
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
Antec Mini P180 Black Steel MicroATX Mini Tower
Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620W Modular

Both systems will use:

Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB GDDR5
G.Skill 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3-1600

Total Cost shipped (AMD): $1,201.92
Total Cost shipped (i7): $1,368.63

There's literally a $150 difference between the two (Intel platform's more expensive...It's actually the P180 Mini and modular Corsair power supply that make it more expensive. I need the modularity for a mATX system, I believe.

 

[Why_Me]

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35757&vpn=GA-EX58-UD4P&manufacture=Gigabyte $282.21 CAD After Mail In Rebate: $262.21 CAD
Gigabyte EX58-UD4P ATX LGA1366 X58 DDR3 3PCI-E SATA2 Sound GLAN 3-WAY CrossFireX SLI Motherboard

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39291&vpn=141-BL-E757-TR&manufacture=eVGA $269.99 CAD
EVGA X58 SLI LE ATX LGA1366 DDR3 4PCIE-16 PCI-E1 1PCI SATA2 Sound Dual GBLAN 1394 Motherboard

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35710&vpn=OCZ3G1600LV6GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology $112.99 CAD
OCZ Gold OCZ3G1600LV6GK 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1600 PC3-12800 CL 8-8-8-24 Triple Channel Memory Kit

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36168&vpn=F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI&manufacture=G.Skill $119.99 CAD
G.SKILL F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI PC3-12800 6GB 3X2GB DDR3-1600 CL8-8-8-21 240PIN Triple Channel Memory Kit

 

[ambientmf]

Wow!@EVGA SLI board...Seriously, I don't think I would need that many PCI-e slots for a LONG time...if ever.
Good price though, considering. Quad SLI is still fairly unsupported, if I'm not mistaken?
And the Gigabyte board is even 3-way SLI.
If I go with any X58 board, I think I'll only want dual PCI-e, to be honest...Although most LGA1366 boards are close to $300 either way. The original Asus P6T still goes for close to or over $300...with only 2 PCI-e slots.
[/ramble]
EDIT: Hmm, didn't even realized the Asus M4A79T has 4 PCI-e slots.

 

[DXRick]

The ASUS M4A79T mobo uses dual channel DDR3. So you would need a 2x2GB or 4x2G kit.

 

[gkay09]

sorry for the wrong link...
I meant the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

 

[gkay09]

There are a few incompatability issues in the setups that you have given...
AMD
In that setup, the Mobo is AM3 and the CPU is AM2+...
So either change the CPU or mobo...
My suggestions would be...

CPU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

Mobo
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

And the RAM that you have chosen is exclusively for i7 so get any dual channel RAMs...