New i5 Build - Thumbs Up?? - CPUs

Hey All,

Im thinking of building a new i5 system as it seems like a good route to go for the value and possibly future upgrading. I do not game too much, but am currently learning Maya and 3ds Max. I'm attempting to build a fairly nice system with moderately cheap parts. It will replace a 4 year old Inspiron 9300 laptop, so anything will be better than this (even though its been quite a stable little dude).

Any comments on my choices would be greatly appreciated. All these prices are from the one-stop shop Newegg. I'm trying to keep it around $900 (although cheaper is always better )

Many thanks,
darishi

ASUS Radeon HD 4870 EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Video Card
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$159.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
-$5.00 Instant
$54.99
$49.99

EDIMAX EW-7128G PCI Wireless Card
-$5.00 Instant
$24.99
$19.99

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Black Keyboard and Mouse
$21.99

COOLER MASTER RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
$29.99

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS324-08
$31.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$6.99

COOLER MASTER Silent Pro RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
-$50.00 Instant
-$30.00 Combo
$219.98
$139.98

Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
ASUS P7P55D EVO Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Trident 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory
-$40.00 Combo
$501.97
$461.97

Total $922.88
-$20 Rebate

Grand Total $902.88

Add a reply

Register or log in to remove.

Or...I could be questionable and buy a Dell:

Intel® Core™ i7-920 Processor(8MB L3 Cache, 2.66GHz)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Norton Internet Security™ 2009 Edition 15-months
6GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 6 DIMMs
750GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capability
nVidia GeForce GTS 240 1024MB
Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Dell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
Dell Studio Optical Mouse
19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Dell Media Card Reader included in Dell Bluetooth Package

I know that most people do not tend to like Dells, but it sure saves time and comes with a few extras like Technical support (even though its not great), the i7 920, 250 gb hd space and 2gb extra ram. All that and it gets shipped to my door already assembled.

Reactions?

-darishi

Reply to darishi

Be smart and stay away from Dell.... Most of the hardware that you get is generic crap and when it is time to upgrade you will hit a wall....
Here is a suggestion :

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout - 89.99
i5 750 - 209.99$
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R - 139.99$
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 - 89.99$
XFX HD-485X-ZDFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - 124.99$ (Lifetime warranty) later on you can buy another one and xfire....
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB - 74.99$
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW - 29.99$
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX - 99.99$
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon - 109.99$

Total : 997.87$ Shipped (before rebates)

The keyboard and mouse can be purchased for less than 25.00$

------------------------------ 550 @ 4.0 Ghz 1.425v
BFG GTX 260 (216)
4GB G.Skill @ 960MHz
Thermaltake TP 850w
Reply to OvrClkr

"Dell! Back, damn you! I said back!!" Lunges with stick.

Yes, stay away from Dell, or keep Dell away from you. Good advice.

OvrClkr has a good system if you can stretch the budget. If you're tyring to keep to the $900.00 mark I'd go with the drive in your first list (-$25.00), maybe memory a little cheaper (-$15.00) and a less expensive case (it's a good case, though). Possibly save $50.00 or $60.00. I don't think it's worth saving, but if you had to, that's where I find it.

Leave everything else as-is: HD4850, 650W PSU, etc.

Reply to seabreeze

Since this isn't really for gaming, and CPU power will be useful, get an i7. The hyperthreading and cache make it a better choice than i5.
That Coolermaster PSU is an unknown. It is not one of their old, inefficient and overrated (it had to do 100%, efficiently, to pass 80+) models, but I haven't seen a competent technical review on it to know how clean its rails are. For a non-gamer, a solid 500W PSU would be sufficient. Antec, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, and Enermax are all decent. Depending on what games you do play, you could drop the video card to as low as a HD4670. You'll still whip your old Dell.

Reply to jtt283

Thanks~

@OvrClkr
I priced out the system with changing to the Corsair Psu, the Samsung dvdr and the Gigabyte Mb and left everything else the same. It ended up being $926 with $30 in rebates making it $896.

Any Reason you went for the Xfx 5850, and the G.Skill Ripjaws? If it was cost, the original quoted parts are about the same after rebates.

@seabreeze
Oh poor Dell, I'm sure they have their feelings hurt and theyre wiping up their tears with $100s. You suggested the 4850 as well, XFX cards have a better reputation? The last desktop i built was about 8 years ago, and all this videocard nonsense was much simpler then (still had choices, but holy crap the naming is outa whack now).

@jtt283
I had originally been thinking about the i7920 because of all the benchmarks and the fact that next year they will release the 6core (so I have definite upgrade options should I feel so inclined). So your comment made we wonder again.

So how about these changes:

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
-$5.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-145-220
$129.99
$124.99

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
$169.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
-$9.00 Instant
$288.99
$279.99

Scythe SCKTN-3000 92mm Sleeve "KATANA3" 3Heat Pipes CPU Cooler -
$28.69

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$69.95
$54.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91
SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible
-$30.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-001

$139.99
$109.99

SubTotal: 1038 - 80 rebates
Total $958.

If I left the Psu the same, it'd be $978.

So all this and it'd be $50-80 bucks more. Hmmm. :??:

-d

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to darishi

darishi wrote :

Thanks~

@OvrClkr
I priced out the system with changing to the Corsair Psu, the Samsung dvdr and the Gigabyte Mb and left everything else the same. It ended up being $926 with $30 in rebates making it $896.

Any Reason you went for the Xfx 5850, and the G.Skill Ripjaws? If it was cost, the original quoted parts are about the same after rebates.

@seabreeze
Oh poor Dell, I'm sure they have their feelings hurt and theyre wiping up their tears with $100s. You suggested the 4850 as well, XFX cards have a better reputation? The last desktop i built was about 8 years ago, and all this videocard nonsense was much simpler then (still had choices, but holy crap the naming is outa whack now).

@jtt283
I had originally been thinking about the i7920 because of all the benchmarks and the fact that next year they will release the 6core (so I have definite upgrade options should I feel so inclined). So your comment made we wonder again.

So how about these changes:

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
-$5.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-145-220
$129.99
$124.99

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
$169.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
-$9.00 Instant
$288.99
$279.99

Scythe SCKTN-3000 92mm Sleeve "KATANA3" 3Heat Pipes CPU Cooler -
$28.69

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$69.95
$54.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91
SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible
-$30.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-001

$139.99
$109.99

SubTotal: 1038 - 80 rebates
Total $958.

If I left the Psu the same, it'd be $978.

So all this and it'd be $50-80 bucks more. Hmmm. :??:

-d

Yea, not a bad sellection of parts.... Specially on the Asrock mobo, I have a buddy that ordered it 2 weeks ago and for the price its a steal....

------------------------------ 550 @ 4.0 Ghz 1.425v
BFG GTX 260 (216)
4GB G.Skill @ 960MHz
Thermaltake TP 850w
Reply to OvrClkr

Get a cheap graphics card till the 5 series ATI cards come out

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Core I7 920 D0 @ 4.2Ghz
MSI X58 Pro-E
32GB SSD, WD Blacks In R0
Sapphire HD 5870's In XFire
Reply to PsychoSaysDie

PsychoSaysDie wrote :

Get a cheap graphics card till the 5 series ATI cards come out

Unfortunately for me, I don't have too large of a budget for this whole thing. Unless the brand new 5 series comes in at $140 I'll just be fine with the 4870.

You know how much they'll be?

Reply to darishi

5770 @ around 199.99$
5850 @ around 279.99/299.99$
5870 @ around 379.99/399.99$
5870x2 @ around 599.99$

------------------------------ 550 @ 4.0 Ghz 1.425v
BFG GTX 260 (216)
4GB G.Skill @ 960MHz
Thermaltake TP 850w
Reply to OvrClkr

darishi wrote :

You suggested the 4850 as well, XFX cards have a better reputation?

Yes, I suggested the HD4850 also. It seems very well priced no matter where you are located. It was OvrClkr who provided the brand. I agree on model, but most brands will do. Asus and Gigabyte command a premium here where I am so I stay with HIS, Palit, XFX, Inno3D, Galaxy, just to name a few. The HD4850 will allow you to stick closer to your budget while providing a very good result, that was all.

I've gone an butchered the previous list and added in the less expensive ram and hard drive.

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout - $89.99
i5 750 - $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R - $139.99
2 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 - $70.00 - estimate
XFX HD-485X-ZDFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $124.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive - $54.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW - $29.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX - $99.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon - $109.99

About $929.00.

Whether you go i5 750 or i7 920, and while keeping most of the products posted here in your build, you'll be in the $930 to $980 price range. Either way, it's all good.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to seabreeze

go i7 .. you are going to be using it for one of the few things it is actually better than i5 at doing.

and 6gb of ram is good for those programs.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to rand_79

seabreeze wrote :

I've gone an butchered the previous list and added in the less expensive ram and hard drive.

Word. Newegg has all those crazy discounts, I guess trying to move inventory? Sometimes the deals are rather good however (like the 4870 which was about 10 bucks more than the 4850, and the ram which had some group deal).

Oh and to anyone who's considering building a new system, who is a student (or still has an academic email address) and would like Windows 7:
http://gizmodo.com/5361767/student [...] ium-for-30

You can get Home Premium or Pro for 30 bucks. Not too bad.

Its funny I keep flip floppin back and forth from the i5 to the i7920. I do enjoy the top end 24gb of ram for the 920 (it is a lil slower however tho right?).

I am thinkin about waitin until the new ATI cards come out, seems like pretty good prices for Dx11 and such.

Thanks guys for all the input.

Reply to darishi

rand_79 wrote :

go i7 .. you are going to be using it for one of the few things it is actually better than i5 at doing.

and 6gb of ram is good for those programs.

Examples of that would be things that would use Hyperthreading to decrease the amount of time something would take? (like rendering a 3d image or encoding video?)

6gigs of ram here, 6gigs of ram there...it adds up.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to darishi

darishi wrote :

Examples of that would be things that would use Hyperthreading to decrease the amount of time something would take? (like rendering a 3d image or encoding video?)

6gigs of ram here, 6gigs of ram there...it adds up.

Exactly

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Core I7 920 D0 @ 4.2Ghz
MSI X58 Pro-E
32GB SSD, WD Blacks In R0
Sapphire HD 5870's In XFire
Reply to PsychoSaysDie

PsychoSaysDie wrote :

Exactly

i7 it is then!

Reply to darishi

Where do you live? If you have a microcenter near you go buy your cpu from there.

Reply to someguy7

Unfortunately the closest Microcenter to me is not close at all! I'd probably end up spending twice the amount in gas I would in savings.

Of course the great undecided fellow I am, I suddenly thought: i7 it is ... but wait! there is the i7 860 w/ the 1156 mb! So I took all of your recommendations and put together basically the same system as with the i5, but w/ the 860. So it gives me on par and better performance than the 920 for about 100 bucks cheaper. Total for the system should be about 860 after rebates and before shipping. Ohhhh ya!

Thanks again for all your help!

-d

Reply to darishi

Focus On

New i5 Build - Thumbs Up??

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - New i5 Build - Thumbs Up??