Help a Girl Out PART 2

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Elizabeth_B

Elizabeth_B

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Jan 12, 2008
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Hi Guys,

You might remember you all helped me tremendously back in Feb/March with my new modest gaming build. It has been fantastic and I have you all to thank for your helpful suggestions and hand holding. Well, we are ready to build again and this will be my i7 build primarily for my daughter to use for about 4 years. I want to get all higher quality parts ( no off brand stuff with poor customer service) and I would most importantly like to have a good CPU/Mobo/memory combo that has no issues. In other words, I want something proven for stability. All of my research for my last build was for the Q9550 set up so I know very little about the x-58 boards and the DDR3 memory. We absolutely love the Sniper case but want to go with something a bit smaller this time as we would prefer the case to fit into one of those desk cubbies that sits on the floor. Cooling will of course be of paramount importance for both the case and cpu cooler selections. The vid card should be moderate but if a deal is found, I will go for it. She likes to play Oblivion and our Sapphire HD 4870 1GB toxic editon has nicely filled the bill but as I am wanting a smaller case I may have to downsize the vid card as well. I know everyone hates modular PSU, but the Corsair HX 620 was a breeze to work with, so I may want to stick with that model for this build as well. I am open to all suggestions!!!

Budget: up to 1,000


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: learning Microsoft office for an IT class then Web design, internet, gaming ( Oblivion)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, speakers, LCD monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, any other reputable

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, Gigabyte MOBO, best rated PSU such as Corsair

OVERCLOCKING :No

Crossfire: No Want a single video card

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Current Dell 2007 WFP but will upgrade to Samsung 24 in the future

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This will be my daughter's desktop. She will help to put this system together and I want it to be a good experience so she will come back for more!!


Thanks so much for your help! :wahoo:

Lizzie
 
shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt

Glorious
Apr 1, 2008
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This build comes in just over the budget, but I don't know what other corners I can cut to get the price down. I also don't know if the Antec 300 is small enough.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 $279.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375

OCZ XMP Ready Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227388

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.209618 $278.98 - $25.00 MIR (motherboard + RAM combo)

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337 $109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074&Tpk=wd3200aaks

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-074 $154.98 (HD + OS combo)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $54.95

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx $108.99 - $20.00 MIR

LG GH22NS40 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010555&prodlist=celebros $31.99

Total - $1,019.87 - $45 MIR's
 
shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt

Glorious
Apr 1, 2008
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The 320GB drive is actually faster than the 500GB models. The 500GB models use 2 250GB platters while the 320GB and 640GB models use 320GB platters. The higher the data density, the faster the drive. Current 1TB models use 333GB platters. I usually suggest Western Digital 640GB drives, but that just pushes it that much more over budget. I've used the WD3200AAKS drives before and they are very fast, solid drives.
 
Zenthar

Zenthar

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Unless you really want the modularity of the 520HX, I would either go for a 550VX or a bit more power for the same price with the 650TX.

Not that the 520HX isn't good, but I own one and love it, but I find it might be limiting my upgrades in the near future. For example, I'm not sure I could run an OCed Q9550 + 8GB RAM + 4850x2 card with my my 2HD and 4 fans...
 
sprucebr1

sprucebr1

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I like the Build that has been Suggested. The 500GB HDD is a good Idea though, they are quite cheap. Although I bet 320GB is more than enough. The OCZ 6GB DDR3 is all that would be needed for quite a long time.
 
Shadow703793

Shadow703793

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Feb 3, 2007
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+1.

Just a note: OP could get Windows 7 RC1 and pre order a Win 7 Home Premium Copy for $50 @Newegg.

Also I'm assuming this will be upgraded (ie better GPU, bigger HDD,etc) whith in the 4 years? Also if you can wait, Core i5 will be out soon which would drop i7 prices a bit and should be cheaper than i7.
 
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
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I also like shortstuff's build, but do have some suggestions.
You can cut it down by using the Windows 7 RC, but you'll need to buy it later.
Check out this alternative PSU. It uses a semi-modular design, where the main cables are not modular, but extra peripheral ones are:
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply - $90 and no rebate games
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020
Since the XFX video card he linked exhausts its heat, you may find one of the cheaper Rosewill cases acceptable. I've used a number of them (whichever was cheapest at the time) and had no trouble from any of them. For a non-overclocked system, they should be fine, although I won't argue that the Antec case doesn't look a lot better.
 
ausch30

ausch30

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It depends on the model, a few of the newer drives use a single 500gb platter and are quite a bit faster than the 320gb. Also some of the newer 1tb drives use 2 500gb platters. WD's 2tb drive uses 4 500gb platters. I'm not saying the AAKS is a bad drive, just that since their release there have been some advances in storage and there are bigger, faster drives for about the same amount of money.
 
N

not moose

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Elizabeth_B

Elizabeth_B

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What is Windows 7 RC1 ? I thought if I ordered Vista Home Premium I would get a coupon for the upgrade to Windows 7?
 
ausch30

ausch30

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The 4850 is just as fast as the 9800+ and about $30-$40 cheaper. That difference in price would pay for another part.
 
AlphaOmegaX

AlphaOmegaX

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I guess I'll ask.

Why an i7 build?

You could save money, especially with the needs of your daughter, oblivion and microsoft office aren't going to tax a cpu to warrant an i7 build.

You could save money by going with a core2 build or an pII build. (build is becoming prominent in this reply)

That opens up more money for a better graphics card, better cooling, better hard drive (wd 640 black for the win) and a slew of other things.

I don't know. I just think for the budget you could do something better in terms of overall.

It's like me making a post wanting the most uber awesome pc to play starcraft, it just doesn't make sense.

Edit: I second or third or whatever a 650tx. I use em and love em. With the right case, extra cables won't matter.
 
Elizabeth_B

Elizabeth_B

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Thanks for all the suggestions thus far!

I wanted to go with an i7 build because this system will be mine after daughter gets a laptop in high school ( in 3 years) I will then upgrade the vid card or simply leave it as is. At that point , we want flexibility and am assuming games will be even more demanding 3 years from now. She may also be dabbling in video editing and such so I believe the i7 would be the better choice all around.

I agree with the HD 4850 over the Nvidia card and am still trying to do more research on the case and power supply.

In as far as the MOBO goes, I mentioned Gigabyte as we had such an easy time with our first build using the UD3P paired with the Q9550. If there is an alternative Mobo suggestion that has good reliability, I would certainly consider it.

I am assuming I will require an aftermarket heatsink/ cooler. Again, I am trying to find a fairly "proven" combination where I will not have to do a lot of tweaking because parts are too big or don't play well together.



Thanks guys!
 
AlphaOmegaX

AlphaOmegaX

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Im not normally one to nitpick but we all know 3 years is a long time for computer life.

I assume by then an i7 build will cost as much as today's c2d build but still, I can't really fathom that it's worth it to pay more now and have less later. In three years we'll probably all be saying the gtx295 was crap and the i7 is old, which it will be.

As for the video editing, paying the premium for hardware now may mean a good...30 seconds saved. I'm being dramatic but I'm really on the outs about the uses and needs of the pc.

As for the laptop...I'm a firm believer in Sager.

Also, on the case: Just pick something that looks good to you and has the potential for decent airflow.
 
Elizabeth_B

Elizabeth_B

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We actually keep our computers for a long time. As some guys from this forum may recall, my March build replaced my Dell Dimension XPS 866 with Rambus memory. I will certainly entertain the idea but I don't think I would save that much money going with an older core 2 chip.
Decent airflow is a must, though. How cool are the i7 set ups running, anyhow??
 
AlphaOmegaX

AlphaOmegaX

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A few hundred dollars goes a long way towards other upgrades. As for the i7 temps I have no clue about how they are.

Regardless! We want pics when you get it all done.
 
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