$1500 i7 build for client.

[waynec121]

Hello everybody,

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before August 31st

BUDGET RANGE: USD $1500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD Video Editing, Rendering, Transcoding, Gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, local microcenter

PARTS PREFERENCES: i7 920, Gigabyte UD4P, Silverstone FT01-BW

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (3.6) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 25.5" 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am doing a build for a friend who needs basically a workhorse rig for the uses listed above. I have already went to my local microcenter and got a quote on a few parts. I will be getting the i7 920 from there as well as the Gigabyte UD4P. The i7 is $200 and the UD4P is $230 so they both beat newegg.

So basically if I could build this computer for less then $1500 he would be extremely happy but that is the max for the build and it can go to that if need be. He has also decided the case he wants is the Silverstone FT-01BW after he saw mine. He is willing to pay the extra money it costs over other cases.

Here is what I recommended for him so far:

EDIT: Final List

CPU: i7 920 - $200 at microcenter

MOBO: Gigabyte UD4P - $230 at microcenter

RAM: OCZ Platinum 1600 6GB -$203
HDD: Caviar Black 1TB
combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231158

CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

PSU: Corsair 750hx - $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

CASE: Silverstone FT-01BW - $310
OS: Windows Vista 64-bit w/ free upgrade to 7
combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235877.11-163-121

GPU: BFG GTX 275 @ microcenter - $200

DVD Burner: $25-30 sata of course.

That about sums it up I think, so that is about $1375 w/out tax and shipping.

Thanks guys.

 

[tecmo34]

Is gaming his priority or the other stuff? If gaming isn't it, I would recommend against such horsepower for GPU's. He would be better suited with 4850's and save so cash. If gaming is the priority, your GPU's are fine.... I believe the DX11 cards are slatted for late Sept/early Oct., so that is up to him or not to wait.

If you are going the gamer route, I would go for the 850TX over the 750TX. If gaming isn't the priority, I would stick with the 750TX.

 

[waynec121]

He will be doing some gaming. He is really looking forward to Mass Effect 2 and Bioshock 2. Maybe some online games too such as Operation Flashpoint 2. I will talk to him about it but the 4850's in CF might be a good option. Thanks for the input.

 

[tecmo34]

Another option is to buy one XFX 4890 now and upgrade to the 5870 when released & sell the 4890 to another friend. The 4890 will provide very playable frame rates at his resolution with mid to max settings.

 

[waynec121]

Okay I talked to him not too long ago after seeing your post tecmo and he wants to go the 1 GPU route with the GTX 275. Then once the DX11 cards come out he will sell his card and get one of those. (Probably the 5870) Thanks for the advice. I am certain about everything else in this build because I have been on these forums giving this advice. lol

 

[waynec121]

He actually has one more question I forgot to bring up. He has a 32" 720p Samsung HDTV and if he hooked it up to that for gaming would the games look bad in 720p compared to 1200p? I would think there would be about no difference because high resolution like 1080p only come into play when the TV is above 42". Is that correct and how would that look when he wasn't gaming? Would text be grainy and unreadable?

 

[gkay09]

^ Then it is pretty much clear that he wouldnt even require 750W PSU...
The Corsair 620HX would be more than suffice for that setup, even with multiple harddisk...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

But if there is even slight probabilty for multiple cards, then the 750HX is suffice...

And a suggestion for the mobo,
EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

or if mTAX boards are OK, then certainly this mobo -> It performs slightly better than the P6T too...
ASUS Rampage Gene
Xtreme Phase w/ ROG Gaming Performance + Premium onboard sound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131371

 

[waynec121]

Thanks for the suggestion. He might still go for the Gigabyte since it is only $230 at microcenter and it has 2 True x16 slots. Also if anything ever went wrong it could be taken right back to microcenter.

 

[Yoosty]

You might want to look at these CPU Cooler that you can get at Microcenter.
Scythe Mugen 2 Universal CPU Cooler $44.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0304797

Review on the Scythe Mugen 2.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/core-i7-coolers-roundup_18.html

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme-1366 RT Rev. B CPU Heatsink (Socket LGA 1366) $74.99
(which is one of the Top 5 CPU Coolers' for the Core i7 CPU)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0316974

Also would suggest this Thermal Compound over Arctic Silver5 (which takes at least 48hrs before curing), that you can also get at Microcenter.
NT-H1 Hybrid Thermal Compound 3 grams : $12.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0314721

You will need this Cable extension for bottom mounted PSU. from NewEgg. The main reason I suggest this one is that the wires have a protective sleeve over them.
1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Hope this helps out some.

 

[gkay09]

@waynec121 All of those boards have 2 True x16 slots...their configuration changes only when the 3rd card is added...
So if you get those boards cheaper @ Microcenter, then you can consider them too...

 

[ajcroteau]

This is a nice rig...

One of the things i miss about working in a local mom & pop computer shop is clients coming in to purchase a highly customized computer with a lot of high end components, ordering the equipment, then putting it together and running all the benchmark software on it to see it beat the crap out of anything in the store.

AJ

 

[knotknut]

He actually has one more question I forgot to bring up. He has a 32" 720p Samsung HDTV and if he hooked it up to that for gaming would the games look bad in 720p compared to 1200p? I would think there would be about no difference because high resolution like 1080p only come into play when the TV is above 42". Is that correct and how would that look when he wasn't gaming? Would text be grainy and unreadable?

32", 720P- recomended res. 1368 x 768, 6ms refresh rate, maybe @60hz won't serve the proposed system any justice. Fast action will be way deminished.

 

[computernewbie]

the OCZ Platinum is 120$ not 200$ at newegg

 

[knotknut]

the OCZ Platinum is 120$ not 200$ at newegg

Its a Combo Deal


RAM: OCZ Platinum 1600 6GB -$203
HDD: Caviar Black 1TB
combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.231158

 

[waynec121]

Thanks for all the replies guys. The only changes I need to make is the GPU. He will be getting the BFG 275 from microcenter for $200. The 750w is also the choice for the PSU.
I will update my first post to reflect this.

Thanks again, I am positive he is going to be happy.

 

[waynec121]

Hey guys sorry to bring this thread back up but after receiving most of the clients parts I got a little bit of an urge to build my own system. So its official I have basically the same parts on their way as the clients list. I already have the Silverstone case though! i7 time yay! haha I will post pics once it is complete.

I am pretty excited because my dad and I are building an oak L-shaped desk to go into my room. It should be done before my birthday (October 15th) so I will have my setup complete by then. The desk and i7 should compliment eachother very well. : ) Again I will definitely post pics once the desk and rig are done!