Planning on trying to build a computer for the first time, and I've done a moderate bit of reading different threads/articles and such, but I'm still relatively new, so if you make a correction/suggestion can you please provide a link/explanation as to why exactly the change is suggested? Thanks.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: before October
BUDGET RANGE: I was going to say $1200, but what I've gathered is already over at $1250. So we'll put that as the extreme upper limit
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, watching movies, photo editing/organizing, matlab/other scientific program simulations, internet, music
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor (have 24" LCD)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, ncix
PARTS PREFERENCES: no current preference, but nothing cheap that is prone to not work
OVERCLOCKING: Yes / Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: just looking for current input/info, not quite sure how up to date all the stuff I read was.
Two Suggestions:
1) Review the combo deals listed on Newegg for additional savings
2) What till next week for the release of the ATI 5870 card and purchase it over the 4870. The performance won't be in the same ballpark. If you are spending the money for a Core i7 920, you have to utilize a highend GPU now with the release of Socket 1156... IMO If you are not planning on doing so, I recommend going with the Core i5 750.
Message edited by tecmo34 on 09-16-2009 at 05:02:18 AM
Two Suggestions:
1) Review the combo deals listed on Newegg for additional savings
2) What till next week for the release of the ATI 5870 card and purchase it over the 4870. The performance won't be in the same ballpark. If you are spending the money for a Core i7 920, you have to utilize a highend GPU now with the release of Socket 1156... IMO If you are not planning on doing so, I recommend going with the Core i5 750.
Thanks for this I'll check out the combo deals a bit closer- to address one point, from what I read (who knows if it was accurate) was that the 1366 socket is going to be sort of the replacement or next generation of chips, so if you want to upgrade in the future it would be easier with a 1366 setup. Is there any accuracy in that?
This is a US build correct? I saw the NCIX link and I wasn't sure. So US build in US dollars. Nice build, but I can see a few changes (hs/combo's/922 HAF case) that would allow you to fit a nice 4890 in your budget and still get just as good if not better performance.
------------------------------"God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
Reply to Why_Me
3) Memory: Again, only if you need to shave some money at some point to afford, say, a better graphics card, this Mushkin 3.2GB 1333 7CAS memory doesn't give away much in practice vs your choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820226036
4) Wait for the ATI 5XXX series to be announced and benched before you commit to the previous generation. Should be next week, and reviews in a week or so following.
3) Memory: Again, only if you need to shave some money at some point to afford, say, a better graphics card, this Mushkin 3.2GB 1333 7CAS memory doesn't give away much in practice vs your choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820226036
4) Wait for the ATI 5XXX series to be announced and benched before you commit to the previous generation. Should be next week, and reviews in a week or so following.
1 - I hadn't actually looked at the 922. Since I've never really built...well...anything computer related at all, I was sort of going with the ideology that if it was bigger it would for sure be able to accept anything I decided to put in it and also ok for future upgrades.
2 - I actually had previously decided on the i7 860, until again I read something (see my lame excuse a few posts up) that insinuated the 1156 may eventually become less used, so I changed my mind.
3a - I'll take a look through the review when I get a chance.
3b - Here without much experience, I felt that making an informed decision on a good memory choice was incredibly difficult. There's a TON of variety out there. I think I just picked that one because someone else had recommended it in a review thread somewhere.
4 - Tell you the truth I hadn't even known about the 5xxx series till Tecmo mentioned it. Worried a bit about the cost of the new ones...but with the release would it be plausible to think that the prices of of the 4xxx series may drop somewhat?
1) Good thought. There's really no need for the larger case for your build and any reasonable expansion of it. The 932 *may* give slightly better air flow, and might be better for the hotter 920; the 922 is probably a better choice for 860/750 unless size and money don't matter.
2) The 860 won't come cheaper than the 920. You would probably equip the 920 with 3x2GB, while your choices on the 860 would be 2x2GB or 4x2GB (likely choice). Those two tend to offset the mobo savings. But if you are still on the fence, you might want to read this published today:
then check back and scan the numbers, and see how you feel.
3a) Cool. No pun intended
3b) You will not see a noticable difference in game or application performance between the two RAM choices. However, the difference in $ is also small.
4) The 4xxx prices could (should) drop, and that's one reson why you should wait just a bit longer. You will of course be paying the highest prices ever paid if you (like I will) buy 5xxx cards in two weeks lol. But here's the thing - with any of these three cpus - buying a 5xxx means you are set for several years.
1) Good thought. There's really no need for the larger case for your build and any reasonable expansion of it. The 932 *may* give slightly better air flow, and might be better for the hotter 920; the 922 is probably a better choice for 860/750 unless size and money don't matter.
2) The 860 won't come cheaper than the 920. You would probably equip the 920 with 3x2GB, while your choices on the 860 would be 2x2GB or 4x2GB (likely choice). Those two tend to offset the mobo savings. But if you are still on the fence, you might want to read this published today:
then check back and scan the numbers, and see how you feel.
3a) Cool. No pun intended
3b) You will not see a noticable difference in game or application performance between the two RAM choices. However, the difference in $ is also small.
4) The 4xxx prices could (should) drop, and that's one reson why you should wait just a bit longer. You will of course be paying the highest prices ever paid if you (like I will) buy 5xxx cards in two weeks lol. But here's the thing - with any of these three cpus - buying a 5xxx means you are set for several years.
Two boxer...I was going to post a 1156 860 build...but what would you recommend ? The 920 or the 860 ? I'l post that 860 since I already have it ready...but tbh for what the OP want's/needs...I'm not sure what's the best way to go on this.
------------------------------"God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
Reply to Why_Me
This cpu supports hyper threading....but after two boxers post I'm not sure if this is the way to go...I have no idea tbh. This just gives you another option to look at. This case down below is actually wider than the 932, it's newer to the market, and it has plenty of room for upgrades, dual vid cards, etc... The mobo has a lot of o/c utilities, and it supports both Crossfire and SLI. I didn't include a vid card for the fact I'm not sure what card you want....or if you want to wait until next week when the new DX11 cards hit the shelves.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Combo [...] 11-119-197 Combo Discount: -$5.00 Combo Price: $217.98
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817139006 $114.99 (Before $10.00 USD Mail-In Rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail