Core i7-860 Gaming Build (Sub $1k)

[era86]

Greetings!

I am new to the forums, but I've been scouring as much info as I could get on Tom's Hardware for about 3 months now. I'm ready to see if my research has paid off. Now I'm still deciding on the I7 vs the I5 for my needs, but the HT on the I7 might come in handy in a non-gaming situation... correct me if I'm wrong.

Feel free to go nuts on this! Thank you in advance!

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, Movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, 19" Monitors (All Dell), CD/DVD Rom, HD

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel and NVidia (but will go ATI if persuaded )

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

Currently I have:

[strike]COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $70 Free Shipping[/strike]

[strike]MSI N275GTX TwinFrozr OC GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $230 Free Shipping[/strike]

[strike]CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail - $100 Free Shipping[/strike]

[strike]COOLER MASTER R4-S2S-124K-GP 120mm Case Fan - Retail - $16 + $3 Shipping[/strike]

[strike]
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
G.SKILL Trident 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD - Retail
- $535 Free Shipping[/strike]

*COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 700 RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active ... - Retail

*COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

$155 Combo Free Shipping

*EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $240 Free Shipping

*G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail - $95 Free Shipping

*Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail

*ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$425 Combo Free Shipping

*Cooler Master Intel Core i5 compatible Hyper TX3 Socket 775/1156/AMD 130W 92mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler RR-910-HTX3-GP - Retail
Free!

Total: ~$950

Edit: Don't need an HD, but will take recommendations.

Edit: Reconfigured some things, please critique!

 

[gkay09]

Few changes to the setup -

CPU + Mobo
i7 + 2. ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259879

CASE + PSU - The Corsair 650TX no doubt is a very good unit but even this is good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.250442

And if you really want to stick with Nvidia, I would change the graphics card to EVGA GTX 275 - Reason - EVGA Step-Up program - Would allow you to upgrade to the GT3xx series when they are out(Most probably by November end or December...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

Or HD 5850 - It is said to have the performance of a GTX 285...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011251&prodlist=froogle

So with these changes, it should still hover in that budget range...

 

[gkay09]

Missed out the RAM...here are few options...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220431

 

[Onus]

I have that case. It comes with front and rear fans, so you may only need to add two more (top and side). If you like the subdued blue glow of the front fan, you may want these instead: COOLER MASTER R4-L2S-122B-GP 120mm 4 BLUE LED LED Case Fan - $10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103022
Trivial, I know, but...
I assume you'll need a hard drive. Either a Western Digital Black or the Samsung Spinpoint F3 should be decent.

 

[era86]

gkay09 - Thanks for all of this info! I had a couple of questions to shoot at ya if ya don't mind.

Few changes to the setup -

CPU + Mobo
i7 + 2. ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259879

Now, I've only owned Gigabyte boards in the past and I'm very comfortable with them and their quality, but I know that Asus is it's best competitor (from what I read on the Egg and Tom's). What makes this board a better choice than the Gigabyte I chose? Or is it just the brand? They seem very similar.

CASE + PSU - The Corsair 650TX no doubt is a very good unit but even this is good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.250442

Hm. Yea, a friend always recommends Corsair because of their quality, but this CM PSU looks promising. It also has a single 12V, which is better than mutliple, right? Does CM usually make good PSUs? I've only known them to make good cases.

And if you really want to stick with Nvidia, I would change the graphics card to EVGA GTX 275 - Reason - EVGA Step-Up program - Would allow you to upgrade to the GT3xx series when they are out(Most probably by November end or December...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

You know, that was my first choice. I may have to wait until it goes back in stock because it is sold out right now, sadly enough. I chose this one because it was quite cheap and had free shipping. Step-Up is software, correct? Do you know if the GTX300 will be in the same price range as the current ATI 5xxx cards? I'm guessing no, but if so, I'll get a GTX260 now and upgrade again at the end of November. I'm not trying to spend 500 on a new GTX3xx card...

Or HD 5850 - It is said to have the performance of a GTX 285...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011251&prodlist=froogle

Was considering the 5870, but it is sold out on the Egg. Even after multiple page refreshes, I couldn't seem to get any of them to add to the cart! When will the 5850 hit the Egg, I'd like to see the price and compare. If they are price comparable to the GTX275, I'll have to switch on over.

So with these changes, it should still hover in that budget range...

 

[era86]

I have that case. It comes with front and rear fans, so you may only need to add two more (top and side). If you like the subdued blue glow of the front fan, you may want these instead: COOLER MASTER R4-L2S-122B-GP 120mm 4 BLUE LED LED Case Fan - $10: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103022
Trivial, I know, but...
I assume you'll need a hard drive. Either a Western Digital Black or the Samsung Spinpoint F3 should be decent.

Thanks for the reply jtt283, I didn't know that I only needed two more. Thanks for catching that, I'll probably get the case fans you reccomend. How are you liking that case? What were some of the others you were debating on getting? I was selecting primarily between the Antec 300 and the CM690, but this one won me over with the PSU opening at the bottom.

As for the HD, I'm going to use my existing one for now, but I'll take recommendations!

 

[era86]

Missed out the RAM...here are few options...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220431

I've seen the Ripjaw Gskills recommended over and over on these boards. What makes them better than the Tridents? Is it the OC performance? Quality? There are hardly any reviews on the Egg, but I always see good things about them on these forums.

 

[cgleckman]

As requested, heres my build

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM

Antec Nine Hundred + EA650 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 650W Power Supply - Retail

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail

Intel Core i7 860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail + ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM + SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM The O/S Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

Total: ~1100 w/o tax + shipping

Not sure on the price because I changed some things and haven't re-added it up yet.

However some notes: Look at the ram you want, The timings on it are 9-9-9-27. It will make it harder on you to O/C it with those timings. I recommend going down to the 1600 lvl and getting the ones I am getting. The timings are 7-7-7-24.

Also I know the i7 860 comes with a free heat sink, however if you are serious about over clocking then I would recommend looking at the one I am getting because the free one really wont do the job beyond the basic level.

Anyway just reply here if you have any questions or just wana chat about your builld/my build, etc.

 

[era86]

cgleckman - Thanks alot for taking the time to do that. I've seen so many recommendations for the RipJaw memory and now I understand why. So, it does have to do with OC capabilities.

What was your reasoning with the Asus board over the others? I have only used Gigabyte, so naturally I chose the Gigabyte board, but others recommend the Asus. I'd just like to know if it's about brand loyalty, features, OC, etc.

Again, thanks for showing me your build. Hopefully that GFX card becomes available soon, yea?

 

[cgleckman]

cgleckman - Thanks alot for taking the time to do that. I've seen so many recommendations for the RipJaw memory and now I understand why. So, it does have to do with OC capabilities.

What was your reasoning with the Asus board over the others? I have only used Gigabyte, so naturally I chose the Gigabyte board, but others recommend the Asus. I'd just like to know if it's about brand loyalty, features, OC, etc.

Again, thanks for showing me your build. Hopefully that GFX card becomes available soon, yea?

Ya it does, and as for ASUS, I went with it because of recommendations and because they have a really nice utility that allows for overclocking with a few clicks and key strokes.

As for the GPU, it will be available probably within a week. Generally it goes out of stock for no more then a week.

 

[cgleckman]

I just realized you want a sub $1000 build. Is that with tax and shipping or without? Also take a look at the Cooler Master RC-922M-KKN1-GP Haf Mini 922 Haf 922M ATX/Micro ATX Include Two 200MM Its a decent case and highly recommended from what I have read. I don't know much about the case you chose so you should maybe ask around on the forums. Its up to you, but just a suggestion. I went with the Antec 900 because I think its better, however the price difference is quite noticeable.

 

[Onus]

...How are you liking that case? What were some of the others you were debating on getting? I was selecting primarily between the Antec 300 and the CM690, but this one won me over with the PSU opening at the bottom...

I like it. It is roomy inside, has cable management clips, and was of much better quality than the really cheap CM cases (I've switched to Rosewill for cheap cases). I thought about the Antec 900, and there was a deal on it around the time I bought, but I kept seeing that some found it small, and I thought it was a bit flashy to have in the living room, where my computer desk is located. I do like the subdued glow of the RC690 though. I don't think the Antec 300 was out yet, but I'd consider it today unless my PSU had a bottom-mounted fan. In the RC690, the Enermax Liberty I originally used could draw its own air up from below. The SG-650 I'm using now has an end-mounted fan though, so it wouldn't matter.

 

[cgleckman]

Hopefully that GFX card becomes available soon, yea?

The video card is available again.. Just got relisted.

 

[era86]

Just made some changes to the build. Please check it over and let me know if prices should change and I should wait. Anyone hear on the release of the 5850 yet?

 

[cgleckman]

Just made some changes to the build. Please check it over and let me know if prices should change and I should wait. Anyone hear on the release of the 5850 yet?

If you can create links for the certain things you list that don't have any links that would help.

As for hds, new benchmarks show the samsung f3 retty high up there.. 500gb for about 50 bucks...

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

 

[era86]

Sure thing, sorry about that.

 

[cgleckman]

Sure thing, sorry about that.

not a problem. BTW Why the change from the 275?

 

[era86]

It should still be on there. The EVGA one?

 

[cgleckman]

Sorry i somehow read another build and thought it was yours and replied to this page while reading that page...dunno how that happened

 

[gkay09]

The other main reason for suggesting the ASUS board is the combo deal...Else both the UD4P and that board offer similar features...

And as for the RAM, the Trident are also very good RAM sets...If you want to overclock you RAM higher than the rated settings, then go for Trident as the taller heatsinks offer better heat dissipation...But the Rip jaws are not bad wither...they are a better value kits as you get tighter timings for less...

If you still have doubts, do post it here...people here would help you out...

 

[era86]

I guess I never really planned to do any crazy OCing. So, I never really looked into it. I guess I'll have to do more research on how memory affects OCing. Thanks for the help though. If you have resources I could read up on, that would be much appreciated. In the meantime, Google is my friend.

 

[gkay09]

And sorry for the late reply ...
And do check out this combo of the RAM and the graphics card...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256474

As for the HD 5850, it might take 2 weeks for widespread availability...

 

[gkay09]

Here at TOM's forum, we have a separate section to help people out with overclocking...It would be of good help...If I find better i5/ i7 overclocking resources, I will post them too...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-29.html

 

[imafiretruck]

lol.... i just ordered mine today...

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/271691-31-gaming-moderate

 

[era86]

imafiretruck - Congrats! I went to your forum and took what I could from it. I think I might get a better case, it seems the one you got is very popular. I like the price of mine though .