Here’s a new i7 860 build I’m about to start. Plan to make the purchase within the next week.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor (have 19", resolution is 1280x1024) and a 42" 1080p sharp aquas plasma tv, speakers, OS (have Vista 32 bit temporarily, will buy windows 7 64bit within the first month, but 32bit should be fine to up to 4gigs anyways?), graphics card (have an HD4890 already)
I have decided to skip thermal paste and an aftermarket cooler at this point. I hope that doesn’t prove to be a dumb decision. I will buy a descent one as soon as better after market coolers come out for the 1156 socket. I also will not plan to run crossireX/SLi, but out of curiosity if I was to run a 4870x2 on a single PCIE 2.0 16x lane, will it break the card to x8/x8 or keep it at 16x because it is only one card.
CPU Core i7 860 Processor Boxed -$330
MOTHER BOARD Gigabyte P55m ud-2 The motherboard has been one of the tougher decisions. I still haven’t made my mind up completely, but I want to try to get a cheaper motherboard so I can put money away into other things. And as it is I probably wont be overclocking till I get an aftermarket cooler and like I said no crossfire or sli (maybe an x2 card though down the road) -$109
HDD Western Digital 500gb hard drive 16mb Cache - $55
PSU CORSAIR TX750w (non modular one) -$125
CD/DVD Writer SAMSUNG Black 22X -$25.99
CASE Antec 902 -$110.99
Total Cost: $846 CAN - Before Taxes
A couple thting that I'm still unsure of. Am I cheaping out on the Motherboard? if the power supply is overkill? how does the antec 300 case compare to the antec 902? seeing as I can get that case for $55 and put the money else were.
Also I'd like to keep my budget below $900 before taxes. And I'm a cash only guy so I'd like to avoid ordering online unless I absolutely get a better price.
The i5 750 would not be 'better' than the i7 860. But it should be 'good enough' for what you're planning to use it for. Core i5 750 is a very strong CPU in it's own right.
I think you'd be happy with the i5 750 / Gigabyte P55M UD-2 / Antec 300 / OCZ 550W PSU and your 4890.
I also will not plan to run crossireX/SLi, but out of curiosity if I was to run a 4870x2 on a single PCIE 2.0 16x lane, will it break the card to x8/x8 or keep it at 16x because it is only one card.
16x because only 1 PCI-e x16 slot in use.
That Gigabyte P55M UD-2 micro-ATX board is going to look awful small inside that relatively huge Antec 902 case.
Small board - large case.
For a non-CF/SLI PSU the 750TX is wayyyyy over what you really need. A Corsair 550VX is plenty for the 4890 and any single 5850 or 5870 video card.
I'd say look for a less expensive case. Something in the $70~80 range.
The i5 750 would not be 'better' than the i7 860. But it should be 'good enough' for what you're planning to use it for. Core i5 750 is a very strong CPU in it's own right.
I think you'd be happy with the i5 750 / Gigabyte P55M UD-2 / Antec 300 / OCZ 550W PSU and your 4890.