I7 setupv~ $900 first time build

[Scottk517]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This Week....BUDGET RANGE: 900-1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: World of Warcraft, Sony Vegas Studio, Paint Shop Pro, Internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: GPU - 9800GT 512 DDR3, PSU - BFG 650GS

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

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280 x 1020

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: looking for longevity of build with a solid upgrade/ future-proof system. I want to be able to watch hulu or netflix with little to no pixelization or non-internet connection lag.

I have 3 builds listed. One is an i7- 860 build, same build but i5 740, and an i7 920 build. I really want the i7 920 build, but realize that the other builds are less expensive. Please give me your thoughts on 1. The difference I will notice in the photo/video rendering aspect of the builds and the good or bad choice of parts. I know that any of the builds will be more than enough for WoW, but that is what I use the computer mostly for...but there is nothing better than making a dvd from my camera in the least amount of time. this is my first attempt to build a complete computer. I have done everything involved seprately, just not all at once. Thanks for the advice and time you all put into your answers.

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SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model TS-H663B/UOAH - OEM --x2 $53.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151197

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ----$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive ----$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152100

LOGISYS FP521 All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader - Retail ---$10.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820342001

OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK - Retail ---$104.99 + $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227495

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard ---154.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail ---$194.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM ----104.99

Total with shipping 789.91----i5 system

i7 860 build same components just different CPU

Total with shipping 874.99-----i7 860 system

i7 920 system with the same components except the ram, mobo and cpu listed below

i7 920 CPU C0 stepping I think microcenter special ---- 199.99

ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ---$299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail ---$149.99 $30 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

Total with shipping 959.92----i7 920 system...

all prices before rebates

Recap 789.91-----i5 740 system
874.99-----i7 860 system
959.92-----i7 920 system

Thanks again guys and gals...

 

[b10n]

i bought mine on sunday at microcenter in santa clara
they said they only carry the D0 Stepping

 

[Scottk517]

cool, i think...lol I do not plan to OC, but it is nice to know that I could, also doesn't the 920 OC itself?

 

[geofelt]

I think the i5-750 system will serve you about as well as the more expensive choices.



You also need a power supply. Look at the corsair 400w:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

You can save a bit on the case. Antec makes good ones. Look at the antec 200 for $39.95:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129070
You might look for a case with included psu, but I would only trust an Antec included psu.

Shop around for free shipping, cases are heavy, and can cost $20 to ship.

If you are a student, look for an academic Windows-7 license for about $30

 

[Scottk517]

Did you see that I already have one BFG 650gs. Are you saying that I should replace it or did you just miss it?

 

[geofelt]

Did you see that I already have one BFG 650gs. Are you saying that I should replace it or did you just miss it?

OOPS! I missed the psu.

The i7-920 will increase one multiplier step from 20 to 21 when under load. It is a trivial matter to up the BCLK from 133 to 150 or 160 for an easy overclock. Particularly with a D0 stepping.

 

[Scottk517]

Are the other parts good?

 

[dpaul8]

Have a look at this article that tests all three processors (i750, i860, and i920) using a variety of games and other applications:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7
For gaming performance the i750 beats the i920 when using a single graphics card.

For video encoding the i920 beats the i750 in the DivX test (39.3 seconds versus 39.4 seconsds) by 0.1 seconds; and in the WME test (29 seconds versus 30 seconds) by 1 second. The i860 processor beats them all in the above tests by a few seconds. If your computer is going to used for heavy duty video encoding, then get the i920 or i860. Otherwise, the i750 will perform nearly as well and save you a $170 over the i920. They are all great systems.

On another issue, you should replace the F1 drive with a F3 drive for slightly better performance.

If you live near a Microcenter store, you can pickup a i750 for $150, i920 for $200, and i860 for $230.

I applaud you for doing your research and thoroughly examining all three builds with different processors.

 

[Scottk517]

ok tomorrow I am going to Microcenter to get my parts... What do you guys think of this Mobo

X58M Socket 1366 X58 mATX Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0314477

it will save me 130 bucks from the asus but with no 3.0 usb.. but it keeps me under my pricerange and the wife happy... Also the i7 860 build is only 70 bucks less, so i think i will go for the i7 920...

any reason not to? Also, what is the performance differnce in the F3 and F1 HD?

 

[dpaul8]

MSI is one of the major motherboard manufacturers, and that mATX motherboard looks like it has all of the basic functions. If the price allows you to get a i920 processor within your budget, and that is what you want, then go for it.

The difference between a F3 and a F1 drive is, in general, the F3 drive is faster for I/O operations, but it really depends on the particular drive size. Drives with 500 GB platters tend to be faster than drives with lower density platters. If your really interested you can compare the performance using the following charts:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/benchmarks,50.html