I7 build for dummies

paz9x

Distinguished
Nov 10, 2009
4
0
18,510
Im the Dummy

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: tomorrow-next couple weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: ms office/multitasking/gaming/general use.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakers/storage hdd/dvd drives/windows 7 (picking up a student version)

BUDGET: $900-$1400

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg/amazon

PARTS PREFERENCES: intel cpu

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: low power consumption is preferred.


CPU: i7 920 $200 Microcenter

MOBO: ASUS P6T

RAM:
GSKILL 3x2gb 1333
or
OCZ 3x2gb 1600

PSU: OCZ ModXStream 700W PSU

GPU: XFX 5850

OCZ Vertex 60gb SSD

CASE: Coolermaster Sniper

CPU Heatsink: Coolermaster 212

TOTAL - roughly $1350 AR/shipping
This is about the max I can stretch my budget.

Looking for opinions on the build overall as well as RAM and MOBO. I dont know enough to know what I might be missing in the mobo specifically.

This build has to last a minimum of 3 years, maybe 18 months will see a possible RAM increase and Crossfire.

 

paz9x

Distinguished
Nov 10, 2009
4
0
18,510


I was really on the fence between those two and still am to some degree. The 860 is a few $ more,
ram isnt much cheaper per gb, and for an 8x/8x mobo it seemed I was at about $200 as well.

I wouldnt mind some 1156 mobos feature wise on par with the P6T being suggested.
 

banthracis

Distinguished
Don' t know why ppl have such a hardon over the i7-920. It is worse at gaming than an i5. Worse at everything vs an i7-860.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/quad-core-cpu,2499-8.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=16

It's 4% FPS increase w/ xfire due to dual x16in gaming is negated the 860's better performance, or completely negated by using a 5970.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7

i7-920 only ties a Phenom II x4, half it's price, even with a 5970.
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=869&p=23

i7-920 has horrible minimum frame rates. Worse than even Core 2 Duo and Quads in some games. P55 CPU's and AMD Phenom II's don't.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=8

Triple Channel offers no difference at worse, a only discernible in benchmarks difference at best.

P55 chips use less power and run cooler than x58.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410-13.html

The only advantage of the i7-920 is that you can upgrade to an i9 later this year. The questions is, after buying a i7-920 for nearly $300, do you really want to upgrade to a estimated $600 chip within the year?

If not, both x58 and P55 will be outdated in a year when 22nm sockets come out.

I have an i7-920 system and an i5-750 system. The i7 was great when I built it a year ago. Currently, I see absolutely no reason to go with x58.
 

banthracis

Distinguished
Here's an i5 System I put together yesterday


Case
Haf 922 $89.98 Free shipping with promo code EMCYZNT45,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

GPU/SSD
5850 and 60 GB Vertex $523.99 w/ $30 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323399

RAM
Corsair XMS 3 DDR3 1600 7-7-7-20 $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145285&Tpk=corsair%20xms3

MOBO
Asus P7P55D-E Pro USB 3.0/SATA 6.0 2 x PCIE x8 $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

PSU
OCZ 700W $84.99 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

HSF
CM Hyper 212 Plus $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=hyper%20212%20plus

CPU i5-750 from micro center $180

Total is $1208.93 Before shipping and $25 MIR

You can upgrade to a i7-860, but you won't needed it. You haven't mentioned anything that would benefit from 8 threads.

 

verst

Distinguished
Dec 16, 2009
83
0
18,640
Sry for jumping in... banthracis, you ordered that motherboard from Newegg? Have any issues with it, like high-pitched noises mentioned in the reviews?

Is the HSF necessary without OC-ing?

To correct your typo, i5 is 180$...
 

banthracis

Distinguished
Totally right about price lol. Fixed the post. Was wondering why it looked so expensive.


I haven't used the Xfire Asus board, but I used the single slot one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131620&cm_re=asus_usb_3-_-13-131-620-_-Product
with a 5970 for a friend Christmas build. No issue with that one at least.

The boards are identical except for an extra PCIE 2 slot on the $189.99 one.

The buzzing issue hasn't been encountered by Tom's reviewers or Benchmark Reviews.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-performance,2490-2.html

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8837&Itemid=23

It is possible they had a bad batch, but Asus support is generally good. At least they speak English unlike gigabyte lol.
 

banthracis

Distinguished
I like to slap a HSF on any build. The CM is cheap, but has incredible performance. It's worth it to keep the CPU cooler prolonging it's life, and it's much quieter than the stock fan.

Honestly, the Stock HSF that comes with P55 chips is a very bad piece of junk. At least the x58 ones are usable...
 

paz9x

Distinguished
Nov 10, 2009
4
0
18,510


Thanks for the build. I hadnt seen the 5850/ssd combo.
good deal on the haf 922 that case was on my short list with free shipping and the price drop i might go that route.

A lot of benchmarks and comparisons I see have turbo mode enabled on the i5 750, so I took their numbers with that in mind.

If I go with a 920 it would be OC'd a bit which I felt would balance out. while still offering the benefit of its HT.
Like I mentioned I was and still am on the fence between the 860 and 920 its only a $50 difference from the 750 for the CPU so if I go with the 1156 socket itd be the 860.

Im not a big pc guy and I wont be building another pc for a long time and want this build to be solid for the next 3 years without requiring an upgrade. I want the platform that will offer the most longevity.

I liked your build and am really split.
 
@paz9x go with i7 920...but not with that P6T...instead go with this board...
Cheaper and has additional features(USB 3.0/ SATA 6GB/s)...Will also allow for a decent overclock...
Gigabyte X58A UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

And I would suggest this CASE + PSU combo...
Lian-Li K62 + OCZ 700W - Though am a fan of that CM HAF, but this is a very good deal...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.314451

RAM - That OCZ is a better value...And also supports XMP profiles...

SSD - Why not the Intel Gen 2 80GB ? For about $250, you can get those at Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002IJA1EG/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264652865&sr=8-1&condition=new
 

paz9x

Distinguished
Nov 10, 2009
4
0
18,510


That intel ssd was significantly more when I saw it last. I ordered even though its out of stock.
thank you for that link. much better value than the vertex.

Since the 920 is only $200 at MC I think ill go that route. might wait through the weekend to see if frys has any bundles before pulling the trigger.

I hate paying shipping charges like the $20 on the lancool.
Thats a pretty nice case and the $40 discount is nice.