i5 i7 ready PS What Does It Mean?

[dwf1]

I am in the process of ordering components for my i5 750 build. I started out thinking of using the i5 661 for my HTPC build. Thanks to Tom’s Hardware I decided to spend a little more $ to go with the i5 750 for more flexibility. I thought I had everything figured out but now I need some information about the power supply. What does i5 i7 ready tell me? Does the i5 require an i5 i7 ready PS? What is the advantage or disadvantage? I spec’d the OZC (listed below) b/c of reputation for quality its modular and has a good price. I have not decided on the GPU card of HTPC case yet but believe I need 550 watts incase I want install another GPU card later. No, I’m not a serious gamer but I am a CAD user. Yes, I know about CAD cert cards and issue using CAD on low end gaming cards but HTPC comes first on this build.

Basics
Intel Core i5 Processor i5-750/GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 $329.98
COOLER MASTER 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler $34.99
2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB $159.98
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 $69.99
OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM $112.99
LG WH10LS30K 10X Blue-ray Burner $149.99

Cases:
1st) Moneual LAB Black Aluminum MonCaso 320B $239.99
W 17” D 14.5” H 4.13”
2nd) LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C37B $139.99
W 17.1” D 14.9” H 3.7” 1-70mm fan
3rd) SILVERSTONE Black GRANDIA GD04B $99.99
W 17.32” D 12.72” H 5.9.1” 3-120mm fans

Graphics Card depends on the case:
SPARKLE SX98GT512D3L-NM GeForce 9800 GT 512MB $109.99
XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB $89.99

 

[Shadow703793]

That PSU will be enough for this build.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. You probably don't want to put a card like a 9800GT/4770 in an HTPC case due to heat.

2. I recommend you go with an AM3 build and save some money.

3. Make sure that CPU heat sink will fit in the cases you have selected.

4. If you plan to RAID the 2 HDDs in RAID 0 for storing movies,etc, I recommend you do not do so due to the fact that if one of the drives fail or the array itself fails, your data is history.

5. This really isn't ideal as a CAD build.

 

[enzo matrix]

What does i5 i7 ready tell me?
Does the i5 require an i5 i7 ready PS?
What is the advantage or disadvantage?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's just advertising and doesn't mean anything.
No.
There is none.

As for the GPU, I can tell you that the 9800GT is the more powerful card and will likely perform better.

4870>9800GTX>4850>9800GT>4770

Your selections look fine to me. Why the 3 cases in completely different price ranges though?

 

[notty22]

The 4770 is made on the new 40nm tech. It runs very cool. It does not ever it 60c with a 20% overclock. The psu's are just using that phrase as a 'eye grabber'. They know a lot of people are building rigs. Gigabyte recommends a minimum of 500w psu for their 1156 m/b's. You all set.

The 4770 is a tier above the 9800gt
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2569-6.html
(I use it ,luv it ) 18000 in 3d 06 !

 

[Shadow703793]

+1 for above 2 posts.

@OP: The 4770 is the better choice due to lower heat and overall, ranks well against the 9800GT.

For HTPC work, BOTH of these cards are overkill, your better off with a 4650 or so for HTPC work.

 

[dwf1]

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's just advertising and doesn't mean anything.
No.
There is none.

As for the GPU, I can tell you that the 9800GT is the more powerful card and will likely perform better.

4870>9800GTX>4850>9800GT>4770

Your selections look fine to me. Why the 3 cases in completely different price ranges though?

Moneual, it would look great with my AVR.
LIAN LI , Looks again but the height might be a problem.
SILVERSTONE, Practical w/3 120mm fans I'll probably go this route but it does not look as good IMHO. The cases are all shallow in depth which is my 1st priority.
Thanks

 

[dwf1]

The 4770 is made on the new 40nm tech. It runs very cool. It does not ever it 60c with a 20% overclock. The psu's are just using that phrase as a 'eye grabber'. They know a lot of people are building rigs. Gigabyte recommends a minimum of 500w psu for their 1156 m/b's. You all set.

The 4770 is a tier above the 9800gt
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2569-6.html
(I use it ,luv it ) 18000 in 3d 06 !

Thanks I'll take a look.

 

[dwf1]

+1 for above 2 posts.

@OP: The 4770 is the better choice due to lower heat and overall, ranks well against the 9800GT.

For HTPC work, BOTH of these cards are overkill, your better off with a 4650 or so for HTPC work.

I know they are overkill but I don't mind spending a little more just in case I someone over who wants to play some games. Nothing serious but having a little more capability than just HT. Thanks for your input. I have not built a PC in many years so I this is a learning experience.

 

[dwf1]

I truly appreciate all of you who are willing to share your expertise. I'm liking Tom's Hardware. Thank you.

 

[Shadow703793]

I know they are overkill but I don't mind spending a little more just in case I someone over who wants to play some games. Nothing serious but having a little more capability than just HT. Thanks for your input. I have not built a PC in many years so I this is a learning experience.

Ok, in that case, the 4770.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Luckily home theater pc's do not require much in the way of system components and power. Compared to gaming and enthusiast systems the htpc requirements are low. This is a situation were smaller and less is better.

The choice of micro-atx htpc cases is a matter of personal preference.

Shadow - The ATI Radeon HD 4770 video cards are excellent general purpose cards that do not use much power and do not produce much heat. I just happen to have an XFX 4770 installed in my system and I have installed them in systems I built for others who are not gamers or enthusiasts. I've read articles indicating the 4770 is pretty good for home theater pc's. User comments seem to confirm it.

dwf1 - If you are in the USA, this might be of interest to you. The current final price of the XFX 4770 at newegg.com is $89.99 after mail-in rebate. This morning I received an email from newegg.com with a sneak preview of next week's shell shocker deals. Tomorrow afternoon and evening the XFX 4770 will be the the P.M. Shell Shocker deal of the day from 1:00 PM until midnight, Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Newegg.com did not show the sale price this morning. I'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to see the sale price. If the sale price is low enough I'll probably buy a few for future general purpose builds for others.

I have to agree with Shadow. An htpc system is not designed for mainstream professional applications such as AutoCad.

 

[Shadow703793]

If you are in the USA, this might be of interest to you. The current final price of the XFX 4770 at newegg.com is $89.99 after mail-in rebate. This morning I received an email from newegg.com with a sneak preview of next week's shell shocker deals. Tomorrow afternoon and evening the XFX 4770 will be the the P.M. Shell Shocker deal of the day from 1:00 PM until midnight, Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Newegg.com did not show the sale price this morning. I'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to see the sale price. If the sale price is low enough I'll probably buy a few for future general purpose builds for others.

Thank you. I have a lone 4770 sitting around on a P45-UD3P and if it's a good deal, I may pick up the 4770 and do CrossFire or replace my old 8400GS on my every day use rig.

Shadow - The ATI Radeon HD 4770 video cards are excellent general purpose cards that do not use much power and do not produce much heat. I just happen to have an XFX 4770 installed in my system and I have installed them in systems I built for others who are not gamers or enthusiasts. I've read articles indicating the 4770 is pretty good for home theater pc's. User comments seem to confirm it.

Yeah I know. I looked it up a few minutes ago.

 

[dwf1]

Luckily home theater pc's do not require much in the way of system components and power. Compared to gaming and enthusiast systems the htpc requirements are low. This is a situation were smaller and less is better.

The choice of micro-atx htpc cases is a matter of personal preference.

Shadow - The ATI Radeon HD 4770 video cards are excellent general purpose cards that do not use much power and do not produce much heat. I just happen to have an XFX 4770 installed in my system and I have installed them in systems I built for others who are not gamers or enthusiasts. I've read articles indicating the 4770 is pretty good for home theater pc's. User comments seem to confirm it.

dwf1 - If you are in the USA, this might be of interest to you. The current final price of the XFX 4770 at newegg.com is $89.99 after mail-in rebate. This morning I received an email from newegg.com with a sneak preview of next week's shell shocker deals. Tomorrow afternoon and evening the XFX 4770 will be the the P.M. Shell Shocker deal of the day from 1:00 PM until midnight, Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Newegg.com did not show the sale price this morning. I'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to see the sale price. If the sale price is low enough I'll probably buy a few for future general purpose builds for others.

I have to agree with Shadow. An htpc system is not designed for mainstream professional applications such as AutoCad.

Thanks for the heads up I got the NE e-mail, I might even get two if they'll fit my box. I was trying to find the physical dimensions; the length could be an issue with my case 11" max for the Silver Stone i'm looking at. Do you know how long it is? I hope my wife doesn't read this she might have questions as to which team I play for. LOL

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The XFX 4770 card is small compared to the high end cards.

8.2 x 4.376 x 1.5 inches

It will fit in micro-atx cases without any problems.

Note - The 4770 is a double wide card that takes up two card slots on the rear panel. If you want to install two cards make sure there is enough space between two PCI-e slots on the motherboard.

 

[dwf1]

Best answer selected by dwf1.

 

[dwf1]

Thanks Tom's Hardware Forum members you have help increase my knowledge, something no one can ever take from me.

 

[dwf1]

The XFX 4770 card is small compared to the high end cards.

8.2 x 4.376 x 1.5 inches

It will fit in micro-atx cases without any problems.

Note - The 4770 is a double wide card that takes up two card slots on the rear panel. If you want to install two cards make sure there is enough space between two PCI-e slots on the motherboard.

Currently NE has the XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB at $89.99 after Rebate
What do ya think another $10 off tomorrow in the PM?

 

[the daveman]

What does i5 i7 ready tell me?

I always thought that i5 i7 ready means that the power supply has an 8-pin CPU power connector, as opposed to only a 4-pin.

 

[dwf1]

What does i5 i7 ready tell me?

I always thought that i5 i7 ready means that the power supply has an 8-pin CPU power connector, as opposed to only a 4-pin.

Dude bring on your thoughts, you contradict two others above. 8 pin ? Thanks.

 

[dwf1]

What does i5 i7 ready tell me?

I always thought that i5 i7 ready means that the power supply has an 8-pin CPU power connector, as opposed to only a 4-pin.

I just got off the phone with a technician at Fry's Electronics she also said the i5 i7 ready line is an advertising gimmick. It doesn't hurt to question opinions but when you contradict BH long time members it would be best to have a reliable source to link your opinion to. I don't mean any disrespect but that’s how rumors start. Thank you.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Well done. I'm surprised that the tech at Fry's told you so much. Don't have a Fry's in my area...

 

[dwf1]

^Well done. I'm surprised that the tech at Fry's told you so much. Don't have a Fry's in my area...

I did not get a name but I called the Fry's in Austin TX 512.733.7000. I'm not promoting them but I thought it would be good to list the store I called. My experience with them is positive and they deal with these issues daily. The Fry’s’ tech did not know who was so she had no reason to give bad info.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

We have two Fry's Electronics stores in the Phoenix, Arizona area. I visit the the stores on a regular basis. It is okay to mention Fry's in posts at this forum. I do it myself. I like the pc case display because they usually have about 40 cases I can look at in detail. Same thing with the motherboard display.

 

[the daveman]

I just got off the phone with a technician at Fry's Electronics she also said the i5 i7 ready line is an advertising gimmick. It doesn't hurt to question opinions but when you contradict BH long time members it would be best to have a reliable source to link your opinion to. I don't mean any disrespect but that’s how rumors start. Thank you.

OK, not reliable sources, but at least I didn't start the rumor!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100312172357AAawo9v

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091206231430AANVWrK

In my additional research I can't find any reliable sources. I'm content to concede to the majority opinion.

 

[dwf1]

OK, not reliable sources, but at least I didn't start the rumor!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100312172357AAawo9v

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091206231430AANVWrK

In my additional research I can't find any reliable sources. I'm content to concede to the majority opinion.

Thanks for your input, I searched it also but could not find any comcrete information.