Performance I7 System (I have a headache)

[zalittle]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2 Weeks -6 months BUDGET RANGE: under 1750 after rebates, shipping and taxes.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (gaming,future proofing,ripping,movies)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: ( keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,XP 32bit OS )

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg.com zipzoomfly.com pricewatch.com) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (USA)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Parts Listed Below

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1920x1080)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want a triple boot XP32bit/Win7 64bit/Linux and would like to avoid tax on purchase. Newegg charges tax.


Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3C1600C7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286

XFX HD-585A-ZNBC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB Black Edition 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150454

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive x2 in RAID O
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283

COOLER MASTER CM690 II Advanced Black Steel body / Plastic + Mesh bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Thermaltake Toughpower XT W0229RU 750W ATX12V V2.3 80PLUS BRONZE ATI CrossFireX Certified AMD GAME READY FanDelayCool Modular ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153104

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

I have a headache comparing everything from I7,I5,AMD 965 including reviews. This is the best I can come up with. Any suggestions?

 

[Silvune]

You end up paying $120 for that PSU, for that amount personally I would get this Antec TruePower New TP-750 80 Plus Bronze Modular $120, free shipping, $25 rebate.
If you want to save yourself a bit of money then you would be just as well served by an i5 750 or even a Phenom 965 system IMO. And the savings could be quite substantial, $90 for the CPU, $50 for the RAM, $30 for a good P55 mobo.

 

[zalittle]

You end up paying $120 for that PSU, for that amount personally I would get this Antec TruePower New TP-750 80 Plus Bronze Modular $120, free shipping, $25 rebate.
If you want to save yourself a bit of money then you would be just as well served by an i5 750 or even a Phenom 965 system IMO. And the savings could be quite substantial, $90 for the CPU, $50 for the RAM, $30 for a good P55 mobo.

It is true the I5, or AMD is a money saver solution. But, neither provide the future proofing the I7 have.

Also, the Antech true power TP- 750 although a good brand and modular has multiple 12v rails none providing singularly over 25 amps of current. I only want a single 12v rail providing 60 amps of current for stability when overclocking. I do appreciate the comment though because it got me comparing PSU's alittle more. I have found a better and cheaper option in the Thermaltake Toughpower XT W0229RU 750W ATX12V V2.3 80PLUS BRONZE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153104 and for that I thank you.

 

[street1030]

The GA-X58A-UD3R apparently has problems with limiting your video card speed when using USB 3 or SATA 6Gbps. Something about them sharing a line (I don't know the technical nonsense) I would go with the ASUS P6X58D Premium. You can get it in a combo with your CPU from newegg here http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341446

Also you can get your video card in a combo with 6gb of low voltage ram (which from my understanding is recommended for x58 i7 builds) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.326404

I'm in the process of building almost the same system as you but with the few changes I listed. I've been researching for weeks

 

[builderbobftw]

Uh, You're system doesn't realy have any futureproofing either. When Gulftown, and later Octocore Cpus some out, you will require a revised board to run them, similar to the lga 775 situation.

 

[zalittle]

Uh, You're system doesn't realy have any futureproofing either. When Gulftown, and later Octocore Cpus some out, you will require a revised board to run them, similar to the lga 775 situation.

SO, if I am not future proofing by going with slot 1336 , why not save alittle and go with I5?

 

[builderbobftw]

Yep, Exactly.

 

[zalittle]

I have been at this for 3 weeks now trying to figure the best cost/performance options are. UGHHHHHH Headache

 

[builderbobftw]

Uh, I would go for i5/ATI at this budget.

 

[street1030]

Actually Builderbobftw the Asus P6X58D does support the Gulftown processors. http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=wurRaDZ8lo4Ckukj&templete=2

Look to the right in blue lettering.

 

[zalittle]

I will never get this system built a this rate. I keep going back and forth between the I5 and the I7. Everytime I consider something else it seems the I-7 on a 1336 slot is better and the board goes up when considering the next 32n gen 6 core.

Thanks street1030 for continuing my headache further lol.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Your original i7 920 build looks pretty good. I would get that if you're worried about being able to upgrade the CPU in the future. The only thing I would suggest is to ditch the Thermaltake PSU for this 80+ Silver rated Silverstone PSU.

SILVERSTONE ST75F-P 750W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $129.99

You also don't need to spend $200 on the retail version of Windows 7. You can save almost $100 by getting the OEM version.

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

Don't forget about the CPU motherboard combo deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.324969

 

[zalittle]

The one thing I am concerned about is reinstalling the win7 oem if I have a major problem with my system. Everything I have read says if I replace my MB or upgrade my system or even replace my system I will have to repurchase another oEM.
Would seem better to get the retail unless there is a way around the OEM.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I guess technically that's true, but I've replaced motherboards with completely different models before. I called Microsoft and explained that I replaced the motherboard due to a hardware failure. They've re-activated it every time. That doesn't mean that will happen every time, but I would say your chances are pretty good. I never waste my money on the retail version of an OS.

 

[zalittle]

Making some changes. Check my reconfigured I7 for under 1400.00 Sorry about the multiple thread.