$720 i3-530 vs Q9400 builds

[paperfox]

Im building a $720 USD (before shipping, tax and after MIR) computer for a friend, and im stuck between two builds. ($80 for case he is picking not included in the $720)
Mostly for gaming and he has a 1680x1050 monitor.

Build 1:
PSU: 450w Corsair 450vx $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=450vx%20corsair
GFX: 5770 Sapphire 100283-3L $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product
HD: 500GB Segate ST3500418AS $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&Tpk=ST3500418AS
Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131620&cm_re=P7P55D-E-_-13-131-620-_-Product
CPU: i3-530 $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222&cm_re=i3_530-_-19-115-222-_-Product
HS: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=hyper%20212
RAM: GSkill Ripgaws 4GB DDR3 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=gskill_ripjaws-_-20-231-276-_-Product
DVD: Sony Optiaric $46 (Two)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030&cm_re=sony_optiarc-_-27-118-030-_-Product
OS: W7 Home Premium OEM $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product
Total: $836 (might cut the heat sink and hopefully get around $40 for comboing items, might be over budget)


Build 2:
PSU: 450w Corsair 450vx $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=450vx%20corsair
GFX: 5770 Sapphire 100283-3L $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product
HD: 500GB Segate ST3500418AS $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&Tpk=ST3500418AS
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372
CPU: Q9400 $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131
HS: Xigmatek HDT S963 $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001
RAM: OCZ 4GB OCZ2p10664GK $66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298
DVD: Sony Optiaric $46 (Two)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030&cm_re=sony_optiarc-_-27-118-030-_-Product
OS: W7 Home Premium OEM $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product
Total: $775 (hopefully get around $40 for comboing items)


Basically which would make the better gaming computer? i3-530, dual core with Hyper Threading vs the older Q9400 quad core. Will be overclocking abit.
Also other cost cutting items of better value are welcome.

 

[builderbobftw]

Better of comparing i3 to AMD Quadcores, rathe than last gen Intell Quads.

Go for the i3 build mate.

Great build, but maybe try for CPU mobo combo?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.350421

Also, there;s a case, mobo, psu, i3 530 combo on Newegg for 400$.

You don't have a case in either build!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.343620

 

[paperfox]

The case is being chosen by my friend and I even now don't know which he has picked. That 5 item combo looks to be great if I can convince him to take that case.
Only about 3 hours ago I have found the time to look into detail at the various combos and that first link with the ASUS P7H55-M PRO is great, it also cuts down the motherboard cost putting me on budget.

Found this combo, OCZ 550w PSU and DVD Sony Optiarc, saves me about $30 compared to the Corsair 450vx and Sony Optiarc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.358706

Updating my build 1:
Mobo: ASUS P7H55-M PRO
PSU: OCZ Fata1ity 550w
the rest is the same, total cost looks to be about $750 (just saw those Sony Optiarc's increase $2 each )

BTW I forgot to mention we plan to buy around the end of the week.

 

[builderbobftw]

Good build, I would consider the 5 item combo, but whatever.

Also, Keep in mind the PSU in that combo is not the best, but the discount is enoguh that you can buy a new one in 5 years when the current one blows.

Great build mate, glad to help.

Also, If he needs a case/PSu this is strongly recomened.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345228

You should buy that combo, and the MOBO combo.

 

[paperfox]

Good news, my friend finally picked out which case he wants and it turns out to be that Antec 300. Also Ive figured out he dose not need a copy of Windows 7 as he can get a copy for free for being a UCSD student, so that frees up a good $105 for me to get him a i5-750 instead of the i3-530.

So reworking the combos I can get the entire computer for $800. (Right on target )
Recap build 1, everything the same except:
Mobo: ASUS P7H55-M PRO
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W
Case: Antec Three Hundred
CPU: I5-750

Thanks for your help builderbobftw!

 

[builderbobftw]

Allright good.

3 things.

1). You should stick to p55 for i5-750, bot h55

2). If you're freind is a gamer, I would recomned sticking to the i3 and buying a 5850 over the 5770, with the extra 100$.

3.) If you're firend doesn't care musch about gaming, prehaps he could build an X58 build, With a microcenter 200$ i7-930?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303

 

[paperfox]

Unfortunately Im nowhere near a Microcenter, those i7 920s and 930 are a really great deal for $200. (Though he dose have a motorcycle and dose like to drive on long trips... I will need to ask him if he is up to the task and make sure an X58 build is within his budget)

Good catch with the P55 for the i5-750 and not the H55 motherboards.

Its looking like he might keep that extra $100 rather than upgrading to the i5-750. And a new development for the monitor is that he might be trading his 1650x1050 for his fathers 1280x1024 monitor because he has sight issues, and the bigger screen would help a lot. Knowing that, it would potentially make his 5770 overkill (maybe drop to a 5670) and the 650w Antec PSU seems huge as well. But we shall find out tomorrow.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[builderbobftw]

I would not recomend the 5670 for gaming.

It is 100$, only 50$ less that thr 5770, and is much slower than other 100$ options tlike the GTS 250/4850.

At this price point I would recomend GTS 250/i7-930

OR

i3 530 and 5870 based on werther he likes to game or not.

 

[builderbobftw]

OR

An i3 and a 530 to save some cash and possibly be under budget.