~$1400 Build - Gamer/Multi-Multi-Multi-Tasker

henryvalz

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Apr 11, 2010
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Soon, but not right away.

BUDGET RANGE: $1200-$1500 after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: WoW... God, so much WoW... Plus usually Civ4/Colonization, tons of browsers, dual/triple monitors.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, keyboard, monitors

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Pricewatch.com, Frys (not a website, but whatever.)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Cascadia

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
CF: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: dual 1680x1050, will toss #3 on at some point.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I think that people care what their computer "looks like" should be fired... Out of a cannon... Into the sun.


Parts list as planned:

CPU: i5-750
Off-shelf cooler at Fry's
Mobo: (undecided) - Needs to have SLI/CF, and 6 slots for RAM, imo.
Video: 5850, with plans to add a 2nd later.
RAM: 6GB DDR3-1600
Hard Drive 1: SSD 64GB
Hard Drive 2: 1TB HDD - 7200RPM
Case
3 Case fans
Blu-Ray Player
DVD Burner
650-750W Power Supply

l'm going to be honest, I'm a a pack-rat for windows, and it is beyond a cure. Currently, I have 15 windows open, including two 3D games, and this is about my normal environment. My job requires a few, and I do a bunch of photo editing when I'm bored... Nothing crazy, just family/home stuff. PS Elements atm.

Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone sees a clear bottleneck or a giant waste of money.

I realize the SSD technology isn't all the way to being affordable yet, which is one of the reasons I'm thinking I'm thinking of waiting a little bit. I love the idea of fast boot ups (on of my annoyances is waiting so long to get Windows up and running)...

Also, I'd love some advice on mobos...

 
The i5 has only Dual-Channel memory controller...so you will find at the max 4 RAM slots on those mobos...
If you want 6 RAM slots, then you should get the i7 930...but will increase the overall platform cost though...
Mobo for i5 - LGA 1156
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

Mobo for i7 - LGA 1366
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

But I must say for gaming, you wont have any significant performance increase using an i7 over the i5...but on memory grounds, the i7 would be better...

And as for the SSD, newer SSDs are on the horizon...so you would get good ones for sure and cheaper also...Some SSD options
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150636%201421439415&bop=And&CompareItemList=636%7C20%2D233%2D110%5E20%2D233%2D110%2DTS%2C20%2D227%2D461%5E20%2D227%2D461%2DZ01%2C20%2D227%2D394%5E20%2D227%2D394%2DTS%2C20%2D227%2D469%5E20%2D227%2D469%2DTS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023

1TB HDD -
Samsung F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=samsung%20F3%201TB

PSU - Never skimp on the quality of the PSU -
For dual HD 5850s,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256033
 

henryvalz

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Apr 11, 2010
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Dumb question...

Do the i3's have 3-channel memory, and do you think they fit the needs I described?

Or should I go with the i5-750 and 4BG of ram, with the intent to upgrade to 8GB in the future?
 
The LGA 1366 CPUs - i7 9xx series are the ones that have the Tri-Channel controllers...only those will run 3/ 6 sticks in Tri-Channel config...
Apart from those CPUs, all the other - i5/ i3 have Dual-Channel controllers and hence run 2/ 4 sticks in Dual-Channel mode...
And for your usage, I dont think you would notice any significant difference going 6GB over 4GB...So stick with the i5 750 and 4GB and upgrade to 8GB later...
You would have money left for a powerful graphics card and maybe a SSD...