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12GB RAM, 1GB video, i7-930 vs 960 - $300 worth it?

I'm configuring an HP Pavilion 390t series with 12GB RAM, 1 GB video, and trying to decide between the Intel i7-930 or the 960 processor. The 960 is $300 more.

Is an additional 0.4Ghz worth $300 considering the system will have 12GB of RAM and 1GB video?

The system will primarily be used for design, photoshop, video editing, and some 3d work. No gaming.

I understand the 930 can be overclocked but since it won't be a custom built with nice cooling, I won't overclock it.

I just don't want to be disappointed in not investing in the additional $300 if it causes any slow downs, but I also don't want to spend $300 if I won't benefit from it or notice any difference. I don't understand how 0.4Ghz and almost identical specs is worth an extra $300.
7 answers Last reply
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  1. A 930 should be plenty, the 960 definitely isnt worth an addition $300 over the 930, thats twice as much as the 930 costs, you could buy a spare CPU for that price jump.

    I imagine a custom build with 12GB of ram and a 930 from HP will cost you quite a bit, check how much it would cost if you bought the parts yourself off of newegg, i bet it would cost quite a bit less.
  2. Forgot to mention that it will also have RAID 0 drives so that also will increase the performance a bit.
  3. hunter315 said:
    A 930 should be plenty, the 960 definitely isnt worth an addition $300 over the 930, thats twice as much as the 930 costs, you could buy a spare CPU for that price jump.

    I imagine a custom build with 12GB of ram and a 930 from HP will cost you quite a bit, check how much it would cost if you bought the parts yourself off of newegg, i bet it would cost quite a bit less.


    It's coming around to $1500 but I haven't yet checked on discounts, I'm sure I can probably find some promos.

    Say if it's $1400 total, do you think that is near to custom built price or much higher?
  4. How does $1420 sound to you? Complete with OS, definitely a stronger GPU(went for a GTX 460 incase your software uses CUDA, if it doesnt you can cut quite a bit off and drop down to a 5550 or something.)

    GTX 460 and Windows 7 64 bit $325
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437534.14-125-333

    Lite on DVD Burner $20
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

    Antec 902 and P6X58D-E $310
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434914

    12GB Gskill DDR3 1600MHz CL9 $315
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231350

    2 Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB ($55 each) $110
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=F3%20500gb

    OCZ ModXstream 600W and i7 930 $340-$20 MIR
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437033

    Its definitely better quality parts than the HP
  5. Thanks hunter, that is a pretty good deal especially with the combo prices. I'll seriously consider custom building now. At least the parts are good names and no junk software.

    I was assuming that the brand names sell their computers cheaper based on bulk orders... guess not.

    To the last poster, no I wouldn't download Windows I think that's pretty dumb. Other than stealing, hackers might put hidden codes that steal your info or cause other problems.
  6. They do sort of get the price down based on bulk orders, but they also tend to cut corners especially on stuff like power supplies and motherboards, i was appaled to see that HP/Compaq still uses passive PFC power supplies in their lower level units, and cheapo ECS boards. They dont give you crap components, they expect the components will survive outside of the warranty time, but they certainly dont give you nice ones to let you customize.
  7. Quote:
    Thanks hunter, that is a pretty good deal especially with the combo prices. I'll seriously consider custom building now. At least the parts are good names and no junk software.

    I was assuming that the brand names sell their computers cheaper based on bulk orders... guess not.

    To the last poster, no I wouldn't download Windows I think that's pretty dumb. Other than stealing, hackers might put hidden codes that steal your info or cause other problems.


    From what I've seen entry level builds are very difficult to beat for the price that HP/Dell or whoever will give you, but once you start adding more/better parts they price gouge.

    For example, I had a friend who bought an HP last year and custom did it off the website. It started with a single core sempron in the base price, but they wanted an additional 80 to upgrade to an Athlon X2 4800. He ended up buying it with the Sempron and purchasing the Athlon X2 4800 off newegg for $55 and saved $25 plus whatever he managed to sell the Sempron for. lol
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