I5 vs i7 build for 1st time builder

[acerockolla]

Hello,
I'm planning on building a system mainly for use on Starcraft 2, Civ 5, Dreamweaver, video streaming, and Blu Ray movies. I've put together 2 lists of components and was wondering which is the smarter/more cost effective build for myself. Also, are there any components anyone would recommend over ones listed, and am I missing anything? Thanks so much in advance!

Build 1
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 ($190)
Mobo: Asus P7P55D ($150)
GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX460 768mb ($170)
PSU: Corsair 650TX 650W ($90)
RAM: Corsair 4GB 1600MHz ($95)
HDD: WD 1TB 7200RPM ($70)
Case: Lancool PC-K62 ($100)
Blu Ray: Samsung 8x Blu Ray Drive ($80)
Monitor: ASUS VW246H 24 inch LCD ($220)
Wireless Adapter: D Link DWA-556 N-adapter ($45)
Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech MK700 Combo ($65)

Total: $1275

Build 2
CPU: Intel Core i7 930 ($200)
Mobo: Asus Rampage III Gene ($230)
GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX460 768mb ($170)
PSU: Corsair 650TX 650W ($90)
RAM: Corsair 6GB 1600MHz ($150)
HDD: WD 1TB 7200RPM ($70)
Case: Lancool PC-K62 ($100)
Blu Ray: Samsung 8x Blu Ray Drive ($80)
Monitor: ASUS VW246H 24 inch LCD ($220)
Wireless Adapter: D Link DWA-556 N Adapter ($45)
Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech MK700 Combo ($65)

Total: $1420

I currently use a Macbook Pro laptop, so I'm starting completely new with this machine. I'm wondering if I'm forgetting anything (do I need HSF?)- I already have speakers.

No overclocking, as I don't even know how to do it. I'll probably be using it at 1920x1080 resolution, and I'm not sure if I will SLI in the future.

 

[wielander]

They're equally good deals. You won't notice much of a difference in the applications you use so you might be better off with the i5-750.

Is there any reason why you're using amazon? You could save a lot using combos from Newegg.

That motherboard is outdated (it doesn't include USB 3.0 or SATA III) and doesn't support SLI. If you want to keep the door open for an SLI setup, look for a motherboard with a PCI-E 8x/8x mode. If you decide against an SLI setup, you can save ~$50 on your power supply.

 

[wielander]

24" monitors seem overpriced to me; I don't think the last inch is worth a 30% increase in price.

ASUS MS236H Glossy Black / White 23" 2ms(GTG) Ring stand and Ergo-fit technology Widescreen LCD Monitor w/HDMI 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50000:1 (Higher Contrast, Lower Brightness, Much Lower Power Consumption)
$150 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236081


ASUS MS238H Glossy Black 23" 2ms Ring stand & Ergo-fit LED backlight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)
$200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236075

 

[acerockolla]

Thanks for the help so far! Is there a motherboard you would recommend? And is there anything else that doesn't look right/match up well?

I'm using Amazon mainly due to their free shipping and, most importantly, no sales tax. I live in CA, so Newegg charges 8.25%- I haven't seen any combos on Newegg that would overall be cheaper than on Amazon b/c sales tax.

 

[wielander]

Lian Li PC-7FN Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (Higher quality all aluminum construction, barely half the weight)
$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112249

For the i5-750:
MSI P55A-G55 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (Newer Design w/USB3.0 & SATA III, Supports Crossfire & SLI)
$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130292

Do you live near a Micro Center?
http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

 

[wielander]

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CL7 Desktop Memory (Lower latency, higher performance than the Kingston memory you linked)
$85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226154&cm_re=ddr3_1600_4gb-_-20-226-154-_-Product

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB (One of the fastest Hard Drives)
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply (High Quality, Powerful enough for two GTX 460 768s)
$108 with the promo code sept10 and after a $30 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492764

For the i7-930:
ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s HDD (Also one of the fastest drives)
$260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.505960

 

[acerockolla]

I live near a Microcenter and a Fry's, I'm going to try to look at their weekly ads for deals. I noticed they're selling the i7 930 for only $200, which is why I'm considering it- but 1366 motherboards are pretty expensive...

I'm also buying the Corsair products(RAM and PSU) from a friend who's a C-level Corsair guy and can get me discounts, which is another reason why it's harder for me to find Newegg combo discounts.

I appreciate the help so far, btw.

 

[wielander]

I live near a Microcenter and a Fry's, I'm going to try to look at their weekly ads for deals. I noticed they're selling the i7 930 for only $200, which is why I'm considering it- but 1366 motherboards are pretty expensive...

Definitely get your CPU from Micro Center; their CPU deals can't be beat. Either the i7-930 for $200 or the i5-760 for $170.

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
$60
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340562

 

[wielander]

GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-768I GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB Video Card (w/quieter & higher performance cooler)
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply (High Quality, Powerful enough for two GTX 460 768s)
$205 with promo code sept10 after a $30 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.507678

MSI Cyclone GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB Video Card (Comes slightly overclocked w/quieter & higher performance cooler)
OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CL8
$204 after $40 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.499545

For i7-930:
GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-768I GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB Video Card (w/quieter & higher performance cooler)
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$352
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.505461

MSI Cyclone GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB Video Card (Comes slightly overclocked w/quieter & higher performance cooler)
OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CL7
$258 after $50 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.499476

 

[christiangordon]

If you are in Cali I believe you should also have Compusa/tigerdirect

I like to compare Newegg, Microcenter, compusa, frys for the best combos and prices.

 

[geofelt]

Both are good builds.

I think the small amount extra for build 2 is worth it. You get hyperthreading, a higher clock rate, and two x16 pci-e slots.
6gb is a very useful size, compared to 4gb. It lets you do some multitasking while gaming.

Either configuration is very good for your stated needs. Here is an article on starcraft2 PC configurations:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/starcraft-ii-radeon-geforce,2728.html

Build2 uses a micro-ATX motherboard, which is very good. Why not avail yourself of a micro-ATX case to go with it, such as the lian-li V351B?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112222
It has good cooling and can handle any graphics cards.

Overclocking on either cpu is simplicity itself. Just change the defauld BCLK in the bios from 133 to perhaps 160 and leave everything else to default. It is nice to know that you can have this available.

The GTX460 is a good unit, and I like the direct exhaust of the stock cooler. I just installed civ5, and the graphics are very good. I get 50fps at 2560 x 1600, max eye candy and a 5870. At 1920, the GTX460 should be fine. If you have extra $, consider the 1gb version.

I recommend installing a oem cooler initially. You need to do this with the motherboard outside of the case. I don't like to tear apart a working PC to do it later. Almost any will do, you should be able to find one for <$40.

I love the SSD, it makes everything feel so much snappier. That said,
I would wait on the SSD. there are supposed to be some 25nm gen 3 SSD products out this fall. They will offer larger capacities, lower prices, and be faster. You are at risk of buyer's remorse if you buy now. Instead, carve out a 160gb partition out of your storage drive, and install your OS and apps there. Plan on later cloning that partition to a new SSD. In the bios, specify sata mode as AHCI,( not IDE or raid) You will then use windows-7 drivers which support the trim command. It is very difficult to change tto AHCI after the os is installed without a reinstall. Trim is necessary to preserve SSD performance after the drive has been filled.

---good luck---

 

[acerockolla]

Best answer selected by acerockolla.