Is a core i7 930 over kill for a gaming rig?

[matt_mu]

Im looking to build an i7 rig with a gigabyte ga x58A ud3r motherboard. but one of the workers at micro center said it was over kill for a gaming rig. i know most games only use 2 core on a cpu but i was originally going to get a asus p7p55de deluxe (the gigabyte ud4p with usb 3 and sata3 disables the second pcie x16 lane and turns the 1st lane into x8 mode) i5 760 system but noticed i could build an i7 930 for like less then a $50 difference. i want to upgrade my ancient amd athlon 64 x2 4800+.

is this a good idea for a build? any recommendations?

 

[goalguy876]

In terms of JUST gaming, the i5 750/60 will perform just as well as the i7 930/950. But, the i7 does have some perks like hyperthreading if you have any uses for that. You might want to drop down to an i5 and spend the extra money on a better video card since your gaming.

 

[Atotalnoob]

Goal nailed it

But if this is going to be an "investment" computer stay with the i7.

 

[Necromas]

If it's a $50 difference, I'd go for it, more longitivity and better for multitasking.

 

[lupinesithlord]

one mans overkill is another's not enough...for less than 50 dollars go with the 930 (also if your not already look at the patriot extreme 6gigs tri channel channel ram last I looked it had a 40 dollar rebate at MC...

 

[matt_mu]

heres what the i5 build-

MOBO: asus p7p55d e deluxe $240
CPU: core i5 760 $270
RAM: 4x2gb of s.skill ripjaw ram $95
HDD: wd black 7,200rpm 500gb $60
CASE: CM storm scout $72 (got it yesterday at micro center on sale!)
PSU: 700w ocz stealthxstream $50 (already have it)
GPU: gigabyte hd 5770 $137 (already got it)
DVD burner: LG dvd burner $17 (already got it)

total $665 (not counting what i already have )

i7 920 build-

mobo: gigabyte ga x58a ud3r $200
CPU: core i7 930: $200
Ram: not sure ~$100
HDD: wd black 7,200rpm 500gb $60 or wd sata 3 1t $99
DVD burner: LG dvd burner $17 (allready got it)
CASE: CM storm scout $72 (got it yesterday at micro center on sale!)
PSU: 700w ocz stealthxstream $50 (allready have it)
GPU: gigabyte hd 5770 $137 (allready got it)

total $560 (not including what i already have)

:0 did i forget something i5- $665.... i7: $560???


also this guy can sell my an evga 3x sli for $75 used

 

[matt_mu]

ohh yeah and @malmental i got my hdd working, i reinstalled windows 7, im using that computer as we speak

thanks for your help

 

[Twoboxer]

No one asked what your screen resolution will be.

If you are using a 5770, I assume you will be gaming at less than 1920 resolution. If so, the 930 is overkill.

If your gaming future includes 1920, and you are budget capped, please go with the 760 and put the extra money into a GTX 460 instead.

If you're gaming at 1920 with a 460, the 930 might also be useful at the bargain price you're getting. At full retail, we'd be recommending the i5 760.

 

[Atotalnoob]

No one asked what your screen resolution will be.

If you are using a 5770, I assume you will be gaming at less than 1920 resolution. If so, the 930 is overkill.

If your gaming future includes 1920, and you are budget capped, please go with the 760 and put the extra money into a GTX 460 instead.

If you're gaming at 1920 with a 460, the 930 might also be useful at the bargain price you're getting. At full retail, we'd be recommending the i5 760.

I run at 1080 P (that is really what you should call it) with a 5770, and I get 60 + FPS, even in new games. It does drop a bit when I am in a higher DX...

 

[duk3]

It depends on what you are playing.
SC2 with a i7 930 and a 5770 at 1080p is going to be quite a bit different than Metro 2033 with the same hardware.

 

[Twoboxer]

I run at 1080 P (that is really what you should call it) with a 5770, and I get 60 + FPS, even in new games. It does drop a bit when I am in a higher DX...

There's a lot of games I can run at 60 FPS with a 250 at either 1920x1080, or 1920x1200.

Doesn't mean I would recommend one for gaming at 1920.

 

[stevensl2]

^ Why go 1920x1080 when you can get 2560x1600

 

[matt_mu]

no problem bro.
glad to help.
what thread was that on again.?

uhhh I'll send u the link later today I don't remember haha

 

[kimyeang88]

i think go with CoreI7930 since it is discounted from the store you are buying. CoreI7 930= 199 $ vs CoreI5 760 270$.

For me i will go with CoreI7 for sure because of hyper threading and it is only 199 $ only. I do play game, converting video at the same time, and downloading at the same time. I'm using 25 Mb/s down- 7 mbit/s upload connection(unlimited-no cap). So downloading is not affecting my latency at all. One drive store all movies i download, 1 drive store all movie i convert.

So CoreI7 930 is pretty good if you do same stuff as me. Anyway since your CoreI7 build is cheaper than CoreI5. Might go with CoreI7

 

[kureme]

Keep in mind for your i5 build you can go with the P7P55D-E Pro for ~$180 and save ~$60. There really isn't much difference between the two other than an extra network port, sata slot and some other small stuff. The main functionality is the same and you're probably not going to utilize all the extra stuff you're paying for.

Also if you go with the i7, you should really use a triple channel ram kit, since it will be the LGA 1366 socket, which would be around $150. Not the $100 you estimated.

If you're buying from Microcenter, the i5-760 is only $170. This means the i5 build you listed should be about $505 and the i7 build should be $610. Throw in $24 to both builds if you plan to overclock and grab the CM Hyper 212+ at microcenter.

You can grab the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB for about $60 at microcenter or with the promo on newegg. It's faster and higher capacity than the WB black you listed.

I would go with the i5 unless you plan on doing some intensive video encoding or some Photoshop/CAD work. The i5 is excellent for gaming and gaming PCs are usually plenty good for everything else. Unless there is a sudden shift in computing technology, either build should last a good 5 years or more.

Basically it all comes down to if you want to pay the $100 for hyperthreading or not. HT may be useful, but not so much to the average PC user. If you aren't using those extra threads now, chances are you're not likely to use them much in the future either. Especially when upgrading from 2 core to 4 core.

 

[matt_mu]

No one asked what your screen resolution will be.

If you are using a 5770, I assume you will be gaming at less than 1920 resolution. If so, the 930 is overkill.

If your gaming future includes 1920, and you are budget capped, please go with the 760 and put the extra money into a GTX 460 instead.

If you're gaming at 1920 with a 460, the 930 might also be useful at the bargain price you're getting. At full retail, we'd be recommending the i5 760.

when i get enough money i want to get an asus 23.6" or 24" asus monitor with 1080p. but right now the monitor i have only has up to 1280x1024.

what would be a good monitor for 23"+ monitor for about $200 with 1080p res?

 

[matt_mu]

It depends on what you are playing.
SC2 with a i7 930 and a 5770 at 1080p is going to be quite a bit different than Metro 2033 with the same hardware.

maybe COD, gta iv, battlefield 2 and bad co 2, gta iv is pretty CPU intensive Ive heard but it runs well for me ateverything high and very high shadows and reflections on 1280x960 ans 4x AA

 

[kureme]

when i get enough money i want to get an asus 23.6" or 24" asus monitor with 1080p. but right now the monitor i have only has up to 1280x1024.

what would be a good monitor for 23"+ monitor for about $200 with 1080p res?

Asus' VH242H is a 23.6" model with 1080p and has very good reviews but is also known for a "flicker" issue that can be googled. I got mine for $170 on a newegg promotion and it works great. Can't say much for reliability since I've only had it for about a month but no problems so far.

 

[matt_mu]

i think go with CoreI7930 since it is discounted from the store you are buying. CoreI7 930= 199 $ vs CoreI5 760 270$.

For me i will go with CoreI7 for sure because of hyper threading and it is only 199 $ only. I do play game, converting video at the same time, and downloading at the same time. I'm using 25 Mb/s down- 7 mbit/s upload connection(unlimited-no cap). So downloading is not affecting my latency at all. One drive store all movies i download, 1 drive store all movie i convert.

So CoreI7 930 is pretty good if you do same stuff as me. Anyway since your CoreI7 build is cheaper than CoreI5. Might go with CoreI7

Oh sorry I ment the core i5 760 is $170

 

[Atotalnoob]

I said I play modern games, SC2, Bc2, ect..
The only think I drop to unacceptable FPS is Warcraft 3, and EAW...

 

[matt_mu]

do you have an i5 or i7

 

[matt_mu]

would it be a good idea to get a asus p7p55d e pro open box from newegg? its $127

 

[Atotalnoob]

No, open box = defective....
I have i7 930...

 

[kureme]

Not necessarily, open box items usually means the original box was damaged through one way or another. The item itself is not defective although depending on the extent of the damage the item could be perfectly fine or DOA.

They wouldn't sell defective items as open box. The open box discount is usually priced significantly lower but at the cost of having to pay full shipping and not qualify for any promos. Its a way for them to get rid of stock that is not in a "presentable" container. I'm not sure how the warranties work for them, but I'll guess they're all voided because they won't replace an open box item with a new one.

If you want to take the risk of a DOA item and not willing to cough up the extra dough for a new one, go ahead! You may be in luck and get a perfectly good one at a low price.

Me? I'd pay the extra for a new item. Especially when it comes to electronics.

 

[Twoboxer]

Not necessarily, open box items usually means the original box was damaged through one way or another. The item itself is not defective although depending on the extent of the damage the item could be perfectly fine or DOA.

The point is, an open box is like a tumor - can be malignant or benign. You can't tell.