$1000+ build If I can do it

[western]

Hi folks,

Had good luck over in Win XP forum, this should be a blast!

I have read till I am totally confused and doubting my sanity to attempt my own build. I built model cars when I was a kid, can't be harder than that right!!, kidding



Approximate Purchase Date: As soon a practically possible.

Budget Range: 1000-1300 ballpark

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web, light office such as Quickbooks.


Parts Not Required: KB,Mouse, Card reader I'd like to use if possible, CRT monitor but can borrow one to save$$ for now.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, but not set in stone.

Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: I like Intell, can't say why


Overclocking: Never have, possibly something to consider


SLI or Crossfire: Good option to have


Monitor Resolution: In the dark here for now.

Additional Comments: I need an OS Win 7, understand from the forums I need 64 bit for ram use?? does it matter if its home premium ??

1: Unsure about CPU cooling, case,gpu at this point
2: Would my old CRT still work with an adapter? or to outdated?
3: I have a like 5in 1 card reader. Can I still use this for my SD cards?

I will try to add my tentative parts:

UPDATED: i7

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Model #:BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Sabertooth X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665

Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 998805
Model #:998805
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:HD103SJ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

CORSAIR Professional Series AX850 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:CMPSU-850AX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Model #:iHAS124-04
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Antec DF-85 Black Computer Case
Model #F-85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
.

(OS Spin point combo)

Well I have thrown in, so please add your thoughts.

Thanks for your time and knowledge.

 

[sp12]

Any reason for this to be an i7 build?

 

[western]

That was fast thanks,

At this moment honestly no.... My reasoning is the added abilities for future use/ possibility's with this PC. Business upgrade or just general technology changes.

I have read so much and believe that if I was only ever going to play games, which I do allot to stay awake, (work nights) I could go with what was it i5 ??
That may still be a better value I'm not sure.

I could and probably am way off base, I have led myself to believe that the i7 platform was somewhat more protection for maybe 5-6 years..

I run about a year-1/2 behind the game scene for the most part. cost of games..

In short I like intel ,but not set on the i7 950 seems it's the corvette but not the ZR1...

I am open to all/any suggestions, realizing I am responsible in the end for what I pick.

ADDED NOTE:: I have a GeForce 7300gt, one year old. since it is DDR2 I will not benefit from it on a new build going to DDR3 ??

Open for suggestions on GPU too, big time

 

[sp12]

An i5 would be both significantly cheaper as well as a bit faster in games.

However, the i7s are better for multi-GPU solutions.

Your GPU is way too old to be useful for any modern games. Depending on when you buy a 6850/460/470/6870/580/6970 would all be good choices depending on your requirements for visuals.

I would probably get a new monitor as well, CRTs are old. What resolution is it?

 

[western]

CRT Size (in.) 19"
Viewable Screen Area (in.) 18"
CRT Type Pure Flat Tube
High Brightness Toggle No
Diagonal Pitch (mm) 0.25mm
Recommend Resolution 1280x1024 / 85Hz
Maximum Resolution 1600x1200 / 65Hz
Horizontal Freq. (kHz) 30 - 86kHz
Vertical Freq. (Hz) 50 -160Hz
Dot Rate (MHz) 145MHz
Screen Technology Typical Brightness
Screen Treatment Anti-Glare
Compatibility PC, MAC
DDC 1/2B Plug & Play Yes
Interface Analog D-Sub
Integrated Speakers No
Tilt & Swivel Base Yes

Hope this helps KDS Model 998b, Product # DZ-997N ,, KDS XF-9b Mfg 2003

When I am doing metal fabrication I use graphics for printing, not to demanding though since my Gateway 710G did it pretty good. No CAD work just stenciling for plasma cutting.

I can Borrow a LCD monitor from my brother he has 7, that would buy me a little time on that expense, Unless it's the feeling that I should for a technical reason.

I am not discounting i5 if it get's me the same for the future.

Here is partly what I was basing off of.

Intel's Core i7 has proven itself to be the most powerful gaming CPU option available, and the Core i7-950 is the obvious choice for systems coupled with multiple graphics cards in an SLI or CrossFire configuration, thanks to a recent 50% price reduction.

The X58-based motherboards and triple-channel DDR3 RAM kits that the i7 architecture utilizes will bring the total platform cost higher than other systems, but the resulting performance should be worth the purchase price.

While the Core i5 performs similarly, there are a few applications and games that can take advantage of the Core i7-900-series' Hyper-Threading and triple-channel memory features, so spending the extra money on the Core i7-950 can pay off, particularly if you plan to overclock.

In addition, LGA 1156-based Core i5 and Core i7 processors are limited to 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes. The LGA 1366-based Core i7-900s do not share this limitation, since they get their PCI Express connectivity from the X58 chipset. This makes the LGA 1366 Core i7 processors a good choice for CrossFire or SLI configurations with more than two graphics cards.

I will never exceed 2 GPU's, sigle monitor
I don't play online.

 

[sp12]

That sums it up pretty well, but the i5/i7 for 1156 are actually better overclockers in that the P55 chipset is more stable, they have a higher turbo (so they're always faster than an 'equal' i7-9XX), and they have a lower TDP.

 

[western]

I had to look up that acronym, tell anything. lol ( TDP ) thermal design power?

What in your opinion would be a good to best build as far as MB/CPU in your preferred config? I may or may not overclock, but would like that option.

Also, I like the option of 2 GPU's in the future if that is a valid possibility or becomes a nessecity.

I will look at more threads on those builds and probably mirror one of the suggested builds and submit that for review. I just want as much "pop" in my PC as I can since it will be my primary for work and play.

sp12, Thanks for your time and do you think this ole CRT has any benefit at this point?

 

[sp12]

Either an i7-950 + Sabertooth/GA-X58A-UD3P, i5-760+Ga-P55A-USB3, or AMD 1055t+Asrock 870A Extreme3.

Those are in my opinion, but I think that's one shared among a lot of people (they are customer choice award mobos for a reason). If you need a specific feature (for example, the i5's mobo has no Sata3 or Crossfire), make sure you grab a mobo with it.

Well, it probably has a response time below that of the best LCDs, and color reproduction beyond that of all but the highest-end medical/CAD/military models, but it's large, power-hungry, and limited to 1600*1200.

It's not bad, and if you're fine with it then it's fine as well.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Your selections are right off my standard suggested build list w/ few exceptions. These are:

The 932 / Corsair PSU is costing ya $320
The MoBo / CPU and Case is costing ya $635

The new version of the 932 is the HAF-X which is $40 more than the 932 and includes numerous enhancements over the 932. You can get your MoBo, CPU and the same case for $600, saving you $35 and getting a better case.

The DF-85 case from Antec combined w/ the CP-850 ($300) is $20 cheaper than the HAF-932 / Corsair combo . Having built with both the 932 and the DF-85 this month, I can say the DF-85 is the way to go.

Get the F3 in combo w/ windows and save $30

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.544787.22-152-185

However, you should also consider a HAF-922 since your $1300 budget left you with only $110 for a GFX card and cooler. Taking away your budget limitations, I'd suggest:

CPU Cooler - Scythe Mugen 2, SCMG 2100 $40 on newegg. It sits in 3rd place in cooling the 920 and 2nd place cooling the 930.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

GFX Card - GTX 47) SC newegg's been running promo codes on this card every couple days offering 10% off. It expired today but, given what we have seen over last few weeks, will be back in a coupla days.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

$243 (w/ 10% off) + $40 (Cooler) - $65 (Combo savings) - $110 (left in ya budget) puts ya $108 over budget.

 

[western]

I was going to post the i5-760/ Saber tooth, ended up reading to much.

So to possibly have 2 GPU's in the future as an upgrade possibility, I would need SLI/Crossfire correct? That would put into the i7 anyway?

I will get a new Monitor, just not now then.

Thanks for the case and CPU cooler info, I have struggled with that more than I thought I would. I don't need fancy as much as function, but a nice combination would be nice. I do prefer the large cases for the room, which lacks in the pre-builts.

I like the DF-85 and will update that unless the 922 compares as far as airflow/ price points.

GPU has been another struggle, I have been looking at the 460 allot based off reviews but really open here. I would like the option to buy 1 card with the ability to upgrade to 2 if that would keep me updated and up to speed.

Now I have/need to weigh the pros and cons to i7 vs i5.

My budget is somewhat flexible. It is based off a trip to Best Buy and my wife saw a "gaming" i7 for $1300 w monitor so......
Understand I am probably older that 2/3rds of you guy's and have learned how to get nutrition, which includes a little begging..LOL

Thanks for all the posts and comments, I really appreciate it. Ya'lls willingness to help people is mainly why I am attempting my own build.

 

[western]

My "verses" options please comment

i5
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO
Model #:F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

i7
Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Model #:BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Sabertooth X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665

Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 998805
Model #:998805
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121


Like the following for the balance of both:

Antec DF-85 Black Computer Case
Model #F-85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

PSU CORSAIR Professional Series AX850 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:CMPSU-850AX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:HD103SJ with Win XP 64
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Model #:iHAS124-04
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler
Model #:SCMG-2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

Difference of around $300 without GPU, which I would like help with after platform is nailed down. GTX 460 seems good but....

Opinions please as to versatility, expandability/upgrade/satisfaction

 

[sp12]

I'd say if you're going i5, save the 80$ and go for a single-GPU capable mobo.

There's just not a lot of sense to sink 80$ into a feature that (in all likelihood) will go unused. If you're buying two videocards now, then sure, but by the time a GTX 460 is in need of an upgrade a faster single-GPU will be out for the difference.

 

[western]

Thank sp12 for your continued thoughts.

If I go with the i5 with a pair of these.

EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
Model #:01G-P3-1373-TR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130567

How would this rate compared to 1 card in my first configuration in i7 950?

This would be almost identical to tecmo34 's gamer build.

 

[western]

Opinions on SLI package??

Thanks

 

[western]

Or one decent to good card, upgrade my monitor, then purchase a matching card for less $ ??

Open to recommendations in both ATI nVidia

 

[tecmo34]

^+1.... I think you hit the nail with your last comment!

I would at this point recommend the i5 760 build, upgrade your monitor to a decent 1920x1080 resolution in the 21" to 24" range and purchase another EVGA GTX 460 SC EE down the road. With your CRT, any current gen graphics card in a sense is overkill, so it is time to move to a LCD monitor.

Also since you are looking at a GTX 460, you can drop your PSU down to a max 750W, which is more than enough for two cards.

 

[sp12]

Well, I would say unless you're running beyond 1920 then there's not a lot of good reason for SLI.

There are a lot of good reasons against it: microstutter, game-dependent scaling, heat/power.

That said, dual GTX 460s is fine on a 600 watt PSU. In furmark on an i7 they pull ~528 watts.

 

[western]

Thanks tecmo34 and sp12 for the reply's,

Had my finger on the purchase key all day..LOL just waiting so I didn't make a mistake.

"Well, I would say unless you're running beyond 1920 then there's not a lot of good reason for SLI.

There are a lot of good reasons against it: microstutter, game-dependent scaling, heat/power.""
That confirms what I picked up also over on HardForums, Thx sp12

I may not go SLI but would like that option, can't say why. resale?? dunno

I will go the monitor route then, Thanks guys.

Can I do better in the GPU department??? As far as 1 card now or will this 460 do what I need for past games and apps and current ones.

Thanks a ton guys and on the eve of thunderchicken day your still helping!!

Have a great Holiday