Buying today

[formonde]

Today is the day I'm purchasing a new rig. I've been researching for weeks and changed my mind numerous times.
1. Mostly for gaming with some photo/video editing
2. MMORPG games mostly, some COD4, highest settings of course
3. Staying around $1k, give or take no matter
4. Upgradablility over the next several years??
5. Have Antec case and 22" widescreen already
6. Not sure of SLI or Crossfire yet. Don't understand difference

1st build:
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

ASUS ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3 GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/4G - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

or

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

ASUS ENGTX275/HTDI/896MD3 GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (Crossfire compatible??)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5C G - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM


Not looking for retoric, just some help so I can make a purchase today.

 

[tecmo34]

1st Build... edit: You need a triple channel memory for the i7. I recommend the OCZ platinum 1600 (3x2GB).

Your second build is EOL (end of life) and has no upgrade path. If you are on a tight budget, you might want consider an AM3 build. You can not beat their price per performance ratio.

 

[kufan64]

^seconded

SLI is for Nvidia video cards Crossfire is for ATI video cards.
The motherboard you selected has no support for SLI, and you selected an Nvidia video card... just a little FYI.

Looks like a great build.

 

[tecmo34]

kufan64... Good catch on the board not supporting SLI (over looked it). With that said, you will be better suited going with a HIS ATI 4890 from Newegg for $199.

 

[formonde]

Any reason for going with HIS? I saw Asus also made one. I did pick the oc turbo edition for $20 more. Also changed the memory. Didn't konw there were different ddr3's.


Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail


HIS H489FT1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Turbo OC Edition - Retail


ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

 

[tecmo34]

I choose the HIS for the price...

Your build looks good... Out of couriosity... What Antec case do you have?

 

[formonde]

Antec.....bought in 05. 1 fan front and rear, clear side and it glows blue lol. Other than that oh, and it's big.
Holds a 400w psu, p4 with ht and asus p4p800se, 2gb ram, aiw 9600gt, 120gb seagate. Now some newer posts I was just reading, the guy was wanting to build similar to mine and he was suggested an amd build. Only thing I know about AMD is when I built this in 05 I also bought a laptop for work with amd and ati graphics card and the P4 has and still does blow it away. Ive had the laptop crash 2x, once unrecoverable. P4 has been flawless for 4 years. What do you all think?

 

[Helloworld_98]

this i7 build is going to own you P4 build, considering an i7 has triple the IPC of the P4 so essentially you'd need to overclock your P4 to 8GHz to match the i7 920 @ 2.66GHz in single threaded apps.

 

[formonde]

Thanks for putting things into perspective. Originally I was just going to upgrade the Gpu due to the fan going out. As some research has revealed, things have come a long way in 4 years.

 

[ragsters]

I would go for this Video card for the double lifetime warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

 

[kufan64]

Lol what the hell is a double lifetime warranty?

EVGA offers a lifetime warranty with their GTX 275's, but I've never heard of a "double lifetime" warranty...
That's just silly

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The "double lifetime warranty" means that the second owner of the card is also covered under the lifetime warranty if you ever sell the card.

http://www.xfxforce.com/en-us/Features/DoubleLifetimeWarranty.aspx

 

[kufan64]

Ohh I gotcha

That's slightly less silly then.

 

[formonde]

Heres my latest build. Still looking to get this purchased. New question, I read up on dual/triple channel memory. Doesn't seem like for the performance of triple it's worth the extra cost. Will dual channel work with this MOBO? Again, thanks for all the feedback so far.


XFX HD-489A-ZDEC Radeon HD 4890 Xtreme 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150360
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy -$40.00 Instant
$244.99
$204.99

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy -$40.00 Instant

$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-365 $139.99
$99.99

ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131386
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115202

Rosewill BRONZE series RBR750-M 750W Continuous@40°C, 80Plus Bronze Certified,ATX12V v2.3/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready, ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182186

Rosewill Conqueror WSL Triple 120mm Fans Steel ATX Mid tower Computer Case with Side Panel - Retail
Item #: N82E16811147105
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM

 

[tecmo34]

Core i7 supports and utilizes triple channel memory. You want to purchase triple channel memory!! You can get dual channel but you won't be using the full power of your memory interface.

 

[OvrClkr]

I agree with all you all but what I don't understand is why would someone buy a video card from a manufacturer that only provides a 2 or 3 year limited warranty opposed to other vendors like XFX, EVGA, BFG, etc..... that give you a lifetime or double lifetime warranty? IMO it makes no sense knowing the video card can falter at anytime, specially if you are overclocking... Im not saying that the card wont last, but I feel more comfortable knowing I have ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about as far as my GPU's go.....

Btw my question has nothing to do with formonde's build, just in general..... trying to see if i am missing something here....companies that give crummy warranties aren't really standing behind their product.....

 

[tecmo34]

I agree with all you all but what I don't understand is why would someone buy a video card from a manufacturer that only provides a 2 or 3 year limited warranty opposed to other vendors like XFX, EVGA, BFG, etc..... that give you a lifetime or double lifetime warranty? IMO it makes no sense knowing the video card can falter at anytime, specially if you are overclocking... Im not saying that the card wont last, but I feel more comfortable knowing I have ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about as far as my GPU's go.....

Btw my question has nothing to do with formonde's build, just in general..... trying to see if i am missing something here....companies that give crummy warranties aren't really standing behind their product.....

I would say because most "gamers" that are putting down $200+ for a video card are updating every year or two to keep up with the current tech. on video cards, so two years is really the life span of a video card in use. Lifetime warranty doesn't makes sense to me if I'm getting a new card in a year or so... Now the double lifetime would work because I could sell the card and it still be under warranty.

 

[hunter315]

Rosewill BRONZE series RBR750-M 750W Continuous@40°C, 80Plus Bronze Certified,ATX12V v2.3/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready, ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182186

Definitely not, you can get a 750 watt corsair for the same price and it is significantly better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[Niklas_13]

Definitely not, you can get a 750 watt corsair for the same price and it is significantly better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

+1 Go back to the Corsair you had. The 650 should be fine or if you think you might do xfire latter the 750

 

[OvrClkr]

I would say because most "gamers" that are putting down $200+ for a video card are updating every year or two to keep up with the current tech. on video cards, so two years is really the life span of a video card in use. Lifetime warranty doesn't makes sense to me if I'm getting a new card in a year or so... Now the double lifetime would work because I could sell the card and it still be under warranty.

I agree, but there are a lot of peeps that buy a second card and sli-xfire instead of having to dispose, give away their current card. And the lifespan of a video card is not 2-3 years, normally the lifespan of a card how long it will last and play a fav. game at respectable FPS. For example : lets say you purchase a 295 or equivalent ATi card, are you going to get rid of it in 2-3 years just because their are newer cards out or buy the same card at a MUCH cheaper price and Sli or xfire? It really depends on the user, as far as me, I would never get rid of a card regardless until its time for e-bay due to there is no need for it anymore....

Before sli and xfire it was another story, and yes you would have to upgrade every now n then. Now at days we have more options.....

Btw I have 7-8 year old BFG cards that still work flawless to this date..... Yea they are low end but if anything happens to them they are covered, meaning if they die in lets say a couple of years... BFG has to replace them with something that is current due to the cards are not in stock anymore. So in the end at least IMO the warranty is a must... maybe peeps that have deep pockets would disagree but you have to remember, 2-3 years and you will not be upgrading the GPU only, you will end up upgrading the whole rig if needed......

 

[tecmo34]

I understand what you are saying totally... I have two 7600GT's being used by my nephew & oldest daughter in their Dell systems. They are still running flawless as well. When I upgrade, I normally pass my cards down to other family members or good friends who need upgrades.