I7 Gaming System - Bang For Buck & Headroom

[drakleon84]

I sold my old rig as I left the country for a few months for work so I'm starting over from total scratch. I'm looking to make a solid bang-for-the-buck system, with good upgradeability, and the least amount of major bottlenecks. I've been researching tons of Aantech and Toms Hardware articles and threads, as well as newegg customer revies and sample builds I've pieced togeather.

Compatibility is a big issue, and I'm sort of heart set on an i7 over AMD from all the great things I've heard about it. A few concerns *I* have are:

*Edited - New Current Plan *

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$23.99

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322
$199

MOTOROLA SBG900 38Mbps Downstream, 30Mbps Upstream Motorola SURFboard Wireless Cable Modem
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825122002
$99

SAMSUNG 2433BW High Glossy Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001309
$279.99

Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103
$34.99

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel
$89.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
&
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.174574
$164.98 (combo)

GIGABYTE GV-N285-1GH-B GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
&
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
&
GIGABYTE Gift - USB Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.173430
$489.99 (combo)

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
&
Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.163999
$335 (combo)

Creative FATAL1TY 3.5mm gold-plated Circumaural Gaming Headset
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158051
$49.99

3x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185004
$49.99

Antec LED80XFAN 80mm Blue LED Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835129007
$7.99

Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261003
$19.99

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
$6.99

4x Rosewill 12" Fan power supply cable Model RCW-308 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119146
$3.96

D&S Cables 3T8-B Black Type 8" Cable Tie - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899997012
$4.99


Totals: $1903.7

Thanks for any assistance offered!

 

[xthekidx]

This case will have plenty of room and good airflow:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

That 4870x2 will be wasted on that 22" monitor, I would get a 4850x2, that would be plenty for now and probably for all titles within the next year...If you don't play extremely demanding games like crysis then you can get by with a 4870 1gb, or you might consider 2 GTS 250's in sli, or 4830's in xfire, but I would opt for the 250's as it will last longer before you need to upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500099
You get a free game with that one, sell the other on craigslist or ebay...think of it as a $35 rebate

That corsair PSU you chose is good for the 4850x2, you could go with the 650tx if you went with the GTS 250's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx

I would go with the P6T or P6T deluxe v2 mobo personally over the EVGA board, they seem to be more stable and OC very well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

SSD's do not give good returns price/performance wise, I would just get a WD 640gb Cavair black...but if you want the latest and greatest speed then that is the way to go.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals

My choice for i7 ram, its timings, speed and price make it an excellent bargain:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

 

[gkay09]

Well nice config...
As for the case question,
Full tower provide more expansion options, better air flow...
So stick with the Full Tower...
Even a mid tower like the 900 can accomodate the X2...

U can look into these full tower because the stacker has only 2 120 fans, whereas these cases have more fans hence better air flow...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

Graphic card and PSU:
The 750 is more than enuf for the current setup...But if u want to add one more X2, then get the 850TX(jus $10 more and u get 100W)more future proof...

 

[xthekidx]

I think I should say this, you are not getting the best bang for your buck here, more like just a lot of bang. You can build a system including monitor, OS, mouse, keyboard that will perform pretty similar to what you are looking at for $1400, perhaps less. I am assuming you are building this rig for gaming, in which case the i7 is not a good deal, Phenom II or Core 2 will perform just as well at a much cheaper price, or far better for the same price. If you will use this rig for video rendering and such then it is possible that an i7 system is warranted, but for purely gaming purposes there isn't much point besides bragging rights.

 

[gkay09]

This case will have plenty of room and good airflow:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

I think xthekid is in love with this case ...has been recommending this to many...
This case is really very gud with 3 120mm fans...

That 4870x2 will be wasted on that 22" monitor, I would get a 4850x2, that would be plenty for now and probably for all titles within the next year...If you don't play extremely demanding games like crysis then you can get by with a 4870 1gb, or you might consider 2 GTS 250's in sli, or 4830's in xfire, but I would opt for the 250's as it will last longer before you need to upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500099
You get a free game with that one, sell the other on craigslist or ebay...think of it as a $35 rebate

I would also suggest the 4870 1GB or the GTX 260 or the 4850X2 2GB...but not any other cards like the GTS250 or the 4830...spending on these cards when u can get powerful ones doesnt make sense...given that its a 22" monitor, he can play with very high settings...

That corsair PSU you chose is good for the 4850x2, you could go with the 650tx if you went with the GTS 250's.

To make the system more futureproof, stick with the 750TX(if possible 850TX) if u are planning to get 4870 or the 260...because u can run them in CrossfireX and triple SLI with those PSUs...

I would go with the P6T or P6T deluxe v2 mobo personally over the EVGA board, they seem to be more stable and OC very well.

SSD's do not give good returns price/performance wise, I would just get a WD 640gb Cavair black...but if you want the latest and greatest speed then that is the way to go.

My choice for i7 ram, its timings, speed and price make it an excellent bargain:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

^+1 for the suggestion on the mobo, RAM and the HDD...

 

[xthekidx]

As for cases, I offered the CM 690 for its performance in cooling and room to its cost, it is a fabulous case IMO. Other worthy mentions to look at for great airflow in addition to the ones mentioned by gkay are the CM HAF 932 and the CM Storm Sniper.

 

[gkay09]

I think I should say this, you are not getting the best bang for your buck here, more like just a lot of bang. You can build a system including monitor, OS, mouse, keyboard that will perform pretty similar to what you are looking at for $1400, perhaps less. I am assuming you are building this rig for gaming, in which case the i7 is not a good deal, Phenom II or Core 2 will perform just as well at a much cheaper price, or far better for the same price. If you will use this rig for video rendering and such then it is possible that an i7 system is warranted, but for purely gaming purposes there isn't much point besides bragging rights.

Well actually he is right...If u are planning for a pure gaming rig, then going with core2 makes sense...
The i7 is still in early stages and comes with the price premium...So if u want the best bang for the buck, then Core2 (Mayb even the AMD Phenom II) ...But if u want the best ur money can buy then the i7...So its ur choice...

 

[xthekidx]

I think xthekid is in love with this case ...has been recommending this to many...
This case is really very gud with 3 120mm fans...

Of course I am, with its three stock 120mm fans and room to mount 3 more and a 80mm fan, who wouldn't be?

I would also suggest the 4870 1GB or the GTX 260 or the 4850X2 2GB...but not any other cards like the GTS250 or the 4830...spending on these cards when u can get powerful ones doesnt make sense...given that its a 22" monitor, he can play with very high settings...

I'm confused as why you wouldn't buy the cheaper cards in an SLI or xfire setup but you would opt for the 4850x2, which is more expensive and doesn't perform as well...yes it does take up an extra pcie slot, but you get a lot more for your money buying two cheaper cards than 1 good card (again going off the misleading title of this thread...) He wouldn't have to upgrade the GPU's for a very long time with that setup if he stuck with the 22" monitor, and by the time he did it would be better to just buy 1 of the current GPU's out.

To make the system more futureproof, stick with the 750TX(if possible 850TX) if u are planning to get 4870 or the 260...because u can run them in CrossfireX and triple SLI with those PSUs...

Yeah those would both be better, but unnecessary for the setup I suggested...again trying to save a little bit of money without sacrificing performance.

 

[gkay09]

Well the reason i went for a single powerful card because people have many problems with crossfire or SLI and the cards may not scale well...
So why the hassle...
And the ones I have listed are the single card solutions...

Suggested 750 because these quality PSUs can be reused even in future setups and having more power, will be helpful if not now but in future...

 

[drakleon84]

thanks for all the assistance guys. I'm going for value, but I also want to set my rig up for a bit of futrepoofing. Every 6 months or so I'll go for another high-value new tech piece or 2 that would be the neck system bottleneck...

Would you say to go for a 24" monitor even?

As for the graphics cards, would it not be better to go with 1 newer card over 2 older cards (if similarly priced/performming) as so 9 months from now, if I wanna throw some more bang in system, I could purchase another of the same newer vid card and up my performance?

Would going with 1x 4850X2 or 1x 4870 be the best option in that case? or still 2 4850 regulars?

Some links to good vid cards would be great, I have the Sapphire 4850X2 2 GB selected right now for an affordable $270...i7 Gaming System - Bang For Buck & Headroom

PS- I swapped to the ASUSdeluxe mobo suggested, the OCZ ram, and the corsair 850W PSU so far.

Thanks again guys and girls

 

[drakleon84]

Also, is that Vigor Monsoon III the best way to go? I also hear complaints about it's size... Will the 4850X2 and that thing both fit in that case recommneded by thekid (mid-tower)? What if I added another card to Xrossfire with later?

 

[drakleon84]

How about this Sapphire 4870 1GB? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102815

Then in 6-9 month, if necessary, I could purchase another one and Xfire them?

 

[xthekidx]

Mobo layout will be the determining factor if you can use that cooler and GPU, not the case. I use the v8 in that case and it fits fine, you can fit any air cooler you want in the CM 690. I would go for this cooler instead though if you want the best air cooling you can get:
http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/thermalright-ultra-120-extreme-1366-rt.html

If you want the best price performance ratio:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
and backplate for i7:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233027

 

[gkay09]

Well about the fit and the case xthekid will be able to help u out...
As for the graphics card, get the 4870 1GB(even the GTX 260 is a gud buy now)...it will be the best option for the 22"
If u are planning to get the 24", the 4870 1GB can handle it but u will not be able to play at very high settings...If u want to play at full settings, then get the 4850X2

 

[batuchka]

I have a feeling TS is dead set on an i7 and with OS added in that would be $2300 thereabouts so this would be some $1000 cheaper hehe

Also Anandtech did a multi GPU bench just 3 weeks ago with the latest driver so again you could analyse which GPU gives the best bang for $$ which in this case is on 1920 x 1200 resolution
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517&p=6

 

[gkay09]

^+1 for the 4850 2GB...(but going through its reviews in newegg has given me mixed feelings)

 

[xthekidx]

Well the reason i went for a single powerful card because people have many problems with crossfire or SLI and the cards may not scale well...
So why the hassle...
And the ones I have listed are the single card solutions...

The 9800 GTX+ is basically the same card as the GTS 250, but the GTS has a smaller G92 GPU 55nm so its not as hot and consumes less power. The GTX+ scales very well in almost all games, I think I have seen a couple where it didn't do so well.

 

[gkay09]

The 9800 GTX+ is basically the same card as the GTS 250, but the GTS has a smaller G92 GPU 55nm so its not as hot and consumes less power. The GTX+ scales very well in almost all games, I think I have seen a couple where it didn't do so well.

Hmm for the current games is gud...
But when upgrading his PC, he will be left with 2 old cards to change...
So he can stick with his option of getting a 4870 1GB now and add another later...will be more future proof and he would just have to add another rather than replacing 2 old cards...

 

[drakleon84]

Knocked system down to $1900 w/ shipping from $2200 which is really nice...not really sure where else to shave.

Think I'm going to go with the 4850 X2 2GB, as I realized the 4870 1GB by itself only has 256 RAM.

Thoughts? Monitor? I was looking at some 24"ers and theres a few attractive 23" This monitor, at 22" supposebly has amazing quality though.

 

[gkay09]

Knocked system down to $1900 w/ shipping from $2200 which is really nice...not really sure where else to shave.

Think I'm going to go with the 4850 X2 2GB, as I realized the 4870 1GB by itself only has 256 RAM.

Thoughts? Monitor? I was looking at some 24"ers and theres a few attractive 23" This monitor, at 22" supposebly has amazing quality though.

EDIT : u meant 256 bit memory bus right...it has 1GB GDDR5 RAM ...

 

[gkay09]

As for the monitors, u can look into these...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%201309821328%204802&name=Top%20Sellers

Instead of the 23", u can get those resolutions even with the 21.5" ...

 

[drakleon84]

Yeah, sorry

 

[drakleon84]

Gonna go with this 24" badboy I think:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

Any real reason to go for a 1080P monitor? I don't really watch movies on my PC, I have a 62" 1080P DLP in living room already

 

[xthekidx]

Its a good res for gaming, but I wouldn't recommend it over a 19x12 monitor, I like the extra vertical pixels. They tend to be cheaper too because they aren't as expensive to make.

 

[drakleon84]

Updated with a better bang/buck scenario:

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($289)
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor ($289)
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 ($135)
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($80)
Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler ($60)
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel ($110)
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ($180)
SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 ($290)
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor ($270)

Thoughts?