I7 Gaming System - Bang For Buck & Headroom

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Have the ATI price cuts already happened and that's the prices that are available now?

Just curious as to if I should hold off any longer? (but I couldbe holding my breath forever) for the X2
 

Lol yeah that GPU was $5 cheaper two days ago.
 


Yea, it makes looking at a 4870 alot easier. I saw that the 512mb version and the 1gb version were only $10 difference! Crazy lol
 
Definitely. It's amazing how fast the HD4k GPUs are dropping in price. I'm hoping that the prices continue to drop - if the x2 drops down to ~$300ish, I would get a second one for CFX.
 
Oh yeah, a spot of retardism coming from me here self-admittedly...

I like to keep my brand one-way across the board. Yet, for years now I find myself leaning heavily towards Intel chipsets and then for ATI Vid Cards. Since I last built a system, I don't recall feeling that the grahic card giants were so heavily in bed with the chip processors, thus I'm not feeling like I'd like to have one-system across the board (Dragon, or whatever dumb name Intel has for their version).

So I keep finding myself looking across the aisle at the Phenom2 side and running with my 4850X2, or going for an equally powerful nVidia vid card and keeping the i7 system (I can justify in my mind a 30-40% parts markup between mobo/ram/cpu to have the current generation of all 3 technologies..maybe if it was just 1-2 pieces, I wouldn't). Yet I find mysef cringing at nVidia cards of late..they jsut seem so stale and non-competitive to ATI's offerings. I researched 250-SLI setups, and none really appealed to me either as I'm thinking in 6-9 months, adding another 4850X2 to crossfiire.
 
Been looking into nVidia more and going through that Anandtech multi-GPU article again..

I've also recently been looking into the GTX 280, but I'm confused as all hell as to why the listings I find here vary SO much in price, whereas I can't find the spec diferencs (besides the bus being 8-10% faster, which just seems like it's a factory OC'd card for twice the price).

Thanks for help!

Seems scaling wise and from the Anantech Multi GPU article that a 280 can hold it's own, if not run SLIGHTLY behind the 4850X2, but if you throw another one in SLI down the line, it crushes everything you throw at it.
 
I'd personally go for the Intel setup. While AMD has the best bang for the buck, Intel has the best absolute performance. If you have your heart set on something, but you lower it to be "good" you'll probably regret it sooner rather than later.

I always wanted a core 2 duo, but went x2 5400 because of the price; in the end I spent more money because I switched platforms a week ago instead of just buying it last year.
 
P.S. When picking out your video card, keep in mind certain companies since you are concerned about upgradeability (i.e. BFG technology offers lifetime warranties with a trade-up program)! Just a side note 😉
 
i7 build

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811119137 $79.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750w-tx-se.../206178325.html $104.99 Price After Rebate(s): $79.99 Shipping: FREE
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813130221 $189.99 ($169.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.smksuperstore.com/products/view...2fe42db73bc8b61 $272.15
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835233029 $39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227381 $109.99 ($89.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102801 $194.99
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136319 $79.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total: $1,197.06
Total: $1,132.06 w/rebates

SLI version... Replace the motherboard and video card in that build with the the ones down below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125255 $339.99 ($309.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
GIGABYTE GV-N285-1GH-B GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Total: $1,362.06
$1,87.06 w/rebates
 
You like the Dark Knight i7 cooler over the Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready?

I get a $15 break as a combo with the i7 purchase, so it's only $45


Would you recommend that GB Mobo over the Asus Deluxe previously mentioned? I've had 1 Gigabyte mobo and hated it, and 2 ASUS and loved them, but they're obviously a reputable great company. Would you know offhand the major cons to dropping down from the ASUS? Also a reader review on mobo saying that a big graphics card may not clear a bus? Any validity?

The 300gb Velociprator just dropped down to $199, so I feel I'll stick with that. I have a 500GB external drive for my storage stuff.

Thanks for your help
 
The vigor looks like a huge headache to install and causes space issues. I'm not cmofrtable removing mobo heatsinks and soldering *** if it comes to that. Dark knight seems compact..
 
After analyzing more reviews/benchmarks (I just realized you can select your reso on the anandtech article..duh), I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte 285 you recommended. Immediatly, it underperforms by about 5% across the board from what I can see from the X2, but the addition of another 285 (maybe in 6 months?) would keep my system solidly rocking for another year after that I feel. Whereas with the 4850X2 purchase, I'll have to bump up to a $400 card in 6 months to get that performance, so I guess it would save me money on the backend (by spending an extra $30 now) and keep me going longer.

Any flaws to my logic? It's 4:30am 😛
 
Logic seems is pretty sound to me. The Gigabyte board does not allow you to install 6dimms of memory, only 4, so it is limited there, and it will only support xfire (or sli if you get the SLI version) but not both, the ASUS will. The Asus board is also a better overclocker, here is a review of them:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340773,00.asp

I think the Asus P6T is the best all around x58 mobo, especially considering its performance and its price.
 


The 285 is also a low power consuming card not to mention it doesn't produce much heat.
 
kid, how do u feel about the:
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
compared to the ASUS?

Getting a *really* good deal on that one for my system ($100 in rebates with the vid card/mobo & $40 USB mouse I wouldn't have to buy as a gift)
 
Its decent, but I would prefer the Asus board...I have heard of some people having issues with that board, it won't overclock as well. However if you are getting a killer deal on it then it may well be the one to get. I cannot say much more about it since I have not used it, but my P6T works like a dream.
 
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$23.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$79

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: $1883.76
 
changed to a WD Black.. Just couldn't justify an extra $120 in the end to load a Crysis map 1 second faster. Rather upgrade to a SSD in a year or 2, and just move the WD Black into another bay and use it for extra storage
 
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