NEED LAST MINUTE 2k BUILD ADVICE!!!!!

[raybob95]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP!!! (May 30th is the ABSOLUTE deadline)
System Usage: ALOT: Google Earth, Firefox surfing w/ 10 tabs, watching BLU-Ray movies, Video Encoding, FSX/GTAIV, MULTITASKING, and a lot more, but too much to list.
Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Printer, Media Reader, etc. (I need a PC w/ an OS, and a monitor)
Website 4 Parts: NEWEGG!!!!!
OC: When I get the PC probably my CPU to 3.2 Gig, and experimenting with my GPU.
SLI/CF: Ha. (No.)
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: Volume not a problem, want it to look good with a window and LEDs, want it to be fast, multitask ALOT at one time, game FSX and GTAIV at Max (Medium for IV), and last for at least 5 years without upgrades before I need to get a new PC.

My Budget for all the parts below is ~$1,900 (TOTAL TOTAL COST)



Now, my build:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Extra Case Fan: COOLER MASTER Neon LED TLF-S12-EB 120mm Blue LED Case Fan - Retail
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
RAM: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail (I will be buying 2 sets of that to equal 8GB RAM total)
Storage/Apps HDD: (NTFS) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
OS ONLY HDD: OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail
OCZ SSD Drive Bay Adapter: ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail
Optical Drive 1: LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L - Retail
Optical Drive 2: 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 with LightScribe - OEM
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
CPU Cooling: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
TV Tuner: ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - Retail
Monitor: LG W2353V-PF Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 50000:1 w/ Smart Package - Retail



Well, that's my build, and it took 2x as long to type it because I followed the guidelines of how to ask for help. (You're Welcome!!) So if any of you have any last minute advice to offer me, (OTHER THAN GOING FOR AN i7!!!!!) please post it here. Thanks in advance!

Raybob

 

[cjl]

Why not i7?

For that budget, and for that set of apps, you will see a significant gain with i7.

If you keep everything else the same and replace the CPU, RAM, and mobo with the following, it would be a great build:

CPU: i7 920
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58-UD3R
RAM: OCZ Gold DDR3-1600 6GB kit

Honestly, especially for games such as FSX and GTA4, you would really be better off with the i7. I really don't see any reason not to go for it.

 

[AKM880]

+1, For multi tasking your better off with a Core i7. And you have a 2k budget, thats definitely enough for a nice i7 build. GTA4 is a demanding game that utilizes multicore CPUs, your better off with the Core i7 here too. cjl's build nice, the mtoherboard is solid and reliable. Here is a CPU cooler I reccomend if your going to be overclocking, its the Scythe Mugen 2. One of my co-workers that I know has a Core i7 920 paired with this cooler. You can also go with something like the Coolermaster V8.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093&Tpk=Scythe%20Mugen%202

 

[Why_Me]

This build unlike the one you posted allows you to add another vid card later on for SLI if you so choose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 $99.99
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999061 $7.99
COOLER MASTER Neon LED TLF-S12-EB 120mm Blue LED Case Fan - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $114.49 ($104.49 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | -$20 w/promo code = $199.99 | $184.99. after rebate Free Ground Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
Use Code: MEMORIAL20 to get an extra $20 off

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $264.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $41.99 Free Shipping*
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 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?Item=N82E16814130475 $239.99 Free Shipping*
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Cryostasis game w/ registration at manufacturer website

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994064 $19.99
ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227394 $219.00 ($199.00 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 $94.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133 $107.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $25.99 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 with LightScribe - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815293003 $79.99
ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - Retail
Live TV on Vista sidebar by Asus GadgeTV technology

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005125 $219.99 Free Shipping*
LG W2353V-PF Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Full HD 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 50000:1 w/ Smart Package - Retail

Total: $1,837.85 | $1,792.85 w/mail in rebates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc <--- Save yourself some money on an o/s and dl the 64 bit version of Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of that Gigabyte UD4P mobo

 

[smithereen]

I'd get a couple of HD4870 1GBs instead, but other than that, Why_Me's right on the money.

 

[raybob95]

Thanks, I think I'll get that cooler (Hmmmm, $33 and 45 CFM or $40 and 85 CFM 😉 ), but I see no reason for the power supply you picked out, the price doesn't justify the extra 50W, and the build quality is pretty much the same. 700W is enough, correct? (I've been told even 600 would be good, but I'd rather stay 700)

I really would prefer not to get W7 RC, because it's really a beta, and probably has lots of bugs.

And guys, my main reason for not saying i7 is because the 9550 will be fine for what I'm doing, and there is new technology coming out. Soon. In 2 years I'll probably upgrade to the 8-core i5 or something along the lines of that.

 

[raybob95]

Actually, IDK, I may end up going with the RC, but if I did, it'd be to get the cost down farther, NOT to be able to get an i7.

Also, does that cooler come with thermal paste? Or do I really have to get extra MX-2 Thermal Compound?

 

[Helloworld_98]

1) the corsair is of a considerably higher quality than that OCZ POS.

2) if it had lots of bugs then it wouldn't be a Release Candidate.

3) there aren't going to be any 8 core i5's, and i7 is a far better choice any way unless you're a 'budget' gamer.

 

[cjl]

First, the Corsair is a much higher quality PSU than the OCZ.

Second, you say that the 9550 will be enough for what you are doing, but what you are doing is quite heavily multithreaded (especially FSX), and would see significant gains from an i7. The new tech argument is pointless, especially when the 775 socket will have nothing new and LGA1366 (the i7 socket) will have 32nm CPUs (6 core) released for it next year. Besides, it's nearly the same price (the CPU is identically priced, the board is a bit more) for a faster and newer CPU.

 

[raybob95]

OK, if I'm going to go i7, then I'll have to get 7 RC, as I'm at the top of my budget. But the only mobo that will make my budget will be the GA-EP45-UD3R. And I have yet to find good RAM. (Having 6GB instead of 8GB displeases me 😉 )

EDIT: At last, I'm finally starting to warm up to the idea of an i7, partly because I found this RAM for only $75, compared to my old RAM for $100.

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

If somebody gives me the OK on the X58-UD3R, and it has ALL of the connectors and features that my P45 had, (I have yet to determine this) then i7 will almost definetly be what I get.

And when you say significant gains, how many percent over the Q9550 if I clock this to 3.2? Because I heard that over Quad-Core, there's not too much gain. Also, can somebody give me a list of all the instructions the i7 has over the 9550 and what they do? (Other than HT of course)

ANOTHER EDIT: Getting an i7 also depends on whether you guys can assure me or not that having 6GB over 8GB will not affect performance for what I'm doing, and whether or not that PSU will suffice, because that PSU doesn't really fit in the budget, even with Windows 7.

 

[raybob95]

BUMP.

 

[Why_Me]

Actually, IDK, I may end up going with the RC, but if I did, it'd be to get the cost down farther, NOT to be able to get an i7.

Also, does that cooler come with thermal paste? Or do I really have to get extra MX-2 Thermal Compound?

 

[raybob95]

What?? You're one of the ones who was just telling me to get the i7!

And I'd appreciate it if someone would answer the rest of my questions.

EDIT: Lol man, way to take off the part of your message that said don't get the i7.

 

[Why_Me]

OK, if I'm going to go i7, then I'll have to get 7 RC, as I'm at the top of my budget. But the only mobo that will make my budget will be the GA-EP45-UD3R. And I have yet to find good RAM. (Having 6GB instead of 8GB displeases me 😉 )

EDIT: At last, I'm finally starting to warm up to the idea of an i7, partly because I found this RAM for only $75, compared to my old RAM for $100.

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

If somebody gives me the OK on the X58-UD3R, and it has ALL of the connectors and features that my P45 had, (I have yet to determine this) then i7 will almost definetly be what I get.

And when you say significant gains, how many percent over the Q9550 if I clock this to 3.2? Because I heard that over Quad-Core, there's not too much gain. Also, can somebody give me a list of all the instructions the i7 has over the 9550 and what they do? (Other than HT of course)

ANOTHER EDIT: Getting an i7 also depends on whether you guys can assure me or not that having 6GB over 8GB will not affect performance for what I'm doing, and whether or not that PSU will suffice, because that PSU doesn't really fit in the budget, even with Windows 7.

6 gigs of DDR3 1600MHz triple channel RAM vs 8 gigs of old school DDR2 800MHz.

 

[raybob95]

I realize that now.

How about the rest of my questions? 😉

P.S., just to be more specific, my old RAM was 8GB DDR2 1066 Dual Channel. The new is 6GB DDR3 1866 Triple Channel. Both are OCZ Platinum.

 

[Why_Me]

OK, if I'm going to go i7, then I'll have to get 7 RC, as I'm at the top of my budget. But the only mobo that will make my budget will be the GA-EP45-UD3R. And I have yet to find good RAM. (Having 6GB instead of 8GB displeases me 😉 )

EDIT: At last, I'm finally starting to warm up to the idea of an i7, partly because I found this RAM for only $75, compared to my old RAM for $100.

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

If somebody gives me the OK on the X58-UD3R, and it has ALL of the connectors and features that my P45 had, (I have yet to determine this) then i7 will almost definetly be what I get.

And when you say significant gains, how many percent over the Q9550 if I clock this to 3.2? Because I heard that over Quad-Core, there's not too much gain. Also, can somebody give me a list of all the instructions the i7 has over the 9550 and what they do? (Other than HT of course)

ANOTHER EDIT: Getting an i7 also depends on whether you guys can assure me or not that having 6GB over 8GB will not affect performance for what I'm doing, and whether or not that PSU will suffice, because that PSU doesn't really fit in the budget, even with Windows 7.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R Combo Deal: i7 920 + MB Combo Price: $423.99 Free Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/gigabyte-nvidia-sli-motherboard,7463.html <--- Gigabyte: Enable SLI On X58 Boards

 

[raybob95]

What? I told you I wasn't gonna SLI, and I'm only shopping at Newegg.

Now answer my damn questions, and here's another one: Is that 1866 Mhz memory compatible with my EX58-UD3R?

And my most important question was: did that Dark Knight Cooler come with thermal paste?

 

[Why_Me]

What? I told you I wasn't gonna SLI, and I'm only shopping at Newegg.

Now answer my damn questions, and here's another one: Is that 1866 Mhz memory compatible with my EX58-UD3R?

And my most important question was: did that Dark Knight Cooler come with thermal paste?

Ya it comes with a 1 gallon jug of Xigmatek super supreme thermal paste.

 

[computernewbie]

why only at newegg? i just found a website ewiz.com (pretty noobish myself) and it has alot of lower prices than newegg, especially for MB's. To check if the UD3R is compatible with 1866 Mhz mem check out its memory standard on newegg, it'll say "DDR3 1800(OC)/1600(OC)/1333 *as an example*

 

[computernewbie]

UD3R supports 2000+ mem, 1333/1066/800, so it doesent look like it supports 1866.

 

[raybob95]

http://www.gigabyte.us/FileList/MemorySupport/mb_memory_ga-ex58-ud3r_1.6.pdf

On that list it does mention that 1866 Memory is compatible.

 

[raybob95]

Bump because I need answers.

 

[raybob95]

Hey guys, good news. Apparently because of the cheaper RAM, and prices going down on a few of my items, Vista still fits into my budget. Thus, this is what I'm going to get, not the RC, partly because it only lasts a year. MAYBE later I will upgrade to Windows 7, but as of now, it's not out, so I'm staying with Vista.

 

[smithereen]

You really should go i7 with any build over $1500, it's the best there is if you can avoid the nVidia Bug. Why_Me's build is excellent, you should either go with it or post a revised budget so we can put something together for you.

 

[macabre215]

I really don't see why 6GB of ram isn't enough. Considering vista is on its way out with its bloated self already, and that 4GB of ram should be fine. This is unless you're not turning off useless services in windows, I don't understand why you wouldn't.