New Computer Build core i7 860

JerseyDevil101

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Feb 24, 2010
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Hello just wanted to first introduce myself to the forums. I am majoring in computer science and I love computers although I'm not currently the best with them yet. Still learning. Anyways I am planning on building a new pc specifically for gaming and video editing.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: BUDGET RANGE: $800-950.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Video Editing/Rendering, Internet, Programming C++., watching movies.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, (anywhere really that has a good price) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Core i7 860 processor

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Hardware I have planned right now:

CPU: Core i7 860
(I can get for $265.00)
--$265.00

MOBO: ASRock P55 Extreme LGA 1156 $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157172
--$139.99

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
--$104.99


Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770
--169.99 - 10.00 Rebate..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858

HDD: Western Digital 500 GB Caviar Black
--$65.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001GQYYSG/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

PSU: hec X-Power Pro 650 650W Continuous
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024
--$44.99

Case: Antec Three Hundred Gaming
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000GQMHBI/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
--$54.95

Heatsink: ZEROtherm CORE92 Socket 1156/1366 HDT Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835887023
--$31.99


total Cost: $866.90 or $841.99 if i use xeon x3440.

I heard of the xeon x3400 as well I was wondering how good this processor is for gaming compared to the core i7 860. The x3400 is about 25 dollars cheaper than the i7 860.

Also as far as the HEC PSU goes how is the quality if it's not good can anyone recommend me one for a cheap price.

Thanks everyone!
 
You absolutely NEED to ditch that POS PSU. A quality unit will have active PFC, at least 80+ certification, and most of its output on the 12v rail. The best brands are Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, and the Antec EA and TP series. OCZ and the lower Antec models are a step down, but still way better than that HEC model. Here's a low-cost OCZ PSU.

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $59.99 w/promo code EMCYNNP27, ends 3/1 - $25 MIR

Here's a combo deal with the above PSU and an XFX 5770.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.329244

The WD drive is considerably slower than the 500GB/platter Samsung F3 and Seagate 7200.12 drives. Here's a cheaper, faster drive.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $54.99
 
1) I would switch the HDD as well. Switch it to the Samsung F3 Spin point or Seagate 7200.12

2) PSU for the Budget probably Antec or OCZ PSU they are usually the cheaper of the higher quality manufactures. However DO NOT SKIMP on your PSU it is one of the most important peices of hardware in the box.

Other then that Mad Admiral probably already posted a whole build while I was typing this out.
 
I understand what you're saying for GAMES. The thing is, this is not a strictly gaming PC. Video editing/rendering software make good use of the hyper threading of the i7 chips. You need to look outside gaming performance every once in a while. People do use computers for more than just playing games.
 
Well if i do alot of video editing ect which from my knowledge it does benefit from HT but would it still be worth it to go i5 instead of i7. I mean i7 looks good on paper especially if i want to run some pretty heavy demanding programs. I love gaming too so i want the best of both worlds. thanks for hte info about the PSU and HDD. I never heard of that PSU before so didn't know the quality guess the price was too good to be true for that amount of wattage. Also about the xeon server processor am i better going with that if i want to get a lower price and still stick with the benefits of HT or is ithe CPU not very good for gaming.
 
Here's my suggestions.

$891. after Mail in rebate.



http://i46.tinypic.com/20qh06e.png


20qh06e.png
 
We still need to know what resolution your monitor runs at. If it's a high resolution monitor, then you probably would be better going with the i5/5850 setup. Like I said, that all depends on your resolution. It's the most important factor to consider when deciding what GPU you need.
 
I appreciate the links Whitefang just I have never had good luck with AMD based computers for what ever reason. I would much rather spend a little extra money to get an intel because I have yet to have a serious problem with them.
 
Meh, it htink he should stick to p55 for video encoding. I like AM3 when gaming is the only factor, but when other things get involved, p55 is the way to go for the low end. Also, i play at 180x1050, and my 4870 1gb, wich is a bit faster than the 5770, and it can't even max out some games, like Crysis, or MW2 when I force 32AA in CCC.
 
No that's not a low end AM3 mobo. And it's not a slow CPU

Anything above 3.0 ghz for a quad BARELY effects gaming performance.
Dual 8X8 crossfire, DDR3 1666, 790GX.
Only thing "Low end" about it that it doesn't support USB 3.0

Screw off builderbob.
 
Dual 8x8x xfire= Low end. As in, low end boards such as all p55s, and Low end crappy AM3 boards.

CPU= Much slower than i5-750.

"Barley affects gaming"- thats nice, but he's doing other stuff to, and even the 965 loses to the 750 at gaming, which is it's strong suit, and it gets blown away at other things, and the 965 is much faster than you're cpu. Stock to i5-750, that mobo you picked out, and a 5850.
 


I use 4x aa in crysis, and my 4870 struggles with that. I use 24x AA for MW2 online, and 32x aa for ofline.