New system, needs advice.

[poison]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: As low as possible, but no more than 1200.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Photoshop & Graphic Design, Watching Movies, Generic schoolwork, and net use.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Possibly, in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1360x768, 27", HDTV


Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Case : COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
79.99

HDD : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
54.99

CPU : Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7_920-_-19-115-202-_-Product
288.99

MOBO : GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375&cm_re=gigabyte_ud3r-_-13-128-375-_-Product
188.99 (15 dollar rebate = 173.99)

GPU : GIGABYTE GV-R489OC-1GD Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125292
209.99

RAM : OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
149.99 (20 dollar rebate = 129.99)

Disk Reader : Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
26.99

PSU : Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
79.99

TOTAL = 1079.92


My thoughts:

- I would really like to swap the 4890 with a 5850 if I can find a way to keep the money down.
- I want the build to be able to run x-fire/SLi in the future, so I've been trying to keep that in mind.
- I just recently started looking into the i5, and it seems like that could be a better deal than the i7, but I don't know much about it right now.
- The other possible problem is the PSU. I love the one on here because it's cheap and it's an Antec, but I might have to up it to 800w + modular would be nice too.

My goal so far has been to maximize the "bang for the buck" and future-proof design of the system.


THANKS

 

[MadAdmiral]

Switch to an i5-750 buld. The i5 is better for gaming than the i7 because of the cheaper price, due to the savings on the CPU, motherboard and RAM.

Here's my changes:

CPU: i5-750 $195

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro $190. Support USB 3.0 and SATA 6 GBps, even when Crossfiring.

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 1333 mhz CAS Latency 7 $100

Case: HAF 922 $80 after $20 rebate

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 700W $50 after $30 rebate. You don't need modular if it's a bottom mounted case. In addition, you don't need 800W. Even Crossfired, the new 5xxx series cards don't use more than 700W.

GPU: HD 5850 $305

Optical: Samsung 22x SATA DVD Burner $27

Total after rebates and shipping, before combos, and taxes: ~$1,020 (standard shipping is $17.87, free shipping on all but the case and board)

 

[p55ibexpeak]

The only thing going for i7 is 8 threads & tri channel memory controller. Your usage doesn't require an i7. You don't convert video/audio enough to justify it. i5 + p55 + a high-end will wipe the floor with the listed i7 build in gaming. Throw in a cheap, small SSD, kiss the i7 build goodbye.

You wanna get shot in the head every time in the exact same spot in FPS or you want to get lotsa head shots. Up to you.

--
quantity of item 1


LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106289
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$28.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119137
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate11-119-137

$84.99
$79.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$54.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16814129141
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$309.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5


OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-341-010

$99.99
$69.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6


OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK

OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227346
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$12.00 Instant


$89.99
$77.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131621
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$189.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$199.99
$194.99

select item 9 quantity of item 9


OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5

OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227393
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-393

$164.99
$159.99

Subtotal: $1,166.91
--

SOB. newegg jacked vertex prices up after seeing an increase of orders. Should be $130 tops. 600W is enough for crossfiring HD 5850. The Earthwatts is better than StealthXStream. If you don't plan on crossfire/sli which the mobo supports, you can get a 500W PSU. Or one with a case bundle like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

The PSU is worth $75. SOB. newegg jacked the price up from $100. This is VERY quiet, but won't cool as well as the CM690. I'd go with the CM690, especially if I plan to run dual cards.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Reconciling the differences in the builds...

My case (HAF 922) is larger and keeps everything cooler for the same price (after rebate).

My OCZ PSU is cheaper ($20) and larger.

My RAM is faster and only slightly more expensive ($10).

I'm also not a fan of recommending SSDs right now. They're really, really expensive, and it would be easy to add one once the price has gone down.

Either build is good, but if you're able to spend the $1200, I would go with p55's, but switch the RAM, case and PSU (total: $1128).

Or take my build and up the GPU to an HD 5870 for an additon $100, step up the RAM to some 1600 mhz Ripjaws for $26, tack on a Coolermaster Hyper 212 CPU Cooler for $29 to help overclocking, and upgrade to a 1 TB HDD for an additional $30 (total: $1187).

 

[poison]

EDIT:: Thanks for the help. I'm going to read over the new posts to see if I have any questions.

 

[poison]

Yeah the i5 definitely makes more sense. Some questions:

The reason for the Pro version of the MOBO is for the 8x/8x x-fire? That won't have an effect on gaming vs 16x/16x?

Why 4GB of RAM over 6? I thought 6 was fairly standard now.

Why the change in optical?

Thanks

 

[MadAdmiral]

The Pro is there because it has both USB 3/SATA 3 support without disabling Crossfire. As far as the speed of the slots, there is no noticeable difference between 8x/8x and 16x/16x.

6 GB is standard for LGA1366 builds. The i7 uses triple channel RAM, which means you need 4 sticks. All other builds (i5, AMD) use dual channel. Hence the 4 GB. The standard is either 4 GB or 6 GB.

Opiticals are an almost strict price choice. The one I linked to is the cheapest and has free shipping. All you should look for in terms of specs is that it's a SATA burner.

 

[poison]

I have another quick question. I was going through the combo's and I found that they had the i5 750 como'd with this MOBO:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405

What's the difference between this (P7P55D PRO) and the one you posted (P7P55D-E PRO)?

Also, is this the best price v. performance 1600 mhz ripjaws?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=ripjaws_1600-_-20-231-303-_-Product

 

[MadAdmiral]

The "E" has USB 3.0 and SATA 6 GBps ports, so its more future proof.

Those are probably the best 1600 sticks, but here's a pair of 1333 mhz stick I just found for $90 (after rebate): OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 CL 7.

 

[poison]

Since they're all about the same price, which would be faster? The 7-7-7-20 1333 mhz stick or the 1600 mhz sticks?

 

[MadAdmiral]

I wouldn't can $15 the same price, but I think there wouldn't be a noticeable difference between the two, even if the 1333 sticks were slower.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Might have posted that in the wrong thread. We're talking the i5-750 and Asus boards...

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You're right. I posted the above in the wrong thread. Sorry. Post edited.

Continue on.

 

[poison]

Ok so I've decided to go with the original Ripjaws RAM you posted because at 7-7-7-21 and 1333mhz I doubt I'll notice a difference vs. 7-8-7-24 1600mhz, and the 1333mhz are cheaper. Usually I'm a fan of OCZ RAM, but based on the reviews of the OCZ you posted those specific sticks have a lot of problems. So, unless I change my mind in the next couple of hours, I'll be purchasing:

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
$26.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal HDD
$54.99

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB
$309.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
$99.99

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$189.99

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
$199.99

Combo:
COOLER MASTER HAF 922
+
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W
149.97

Total: 1031.91

Thanks for the help!