Debating on building or buying.

[surreal1221]

Well, my current box is on it's last few lives. Time to upgrade I'm afraid.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for.

--> Gaming, photo editing, and the usual non-intense tasks of internet browsing, video watching, music listening.

2. What YOUR budget is.

--> I'm willing to go up to $1000, but prefer around the $800 range.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

--> The US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.

--> No real significant preferences. Worked with Intel and AMD products in the past. Currently utilizing an P4 3ghz, no issues switching to AMD,

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

--> Last summer I purchased a 320gb WD IDE HDD. I'd like to still use it in the future system for data storage. Oh, and a 22" monitor, so that's not needed. Otherwise my box is quite outdated with useless hardware.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

--> Yes.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

--> Depends on the ease of overclocking. Otherwise, default speeds.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

--> Within the month (or week, or days).

__________________________________________________________

With those questions out of the way. I've priced out a couple systems through CyberPower, local B&M, and "built" a system of pieces over at Newegg.

Seems that the latest and greatest is in the AMD Phemon X4 or Intel i7 920. With 4-6gb of memory, and an HD video card of some sort (I'm seeing the Radeon 4850 HD quite frequently).

In my previous life I played FPS quite often (think Q2/Q3 rocket arena, etc) and some heavy flight simulation with various add-on scenery and aircraft.

__________________________________________________________

For a slight comparison, Best Buy offers a Dell box with an i7 920, 4gb memory, 640gb HDD, Radeon 4850, and a dvd burner as the optical drive for $999.99

CyberPower PC also offers an i7 920 set up for $995, 6gb memory, Radeon 4850, 500gb HDD, all resting on the Asus P6T mobo.

CyberPower PC also offers an Intel Core Quad 9550 2.83ghz set up with 4gb memory, 500gb HDD, Radeon 4850, resting on the intel P45 crossfireX mobo.

Once again, CyberPower PC also is offering an AMD Phenom II X4 920 set up with 4gb of memory, a 1TB HDD, Radeon 4850, resting on the AMD 790GX CrossFireX Mobo.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Personally, I would go with a Q8x00 quad core, 8GB Ram, 4850HD and be done. As far as motherboards go it's going to be based on what features you want. Do you want this to be in a smaller case, thus needing mATX, Do you want to be able to do crossfire or SLI in the future?


Here's a system I posted in another thread.
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136153
$23.99

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129034
$79.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
$6.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231241
$49.99

GIGABYTE GA-EG41M-S2H LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128365
$76.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8200 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115055
$169.99

2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148395

$119.98
($59.99 each) - $5.00 instant rebate on both


Subtotal: $527.92
Subtract $60 for one of the HDD and add $50 for 4GB more of memory and you're at $518. Add a sapphire HD 4830 for $100 and you're at $618.
and you saved yourself ~$200 from your proposed budget to buy beer with.

 

[surreal1221]

A mid-sized tower is fine. Certainly not going back into the business of a full sized tower any time soon.

As far as crossfire / sli, haven't really focused on it, but I don't necessarily want to close the door off to doing it in the future. Same goes with memory expansion, etc.

Also should have noted, I will be making the upgrade to Windows Vista.

 

[eddiebravo]

is cyberpower pc a reputable/dependable company to buy from?

 

[surreal1221]

they seem to be, A&T reviewed one of their systems. Should still be on the main page.

 

[swanysto]

I don't think a Quad is necessary for what you need it for. I have one, and it was a waste of money. I don't care who tells you what, even the multi-threaded software out there now sucks. That being said:

Intel E8400 3ghz. Can OC it pretty easily. From what I hear 3.6 is not hard at all.
$165.00

EVGA 780 etc etc http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188043
this will allow you to upgrade to SLI if you choose.
$170.00

"G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231241
$49.99" SAME

9800GTX runs everything I have thrown at it so far. Obviously not the high tech available, but also not ridiculously overpriced. 1gb version handles some games better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125245
$180.00

Antec 300 case. Not sure how much you keep in your case, but I only keep 1 optical and 1 internal HDD, so your needs may differ, but it is more than enough for me.
$60.00

DVD Drive - I watch blu rays on my tv, but if you need one in your computer than disregard this part.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151171
$24.00

Corsair 650. You shouldn't need more power than this. I have great experience with these which is why I recommend it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005
$95.00

I am not too experienced with Heatsinks, but you will need one to OC. I use the Asus Amazing, but I don't know if they even sell it anymore. But I would figure about 50-60 for a good one. And the Antec 300 comes with enough fans to get you started, but you may want to add one or two in the front. I just added a couple $3 120mm fans in the front and it is golden.

So that should leave you right around $700 with only Vista to buy. If Vista is not in your budget than you can get a newer HDD or upgrade the vid card, or even go to an E8500.

 

[surreal1221]

Thanks for the input guys.

I will be upgrading to vista though, premium, debating on if I need 64bit or not. Thoughts? Remember, the last time I built a box, XP Pro was the best windows OS out there.

 

[Arglebargle]

It still is, for a number of purposes.... ;-)

Windows 7 should be the really good upgrade OS.

If you go Cyberpower, my advice is to get the upgrades that specify EXACTLY what part you will get, or you will get whatever they happen to have laying about.

 

[swanysto]

Originally posted by: surreal1221
Thanks for the input guys.

I will be upgrading to vista though, premium, debating on if I need 64bit or not. Thoughts? Remember, the last time I built a box, XP Pro was the best windows OS out there.

I don't think you NEED 64bit. I don't have it and I have no problems. Not sure about real world differences between the two, I will just say I don't really notice a difference between mine and my friends.

Nothing wrong with Vista, as long as you don't use VPN. I have all sorts of problems with VPN. Other than that, turn off the UAC and you are good to go.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: swanysto
I don't think a Quad is necessary for what you need it for. I have one, and it was a waste of money. I don't care who tells you what, even the multi-threaded software out there now sucks. That being said:

Intel E8400 3ghz. Can OC it pretty easily. From what I hear 3.6 is not hard at all.
$165.00

EVGA 780 etc etc http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188043
this will allow you to upgrade to SLI if you choose.
$170.00

"G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231241
$49.99" SAME

9800GTX runs everything I have thrown at it so far. Obviously not the high tech available, but also not ridiculously overpriced. 1gb version handles some games better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125245
$180.00

Antec 300 case. Not sure how much you keep in your case, but I only keep 1 optical and 1 internal HDD, so your needs may differ, but it is more than enough for me.
$60.00

DVD Drive - I watch blu rays on my tv, but if you need one in your computer than disregard this part.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151171
$24.00

Corsair 650. You shouldn't need more power than this. I have great experience with these which is why I recommend it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005
$95.00

I am not too experienced with Heatsinks, but you will need one to OC. I use the Asus Amazing, but I don't know if they even sell it anymore. But I would figure about 50-60 for a good one. And the Antec 300 comes with enough fans to get you started, but you may want to add one or two in the front. I just added a couple $3 120mm fans in the front and it is golden.

So that should leave you right around $700 with only Vista to buy. If Vista is not in your budget than you can get a newer HDD or upgrade the vid card, or even go to an E8500.

You're comparing now specs. As time goes on multi-core support and multi-threaded apps will get better. I get the hint that the OP keeps his computers until the die, The Quad will last him longer as multi-threaded apps get better at utilizing the available power.

 

[surreal1221]

Yeah, sorry, I suppose I should have been a bit clearer.

My current box is going on four years old. Through the years I've changed or added hard drives or video cards.

I'd like to try to get as much "forward looking" components as possible, even if that means keeping certain things in the mid-range environment (ie, i7 920 CPU, with a Radeon 4850 [or nVidia equivalent video card], and 4gb memory - thus leaving room to upgrade progressively as my needs or as time changes). If that means butting up towards the top of my budget, so be it.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
You're comparing now specs. As time goes on multi-core support and multi-threaded apps will get better. I get the hint that the OP keeps his computers until the die, The Quad will last him longer as multi-threaded apps get better at utilizing the available power.

+1

Get the quad if you plan to use this for 2+ years. If you live near a microcenter I think they had the Q9400 for like $190 which would be even better.

I tend to buy more CPU than I need and "just enough" GPU and upgrade the GPU more often as games demand it. (CPU about every two years, GPU at least yearly.)

You're going to get 4GB of RAM - so you want the 64-bit version of Vista or Win7. Personally I'd wait and build when 7 comes out (should be summer from what I'm hearing) - hardware prices are falling fast these days and you could probably build an i7 system then within your budget, drop in Win7 and be set for quite a while.

 

[surreal1221]

Anyone have any thoughts / comments on the MSI X58 Pro motherboard for an i7?

Any recommendations on an appropriate case?

Currently looking at the following combination from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.174584

 

[Hacp]

If you're upgrading in 4 years, dual core is fine. I had a single core from 2005 and it is still running fine. There hasn't really been any application I really really needed dual core for.

 

[surreal1221]

So if I'm to go dual core, what's towards the top of the line of the products from Intel and AMD?

 

[Blain]

Wolfdale Socket 775...
E8400 (3GHz, 6MB L2, 1333:FSB, 45nm) @ $165
E3110 (3GHz, 6MB L2, 1333:FSB, 45nm) @ $185
E8500 (3.16GHz, 6MB L2, 1333:FSB, 45nm) @ $190
E8600 (3.33GHz, 6MB L2, 1333:FSB, 45nm) @ $270

 

[surreal1221]

Thanks, how do they take to overclocking?

 

[zerogear]

If you get 4+GB RAM, then go x64... if you have less than 4GB, but more than 2GB.. still go x64.

Originally posted by: surreal1221
Thanks, how do they take to overclocking?

All C2D 45nm processors are usually good overclockers, most can hit 3.0GHz without any voltage bump.

I would also just like to put out that Phenom II 920 or 940 will be quite good as well

 

[surreal1221]

lol

Alright guys, I appreciate the help. I think I've made my mind up. I'm going to build the next box.

Here's what I got, all purchased from Newegg.

In an effort to be as forward looking as possible, I am diving into the i7 craze.

CPU: i7 920 - 288.99
Mobo: MSI X58 Motherboard - 189.99
Memory: G.Skill 4gb (2 x 2gb) - 75.49
Video: Sapphire Radeon 4850 - 144.99
HDD: WD 320gb 16mb cache - 54.99
OS: Vista Premium +64 - 99.99
Power:450W PSU from Corsair - Combo with case deal
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 case - 109.98
Optical: ASUS 22x DVD Burner - 23.99

Total (sans shipping): 988.32

A number of the products offer MIR, totally around $40.

Anything I'm missing?

I'm using my present monitor, KB and mouse. Only other question / concern I have is being able to utilize my current WD 320gb IDE HDD.

Thanks for all the guidance so far guys.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: surreal1221
lol

Alright guys, I appreciate the help. I think I've made my mind up. I'm going to build the next box.

Here's what I got, all purchased from Newegg.

In an effort to be as forward looking as possible, I am diving into the i7 craze.

CPU: i7 920 - 288.99
Mobo: MSI X58 Motherboard - 189.99
Memory: G.Skill 4gb (2 x 2gb) - 75.49
Video: Sapphire Radeon 4850 - 144.99
HDD: WD 320gb 16mb cache - 54.99
OS: Vista Premium +64 - 99.99
Power:450W PSU from Corsair - Combo with case deal
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 case - 109.98
Optical: ASUS 22x DVD Burner - 23.99

Total (sans shipping): 988.32

A number of the products offer MIR, totally around $40.

Anything I'm missing?

I'm using my present monitor, KB and mouse. Only other question / concern I have is being able to utilize my current WD 320gb IDE HDD.

Thanks for all the guidance so far guys.

If you go i7, I would suggest you get 3x1GB or 3x2GB to take advantage of the triple channel on the i7.

And for HDD, may want to go for Cavier Black, but IDE should work.

 

[surreal1221]

Thanks, good eye. Seems I can get a 3x2gb set up from Crucial for the same price.

As far as the HDD, what's the performance benefit to getting the black? Are there potential conflicts with 64bit system running the previously selected HDD? Sorry for the silly questions, but it's been a while.

 

[zerogear]

Nah, IDE will work fine, its nothing with the OS. Its just that the Caviar Black should run a good bit faster than your current IDE drive. It is usually on-par with the older gen WD Raptors.

Generally I would suggest getting a faster drive for main OS, and use the older for storage. Samsung Spinpoint F1 also works nicely.

It is not a 'necessary' upgrade though.

Edit// Oh, oops, I just realized that you're purchasing an additional 320GB. thought you were using the older IDE drive. N/m then

 

[imported_wired247]

You wouldn't have any conflicts just because of your IDE HDD (although it makes sense to backup your important data, then wipe the HDD clean, then put your important data back on the drive)

but keep in mind how cheap and fast storage is these days, also SATA drives tend to perform much faster and the higher density HDDs have better throughputs as well (highest density HDD right now is the seagate 500GB 7200.12) Removing all IDE cables from your case will improve airflow as well as make your build feel and look much cleaner.

You will thank yourself later for getting rid of IDE stuff (I'd replace any DVD-RW's drives as well). Even the SATA power connectors are much sleeker and easier to work with.

The black edition caviar drives have been shown to be a good performing batch for most general computing purposes.

If it were me I would sell or donate that IDE HDD you bought.

 

[surreal1221]

zerogear, no problem. I probably wasn't clear enough.

But yeah, I'd like to use the new sata drive as my OS drive, and the older IDE drive as simple storage, backups, etc.

I think I've found a way to bring a Caviar drive into my plan. My previous case/psu combo was overpriced and under performing. Caviar Black 500gb SATA drive, at 74.99

Managed to find a Raidmax mid-atx case with a 500w PSU for 89.99. Frees up some money, and with a $30 MIR seems like a pretty solid deal. Anyone have any comments about that?

The changes from previous listed components are now:

Raidmax case w/ 500w PSU included: 89.99
Caviar Black 500gb SATA drive: 74.99

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: surreal1221
Managed to find a Raidmax mid-atx case with a 500w PSU for 89.99. Frees up some money, and with a $30 MIR seems like a pretty solid deal.
Anyone have any comments about that?

Yes... Raidmax PSU... :thumbsdown: