Help with new build

[totalcommand]

I've built several systems in the past but it's been over 4 years since I've built my last one.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming. Possibly for watching movies also, but I use my MacBook Pro for almost everything else.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
~$700.00, but willing to go higher if there's better value for price

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
GO USA!

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Best price/performance ratio fanboy.

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

+/- Nice ATX case (don't know the model - over 8 years old now...may want a new case as well but this is very low priority)
+/- Antec Earthwatts EA430 Power Supply (it's doubtful, however, that this is enough to power my build...right?)
Seagate 7200.10 320GB HD
Lite-On 8x DVD+RW
Dell 2209WA 22" 1680x1080 LCD Monitor
Creative 5.1 Speakers
Windows XP Professional w/ pending Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium
Dell Keyboard (love it and it's 10+ years old)
Microsoft Mouse

For reference, the rest of my current system, that will not be used:
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra
AMD Athlon64 3000+ @ 2.3ghz
2x512MB DDR400 RAM
ATI Radeon X600 XT 128MB

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, I have. From what I've read so far, if I choose to go high end (not likely with my budget?) I should go Intel, if not, stick with AMD. I've also read in a few places that I should go with a DDR3 based system given that its similar in price to DDR2 (although the Mobos are more expensive for DDR3)

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default speeds for now, with room to overclock in a couple years when I feel like the system is getting slow.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Before Starcraft 2 comes out...so either around now or in a 3-4 months, whenever I'll get the biggest bang for my buck. Is it worth it to wait for Core i5's to be released?

I'd appreciate input on whether for a long term gaming point of view it's better to go with an AMD X3 720BE based system for around $600, or whether I should increase my budget to ~$850 and go with a Core i7 920 based system (rather go with i7 920 than Phenom X4 955). I will not likely spend money on computer stuff for another 4 years.

The things I will definitely need for my build:
Memory
Processor
Motherboard
Videocard

Likely need (please lemme know if I don't):
Power supply

While I figure out what direction to go/how much to spend, I'm looking to build this system piece by piece as deals come and go. The first things I'd like to settle on are things that are common to both systems and whose value won't change much in the next couple - several months: Things like a power supply and video card (memory different because triple vs dual channel for above systems).

**EDIT** Decided to go with i7 920

With that in mind, I've come up with the following to start:

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $79.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $215.00

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $159.99

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail $79.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $239.99

I appreciate the help.

 

[z1ggy]

Good thoughts so far. That PSU and gpu are good choices. I would prob. go i7 because with a 20% spread that brings you to around $800. Thats enoguh money now a days for a good i7. Get the 920 with the D0 stepping if you can, and a solid mobo. I can't recommend brands b/c I have no personal exp. so that woudl prob. be irresponsible of me to do. For memory, I hear good things about the 6gb OCZ kit. G skill is always very reliable as well.

 

[Denithor]

Corsair 650TX $100 - $20MIR

More power @ same price = WIN

If you aren't planning to use a multiGPU setup i7 doesn't really offer much advantage in games over other processors. Grab the X3, find one of the motherboards that allows the X3 -> X4 unlock and cross your fingers (go read in the CPU forum for details).

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Good thoughts so far. That PSU and gpu are good choices. I would prob. go i7 because with a 20% spread that brings you to around $800. Thats enoguh money now a days for a good i7. Get the 920 with the D0 stepping if you can, and a solid mobo. I can't recommend brands b/c I have no personal exp. so that woudl prob. be irresponsible of me to do. For memory, I hear good things about the 6gb OCZ kit. G skill is always very reliable as well.

Thanks for the reply. I was leaning towards the i7 920 as well since it seems like LGA 1366 will be around longer than AM3 for the X3 720BE. Also, I'd get a better option to do multiGPU at a later date if I actually decide to throw a few upgrades in within the next 4 years.


So Core i7 it is. Denithor, thanks for the recommendation on the PSU. I'm gonna pick up the $215 i7 920 from Microcenter today. What do you guys think of this?

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $79.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $215.00

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $159.99

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail $79.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $239.99

 

[z1ggy]

Looks pretty solid. Good luck and happy building