BUILDING an i7 for $850

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Walkfire

Member
Oct 4, 2009
25
0
0
Yeah I am thinking of may be going back to the i5 route but it was you who suggested that it was only 50 bucks more and I should go for the i7. ?

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
If you are not going to be overclocking, then the $50 is worth to get the 860 over the i5 imo because you get better turbo mode + HT. Then again if you are on a budget, put the $50 towards a more powerful videocard. Just depends what your computer uses are.
 

alyarb

Platinum Member
Jan 25, 2009
2,444
0
76
get a good motherboard. that i5 can easily do 3.5 ghz on stock volts, meaning you really only have to focus on the bus clock when overclocking. it's very simple. even for first-timers, 15-20 minutes of reading will prepare you for just about every typical case.
 

Walkfire

Member
Oct 4, 2009
25
0
0
I know your not fond of an open box but is the one I got what you call a good motherboard....

ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55- -Newegg open box $117
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,705
117
106
So I just finished putting my system together today. Its amazingly fast. Every game, fully maxed out, 1900x1200, 8xAA, 16x AF runs full 60 frames all the time. Only problem I had was with the case itself but I got around it. I love it.
 

alyarb

Platinum Member
Jan 25, 2009
2,444
0
76
the P7P55D is a fine board, but why would someone return it? what's wrong with it? who tested it and said it qualifies for resale? some newegg employee?

are you getting the i5 at microcenter? what's their price for it? what are the p55 motherboard prices like at microcenter?
 

Walkfire

Member
Oct 4, 2009
25
0
0
Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
So I just finished putting my system together today. Its amazingly fast. Every game, fully maxed out, 1900x1200, 8xAA, 16x AF runs full 60 frames all the time. Only problem I had was with the case itself but I got around it. I love it.

Motivating ... glad to hear it... With the recent feed back on this thread and my desire to be resonalbly economical and not buy more than I would use, I am probably going to go for the i5 for $159. The reports and advertisements on the 5850 are so good that I think I will keep to my course with that VC.

Originally posted by: alyarb
the P7P55D is a fine board, but why would someone return it? what's wrong with it? who tested it and said it qualifies for resale? some newegg employee?

I understand Alyarb and my ignorance of this matter is why I grabbed the good deal. Now that I have already bought it, is there an easy way to test it prior to the installation? Would hate to have to rebuild my first Rig!

Thanks everybody?.. I feel much more confidant in this project.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: Walkfire
Yeah I am thinking of may be going back to the i5 route but it was you who suggested that it was only 50 bucks more and I should go for the i7. ?

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
If you are not going to be overclocking, then the $50 is worth to get the 860 over the i5 imo because you get better turbo mode + HT. Then again if you are on a budget, put the $50 towards a more powerful videocard. Just depends what your computer uses are.

Well ya I bought the Core i7 860 over i5 myself. But I bought September 8th (1 day before launch day!) Core i7 860 was $229.99 and Core i5 750 was $179.99 ($50).

check out the pricing difference now:

Core i5 750 $149.99
Core i7 860 $229.99

$80! 5850 FTW! > 4890

Or that's like getting a FREE Prolimatech Megahalems and a fan :D

As far as I am concerned $150 Core i5 750 means you definitely made the right choice with going for 1156 over AM3.
 

Walkfire

Member
Oct 4, 2009
25
0
0
Very cool... Im heading to Boulder tomorrow and am planning to stop off in Denver to go to the mico center. This sets my choice on the i5 and after reading another debate over the two VCs the 4890 also seems to be more than enough for me also it is only $189 after rebate. Thanks Russ.

Add on tax and subtract what I'm going to saving by changing those two items and
WOW a TOTAL of $830 for an i5 kick ass rig.....
You guys are GREAT. thanks again for all the help... If anyone knows of an easy pretest for that open box mobo that bought I would love to know.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: Walkfire
. If anyone knows of an easy pretest for that open box mobo that bought I would love to know.

You are welcome. If the mobo doesn't work properly you can always return it to Newegg. The Stock heatsink is very poor. So be ready to upgrade :)
 

alyarb

Platinum Member
Jan 25, 2009
2,444
0
76
Originally posted by: Walkfire
I understand Alyarb and my ignorance of this matter is why I grabbed the good deal. Now that I have already bought it, is there an easy way to test it prior to the installation? Would hate to have to rebuild my first Rig!

there's a good chance someone just bought the wrong board and had to send it back. maybe they wanted the LE or deluxe instead. the box may be unopened, but just a return item. at least i hope so in your case. let us know what condition everything is in when it arrives.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: Walkfire
Very cool... Im heading to Boulder tomorrow and am planning to stop off in Denver to go to the mico center. This sets my choice on the i5 and after reading another debate over the two VCs the 4890 also seems to be more than enough for me also it is only $189 after rebate. Thanks Russ.

Add on tax and subtract what I'm going to saving by changing those two items and
WOW a TOTAL of $830 for an i5 kick ass rig.....
You guys are GREAT. thanks again for all the help... If anyone knows of an easy pretest for that open box mobo that bought I would love to know.

You spent $189 after rebate for a 4890 when you could have had a 4870 for $135 after rebate?
What a waste of money.
 

Walkfire

Member
Oct 4, 2009
25
0
0
[You spent $189 after rebate for a 4890 when you could have had a 4870 for $135 after rebate?
What a waste of money.

I guess you missed the post that said I had not purchased a VC yet. I have simply found a good deal on the 4890 and was glad to let the 5850 go.
Seems like a lot of chat going on about the two cards you mention and although the 4890 is obviously spawned from the 4870 it has been revealed that the 90 is a better built card, better power management and a 15% quicker. Should of course hold its value longer than the 4870.
I still have not made the purchase and will not for another week. May be I will be convinced otherwise by experienced folks such as yourself. Thanks for the heads up.
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: Walkfire
[You spent $189 after rebate for a 4890 when you could have had a 4870 for $135 after rebate?
What a waste of money.

I guess you missed the post that said I had not purchased a VC yet. I have simply found a good deal on the 4890 and was glad to let the 5850 go.
Seems like a lot of chat going on about the two cards you mention and although the 4890 is obviously spawned from the 4870 it has been revealed that the 90 is a better built card, better power management and a 15% quicker. Should of course hold its value longer than the 4870.
I still have not made the purchase and will not for another week. May be I will be convinced otherwise by experienced folks such as yourself. Thanks for the heads up.

A 4890 is nothing but an overclocked 4870 on the surface.
The difference isn't anywhere near 15%...More like 10% on average.
If you feel it's worth it to pay 40.7% extra for a 4890 over a 4870, I can't stop you.

Buying a 4890 for $189 after rebate does not a good deal make.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: Lothar

A 4890 is nothing but an overclocked 4870 on the surface.
The difference isn't anywhere near 15%...More like 10% on average.
If you feel it's worth it to pay 40.7% extra for a 4890 over a 4870, I can't stop you.

Buying a 4890 for $189 after rebate does not a good deal make.

$170 Sapphire 4890. That's only $35 over 4870 1GB.

Since his total system cost is ~ $850, he is paying only 4% ($885 over $850) for an extra 10-15% performance, plus headroom for overclocking. That's not so bad. If someone was just buying the graphics card on a standalone basis, I agree that 4870 is a better deal.