New rig configuration please

[Imager]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming and home theater using "boxee".

2. What YOUR budget is. I would prefer to stay under $1K

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA - there is a local place called micro center selling the Core i7 fairly cheap atm for $169 other parts are usually better priced via newegg, etc.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. current rig is AMD (3500) with Nvidia card, and a mix of seagate, maxtor and WD drives, but I'm trying to core Intel core i7 and the rest is mainly based on price/performance.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Do not plan on using any current parts, yet I do have a spare monitor I will be using.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. been reading for quite a while now, and looking for some major advice to keep me well within (if not lower) then my price range

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. May oc, but that will be determined later.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. 1280x1024 presently as that's all my monitor can handle atm. However hooking it up with the TV will be a lot different.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? hopefully within the next few weeks.

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned: I'm not thin skinned and am looking for any and all help I can get.

I would like to get a SSD drive for the OS and as much total storage as possible. Not currently listed in my sig, but I have a 2tb of storage right now and would need at LEAST that.

Much appreciated as this forum is always a BIG help!!

 

[mfenn]

Let's see if we can stay under $1K with SSD and a reasonable GPU. I'm suggest you get the i5 750 (same architecture as the i7) for $150 from your local MicroCenter.

i5 750 $150
MSI P55A-G55 + Windows 7 Home premium combo $195 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $83
GTX 460 1GB $230
OCZ Agility 2 + Corsair 650TX combo $220 AR
WD Green 2TB $120
Samsung DVD Burner $18
Reuse existing case $0
Total: $1016

 

[Sp12]

<3 that build mfenn.

Only one thing I would consider suggesting an alternative to is that I'm a big fan of low-voltage memory +7$, may be better to OC with, it has better timings too but that's kinda meh.

 

[Imager]

Let's see if we can stay under $1K with SSD and a reasonable GPU. I'm suggest you get the i5 750 (same architecture as the i7) for $150 from your local MicroCenter.

i5 750 $150
MSI P55A-G55 + Windows 7 Home premium combo $195 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $83
GTX 460 1GB $230
OCZ Agility 2 + Corsair 650TX combo $220 AR
WD Green 2TB $120
Samsung DVD Burner $18
Reuse existing case $0
Total: $1016

is there a difference with the i5 vs i7? Will the i7 suite be better as I'll be using this for gaming and video feeds to my TV?

I don't need the OS, so I can save $100 there

case I will need as the old PC is being handed down to the kiddies

 

[MisterDonut]

The difference is in the socket type. 1156 (i5/i7-860) uses dual channel memory (4/8GB preferred) while 1366 uses triple. For gaming and general usage, you won't feel the difference in performance, and it's going to cost a decent premium for a 1366 over an 1156 (unless you get some really good deals on 1366 parts).

mfenn's build is pretty much the best setup you can get for your money in this current market...

@SP12, I doubt overclocking the RAM is an option in this guy's rig , though I have always thought the ECO series to be overlooked a lot...

 

[mfenn]

is there a difference with the i5 vs i7? Will the i7 suite be better as I'll be using this for gaming and video feeds to my TV?

I don't need the OS, so I can save $100 there

case I will need as the old PC is being handed down to the kiddies

There are differences between the Socket 1156 i5, Socket 1156 i7, and Socket 1366 i7. Donut pretty much covered them, and I will add that the i5 doesn't have hyperthreading while both i7's do.

All 3 are fundamentally the same architecture and the differences make next to no difference for gaming and (definitely) no difference for video playback.

 

[Athadeus]

Having the option of using HT with the i7-860 is worth $20 more imo, and without the OS, you have room in your budget for a better cooler. Let us know which i7 you are referring to if you want to discuss the difference more.

 

[Imager]

Having the option of using HT with the i7-860 is worth $20 more imo, and without the OS, you have room in your budget for a better cooler. Let us know which i7 you are referring to if you want to discuss the difference more.

Love the system build that mfenn put together, just want to make sure I'm clearing everything before pulling any triggers...

I'm looking at the Core i7 920 Socket 1366 since I'm able to grab that for $169. Figured saving on the OS I could bump to that, but than that would mean a higher cost on ram and probably MB too right to suit the triple channel ram? Still need a case as well too...I'm already gonna be over the amount, especially with tax and shipping...but I'm willing to spend a tad more if the i7 is going to get me more bang and time for my buck...

Is it just rumors I'm reading, or would it possibly be more beneficial to wait until Sept (since it's just a few weeks away) when price drops are supposed to occur?

Thanks already for all the help!

 

[mfenn]

Love the system build that mfenn put together, just want to make sure I'm clearing everything before pulling any triggers...

I'm looking at the Core i7 920 Socket 1366 since I'm able to grab that for $169. Figured saving on the OS I could bump to that, but than that would mean a higher cost on ram and probably MB too right to suit the triple channel ram? Still need a case as well too...I'm already gonna be over the amount, especially with tax and shipping...but I'm willing to spend a tad more if the i7 is going to get me more bang and time for my buck...

Is it just rumors I'm reading, or would it possibly be more beneficial to wait until Sept (since it's just a few weeks away) when price drops are supposed to occur?

Thanks already for all the help!

I don't see the point going for the 930 for you. It's only 1 speed bin faster than the 750, more expensive, has a way more expensive platform, and has lower turbos. They are dead even in games and your other tasks are so unintensive (is that a word?) that the differences don't matter because any vaguely modern processor could handle them.

As for waiting, I'll give my standard answer: Price drops and faster parts are ALWAYS just a few weeks away for some part of your build. If you need it now, buy it now. If you don't need it now, don't buy it now.

 

[Imager]

I don't see the point going for the 930 for you. It's only 1 speed bin faster than the 750, more expensive, has a way more expensive platform, and has lower turbos. They are dead even in games and your other tasks are so unintensive (is that a word?) that and differences don't matter because any vaguely modern processor could handle them.

As for waiting, I'll give my standard answer: Price drops and faster parts are ALWAYS just a few weeks away for some part of your build. If you need it now, buy it now. If you don't need it now, don't buy it now.

Thanks for the honesty all the way around. I didn't realize that the i5 and i7 were so close in comparison. As for your last statement, HAHA...I knew I pretty much could have answered that for myself, it always does seem that way with technology.

Any recommendations on a good fairly inexpensive case? I thought Cool Master had made a pretty decent one for under $100 that (actually was like $50-60) that had a top and back fan.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the honesty all the way around. I didn't realize that the i5 and i7 were so close in comparison. As for your last statement, HAHA...I knew I pretty much could have answered that for myself, it always does seem that way with technology.

Any recommendations on a good fairly inexpensive case? I thought Cool Master had made a pretty decent one for under $100 that (actually was like $50-60) that had a top and back fan.

No problem.

You may be thinking of the Elite 370. The Antec Three Hundred and Silverstone PS05 are also good.

 

[MisterDonut]

The Antec 300 is pretty straightforward and probably one of the better cases in its price range. Routing wires in it wasn't too difficult as there is ample space. If you have a price point of $100 though, you could be looking at something higher end like the Lian-Li K62 or CM 690 II. If you want to take the silent route, something from the Antec P18x series or NZXT Whisper make for great quiet machines. My vote goes with the 300 though. Sometimes simplicity looks the best .

 

[anishannayya]

Scratch that, I misread. The build looks great.

 

[Imager]

No problem.

You may be thinking of the Elite 370. The Antec Three Hundred and Silverstone PS05 are also good.

Yes I believe it was the Elite 370 I was looking at, but I do like the Antec 300 a bit more...hows the quietness on that case?

The PS05 - WOW two fans for the bottom of the case!! Never seen that before...

 

[anishannayya]

Antec 300 is quiet, but if that is your top priority is quietness, then you should be looking at the P18x series.

 

[mfenn]

Antec 300 is quiet, but if that is your top priority is quietness, then you should be looking at the P18x series.

Yeah, the P183 is very quiet, but also about $100 than the Three Hundred. The Three Hundred is only $43 AR for the next few days at Newegg, which is a steal IMHO.

 

[Imager]

Yeah, the P183 is very quiet, but also about $100 than the Three Hundred. The Three Hundred is only $43 AR for the next few days at Newegg, which is a steal IMHO.

Thanks everyone! Yeah for about $100more I think the better deal atm is definitely the Antec 300

 

[Imager]

Hey guys - saw these two MB's on the local retailers site - are these just as good as the MSI posted by mfenn? I just figured if I was going out to the store for the CPU I might as well make the trip worth the while and at least pick up an extra piece of something haha.

MSI http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0327064
Giga http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0327020

some stuff there is more then at newegg.com and others isn't...I was just poking around trying to save every penny I can ;-)

 

[mfenn]

MC usually has pretty good deals on CPUs, but is hit or miss (like you say) on other things.

As for those motherboards, they would work, but are not worth the savings (IMHO of course, you may not care about the below).

• H55, so you will have an unusable integrated video
• No USB3 or SATA 6Gb/s
• No potential for x8/x8 Crossfire

 

[anishannayya]

For the case, you should now look at the Antec 300 Illusion. It went on sale for 24 hours @ Newegg. It is the same as the Antec 300, but with more fans.

With regards to the motherboard, just go with the cheapest option that has good ratings/reviews and has all the features you need. The motherboard is something that you will end up replacing with the i5 3-4, so it isn't a reusable product.

mfenn is wrong about the new integrated graphics solution on some Intel processors. It is significantly faster than the motherboard version, and can easily be overclocked by a significant amount if you have good cooling (say 40&#37. If you weren't planning on gaming at HD resolutions, I would tell you to stick with it.

 

[mfenn]

For the case, you should now look at the Antec 300 Illusion. It went on sale for 24 hours @ Newegg. It is the same as the Antec 300, but with more fans.

With regards to the motherboard, just go with the cheapest option that has good ratings/reviews and has all the features you need. The motherboard is something that you will end up replacing with the i5 3-4, so it isn't a reusable product.

Agree

mfenn is wrong about the new integrated graphics solution on some Intel processors. It is significantly faster than the motherboard version, and can easily be overclocked by a significant amount if you have good cooling (say 40&#37. If you weren't planning on gaming at HD resolutions, I would tell you to stick with it.

Huh???? I meant "unusable" in the sense of "not able to be used" not "unusable" in the sense of "too slow to be practical". The i5 750/760 simply lack the hardware to drive the H55's video output.

Also, you seem a bit confused about i3/i5 integrated graphics in general. With the H55 chipset, there is NO actual IGP in the chipset. The chipset contains the hardware to route the video signal to the back panel and the IGP is on the CPU package. This is by contrast to older solutions where the IGP was in the chipset. Thus, your statement "It is significantly faster than the motherboard version" is nonsensical because there is no "motherboard version".

 

[Imager]

The MSI P55A-G55 MB will also support i7 CPU's for later upgrade or if I can find the i7 for same price as i5 right?

 

[anishannayya]

The MSI P55A-G55 MB will also support i7 CPU's for later upgrade or if I can find the i7 for same price as i5 right?

By the time that the i7 drops in price, a better CPU will be available. Plus, you can very easily OC the 760 to 3.6 w/o any additional voltage. Feed it some more power and you can get a stable OC > 4 GHZ, provided you have good cooling. That will make it significantly faster than a stock i7. But yes, any LGA 1156 processor should work.

 

[Imager]

Question on the gforce or ati...how is the 460 compared to say a 5770 or the 5830? Which I'm guessing the 5830 would be more comparable?

 

[mfenn]

Question on the gforce or ati...how is the 460 compared to say a 5770 or the 5830? Which I'm guessing the 5830 would be more comparable?

The GTX 460 is pretty much always faster than the 5770.

It is faster than the 5830 in everything but the Source engine (not that it is slow in the Source engine, we're still talking 100+ FPS). You really don't want a 5830 though because it is a very cut down 5870 that keeps the heat and noise without keeping the performance.