Opinions on core i7 build for general use

tarbelly

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2009
7
0
0
PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
A bit of gaming (SC2/D3 when they are out, FO3, etc..), virtualization prob 2 VMs for programming/testing environments, and internet/email, some vid encoding and photo editing. I only do a build about every 5 years or so, my last build just missed the advent of core 2 duo, core i7 looks attractive as it seems to provide future proofed cpu power.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
<$1500

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

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.
Intel, Asus, WD

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
LCD Samsung 245bw
Speakers, k/b, mouse,

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

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Possibly down the road, always been a stock speed guy

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
anytime from now to April or May, not crunched for time, but interested in saving some bucks if new tech on the horizon will push the price of stuff down.



What im thinking...

1. Power supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX modular [$99.99 with combo WD 1TB black after rebate] (combo discount is $30)
2. Case
Antec P182 (already bought) [$129.99]
3. Motherboard
Asus P6T v2 Deluxe [$289.99]
4. CPU
Core i7 920 [$279.99]
5. Heatsink/fan for the CPU
Open to ideas, ive never used anything but stock in prev builds, thought about a V8.
6. Memory
OCZ3P1600LV6GK [$69.99 after rebate @ amazon]
or
OCZ3X1600LV6GK [$42 after rebate @ amazon] (not in stock, else i would have pulled the trigger already, if it restocks before end of month when rebate expires i will go with this)
7. Primary hard drive
boot/apps: WD3200AAKS [$54.99]
storage: WD1001FALS [$99.99 with combo PSU] (combo discount is $30)
8. Primary optical drive
2x samsung SH-S223Q LS (already bought) [$46.93]
9. Video card (unless you?re using onboard video)
Asus 4870 1GB EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 [$199.99 after rebate]
After reading some of the build guides, it really does look like most bang for the buck, I was initially considering 260 c216 but the 4870 is the same price for the most part, still open to ideas, not really interested in xfire or sli.
10. Monitor(s)
reusing 24" samsung
11. Mouse/keyboard
reusing from old box
12. Operating System
Still undecided, thinking about Ubuntu, OSX86 when snow leopard comes out or XP 64 bit
13. Snacks
5lbs of Haribo Gummi Bears... YUM! (already bought)

Total: $1271.90

Any input is appreciated.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
Nice overall.

I'd suggest:

Hard drive: WD6401AALS for your boot drive (much faster than the one you list).

Or go for the i7 920 + Intel X25-M combo and use that awesome SSD for your boot drive. System fully off -> Vista loaded & functional in 20 seconds. Plus apps load nearly instantly. :D

Video card - there are cheaper 4870s unless you're just stuck on Asus.
 

tarbelly

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2009
7
0
0
Originally posted by: Denithor
Nice overall.

I'd suggest:

Hard drive: WD6401AALS for your boot drive (much faster than the one you list).

Or go for the i7 920 + Intel X25-M combo and use that awesome SSD for your boot drive. System fully off -> Vista loaded & functional in 20 seconds. Plus apps load nearly instantly. :D

Video card - there are cheaper 4870s unless you're just stuck on Asus.



Good call on the WD6401AALS, not too sold on the SSD drives yet, at least until they figure out the cleanup routines for rewrites, my system usually stays on all the time anyway.

Im not necessarily stuck on asus, it seemed like a good idea to match vid and mobo, but I was also considering the sapphire which i think is like $10 cheaper, unless its stated that the asus is a bad idea or a similar 4870 1gb board is >$30 cheaper, ill stick with the asus.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
Sapphire not recommended, they charge for RMA service even if the card is defective.

MSI 4870 1GB + Rainbow6 Vegas2 $200 - $25MIR + free shipping

That should save you about $35 versus the Asus (shipped) plus you get a free game.
 

tarbelly

Junior Member
Mar 26, 2009
7
0
0
So I held out a bit waiting for the shift in the graphics market and will be going with a 4890 vs the 4870 (essentially the same price on newegg for the asus versions).

The total came out to be $1254.60 after shipping/rebates/deals etc (microcenter's $199 core i7 920 sale helped the bottom line quite a bit)