Budget i7 build - Hardware & Software

It's been a long time since I've even LOOKED at computer components so I've got the bad feeling I'm in trouble here. I would appreciate it if some of the experts here could evaluate this build and make suggestions. The build has been completely overhauled, and this is the latest parts list: [url]http://www.facepunch.com/showpost.php?p=21699355&postcount=11[/url] This was the original design I came up with, and two changes: Case: Antec 900 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021[/url] GFX: XFX Radeon 4890 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438[/url] PSU: OCZ Modular 700W [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018[/url] RAM: OCZ 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365[/url] MOBO: EVGA X58 SLI LE [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049[/url] CPU: i7 920 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202[/url] SSD: Kingston 64GB [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139132[/url] Total cost: $1200 USD Not pictured: Another $300 for Win7 Pro retail. $1600 is pretty much my budget unless another $100 will somehow extract a considerable increase in performace. I already have a new 1TB HDD, keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Overclocking is not happening. Thanks for looking. Scrap Heap: BFGTech GTX 275 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143183[/url] i7 930 2.8ghz [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225[/url]

Better GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438[/url] Same performance, but it saves you $50. Don't completely shut out ATi. A 920 should be plenty if you're gaming (An i5 750 is great too). [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202[/url] The 600w version of that PSU should be plenty for your needs.

Thanks for the tip on the 4890 - I knew it was comparable to the 275, just didn't know that it dropped in price. I guess the slight speed increase with the 930 isn't THAT justified, now that I think of it. I still want to stick with LGA 1366. The same PSU in 600 watts is actually $10 more at this time. Thanks for your advice, GamerKiwi.

Get a 5770.

That SSD sucks, get a smaller better one, a OCZ Vertex is the first choice.

You won't need 700watts for that system.This 550 modular Antec will suffice plenty. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016[/url] Then with the memory I would this over the OCZ. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304[/url] And also you really don't need the retail for Windows Prof. The OEM home premium would be just fine and save $200. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754[/url] Also better SSD. As milky said Vertex drive. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393[/url]

I would get a [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727[/url] or a [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5-_-19-115-215-_-Product[/url] For gaming purpose of course, in my opinion, the i7 is kinda overkill.

i5 or a new Phenom II X6 1090T.

[QUOTE=ClaBrendon;21689238]Then with the memory I would this over the OCZ. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304[/url][/QUOTE] That memory is worse than the OCZ. Look at the 2N timing. Also OP, I'd recommend this mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423[/url] It's only $10 more.

G.Skill is one of the best?

I've taken pretty much every suggestion in the thread thus far and come up with this: CASE: Antec 900 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021[/url] CPU: Core i5 750 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215[/url] MOBO: ASUS P55 LGA 1156 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621[/url] RAM: GSKILL 2x2GB DDR3 1600 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193[/url] GFX: XFX Radeon 4890 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438[/url] SSD: OCZ Vertex 30GB [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393[/url] PSU: Antec 550W Modular [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016[/url] OS: Win 7 64-bit Home Premium OEM [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754[/url] Total cost: US$1130 This build satisfies all my requirements (win7, quad core nehalem, up-to-date gfx card, SSD for boot/ArmA2), without the excesses of the original design and puts me about $350 under "budget". Thanks for everyone's help so far. Still open to suggestions since this is the end of the spring semester coming up and I don't want another distraction until it's over. I don't anticipate waiting more than two weeks to place this order, however.

Well, since your budget allows it, you might as well get a 5850 or something.

Get a 5770, perfoms about the same, DX11 and its cheaper.

No, the 5770 doesn't perform as well as a 4890. You're thinking of a 4870. And the 4870 costs the same as well.

Ok, Sorry. I would have gone for the 4890 anyway if i was in his situation, it's just the 5770 is cheaper. [editline]10:57PM[/editline] Also consider Hexacores

[QUOTE=derlicious;21694144]new Phenom II X6 1090T.[/QUOTE] he is building from scratch, and his budget allows an i5/i7. He is also a video/3d editor (as he is getting an i7), so it would shit on a 1090T [editline]09:59PM[/editline] [QUOTE=derlicious;21702345] [editline]10:57PM[/editline] Also consider Hexacores[/QUOTE] no

Slim pickings in the 5850 lineup, I think I'll go with this from HIS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161302[/url] Never heard of them. I was unsure about the 30GB SSD since I want to put Windows 7 AND ArmA2 on there. I noticed this 60GB SSD for $210, also from OCZ: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227469[/url] Twice the capacity for $45 more. Apparently, it's a bit faster than the regular Vertex series, too.

[QUOTE=phenex;21703346]Slim pickings in the 5850 lineup, I think I'll go with this from HIS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161302[/url] Never heard of them.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125318&cm_re=5850-_-14-125-318-_-Product[/url] cheaper, better cooling and slightly overclocked as a nice bonus

Yeah, go with Reapaninja. His suggestion is great.

Yeap, already did. Forget what I said about waiting another week or two, I ordered it. Thanks for all the help guys, looking forward to my new computer.

FYI: that turbo SSD is a waste of money, the only difference to a regular Vertex is they have "overclocked" the controller, you wont notice any difference for the price.

Well, at the time, the OCZ Vertex is $4.33/GB (30 for $130) and the OCZ Vertex Turbo is $3.50/GB (60 for $210). When the Vertex Turbo is NOT on sale, it's a waste of money ($5.00/GB, 60 for $300), I agree.