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Building an i7 system.

Z

Zhyn

n00b
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
35
Looking to build a new i7 system. Old system is in my signature.

1) What will you be doing with this PC?
-Gaming

2) What's your budget?
-No limit

3) Where do you live?
-Canada, Alberta.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
-Case
-Power Supply
-Case Fans
-Motherboard
-Processor
-CPU Cooler/Heatsink with Fan
-Memory
-Optical Drive
-Graphics Card
-Sound Card

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
-May reuse Corsair CMPSU-620HX or HIS HD3870

6) Will you be overclocking?
-If the system is stable.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
-I have a BenQ FP241W 24 inch. 1900x1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
-Whenever, If there is something I should wait for in a month or two I can.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
-Not to interested in sli/crossfire.
-I do have alot of sata harddrives/optical and used all 6 connections on my Asus P5N32-E

10)Operation system
-Vista 64bit.

What I want to build is a high end (stable) system. My last PC was down for half the time I owned it. So I want a stable system more then anything.

For the graphics card I'm leaning to the ATI side since my last expensive GPU, the 8800 GTX had the horrible nvlddmkm driver error that made vista unusable. Then it died a year later.

6GB of ram should be enough, I can always upgrade to 12 If I feel the need. I'm also leaning toward OCZ ram since I had one stick fail in the past and the RMA only took a week and a half. Plus they were shiny.

I built my last system and thought I did some good research before I bought the parts and ended up with a very unstable system. Though it could have been just a streak of bad luck I'd rather let the experts help me this time.
 
Check a few of the more recent build threads, as some of your fellow countrymen have been asking for help on some Core i7-based builds.

See if they have a few parts that you may be willing to include into your build.

For gaming, though, you would be better off selling your HD3870 and adding the subsequent funds into your budget.

Do you already have a copy of 64-bit Vista (if so, which version?), or do you need us to include one?
 
I have Vista home 64-bit But I'm not sure if it will allow me to install onto the new machine. It's not a major concern.
I did a quick check into other i7 build threads but most seemed aimed around the 1500-2000 price range.
I'm not looking within a price range, I just want whats best.
For GPU I guess I'm kinda set on the 4870 1GB, just got to pick out a brand.

I will take a closer look at other threads and try to compile my own list within the next couple of days.
 
Best is subjective; what's good for one person may or may not be good for you. Since I'm not fully acquainted with all of the current Core i7/X58 lineup, I (personally) can't give you any good suggestions right now on the processor, RAM, or motherboard.

If you plan on playing some of the newer games -- namely, Crysis (Warhead), Fallout 3, and FarCry 2 -- and you want to play them at high visual settings, you may want to consider getting either the HD4870X2 or the GTX 280 instead. Crysis, in particular, is a very demanding game that can bring even high-end setups to their knees. That said, the HD4870 is a good choice for most MMO and RTS games.

As for the OS, you're fine if the Vista copy you have is a retail version. (You'll just have to remove it from the old computer beforehand.) You'll need a new license key if your current copy is an OEM model.

Where are you going to purchase everything from?
 
HD4870X2 it is.
My vista is OEM. I can pick up a new copy in town.
When I have a list I check multiple sites, nxic, canadian computer, and a couple others for best price/shipping.
 
So people won't get too wild with their "wish lists," what's the most that you're willing to spend on this build? (I know that you said you have no set budget, but around here, $2000-$3000 seems to be the common budget for a Core i7-based build.)
 
tiraides said:
So people won't get too wild with their "wish lists," what's the most that you're willing to spend on this build? (I know that you said you have no set budget, but around here, $2000-$3000 seems to be the common budget for a Core i7-based build.)
Click to expand...

Take out the speakers, headphones, mouse & keyboard (assuming he is reusing his), and the OS since he says he is reusing that and you are basicaly at $3,000 with my wishlist. Although he lives in Canada :p
 
$3000 to $4000 seems reasonable.
I don't need a monitor and I think the my 620HX PSU should be good enough for the new system.
I mind as well through my Samsung Lightscribe 18x18 Dual Layer DVD+/-RW in the new pc as well.
 
Well it depends on what you want, you may need a new PSU if you want to go SLi or Xfire not that you'd need to on that monitor, though GTX 260 (192) SLi + P6T Deluxe might be a pretty good deal because it's only slightly more expensive than a GTX 280 and ~ as fast as a 4870x2.
 
Don't expect a huge jump in performance due to the CPU. If you want to see how well your system can still perform, pickup a new vidcard for that monster monitor instead. If you're still not satisfied with performance, upgrade to an i7. Your current PC is by no means lacking for your uses, aside from the vidcard.
 
My old PC has never really worked. It's cursed.
PSU died and had to RMA
8800GTX had driver issues with Vista, had to switch to XP.
8800 died and had to buy a new card
One stick of ram died and had to RMA
System started randomly freezing, thought it was soundcard as I took it out and it worked for awhile. Then freezing started again.
That was pretty much the last straw.

I don't have the parts or to swap and figure out what's wrong.
So I figured a fresh start would be best.
 
I've got some parts picked out finally. Links are not where I will be buying from, they are just for reference.
Case - Cooler Master ACTS 840 I like the layout of the hard drive bays. I've also never had a removable motherboard tray before.
RAM - Corsair Dominator 6GB (3X2GB) PC3 12800
GPU - Asus 4870X2 Tri-Fansink I'll use my HIS 3870 till this is released.
PSU - Corsair 620HX Re-used from old computer
CPU Cooler - Thermalright TRUE 120
Sound card - ASUS Xonar D2X

Still undecided on motherboard or whether I will get the i7 920 or i7 965.
 
I've almost decided on a Motherboard and CPU final factor being price.

MOBO - ASUS Rampage II Extreme
CPU - i7 965

Or

MOBO - ASUS P6T
CPU - i7 920

I will be comparing prices and seeing where I will be buying everything. If the price for the Rampage/i7 965 is too extreme I'll go for the P6T/i920
 
Zhyn said:
I've almost decided on a Motherboard and CPU final factor being price.

MOBO - ASUS Rampage II Extreme
CPU - i7 965

Or

MOBO - ASUS P6T
CPU - i7 920

I will be comparing prices and seeing where I will be buying everything. If the price for the Rampage/i7 965 is too extreme I'll go for the P6T/i920
Click to expand...

Doesn't make any sense to go for the first config unless you just have an abundance of money you can't do anything else with. An overclocked i7 920 will provide all the CPU power you'll need and the Rampage II Extreme is a way overpriced board that isn't going to offer you anything that special.
 
Yeah, priced it out and I will be going with the P6T/i7 920 combo.

Anyone have any opinions on my choice of ram, psu or video card?
 
Zhyn said:
Yeah, priced it out and I will be going with the P6T/i7 920 combo.

Anyone have any opinions on my choice of ram, psu or video card?
Click to expand...

They're all quality parts that should be stable and perform.
 
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