Quad-Core Builds - Which One?

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PC_User

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To start with the basics:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
------ Gaming, photoshop, web browsing, multi-tasking

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
------ Hopefully under $650 with everything included

3) Where do you live?
------ California...darn the tax

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
------ Need: CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Hard Drive (possibly)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
------ Reusing: ATI HD4850, OCZ GameXStream 700W, Antec P180B, DVDRW, Hard Drives, TRUE-120

6) Will you be overclocking?
------ Yes

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
------ 24" Dell 2405FPW - 1920x1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
------ Within the next 30 days

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
------ Nothing particular

Now, on to the details:

I am planning on using my VisionTek 4850, Thermalright Ultra-120, Other hard hrives, Antec P180 case, and sata DVDRW drive.

I am in need of a good Quad-Core CPU, Motherboard, RAM, and (possibly) primary hard drive.

I will be overclocking

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few questions:

1. Is it worth it to go for an i7 build (i7 920, P6T, 4GB DDR3 1333) for about $810 shipped?
2. Should I be leaning towards the Q9400 or Q9450 or Q9550 (for the additional 0.5 multiplier)? Perhaps the Q6600, even though it's 65nm?

Here are the 2 builds I've come up with so far:

Q9550 Build​


Q9550 + GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P - $426.98

4GB G.Skill DDR2 1000 - $49.99

640GB Western Digital AALS - $79.99

Subtotal: $556.96
Tax: $45.95
Shipping: $9.39
TOTAL: $612.30​


Core i7 920 Build​

Core i7 920 - $277.98 shipped

ASUS P6T Deluxe - $311 shipped

6GB G.Skill DDR3 1333 - $175 + $14.43 (tax) + FS = $189.43 shipped

640GB Western Digital AALS - $79.99 +$6.60 (tax) = $86.60 shipped

Thermalright 1366 Bolt-Through Kit - $15.00

TOTAL: $881​


- Any changes can be made to these builds
- All advice/suggestions welcome

Is it worth it to add $270 to the Q9550 build to go with the i7 build? I'm on the fence about this one...

Thanks in advance for all the help and suggestions!
 
PC_User said:
To start with the basics:
Click to expand...

If you want to save a few bucks, the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 is a hell of an awesome board that can be had for a few bucks less. That is the Newegg price. I'm not sure about the site you linked with the P6T Deluxe at $301. I've never heard of them before so I don't know how reputable they are.
 
Dan_D said:
If you want to save a few bucks, the Gigabyte EX58-UD5 is a hell of an awesome board that can be had for a few bucks less. That is the Newegg price. I'm not sure about the site you linked with the P6T Deluxe at $301. I've never heard of them before so I don't know how reputable they are.
Click to expand...

The site is reputable and there's no tax to California so it saves me about $25. The Gigabyte EX58-UD5 is the same price ($300) at that site and Newegg as well.
 
PC_User said:
The site is reputable and there's no tax to California so it saves me about $25. The Gigabyte EX58-UD5 is the same price ($300) at that site and Newegg as well.
Click to expand...

Well then, there you go.
 
Performance-wise, the Core i7 setup. Price-wise, the Q9550 system. Personally, I'd lean more towards the Q9550... but that's because I'm planning a partial upgrade for myself in the near future.

But which games are you playing on your 24 inch monitor? (It's more out of curiosity than anything else.)
 
if the main thing you're concerned with is gaming performance, there seems to be very little difference between the q9550 and i7 920 from what i've read. i was planning on getting an i7 setup myself, but after researching what options i had with my current motherboard, i've decided on a q9550. i won't have to drop $250+ on a mobo and $150+ on ram, and i won't have to go through the hassle of reinstalling windows. if i were you, i'd save a couple hundred bucks and go with the q9550 setup.
 
ruffz said:
if the main thing you're concerned with is gaming performance, there seems to be very little difference between the q9550 and i7 920 from what i've read. i was planning on getting an i7 setup myself, but after researching what options i had with my current motherboard, i've decided on a q9550. i won't have to drop $250+ on a mobo and $150+ on ram, and i won't have to go through the hassle of reinstalling windows. if i were you, i'd save a couple hundred bucks and go with the q9550 setup.
Click to expand...

I follow your logic. The thing is, I will be giving my current CPU, Motherboard, and RAM to someone so I have no motherboard to leave for myself and have to start from scratch.

The main question is: Q9550 for several hundred dollars less than the i7 or i7 because it's the newer tech?
 
Q9550 Build man. But, with these components

Cpu/Mobo (Combo Deal) - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 + Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR both for $395
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.147878

Ram - 4gig G. Skills DDR2 1000 for $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Subtotal: $520

The money you save from this as oppose to the Core i7 build, you can maybe sell your HD 4850 card, then get a GTX 280 video card.
 
How's this option

Cpu/Mobo (Combo Deal) - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 + Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R($15 MIR) both for $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.147899

Ram - 4gig G. Skills DDR2 1000 for $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Subtotal: $415
Tax - $34.23
Shipping...meh...let's say $10

Grand Total: $459.23

$836(Core i7 build) - $459.23(Q6600 build) = $376.77 savings

$376.77 you can get a GTX 280 video card already.
 
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