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Upgrade to Core i7?

G

GuyScharf

n00b
Joined
Feb 13, 2007
Messages
12
I am considering how to upgrade my current system (Xeon 3070 @ 2.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, Asus P5W DH Deluxe) as I switch from Windows XP Pro to Windows 7. I see two possible paths:

a) Add 60 GB SSD as boot drive, increase RAM to at least 6 GB, and overclock the CPU (I don't have enough SATA ports to add the SSD, so that problem would have to be solved perhaps by replacing SATA DVD burner with IDE). This is only possible if my system is compatible with Win 7, and so far it isn't. I hope to have that question answered within a few weeks.

b) Replace mobo, in which case I'll move to a Core i7 920.

I built my current system about 2 1/2 years ago and am comfortable with doing so again. But I haven't been keeping up with components now available, so am not sure where to start with my shopping list.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Here is a description of what I want for the second option.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Must run Windows 7. Primary use is Lightroom, some Photoshop, very light TMPGenc video editing, MediaMonkey and some audio editing, CD and DVD burning. Secondary use is to set up a virtual network using SBS 2003 and Win XP virtual machines for network configuration testing. Lots of use of Thunderbird and Firefox. Evaluating software products. No gaming.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$800 to $1000 (with some flexibility if needed)

3) Where do you live?
Pacific Northwest (WA)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Core i7 920, mobo, 6 GB RAM (expandable to at least 12 later), HSF, maybe new video card (must be fanless), 60 GB SSD if possible within budget.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Antec P180, Seasonic SS-650HT 650W, 4 SATA hard drives attached to ICH7R (two are in RAID 0 array for a data disk), Samsung SH-S183L SATA DVD burner, GIGABYTE GV-NX76T256D-RH 7600GT (fanless), Promise TX4302 and two mobile racks with their two SATA hard drives, Wacom Intuos3 and lots of other USB devices, IBM Type "M" PS/2 keyboard. All internal SATA ports on the mobo and TX4302 are in use.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, but not extreme

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
19" LaCie CRT, probably will upgrade to 26-27" LCD if CRT fails. Not interested in 30".

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next two months

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
RAID 0 required. Six or more SATA ports, including ability to use a SSD. Built-in audio. Gigabit NIC with large frame support.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes.

Thanks!

Guy
 
$568 - Intel Core i7 920, Asus P6T & OCZ Gold 3x2GB DDR3 1600 combo deal
$30 - Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-GP CPU cooler
$229 - OCZ Vertex 60GB SSD
$80 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W PSU
=====
$907 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

Since you aren't gaming, you can reuse the video card. The new PSU is more of a CYA measure.
 
For your use, I'd recommend the 920 over an upgrade to a SSD (or do both if you like Tiraide's build.) If you can, upgrade to 12 Gigs of RAM when you build the new rig. Lightroom (being a 64-bit native app) can take advantage of it, as will 64-bit Photoshop. However, for blazing Photoshop performance, you can partition 2 to 4 gigs of that RAM as a RAMDrive for use as Photoshop's scratch space.

SSDs are fun, but I don't they've arrived at a compelling price/storage/value point, especially if your main purpose is image management / editing with Lightroom & Photoshop. 60GB is very small for an image archive shot in RAW with a modern DLSR, and very costly for use as a PS scratch drive when a RAM drive partition can be a better, cheaper option. Basically, it's a lot of money to be spent on shortening your boot time. Focusing on the 920 and 12GB of RAM, IMHO, will serve you better.
 
tiraides said:
$80 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W PSU

The new PSU is more of a CYA measure.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed response. Can you expand on your thinking about the PS? The PS I have now is this Seasonic 650 watt, and it was rated as one of the best available when I got it. Why would you recommend replacing it?

That Cooler Master HSF is very economical; I'll look into it further. (I had been thinking in terms of the Prolima Megahalems or Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme since my existing Tuniq Tower doesn't have a socket 1366 mount.
 
Good point about the SSD. I'll definitely wait for Intel's new version to come out.
 
The CYA is because I personally like to run a new(ly built) PSU with a new system. But honestly, I doubt that your current PSU would be unable to handle your new system.

If you're not trying to obtain the highest overclock possible from your machine, you don't need the best, most expensive CPU cooler around. Though the TRUE 120 is arguably better than the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus (the fancy name for the CPU cooler that I linked to earlier), the Hyper 212 Plus is much cheaper, and performance-wise, the difference is only a few degrees C.
 
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