Debate

[Sir-diealot]

I will be building a new computer in March and am debating getting an i7 chip or putting money into a top of the line video card. What would the benefit be to me with the fancy chip? I do gaming, ebay, scan a lot of sports cards and surf. I have $1000.00 to work with and can add to the system a bit as time goes on. Please explane things in layman's terms as I am not computer literate. Oh I want to get Call of duty and also play a lot of CSS. Thanks. Oh this is the card I am thinking now but that could change. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856&cm_re=saphire-_-14-102-856-_-Product

[tehfunk101]

when looking at gaming, the graphics card will affect performance a greater deal than the processor choice, so i generally recomend a mid range cpu (top line amd or mid line i7), then a higher end graphics card, like a gtx275 or radeon 5850.  i would definitely recomend going with quad or tri core though cpu's though, to help with future games and programs.

[FALLEN]

well for sure no ati wait for the gtx 300s and then get one of them ati sucks no phys x support and alot of the new games that will be coming out use some kind of phys x in them and you for sure you want a quad core but look in to new mobos and and amd chip you can build a sweet pc for a grand man new board that's ddr3 and sli even bigger psu but i mean its really up to you but compair all of the stuff well iv wasted alot of money on my pc and if i would of waited and read forums and stuff i would have a pc that's alot better than i have

[HashBrowny]

I agree with the others. when it comes to graphics you would want a good Video Card, that is the one part in your PC that should outcost the rest when it comes to gaming. i also agree with the CPU info. Quad or Tri core for a processor. especially with the newer Mobo's. lately they have been making newer mobos the past 1-2 years with multiple compatibility of different socket types. ive seen more of them from AMD though. you can buy newer AMD boards. that are compatible with AM2,AM2+,&AM3 sockets which is all the Athlons,&Phenoms.
so if it were me that would be my build. heres an Example.
this is the type of build i would go with here:
mobo: this board is multi Compatible with AM2,AM2+,AM3 multiple upgrading options
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131361
Memory: 4 gigs, mobo max 16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231246
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675
Graphics:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121345

these items here equal to a little less then the $1000 you said you were able to spend, of course you can use your old CD/DVD roms, and possibly your Power Supply if it is strong enough and has the connectors that you would need for the Graphics. and also your Hard Drive can Carry over.
ALSO ONE THING TO REMEMBER WHEN BUILDING PC'S
try to always match the brands of makers of each part. such as Asus,MSI,Gigabyte,Saphire etc...
that is for the simple fact that if you were to buy lets say an MSI board, and bought a Asus Graphics card. the 2 brands of Programs that come with them will not be 100% compatible.
dont get me wrong, the drivers will work just fine. but the lets say Over Clocking Programs, will more then likely not be compatible. if you match brands then they can work in sync. all brands code the programs differently.

[tehfunk101]

this is the type of build i would go with here:
mobo: this board is multi Compatible with AM2,AM2+,AM3 multiple upgrading options
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131361
Memory: 4 gigs, mobo max 16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231246
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675
Graphics:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121345

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&cm_re=x4_955-_-19-103-674-_-Product
the black edition 955 is cheaper than the 945

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&cm_re=x4_955-_-19-103-674-_-Product
that would be my motherboard vote, (or possibly the asus m4a79xtd evo)  with an am3 exclusive motherboad like that, you can use ddr3 ram instead of ddr2, like with the am2/am2+/am3 boards.

[Schlup]

Your video card will be more important, the video card you posted Sir will be quite fine and should drop in price by the time you get it.  Also for a budget build get an AMD processor, quad core of at least 3.0GHz, Phenom II's should be just fine.  Also get a motherboard that will support DDR3 RAM, you don't necessarily need a mobo with multiple PCIe slots, just make sure it has one and that one slot is x16 and 2.0. Then get 4GB of DDR3 RAM since it's about cheaper than DDR2 now and get a couple of 7200RPM hard drives that you can put in a RAID 0 config so you won't have any bottlenecks.  When it gets closer to that time and you are actually ready to pull the trigger then let me know and I will pick out some actual hardware for you.

P.S. Fallenone, remember to use the spell check!

[cygnus]

You could also save a little cash if your budget is tight and acquire two 9800GTX's for example, and run SLI which benchmark pretty good and comparable to say some of the more newer cards.  You should be able to get 250 or higher fps on css running this config.  SMoooookin!  

I've benn running the i7 920 processor for about 6 months now and it rocks.  Thinking about trying the overclock soon.

Cheers!

[FALLEN]

i did lol

[Sir-diealot]

First thank you for all the replies. How hot do some of the processor that have been mentioned run? I live in a place where I can only have A/C in my bedroom for sleeping and if it is 90* out my living room where PC is can get to over 100* (Aluminum siding) so I have been looking at this case but may wait and put stuff in old case for about 2 months until it starts getting hot.(But the transferring parts opens it to more accidental damage so...) Also water cooled scares the crap out of me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811215013&Tpk=diablo

Oh I have and all my friends have had luck with Saphire VC's and have seen bad luck with other brands, but Fallenone makes a good point.

Oh are the Razor sound cards worth the price?

[tehfunk101]

I really dont know much about Razor sound cards, but i will onboard sound usually does its job well.  I myself use a Creative X-Fi xtreme-gamer, and it works great.

the video card brand i would recommend would be EVGA, as they are the only brand ive ever used and i have never had a problem.

The AMD chips currently run way cooler than i7's  (with stock setups, probably 15-20* load temps)  I have an AMD x3 720, after overclocking and a new heatsink, it rarely tops 30*  (not sure how hot it gets in summer temps though).

[Schlup]

You should look at a peltier cooler...since it is soo hot in your apt.  Your graphics card temps are gonna come into play as well.

[FALLEN]

yes a tec cooler is the way to go coolmaster has the v8 and v10 but the chilltec ultra is really nice as well

[Destro]

I have had many computers since I built my first one, a blazing fast 300mhz AMD on Win95. I then built an Intel, and went back to AMD for the next several because they were so much less expensive.  I got what I paid for.  I will recommend Intel everytime, and feel that they too often get overlooked because it seems that people look solely at the dollar per GHz number.

I'd also recommend sinking any extra money into RAM as opposed to a striped array.  If you were running a DB server or something similar that is constantly doing R/W, I'd be all for RAID, but for what you're doing, I'd put it into memory instead of storage.

No matter what you decide, anything you build right now for $1000 should easily do anything you need it to do for the next few years.

Just my (surely unpopular) two cents.

[Schlup]

I agree with you Destro but at a certain point he will have more than enough RAM (8GB is more than enough IMO) plus the fact he'll have to buy a x64 OS to support over 3.5GB.  His bottleneck will be his HDD's, I was just trying to make sure he didn't have any bottlenecks.

[Destro]

I should have clarified that when I said RAM, I was also trying to imply video memory.

[cygnus]

I should have clarified that when I said RAM, I was also trying to imply video memory.

I'll have to agree with you on the AMD - I've had 3 pc's with AMD processors over the last 5 yrs - ALL went up in a puff of smoke and all 3 were different chipsets...never again; from here on in I own intel chips only but that is my personal preference.

As for that HDD bottleneck - could go solidstate but they are pricey! 

[Sir-diealot]

Could you please explane what that is? Oh I also do Skype alot.

You should look at a peltier cooler...since it is soo hot in your apt.  Your graphics card temps are gonna come into play as well.

[Schlup]

Could you please explane what that is? Oh I also do Skype alot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peltier_cooler
It's basically a unit that uses the same technology as a refrigerator, uses electricity to cool to below room temp.

[Sir-diealot]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peltier_cooler
It's basically a unit that uses the same technology as a refrigerator, uses electricity to cool to below room temp.

OK thanks bud.

[Schlup]

Performance Build for under $1000

It's pretty late tonight but I figured I'd get started on your PC.

First off video card Sapphire 5870 = $410
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856

Processor AMD Phenom II X4 955 = $166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856

Motherboard Asus M4A78T = $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

RAM OCZ Platinum Gaming Memory (4GB) = $121
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

Power Supply 750W = $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Now my running total is $942...may need to downgrade the video card...

Who is putting this together for you?  How much hard disk space are you going to need?  You'll need to pick out a case you like...or I will just get you the CoolerMaster HAF...probably for the best since you have big hands and need alot of room to work anyways.  What color do you like better red or blue?  As far as the lights are concerned?  You wouldn't want a red case would you?

[Sir-diealot]

Don't care for red. Like to go Blue. Showed you that one case up above if I remember right. Matches my gaming mouse. What can you do with an i7? Just found one for 266.99 on newegg with a good rating. Friend that is very good with computers that you talked to the one time is going to put it together for me. Oh this is the video card I was thinking. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102872

[Schlup]

Don't care for red. Like to go Blue. Showed you that one case up above if I remember right. Matches my gaming mouse. What can you do with an i7? Just found one for 266.99 on newegg with a good rating. Friend that is very good with computers that you talked to the one time is going to put it together for me. Oh this is the video card I was thinking. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102872

First things first, case...the one you posted has been discontinued, though it was a good case...or appeared to be at first glance.  I recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119213

Ok, secondly, the i7...the i7's are good chips, don't get me wrong but they are overpriced for what they are.  The cheapest one I could find was $280 which is $115 more expensive than the AMD...plus the AMD will mop the floor with THAT i7...it's almost a full GHz faster than the i7.  I guess what I'm saying is that unless you get the top of the line i7, it's kinda pointless...and the top of the line is WAY out of your price range...it's over $1000 by itself (once again WAY overpriced).  You are wanting to do a performance budget build, you are going to have an awesome machine but it will not be the top of the line...it may be one or two steps lower than the top of the line, because top of the line is expensive.

Next, we can do that video card but we're going to have to cut somewhere else.  I'm just not sure we're going to have the budget to get the card you want, or even the card I want.  If your budget is going to be higher than $1000 than let me know, otherwise we're going to have to cut some corners to get the price down to where it needs to be, unless you have some parts you'll be using from your old computer like a hard drive, dvd drive, etc...

How much hard drive space do you need if you aren't reusing your hard drive again.

[tehfunk101]

Ok, secondly, the i7...the i7's are good chips, don't get me wrong but they are overpriced for what they are.  The cheapest one I could find was $280 which is $115 more expensive than the AMD...plus the AMD will mop the floor with THAT i7...it's almost a full GHz faster than the i7.  I guess what I'm saying is that unless you get the top of the line i7, it's kinda pointless...and the top of the line is WAY out of your price range...it's over $1000 by itself (once again WAY overpriced).  You are wanting to do a performance budget build, you are going to have an awesome machine but it will not be the top of the line...it may be one or two steps lower than the top of the line, because top of the line is expensive.

I totally agree with schlup on this.  Not only is the i7 chip itself is more expensive than AMD alternatives, but you also have to pay more for triple channel ram and a good intel socketed mobo to go along with it.  AMD is definitely a good choice right now when looking at performance per $. 

[Sir-diealot]

Was case discontinued or are they just out of it? I was also talking with friend who years ago told me to avoid AMD and he said that is no longer the case so I can go with AMD. I will have 325 the next month and could spend maybe 200 of that so I can skip a part and come back for it.Which would you suggest? I have my old DVD burner so No need for that and I still have a small think it is 56 gig HDD

First things first, case...the one you posted has been discontinued, though it was a good case...or appeared to be at first glance.  I recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119213

Ok, secondly, the i7...the i7's are good chips, don't get me wrong but they are overpriced for what they are.  The cheapest one I could find was $280 which is $115 more expensive than the AMD...plus the AMD will mop the floor with THAT i7...it's almost a full GHz faster than the i7.  I guess what I'm saying is that unless you get the top of the line i7, it's kinda pointless...and the top of the line is WAY out of your price range...it's over $1000 by itself (once again WAY overpriced).  You are wanting to do a performance budget build, you are going to have an awesome machine but it will not be the top of the line...it may be one or two steps lower than the top of the line, because top of the line is expensive.

Next, we can do that video card but we're going to have to cut somewhere else.  I'm just not sure we're going to have the budget to get the card you want, or even the card I want.  If your budget is going to be higher than $1000 than let me know, otherwise we're going to have to cut some corners to get the price down to where it needs to be, unless you have some parts you'll be using from your old computer like a hard drive, dvd drive, etc...

How much hard drive space do you need if you aren't reusing your hard drive again.

[Schlup]

Chances are your 60GB HDD is either IDE or 5400RPM or both.  None of that will work, we'll need to get you a new HDD, and you'll need an OS like Windows 7...unless you have some way to come up with that.  We'll probably have to find you a cheaper motherboard.  The case was discontinued...you'll need to pick a different one and pick one as cheap as you can find it.

Since your video card is half your budget you're not leaving me a lot to work with...you're gonna have about $50 to work with for case and OS.  And you'll have to use on board sound, and your old mouse and keyboard and monitor.

[Schlup]

Ok, here is the new build.

Motherboard ASUS M4A77TD AM3: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603

Processor AMD Phenom II X4 955 = $166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856

Video Card SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 5870 = $440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102872

RAM OCZ Gold Edition 4GB DDR3 = $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346

Power Supply Thermaltake TR2 600W = $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153114

Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM 500GB = $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Windows 7 Premium 64 bit = $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product

You'll need to either reuse your old case or add money to your budget to pick a new case.

Total: $1,001

[Schlup]

I looked at ALL the cases, this is the one you should get hands down...

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Blue = $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119213

...so you'll need to come up with an additional $150, for a grand total to put your full system together at $1150.00

BUT you'll have yourself a VERY nice gaming rig...just about top of the line!

[Sir-diealot]

I do have a 5.1 Soundblaster card I can use, Plus the review mentions some kind of a combo deal for the case and PS. Can you look into that and see how much I can save? Also does the clan still get a kickback if I go through the sight first? Thanks.

Chances are your 60GB HDD is either IDE or 5400RPM or both.  None of that will work, we'll need to get you a new HDD, and you'll need an OS like Windows 7...unless you have some way to come up with that.  We'll probably have to find you a cheaper motherboard.  The case was discontinued...you'll need to pick a different one and pick one as cheap as you can find it.

Since your video card is half your budget you're not leaving me a lot to work with...you're gonna have about $50 to work with for case and OS.  And you'll have to use on board sound, and your old mouse and keyboard and monitor.

[Destro]

Here's a recently added page citing the best gaming CPUs per price range:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/best-gaming-cpu,review-31791.html

[Destro]

And here is some info about AMD's new chips:
http://hothardware.com/articles/AMD-Phenom-II-X2-555-and-Athlon-II-X4-635-Performance/

[Schlup]

I do have a 5.1 Soundblaster card I can use, Plus the review mentions some kind of a combo deal for the case and PS. Can you look into that and see how much I can save? Also does the clan still get a kickback if I go through the sight first? Thanks.

I looked at them but there was only one full tower ATX case and the airflow wasn't going to be enough for your situation.  You have a very hot envirionment that this will all be running in, which means cooling is going to be a big issue.  You need to go with full tower over a mid tower just because there is more room in the case for more airflow.  The size of the fans and the amount of air they are going to move is also important.  Not to mention the advantage of the larger case for you and your large hands that will need to get in there sometime.  The only combo deal that would have worked didn't have enough airflow moving through it, plus it was comparably priced as the HAF.  You can use the 5.1 sound blaster in the new setup. 

Yes, BPN does (supposedly) get a commission if you visit the link from the homepage.  It's a very small amount though...like 1%.  You just to have needed to visit that link within 3 days of purchasing the computer.

[Schlup]

Here's a recently added page citing the best gaming CPUs per price range:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/best-gaming-cpu,review-31791.html

Further confirming my choice of processor.

[tehfunk101]

the HAF 922 is only 90$ right now, free shipping also.  It doesnt have a sidefan though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

[Schlup]

It's also a mid tower and not big enough...

[tehfunk101]

It's also a mid tower and not big enough...

the 922 is a half inch shorter lengthwise, 1 inch wider than the 932, and 1.5 inches shorter in height.  Not really a big difference /shrug

[Destro]

I'm looking at building another machine.  There's just too much good stuff being said about the sub-$200 i5-750 to think about any other processor.

[Schlup]

I'm looking at building another machine.  There's just too much good stuff being said about the sub-$200 i5-750 to think about any other processor.

Very good if you are encoding or decoding alot of videos, otherwise there are better bang for the buck processors out there.  Also, if you are planning on running crossfire setup the i5's aren't a good idea.

[Destro]

I do a lot of video editing, and doubt that I will run any sort of crossfire or SLI set up anytime soon.  I am actually not extremely worried about graphics either.  I do game, but this one will go in the basement with all my music equipment for video and music editing...as well as some gaming from time to time I'm sure.

[Schlup]

Well that's a good chip for you then!

[Sir-diealot]

OK Than k you bud.

Further confirming my choice of processor.

I looked at them but there was only one full tower ATX case and the airflow wasn't going to be enough for your situation.  You have a very hot envirionment that this will all be running in, which means cooling is going to be a big issue.  You need to go with full tower over a mid tower just because there is more room in the case for more airflow.  The size of the fans and the amount of air they are going to move is also important.  Not to mention the advantage of the larger case for you and your large hands that will need to get in there sometime.  The only combo deal that would have worked didn't have enough airflow moving through it, plus it was comparably priced as the HAF.  You can use the 5.1 sound blaster in the new setup. 

Yes, BPN does (supposedly) get a commission if you visit the link from the homepage.  It's a very small amount though...like 1%.  You just to have needed to visit that link within 3 days of purchasing the computer.

[Sir-diealot]

I got a 750 W PSS from a friend for 30 bucks so that will save me some.

[Schlup]

Ok, so when is the build day...should be creeping up any day now!

[Sir-diealot]

On the Third. Can't wait.

Ok, so when is the build day...should be creeping up any day now!

[Schlup]

So do you think you'll be gaming again by the Friday the 12th?

[Sir-diealot]

 Seems I owe the net company more than I thought. I was going to borrow the reconnect fee from a friend but now they say I owe them money AFTER I already paid them. They are the only net company in the area so.....Looks like on in April.

So do you think you'll be gaming again by the Friday the 12Th?

[Destro]

That's OK.  You can rethink your build now because here's an i7 920 for $200 http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727
They had the 860 for $200 and I was thinking about getting it, gut they raised it to $230.  Still $50 cheaper than newegg and the 920 is $90 cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7_920-_-19-115-202-_-Product

[Schlup]

I'd still get the 955 for $166...it's almost a full 4GHz faster!

[CoCoCountyKiller]

Sounds like you will be very happy with the build
and very over due for some gaming

co.co.

[Schlup]

^Truth

[tehfunk101]

I'd still get the 955 for $166...it's almost a full 4GHz faster!

?