Hello,

Here's the spec I'm looking at right now. I would appreciate any comments you might have. Following the site's rules:

1. Budget - ~$1,500

2. PC goal - games (heavy), watching movies (no editing) and possibly doubling up as a TV.

3. Parts Required - All parts included are required - I already have speakers but that' it.

4. Unrequired parts - N/A

5. Preferences - not really, but prefer to stay away from no-names and have some warranty .

6. Moding and Cooling - not required, practically color blind in this regard

7. OS and DIY - I want a legit OS and I'd prefer to save a few bucks by putting the computer together myself

8. Special needs - nope, though I'd like for it to hold for a few years, if possible.

9. Silence - preferable, but not crucial.

10. OC - Nope.

11. Games - I don't know, have been out of the loop for a while, but I want to be able to run most things in high (not highest) resolutions.

Specs:

Case - Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Board - ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

Graphics - EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Memory - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ

HD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Monitor - SAMSUNG T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor

DVD - SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

Keyboard - Microsoft FA6-00010 Black USB Wired Ergonomics Keyboard

Mouse - Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000

Again, I would really appreciate any feedback you might have.

Thanks.

hello and welcome to HWZone forums.

First of all you don't need an I7 system. it's too expensive and a system with Q9550+GIGABYTE EP43-DS3L would be cheaper and the performance will be almost the same. In addition, most of the games support only 2 cores, so you can take a CPU like E8400.

IF you buy a 24" screen, you need better graphics card than 9800GTX. you can either take HD4870 1GB or GTX260 216SP.

If you buy an 22" screen, you can leave the 9800GTX or change it to HD4850 (same performance).

Memory- you can buy 4Gb 800Mhz of a known company like G.SKILL/MUSHKIN/OCZ/CORSAIR and more.

If you are an Hardcore gamer, you can take a better mouse like Razer DeathAdder or Logitech G5/MX Series.

Case and PSU- there is a lot of good cases, I recommend CoolerMaster CM690/590 and Antec Three Hundred. The PSU's power depends mostly of what video card you will take. If you will Take HD4850/9800GTX Plus, A PSU like Corsair 450vx would be fine. If you will take HD4870 1GB/GTX260 216SP- you can take Corsair 550VX.

Also if you want best prices in the US you should buy from newegg.com

$1,600 including tax?

Shopping Cart

Product Description Savings Total Price

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM

Item #: N82E16827129032

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$29.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Item #: N82E16811129042

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$59.95

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Item #: N82E16822148288

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$64.99

SAMSUNG T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor

SAMSUNG T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor - Retail

Item #: N82E16824001280

Return Policy: LCD Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

-$50.00 Instant

$399.99

1

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Item #: N82E16814102801

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$15.00 Mail-in Rebate

$239.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Item #: N82E16817139001

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$15.00 Mail-in Rebate

$109.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail

Item #: N82E16820231223

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

$149.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Item #: N82E16813128375

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$209.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

Item #: N82E16819115202

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$279.99

Subtotal: $1,544.87

-$30 Mail-in Rebate

total: $1514 + about 30$ for keyboard & mice + tax

Thanks for the answers - I really appreciate that.

I am looking in Newegg.com (got to 1660 all in)

What's the rationale behind choosing the case, motherboard and graphic card that you chose? I saw you added a power supply (the case I chose had a 500W power supply).

And last question - why did you change the memory to 1333? Do you think that 1600 is over-kill?

Looking forward to understanding the reasons for the differences in our specs.

Thanks[br]פורסם בתאריך: 29.12.2008 בשעה 18:17:54

---

Comments & questions inside the quote:

hello and welcome to HWZone forums.

First of all you don't need an I7 system. it's too expensive and a system with Q9550+GIGABYTE EP43-DS3L would be cheaper and the performance will be almost the same. In addition, most of the games support only 2 cores, so you can take a CPU like E8400.

I'm planning on keeping this computer for 3-4 years. Do you believe that in that time frame games will still not support 3 cores and that the differences will still be immaterial?

IF you buy a 24" screen, you need better graphics card than 9800GTX. you can either take HD4870 1GB or GTX260 216SP.

If you buy an 22" screen, you can leave the 9800GTX or change it to HD4850 (same performance).

I wasn't aware of that limitation, I'll do some reading - thanks!

Memory- you can buy 4Gb 800Mhz of a known company like G.SKILL/MUSHKIN/OCZ/CORSAIR and more.

So the 1600 is an overkill?

If you are an Hardcore gamer, you can take a better mouse like Razer DeathAdder or Logitech G5/MX Series.

Case and PSU- there is a lot of good cases, I recommend CoolerMaster CM690/590 and Antec Three Hundred. The PSU's power depends mostly of what video card you will take. If you will Take HD4850/9800GTX Plus, A PSU like Corsair 450vx would be fine. If you will take HD4870 1GB/GTX260 216SP- you can take Corsair 550VX.

Is there anything wrong with the one I chose? I took it as it's a good company and it already has an integrated power supplier. Lastly -do you think I need any type of cooling?

Thanks for all your help!

Case & PSU- Antec Sonata is a great choice, if you like it- take it, there is no problem with that case at all.

Video Card- basically, the higher resolution- the higher resources the game will take from the video card. High resolution is taking a lot of resources from your video card, that is way if you going to have a GPU which is not strong enough, modern games may run very slow (of course if you going to use the highest resolution for the best game experience).

CPU- most of the games today support only 2 cores. In the future, they probably support all of the 4, but we don't know exactly when. Maybe they will have full support next month or even next year. You can take quad-core CPU but there is no such thing "I want my computer to run games for 2-3 years, almost at the same graphics level, speed etc.." because the technology is changing very fast- that is way you need to buy good computer for the present and that you will be able to upgrade it in the future.

Memory-high memory speed is good for those who want to do overclock on their systems (easier to get high CPU frequntcy). At stock speeds, if you take a Q9550, the performance of DDR2 800Mhz will be almost the same like DDR2 1066, same with DDR3. if you will not do any overclocking, and if you will take I7 core, DDR3 at almost any speed would be great.

Thanks

So, would I better off with buying one very strong graphics card like the EVGA 896-P3-1268-AR GeForce GTX 260 FTW Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

, or just buying 2 of these:

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

(both options sum up to roughly 320(

Also, as long as I'm not OC, should I look at cooling? And if so, which?

depends on your max resolusion

for 1680X1050 9800GTX+ is good

for a bigger resolusion like 1920X1200 the new GTX260 would be great.

Please notice that there are two versions of GTX260- the regular (old one) and with 216 pipes (new & stronger).

Every company gave it different name like BFG (MaxCore)/Leadtek (Extreme+)/

Innovision (SP 216) and more.

Do not take any SLI/CF instead of one strong card

.

this will do..

Quantity Product Name Part Number Each Total

#

Happy Deal! Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail

i7-920BOX $525.88

Combo $525.88

#

Intel DX58SO Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3-1333/ CrossFire/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard, Retail

MB-X58SO Combo Return Policy

Special Price for Christmas! STT D3-1333 2GB/128x8 CL8 Memory W1333UB2G8 $42.99 $128.97

Antec Three Hundred No PS Mid Tower Gamer Case (Black) CA-ANTE300 $49.49 $49.49

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Power Supply PS-EA650 $87.99 $87.99

Seagate 3250310NS 250GB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB NCQ Hard Drive HD-ST250N3 $73.99 $73.99

Samsung T240 24 inch WideScreen 1000:1 5ms DVI/HDMI LCD Monitor (Rose Black) SAM-T240 $408.99 $408.99

Asus ATI Radeon HD4870 1GB DDR5 2DVI/HDCP PCI-Express Video Card AS-4870GD5 $248.99 $248.99

Super Talent 2.5 inch 32GB MasterDrive OX SATA2 Solid State Drive FTM32GL25H $90.24 $90.24

Sub Total

$1,614.54

with the 70$ rebate (30 for the screen and 20 for the gpu and flash drive)

it comes around 1550$. and it'll give you the best performance in long perspective

i added a flash drive for the OS to be on, it's not too pricey and it'll boost the OS by quite a lot

p.s. i took it from ewiz.com

this will do..

Quantity Product Name Part Number Each Total

#

Happy Deal! Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail

i7-920BOX $525.88

Combo $525.88

#

Intel DX58SO Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3-1333/ CrossFire/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard, Retail

MB-X58SO Combo Return Policy

Special Price for Christmas! STT D3-1333 2GB/128x8 CL8 Memory W1333UB2G8 $42.99 $128.97

Antec Three Hundred No PS Mid Tower Gamer Case (Black) CA-ANTE300 $49.49 $49.49

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Power Supply PS-EA650 $87.99 $87.99

Seagate 3250310NS 250GB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB NCQ Hard Drive HD-ST250N3 $73.99 $73.99

Samsung T240 24 inch WideScreen 1000:1 5ms DVI/HDMI LCD Monitor (Rose Black) SAM-T240 $408.99 $408.99

Asus ATI Radeon HD4870 1GB DDR5 2DVI/HDCP PCI-Express Video Card AS-4870GD5 $248.99 $248.99

Super Talent 2.5 inch 32GB MasterDrive OX SATA2 Solid State Drive FTM32GL25H $90.24 $90.24

Sub Total

$1,614.54

with the 70$ rebate (30 for the screen and 20 for the gpu and flash drive)

it comes around 1550$. and it'll give you the best performance in long perspective

i added a flash drive for the OS to be on, it's not too pricey and it'll boost the OS by quite a lot

p.s. i took it from ewiz.com

Thanks for that - I definitely have something to think about now, I didn't even consider a SSD for the OS. Reading about it thuogh, I wonder if it's preferable to just going RAID0 with two regulad HDD? Do you think that the performance difference will be worth the money difference? I'm a bit concerned about RW and I/O times, and also about reliability with this (relatively) new technology.

Thanks for that again, it does seem as though there is no end to how you can tweak a spec...