Microcenter i7 build

M

minnesotaiscold

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Oct 23, 2008
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1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? Etc
Mostly gaming.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
~ $600-700

3) Where do you live?
Minnesota

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, RAM, Motherboard, Video card

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I bought an Antec 900 case a few months back when it was on sale. Also, I purchased an Antec EA650 watt psu (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015) when it was on sale a few month back. I also have a dvd drive, 500 gig hd (WD50000AAKS)

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
For the time I have a 19 inch synchmaster 955DF CRT. I plan on getting a 24’ monitor in the fall or winter.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I was going to wait until motherboard prices dropped, but my local microcenter has i7’s on sale for $200, so ASAP.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support?
Nothing that I know of.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes and no. I want to put windows 7 on.

My main question is about which motherboard to get. I’d like to overclock, but also, I’d like to save as much money as possible. Also, I don’t mind getting a cheap video card, something around $100 until I upgrade my monitor this fall or winter. I also wanted to make sure my psu would be able to run my system if in the future I get a more powerful video card and another Hard drive. Thanks for any input.
 
Looking online I see micro center has the i7 listed at $229, not $200 like many are claiming.

edited for clarity
 
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That EA650 will be good for any current single vidcard. BTW, MC will pricematch Newegg... or so I've read.

Danny's mobo suggestion is good, and I'd go with the HD3850 for now, and upgrade it when you get the new monitor.

Tbolt is confusing me, lol.
 
Yup, a cheap video card will do. The HD 3850 for $60 and $7.59 shipping is good enough. You have a CRT monitor so...you can play any game at any res and it will still look good. Unlike an LCD where it's best to play it at its native res. By the time you get the 24" and decide to upgrade the video card, the Nvidia GT300 and AMD/ATI 5800 series cards will be out.
 
PC_User said:
...
$180 - BFG GTX 260

TOTAL: $715
Click to expand...

no need for a GTX260 with a 19" CRT, IMO. As already explained...

HardwareGuru said:
... You have a CRT monitor so...you can play any game at any res and it will still look good. Unlike an LCD where it's best to play it at its native res. By the time you get the 24" and decide to upgrade the video card, the Nvidia GT300 and AMD/ATI 5800 series cards will be out.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a question about motherboards. I see this X58 Pro 1366 ATX Motherboard is only $175 after rebate http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0307150 . Would I notice a big performance hit if I purchased this instead of the one Danny recommended?

Also, I see the motherboard Danny recommend has an 'open box savings' if you click on the Minnesota location. Here the MOBO is only $183. Would that be something I should look into or not..? Thanks again.
 
minnesotaiscold said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a question about motherboards. I see this X58 Pro 1366 ATX Motherboard is only $175 after rebate http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0307150 . Would I notice a big performance hit if I purchased this instead of the one Danny recommended?
Click to expand...
Probably not but I think there's a big difference in quality between the two mobos. Since it seems like you're willing to buy from Newegg, I recommend this mobo instead if you don't want the regular P6T:
$210 - Asus P6T SE Intel X58 ATX Motherboard

Just $10 to $35 more but the higher quality is worth it IMO.

minnesotaiscold said:
Also, I see the motherboard Danny recommend has an 'open box savings' if you click on the Minnesota location. Here the MOBO is only $183. Would that be something I should look into or not..? Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Ehhh, that's your call. You might want to hit up this thread (Most of what has been said there applies to MC):
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1420136
 
Danny, thanks for all the great advice. I’d say I’ll either get the original motherboard you recommended or the Asus P6T SE Intel X 58 ATX Motherboard from newegg. To you, would it be worth it to pay the extra money to get the original mobo you posted?

Should I be getting an aftermarket cooler for my CPU? I’ve read some threads saying that it helps your overclock. Namely, you guys have recommended these to other posters: The XIGMATEK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

And the bracket: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

Also, after some thought, I would like to also get a hard drive, I’ve seen this recommended on other threads, would this Western Digital be my best option? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

I'll probably go with the 3850 at $67 after shipping. With my setup, would I be able to play games such as L4D and Fallout 3 at 1600*1200? Or would I be better off with the 4850 you suggested for $105 AR? On that note, I saw that the front page they had a similar 4850 for $90 after rebates and Hardocp codes, here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1420135

Finally, I’ll need some thermal paste, could you also recommend me some?

Sorry about all the questions--Again, I really appreciate the help!
 
Yes, get an aftermarket CPU HSF if you want to OC. The Xigmatek Dark Knight combines both the HSF and the bracket, so get that instead.

Yes, that WD is one of your best options. Another option is the black version of that drive, WD6401AALS, which gives you an extra 2yr warranty and double the cache for only $5 more.

If the 3850 doesn't play the game to your satisfaction at 1600x1200, then lower your resolution to 1280x1024 -- it should still look good since you have a CRT -- thats the benefit of a CRT... gaming at lower resolutions while still looking great and not needing expensive hardware. When you get your new monitor, upgrade the vidcard.

Thermal paste, go for Arctic Cooling MX-2 or the tried and true Arctic Silver 5. You only need a small tube of either one. The HSF suggested above already comes with some decent thermal paste, but its only enough for a single application, so getting a small tube of AS5 or MX2 is a good idea.

Oh, and I'd get whichever motherboard has the features I needed. ;) The P6T, P6T SE, and the GA-EX58-UD4P are all good choices.

edit: wow, thats a nice deal on the HD4850. If you don't plan on buying the new monitor for a while, go with that instead, if you don't mind the higher price over the HD3850.
 
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I just read the article on the front page that evaluated different cpus, including the i7. They said the sweet spot would be overclocking to 3.6. With the RAM suggested, would it be sufficient to get to the 3.6 they are talking about? Also, I really don’t have any huge necessities for motherboard extras. So I’d only be going for a 3.6+ overclock.

Could somebody mention the key differences between the Asus P6T for $230 and the $210 Asus P6T SE Intel X58 ATX Motherboards that Danny recommended? And are they both “quality” motherboards that could get me to 3.6+? Thanks again!
 
Well I think I’m about ready to order. Just wanted make one last post before I hit submit.
I’m going to get my cpu and motherboard from microcenter:

i7 CPU: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0302727

P6T Motherboard: http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0304486

And all my other parts from newegg:

GSkill RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

Dark Knight Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

ATI 4850 Video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...AFC-hardOCP&cm_mmc=AFC-hardOCP-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

AS5 Thermal paste: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Western Digital Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

If that’s all right I want to say thanks again for the help everyone, especially Danny Bui and enginurd
 
I use either one... I have several tubes of both layin around, hehe. Both work fine. I think the only reason I still like AS5 is cuz it spreads easier than MX-2.
 
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