Building My First PC

[JudgeJimmie]

Hi. I want to build a PC for college, and I wanted some advice on the build I have atm. I am still a newbie building computers, so really any critics and advise are welcome. I have put together two builds, because I can't figure out the difference between the Intel i7 Processor and the Q9950. I have heard good things about the i7 though. Anyways, here they are as wishlists on newegg.

Here is the i7 Build

Here is the Q9950 Build

Also, I was thinking about adding things like a TV Tuner. Are there anymore nice to have addons I should consider in this build?

 

[phanbuey]

Your build has a really strong Proc and a weak GFX card. It unballanced that way. If you get a lwoer end proc and a really high end GFX card or two, the comp will last much longer, and will run games much smoother. I would consider an AMD 945/940 build, its basically the same speed wise as a 9550, and has an unlocked multi if you go the 940 route.


You might also wanna buy some thermal paste and an aftermarket heatsink for $30.

Will you be overclocking?

 

[JudgeJimmie]

I probably should of mentioned this in my original post. I Don't play many PC games, as I have a PS3 I use. I use it more for things like a media center, Video Editing, and 3D Animating. I don't really understand everything that a video cards do for the system.

Does that affect your advice? Or do you still say get a better Graphics card?

I have no experience with computers so I don't know if I will overclock. My sister suggested not doing it as it voids the warranty.

EDIT : Added a Heatsink to build. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004

 

[LittleLizard]

i would get a Q8400 and spend the rest in a 4890 instead of a 4830. Also, spend a little more and get the 650 W version of the psu u choose so u have place to play with oc and maybe crossfire in the future.

 

[phanbuey]

I probably should of mentioned this in my original post. I Don't play many PC games, as I have a PS3 I use. I use it more for things like a media center, Video Editing, and 3D Animating. I don't really understand everything that a video cards do for the system.

Does that affect your advice? Or do you still say get a better Graphics card?

I have no experience with computers so I don't know if I will overclock. My sister suggested not doing it as it voids the warranty.

Then definitely go i7 and see if you can get a CUDA-enabled videocard. There are applications that can accelarate video encoding on the GFX card pretty substantially. i7 will blow that q9550 out of the water for the things you want.


Also for $10 more you can get a 750W Corsair PSU instead of the 550W

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Looking at the wiki page about CUDA, I am a little confused on what it actually does, but I found this card on newegg. Do you think this would be an upgrade from the card I already have even though its 256MB?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133276

 

[Dice]

If i was going to buy one of those rigs i'd go for the i7. no question.

 

[JudgeJimmie]

If i was going to buy one of those rigs i'd go for the i7. no question.

This is probably a really dumb question, but what makes the i7 better than the Q9950? When I look at them all I know to look at really is the speed and core, and the i7 is a 2.66Ghz, while the Q9950 is a 2.83 Ghz? By my book that would make the Q9950 better, but I have seen everyone seems to like the i7, so there must be something I am missing.

 

[Dice]

The core speed is how fast the cpu does calculations, the i7 works out more per calculation.
thats a bit basic i know but its late and ive been drinking.

 

[Dice]

here look at this
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Sooo.. basically the i7 is in a higher gear than theQ9950, so the Q9950 does faster pedaling, but the i7 gets more done per pedal =). Makes sense I suppose.

 

[Dice]

yup loving the cycling analogy! also remember the q9950 is old tech now and any future upades will bi into i7 world and will cost extra. eg new mobo ram + cpu, if you go i7 now you can do each as and when. if your not playing games that gpu will be fine to start off with as well- vgood bang for buck!

 

[LittleLizard]

if you go i7, dont go that ram if u wont oc, go cheaper. you wont see much difference.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227375

also this one uses xmp profiles.

 

[JudgeJimmie]

if you go i7, dont go that ram if u wont oc, go cheaper. you wont see much difference.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227375

also this one uses xmp profiles.

The ones I had picked out had a -45 rebate on them + a mail in rebate so it ended up being the same price.

I was also thinking about adding a video card to this build, but I have no idea how those work. Do they have to be compatible with the motherboard, CPU, OS? Anyone here use a video card or have an opinion on them? My sister thinks they are a waste of money, but I feel it could be useful.

 

[Dice]

do you mean gpu (the 4830) or a tv card? or is it something else?

 

[JudgeJimmie]

a TV card, my bad lol. Like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116028

 

[Dice]

i got one and i love it! watchin mi2 as we type. and playin fm09

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Cool ok, I'll be sure to add one, any recommendations? I still am not sure what OS I want to run on this other than Linux...

 

[Dice]

i'd wait for 7. see if you can manage on linux till then. as for tv cards no sorry can't reccomend any. i got a hoppage and its ok but all the software and remote etc are poo. in the uk they all seem to be analouge+digital at the mo which is odd as anolouge tv is stopping soon, i guess they got stock to get rid of. get a dual tuner so you can watch one channel and record another.

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Ok, I guess I will go with the build I have setup now, and then in the future add a Tv Card. So you think I should wait for Windows 7 instead of adding a builders package of Vista or Xp to this build?

 

[Dice]

how much extra?

 

[JudgeJimmie]

$100

 

[Dice]

ouch I'd wait. or see if micr$oft are apgrading vista to i7 for free, there was a rumor but i don't know.

 

[JudgeJimmie]

Double Post

 

[JudgeJimmie]

OK I think I am set, I am going to order this system sometime this week unless anyone sees any glaring things.

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Specs
CPU Type: Core i7
Memory: 4x240 Pin; Triple Channel Supported
Ports: PS/2 - 2; USB - 8; IEEE 1394 -2; Audio Ports - 6.

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

GPU
SAPPHIRE 100265HDMI Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

RAM
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Cd Drive
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

Heatsink
Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2

Case
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Should I think about a case with more front ports?

Monitor
ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers

Specs At End
2.66 Ghz i7 Processor
6GB RAM
640 GB HD
512 MB GPU
750W Power Supply
Front Ports USB, Audio, IEEE 1394. e-SATA
22" Monitor

Total Price After Rebates: $1093.90