New Rig Advice and Compromise

[daoneill]

Good morning folks,

As promised in the "Welcome Centre" I said I would go an do a bit of research so I don't sound like a complete ass LOL anyway I have done some trawling and have an idea of the type of system I would like to build (if I can).

The main uses for the machine will be;
- High End Gaming
- Graphic and Web Design
- Video and Music Production and Conversion

I will admit to being a bit of a 'power-user' and in an average session I would have open 4 or 5 resource hungry applications running simultaneously.

Ok a rough idea of what I my ideal setup would be like is
Case: Antec P Series (Would love the Antec P190 with dual PSU's)
Processor: Intel i7 920
Mobo: i7 Compatable
RAM: 6Gb DDR 1600 ( 3 x 2Gb Dimms)
GFX: (2x) ATI 4870 x2 (Willing to compromise on 2 cards hahahaha)
HDD: WD 1Tb 7200RPM 32Mb Cache
CD/DVD: Blu Ray Writer
Monitor: Minimum 22" 5ms LCD

This will be a complete from the ground up build....replacing pretty much everything I have right now and bringing my computing power well and truly into the 2009/2010's

And now the most important part BUDGET as much as I would love to be able to go and use words like "price is no object" unfortunately I need to say for stage one the limit will be;
$2,000.00 AUD = $1,609.46 USD = £980.323 GBP

Now I know I may be a tiny bit ambitious with my wants, hence me posting here to see if anybody can suggest specific parts or compromises in hardware that will not detract too much from the processing power. I have currently something close to the above list and it comes to $2159.00 AUD and that is with only one graphics card.

Hoping you experts out there can help me with this

Cheers guys and girls,
Dave

[Major_A]

This is just an example and it's actually the best combo I could come up with, while staying in your price range.
Intel Wishlist:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=11940426

Alternatively, you could go AMD upgrade a few things here and there.
AMD Wishlist:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=11940566

[ratNukit]

This is just an example and it's actually the best combo I could come up with, while staying in your price range.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=11940426

You forgot the blu ray writer in your list, which adds another 160$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827136155.

[Major_A]

D'oh! And your dream of 2 x HD 4870X2 on your budget isn't going to happen. Unless you really skimp on the other parts.

[daoneill]

Thanks a million Major_A,

Both nice systems you put together there

D'oh! And your dream of 2 x HD 4870X2 on your budget isn't going to happen. Unless you really skimp on the other parts.

And as for the 2 HD 4870x2, LOL I know there is no way for the two of them on the budget, but I can buy a second one a few weeks after the initial build.

Oh and I was wondering, being out of date as I am in relation to technology, is there a big difference between the Intel I7 and AMD Phenom II X4 940. Which one works out as the best processor or are they pretty evenly matched?

Either way thanks a million for your help

Dave

[Major_A]

The i7 pretty much hands the Phenom X4 it's ass. But at the cost of one of your kidneys. It really boils down to whether you want the i7 or want to save some money.

LR review of the Phenom II X4 940 with direct comparison to the i7 920.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/860/1/

[ratNukit]

Hey Major, your AMD build won't work. You put a AM2+ Processor on an AM3 Mainboard, just the other way around works.

[pwcmed]

Here is a combo with a AMD 940 CPU and a biostar 790GX MB for 207.99 with coupon mbsale10.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDeal ... mbo.205339

[Major_A]

I thought AM3 was just DDR3 over AM2+'s DDR2.

[daoneill]

Hmmmm after the reviews and other bits and pieces I have heard on the grapevine, I have to say that I will probably run with the Intel I7.....I am going for a powerhouse and it would seem to be what I want

I am in a position that i can make this buil d a multistage affair, but at the moment I just want to get the best framework I can and then expand upon that.

[DMB2000uk]

It's my understanding that you guys have inflated hardware prices when it comes to the AUD $ to USD $ conversion (maybe not so much with GBP £ though ), so do you know of the best online oz places to shop so we (ok, I) can pick out parts in your native currency

Dan

[Athlonite]

@ DMB2000uk

Both OZ and NZ have inflated prices when it comes to both hardware and software
ie: XFX HD-487A-CDF9 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 U.S. $379.99
XFX HD-487A-CDF9 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 N.Z. $729.00

current US > NZ dollars conversion 379.99 dollars = $571.16 NZ Dollars difference = $157.84NZD to our retail price

and that was the cheapest online price for the same card via www.pricespy.co.nz

[Gomeler]

For those prices I'm sure you could find somebody willing to ship to you from America? I imagine you'll still have to pay taxes but it might be cheaper?