Twisterman

[I have been awake 32 hours and I am heavily caffeinated. If you see amazingly long typos sorry]

Hello OCnet,

It has been a while since I purchased a new gaming computer and I got a lot of help on forums building my last one so I am hoping to get some more help with this one.

My current rig is below:

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4
940 @ 3.0Ghz
Motherboard
Asus M3A78-Pro Motherboard
Memory
4GB DDR2 GSkill Dual Channel Memory Kit
Graphics Card
BFG GTX 285 OC Edition @ 666Hz
Hard Drive
Some Terrible 300GB Hard Drive
Sound Card
Motherboard HD Audio
Power Supply
700W OCZ GameStream
Case
NZXT Apollo Full Tower Case
CPU cooling
Stock
GPU cooling
Stock
Operating System
Windows XP 64 Bit
Monitor
HP w2007 22" Wide Monitor

Now I think I have decided to go with Intel this time around. I realize the costs are a lot higher but for performance I think it wins!

I have compiled a list of parts/products as seen below. I am not ready to purchase these items as I still need 2 weeks or so to get the amount of money in the bank but I am starting to get a good idea of the good products out there.

$3000 Intel Build - Core i7 920 w/ Asus P6T Deluxe v2.0



$4000 Build - Core i7 975 w/ Asus P6T Deluxe v2.0



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So that is what I have come up with so far for Intel builds. This build would be a computer that I hope will last a very long time and be a top performer in all the games to come. I do have a few questions / concerns I would like to have answered as I am still semi-new to building my own computers.

1) I want to have a SLI setup and I currently have a GTX 285. I didn't really want to buy 2 new GTX 295's so I opted to just use my current GTX 285 and buy an identical one and run them in SLI. Is it worth investing in 2 new video cards to run in SLI or Crossfire?

2) My current GPU makes a whining / high pitched dog whistle noise when under high load. I wear headphones so its not a big deal but I was wondering if there was a way to remove this noise. I read lots of people have similar issues and its just coil vibrations which is normal.

3) Do you think I should goto Intel or stick with AMD? I have always been an AMD person due to their good price per quality ratio. This would be my first Intel build.

4) After looking at both my Intel builds do you see anything you would change? I want a top notch quality enthusiast/gamer/photoshop computer that I won't want to replace for at least 2-3 years.

5) Do you think I should use any parts from my current system on my next platform to save $$? I posted my specs above and it is a fairly decent system. I did want to try DDR3 Memory tho

6) Is Windows 7 worth buying @ that price?

7) Is it worth investing in a Solid State Drive? The only concern I had was the size of them. I download quite a bit so I would need the space! Also I have no idea what Raid0 setup means so please do explain

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Basically I will have lots more questions / concerns to talk about on this thread. I am about to invest a huge sum of money and I want the best performance I can get!

Please review both builds as well as my current build and let me know what suggestions you have for upgrades. I know a lot of you have tons of experience with building so that is why I am here.

I look forward to your product choices whether it be an AMD or Intel build

Thanks

Twisterman

Sickened1

Why not save 4 grand and just OC your Phenom II. I see no reason for this upgrade.

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LapTop: Asus G72GX-RBBX05

Ysbl

The build looks great, but I would say go with 5870.

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tipsycoma

Not really. OP would be wasting the hell out of his money in buying an i7 975. Money could be spent more wisely for the same performance but a much cheaper price.

BizzareRide

Wait a few months for Core i9 and GTX 380 to start a new build

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kyleax1

upgrading a system that is 2x as good as the system im upgrading from and spending 2x as much money on the upgrade...If you got the money have at it, but it's not really necessary.

If you are looking to blow that kind of money and want to build now just get the 920 and then when the i9 come out get the new $500 i9 chip

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Core i7 4Ghz+ Club

My Asus Maximus III Formula Review
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DaMirrorLink

or he should just dump the phenom, go with core i7 or wait for core i9 and trifire 5870

also, go windows 7 ult x64

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MadCatMk2

If you can spend 4000$, then yes, get windows 7; tests have shown a great performance gain in games. Then get a second 285 and a kick-ass 26'' inch-monitor to enjoy your games more.

SSDs are unreasonably expensive at this point and unless you really, really hate loading times then I don't recommend getting one.

Oh, get some expensive speakers and a nice bike while you're at it.

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Aick

i would just spruce up that rig you have, its already fast! no reason to go FASTER, i mean for 3grand i'd just do what Sickend1 said and do what you said, GTX285 in SLI, maybe upgrade your memory to 8gigs and 2 WD velicorapters in raid0. there's really no point in spending that much on a WHOLE new system when what you have is decent enough.


go buy your wife something nice wit the extra money your saving =D

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We Are Gr33n Machine

M3T4LM4N222

Just wait, you'll be spending 4 grand on a system that will have obsolete features. USB 3.0 and SATA 3 are going to be coming on boards within a month, then PCI-Express 3.0 in about a year. Not to mention Core i9 is coming.

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