Maian

Not sure if this is the correct place, but others have posted potential builds in need of assistance, so I followed suit.

I'm building a new computer after this semester is over. It's going to serve two purposes: Gaming and Rendering (Architecture). I would prefer if this computer would last me until I graduate (4 years starting next fall), with minor upgrades if necessary. I would prefer to keep it at $1,500, but under $1,600 is somewhat acceptable. I have to buy an entire system (monitor, OS, all of it).

Here's what I have so far:
Lian-Li PC-7B plus II -- $89.99
ASUS P6T Motherboard -- $229.99*
Intel Core i7 920 D0 -- $299.99*
Patriot Viper 6GB DDR3-1600 -- $109.99*
EVGA GTX 260 -- $184.99*
Corsair 750TX PSU -- $114.99*
WD Caviar 640GB 7200RPM -- $69.99* x2
LG DVD-/+R -- $23.99*
Acer 22" LCD -- $149.99*
Razer Arctosa Black -- $45.99
Creative Inspire T3100 2.1 Speakers -- $44.77
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit -- $10

I have a Logitech G9 mouse that I use with my laptop, so that's the only thing I don't need.

Overall, this comes out to $1,473.92 with shipping (and tax for the local stores). Are there any assumed price drops coming this summer? Initially I was planning on ordering these parts (I have 0 of the above listed parts) during the second week of May or so. If there is supposed to be a price-drop in June, then I won't mind waiting. Also, if there are cheaper solutions (without losing much, if any, performance) while maintaining this platform (Core i7) then I am all ears. If the difference between GTX 285s SLI and GTX 275s SLI is slim (not necessarily noticeable) at 1680x1050, then I may go with the 275s. I am looking for a single card right now because I will SLI later, but I am open to suggestions.

Oh yea, I have about $3,000 left over from my Student Loans this past year (I got $18,000 because that was the estimated cost of living, but I was left with like $3,750 after I paid for school). So, as a result, I'm not necessarily pressed for money, but I would just like to not spend too much if I can help it.

As it stands, I'm having to get a brand new build because I have no desktop right now, and only a laptop, so the general consensus seems to be if upgrading from a C2Q, it may not be worth it, but if building a whole new system, i7 seems to be the way to go.


Notes:
(*) Denotes an item with free shipping.
Green text denotes a purchased item.

EDITS:
-- Changed Motherboard from eVGA x58 to the ASUS P6T.
-- Changed Power Supply from Silverstone Element 850 to Corsair 750TX.
-- Changed Video Card from eVGA GTX 285 to eVGA GTX 260.
-- Changed Hard Drive from WD Caviar Black 500GB to WD Caviar 640GB (x2).
-- Changed CPU cooler from Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 to XIGMATEK Dark Knight.
-- Removed OS Choice (much cheaper through school).
-- Changed store for i7 920 from NewEgg to Micro Center: lower price.
-- Added Deck Keyboard to hardware list.
-- Removed XIGMATEK Dark Knight; I'll buy Megahalem or TRUE later on.
-- Added Creative Inspire T3100 Speakers.
-- Added Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit (Student Discount)

Afrodisiac

There are 32nm chips coming out I think, not sure, but if you're going to buy at the end of the semester (~1.5 months if your semester is the same as mine), I would wait for sure. Anything could happen in that time and you might slap yourself for being able to buy better performance for the same money or the same performance for less money in that time.

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Juggalo23451

The build look good to me. I would get a Corsair power supply

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7hm

<-- FTW

And why don't you get a p6t if you want a lower price

samfreese

For 1680*1050, you could pick up a GTX260 on the cheap and beat up on that resolution. Pick up another one down the road for SLI, as they will probably be dirt cheap in a few months, much less a year.

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Zipperhead

Well, I could only think of a couple of ways to save you maybe $200, possibly $300 One would be to make a socket 775 set up.... should be able to get you through your college years w/ a gfx card update halfway through. The other would be to get a Nvidia 260 and maybe pick up a 920 at microcenter (if you can) for 229, try and get a psu/case combo. But with either option your likely to save only a few 100 dollars maybe more; which I'm not sure it matters to you, BUT if it does IMO those are your best opotions. Otherwise the Rig you have put together will rock... G/L

tofumonster

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233029

Good performance, and could save you a decent amount of cash.

and go with the ASUS P6T like 7hm said.

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Maian

Our semester ends May 5th (last day of Final Exams). We started the spring semester the first week of January, though, instead of the 20th like most of the other schools.

Yea, I have been looking at the TX-850, and there's a $10 difference between the Corsair and the Silverstone (in favor of Silverstone).

I'm not sure how I didn't notice the lower price over the eVGA. Thanks for pointing it out. +Rep

jrharvey

Your an architecture major huh? ME TOO> Check out my portfolio in my SIG. This build looks good to me. I would splurge on a second monitor. TRUST ME, you will need it. Core i7 is great choice for architecture and rendering.

EDIT: you could always get a GTX 260 and a P6T if your trying to lower the price a bit.

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jouno53

I don't know if they've already been mentioned, but here's some quick changes I suggest for your build if you were to get it relatively soon.

Get the Coolermaster 690. I've heard a ton of good things about it, and the cooling on it looks a lot better than that Lian li case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

Also, I would suggest getting this power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Here are some money saving options as well that people have been recommending:

GTX 260 core 216: Huge bang for the buck http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127409

The PSU mentioned above

and I would recommend that Xigmatek cooler as well.