First Build i7 Help and Recommendations

612 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Art Vandelay, Dec 22, 2009

Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2009

Hey All,

Looking for some help with my first build and future addiction!

Uses will be HD Video editing, AVCHD files and rendering in Vegas. I also will game with it but a single graphics card is fine for me.

Budget < $1000

I want to build around the i7 920. Haven't settled on a motherboard yet. It seems like everything is about $200+. I'm open to spending the extra $100+ on the ASUS Rampage II Extreme since there is a $30 rebate on it this month.

How high can I OC the i7 on air? I'll probably upgrade to LC but it's not in the budget right now.

I made the (mistake?) of buying OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666 / 1333MHz / Platinum Edition / 1.65 Volts / 4GB / Dual Channel memory since it was a great deal at $48. Now I realize this ram is made for the Socket 1156 processors. Can I still use it to start out?

So far I've purchaed:

- Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $35 Newegg

- OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W Power Supply = $30 Newegg

- Windows 7 Professional = $30 .edu Offer

I will pick up the i7 920 for $199 at Microcenter. Just need a graphics card for about $150. I have a monitor, keyboard, DVD burner but I'll need a hard drive.

What do you think? And thanks!

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1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Huntee

· #2 · Dec 2, 2009

Well my build bellow is pretty stable on air and it was not hard to do.

Huntee

· #3 · Dec 2, 2009

I use the I7-860 that is 1156 and I can not tell a diffrence between my other build running the I7-920 and it they are the exact same build just with a diffrent processor and motherboard socket. So you could save some money and buy a 1156 socket I7 if you want their isint realy a down side to doing it. I also have both of my builds running on air cooling from prolimatech and they are both OC'd to a stable 4.5 with just some basic addjustments.

pocketdrummer

· #4 · Dec 2, 2009

How are you getting those parts so cheaply. The scout is $89 on newegg right now.

Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 2, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketdrummer

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How are you getting those parts so cheaply. The scout is $89 on newegg right now.

Newegg had a combo deal for the PS and the Scout. With Rebates and Bing Cashback they were a steal. Those prices reflect final cost.

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Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 2, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntee

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I use the I7-860 that is 1156 and I can not tell a diffrence between my other build running the I7-920 and it they are the exact same build just with a diffrent processor and motherboard socket. So you could save some money and buy a 1156 socket I7 if you want their isint realy a down side to doing it. I also have both of my builds running on air cooling from prolimatech and they are both OC'd to a stable 4.5 with just some basic addjustments.

Thanks! It's good to know air cooling can be stable at those clock speeds. I was looking at the i7 920 over the 860. I was under the impression that in terms of video rendering it outperforms the 860. Just going by what I have read. Is that not the case?

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psi_guy

· #7 · Dec 2, 2009

getting 4ghz out of a 920 on air is very simple, so your build plans will be easy to attain. just have to have a better cooler is all. prolimatech megahalems are popular. i recommend the asus p6t deluxe v2 mobo. i am currently using it and love it. go for either a gts 250 or ati 5770 for a gpu. grab a wd caviar black for the hard drive. they are pretty affordable right now.

Starman27

· #8 · Dec 2, 2009

I second the 5770, great card for the price.

As far as Mobo, I would recommend the Bloodrage (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=bloodrage) since you don't sound like you are going to be using tri-fire anytime. I got the REII, but am kind of wishing I had gotten the Bloodrage since I am now RMAing it, although that's just a bad board, not the same for all of them. Save the $100 and go Bloodrage though, 90% of people on here will back me up on that.

For a HDD I would get a WD Caviar Black 640 gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-319-_-Product) Great drive, if you have room in your budget grab two and raid those puppies.

For cooling get a Megahalem if you don't mind buying from other places than Newegg. if it has to be the egg I would go with a Scythe Mugen 2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=mugen%202)

The 920 will outperform the 860 in rendering. You won't see much of a difference in gaming, but for what you are doing it is definitely worth it.

Feel free to ask anymore questions you have, and welcome to OCN!

Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 2, 2009

Thanks psi guy and Starman. I appreciate the welcome.

I love the Bloodrage board. The lack of firewire on the GTI kills it for me though. I need that to import HD video from my camera. Is the original Bloodrage discontinued? I can't find it anywhere.

Jokers Prank

· #10 · Dec 3, 2009

You could look into the EVGA X58 SLI (or LE version) for a motherboard. The ati 5770 is a good choice to go with too. As for CPU coolers, a cheap but really good one would be the Titan Fenrir.

Good luck with your build!

Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 3, 2009

Is the Ram I purchased completely incompatible with the i7 920? It's dual channel ddr3.

LarsMarkelson

· #12 · Dec 14, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

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Is the Ram I purchased completely incompatible with the i7 920? It's dual channel ddr3.

i7 920 is x58 chipset which is best for triple channel. I think you CAN use dual channel but it's not good. Get a 3x2GB RAM kit or 3 sets of a 2x4GB RAM kit. 6GB or 12GB.

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nvidiagamer

· #13 · Dec 14, 2009

Depending on your taste the 5770 is a great video card...I personally have the Nvidia GTX 260 by BFG and I love it......its stays nice and cool its extremely powerful and its between 150-180 bucks depending on where you get it. With this card I play any and every game at 1080p resolution or higher and all settings on max or ultra in some cases like Crysis and Call of Duty MW 2 and I get no lag what so ever.

o Baby Zeus

· #14 · Dec 14, 2009

As for the graphics card I would definately go for a 5770 as others have said before hand, and if you need in future can always get another as they scale very well in crossfire.

Motherboard I'd grab a p6t, only heard good things about them and are a doddle to OC.

For a HDD as starman mentioned pick up a WD caviar black, great drives for the price

LarsMarkelson

· #15 · Dec 14, 2009

I'm doing the same thing, buying an i7 build for video editing, etc.

One thing I've noticed is that for any GPU acceleration that is available, like some of my plug-ins in Sony Vegas can be GPU accelerated... that Nvidia cards >>>> ATi

Don't exactly know why, but it's just how it is. So I'd actually highly recommend a GTX 260 for you.

I have a 9800GT right now that I'll be using, and you might want to look at that option too. It's a good deal less powerful, but still a decent, modern card, that can play all games, albeit maybe not at high settings.

kckyle

· #16 · Dec 14, 2009

you can snag a i7 920 for 200 bucks at micro center if you live near one.

the ram shouldn't be a problem. but you should get another stick to fill out the last slot.

as for video cards. i'm not liking the 128bit memory interface since that will hold you back on AA/AF and other eye candy features.(not 100 percent sure but you can probably find out if you look around)

as for motherboard, you should look into the asus P6X58D, same thing as the p6t deluxe v2 but it comes with Sata 6 and Usb 3.0, it overclocks pretty well. i actually have mine on 4.2ghz stable(4.3ghz from time to time) using a prolimatech Megahalem of course.(newegg offers it)

Art Vandelay

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 22, 2009

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I had to start a new thread since I'm going with an i5 after stumbling upon a killer open box motherboard at Micro Center. Here is the new thread:

http://www.overclock.net/intel-build...ml#post7963769

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