[tosh9i]

I'm not a typical gamer who overclocks his system and runs everything at the max. I'd be statisfied with the settings on medium or low. For most of my life, I had to set all the settings to its lowest just so it could run properly, such as command and conquer generals. But after I get my new system, I plan on playing World in Conflict and Supreme Commander.

Now it's time to get a new computer and ditch the old single core 2.6ghz one.

My budget is about $800 or so. And I want to make it clear that I want a Core i7. So no need to suggest that a dual core of 3ghz would be better because I'm only going for the core i7. Furthermore, I plan to encode videos, so the quad cores are neccessary.

One more thing, I have my computer in my bedroom and I watch a lot of anime on it, but my point is that, I want a system that is "quiet."

If you find any better deals please let me know.

Here's what I plan on getting:

Case:
Antec Sonata Elite - $60 AR

CPU:
Intel Core i7 860 - $252
(Note: I'm still note entirely sure if I should get the i7 860 or 920)

Heatsink:
Undecided. I heard that Zalman makes really quiet heatsinks.

Memory:
Undecided

Video Card:
partially undecided but this one caught my attention:
PNY VCGGTS2501XPB GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $78 AR BCB
Update: Out of Stock

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W - $67 AR BCB

Motherboard:
partially undecided, but this one caught my attention, even though it's LGA 1156 which means I can't get the i7 920
MSI P55-GD80 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - $162 AR BCB

What I really need help with are the motherboard, heatsink, memory, and video card.


Things that I already have:
Network Card
Sound Card
Monitor
DVD Drive
Hard Drive

Thanks

Tosh

 

[tosh9i]

Well, I just purchased the MSI P55-GD80 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard, now I need to know which RAM I should get.

 

[Wrench97]

If you have a MicroCenter near you for the CPU> http://microcenter.com/search/compare_products.phtml?search_id=f57a30fa123be77277e722e1b595b9b2

Ram > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

 

[grimx133]

I'd get guaranteed compatible ram.
Here's what Corsair's configurator says for that board.
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1106094

OCZ doesn't list it.

Crucial does.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P55-GD80

And Kingston listed it.
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/con...GD80+Motherboard&distributor=0&submit1=Search

I also tried a few more without success. Patriot didn't list it, need a new link for G.skill as my old one no longer works. Geil had a scan system, but I didn't see anywhere to put in a motherboard.

Personally I like Corsair, in fact ordered a kit earlier, with a few other i5 things.

 

[tosh9i]

Thanks guys.

What's a good video card that's in the price range of $125 - $150?

Unfortunately, there's no Microcenter near me. Otherwise, I would have gone straight there to get that damn i7. It seems like microcenter is the only place selling it for such a good price, I sense a conspiracy.

Still, I managed to put together a decent combo deal at newegg:

Intel Core i7 860 and Corsair PSU 650TX both for $279 AR and Bing CB.

PS: was that psu a good choice?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[Tyree]

The Corsair 650 is a good quality PSU.

 

[Wrench97]

Good choice for the supply I like the 650TX.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16814102865,N82E16814130469&page=7&bop=And

 

[tosh9i]

I'm having trouble deciding on a cpu cooler. I was originally going to go for the Zalman CNPS9700, but after reading a review of it on silentpcreview, I decided that I should keep on looking:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article727-page3.html

 

[Wrench97]

I've used a couple of these they work well but as with any Hi performance cooler I would not call it Quiet> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001
And you'll need the i5 backplate set> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154010

If your not going for a wild OC I would consider using the stock cooler.

 

[tosh9i]

How about this one:

Xigmatek HDT-S1283
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article818-page7.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=Xigmatek_HDT-S1283-_-35-233-003-_-Product

And yes, I know that I'll need a bracket, it's just a shame that it costs $8.

 

[Tyree]

Zalman CPU coolers are among the best.

 

[Wrench97]

I have used that one before it can be made quieter by using a Antec tricool fan if necessary.

 

[tosh9i]

I have used that one before it can be made quieter by using a Antec tricool fan if necessary.

Does that mean that it's good?

What would be better, an Antec TriCool Fan or Nexus Fan?

 

[Tyree]

The Antec Tri-Cools are very durable.

 

[Wrench97]

Where are you using the Nexus fans?

 

[tosh9i]

Where are you using the Nexus fans?

To replace the stock fans that come with the Xigmatek HDT-S1283, just like silentpcreview did:

scroll down about 80%:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article818-page3.html

 

[Wrench97]

I see they're using that as a reference fan to judge noise levels looks like it is 6db quieter then the stock at full speed, I would not think that would be worth the change at full speed I the temps would up system wide i doubt you would hear it over the video card fan.

The heatsink in conjunction with the stock fan provided excellent cooling at each fan voltage we tested. At 12V and 11V the increase in temperature was superb, among the lowest we've ever encountered. Performance did not suffer significantly at 10V or 9V. We never would've expected such great results from such a light-weight heatsink.

Already impressed, we put on the reference fan and re-tested the heatsink. Amazingly at 12V, our reference Nexus 120mm fan achieved the same result as the stock fan but with a 6 dBA improvement in noise level. High airflow does not seem to affect performance drastically. As the fan voltage was lowered, the increase in cooling efficiency tapered off, however at 5V, the rise in temperature was only 22°C over ambient — the best result we've ever seen.

 

[tosh9i]

Hopefully, Cyber Monday will provide some good video cards.

 

[Wrench97]

Video cards seem to be hot Items Newegg is out of stock on a lot of the popular ones, I was at Microcenter earlier today(Couldn't resist) they had 1 overpriced GTX260 no HD5000 cards at all and only 1 HD 4850 and a a couple 4670's I got the feeling I missed the sale:4-dontkno

 

[tk_icepick]

What resolution will you be playing these games at?
Without knowing that, it is impossible to recommend a GPU.
Also, what OS will you be running?