First Post and my planned rig

GavinWard

GavinWard

GavinWard

Associate
Joined
25 May 2009
Posts
24
First of all Hello everyone, my first post. The main reason for me registering is I need advice on my planned computer. I already have a case and optical drives so I've managed to lower the overall costs involved. Below is my current plan, please let me know your opinions.

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 4 x 2.83Ghz 12Mb Cache 1333 FSB Quad Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard
Asus P5Q SE/R Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

Memory
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit
Graphics Card
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB
Hard drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache
Power Supply
750 Watt power supply unit
The overall cost of this computer is only £665.32, James07 this might be worth a look, a lot of the components we've picked are the same.

Thanks

Gav
 
I'll have a look at the benchmarks, I think the I7 would be too expensive seem as I7 motherboards are so expensive. I'm planning on sticking with XP Pro too, so I don't know if I would really benefit. I'll certainly have a look though.
 
Your other option would be to look at an AM3 system, though I dont see how i7 is more expensive than that set up, maybe £100 but definately worth it, its not worth building a high end 775 system now imo, either go AM3 route for a bit cheaper or i7 for a little bit more
 
95thrifles said:
Your other option would be to look at an AM3 system, though I dont see how i7 is more expensive than that set up, maybe £100 but definately worth it, its not worth building a high end 775 system now imo, either go AM3 route for a bit cheaper or i7 for a little bit more
Click to expand...

+1
 
ocne you get used to vista its a much better OS now that most bugs and compatibility issues are gone. And ontop of that Windows 7 blows them all out of the water :)
 
I've got a q9550 and am very pleased with it. I'd keep the 100 quid nominal difference unless you need slightly quicker per clock and hyperthreading. Solid motherboard and ram choices.

That's a very, very quick graphics card. I take it you're a gamer? What resolution do you play at?

750W psu... which one? A 750W nasty branded one is a bad call, and a 750W respected one is probably more than you need, even with the 4870x2
 
95thrifles said:
its not just about the fact the i7 is quicker, but also the fact it provides much more of a viable upgrade route vs 775
Click to expand...

It is pretty unlikely for someone to upgrade their processor but not their motherboard, as usually, chips coming from similar families aren't going to be a huge amount quicker. As an example, I wouldn't be upgrading my E4300 to an E8500, because the performance boost is going to be noticeable, but not colossal.

Your build looks great. However, you might want to consider a Q6700. Sure, they are quite a bit older. But I think that the £60 to get similar clock speeds is worth it.

What size display are you using?

Consider a WD6401AALS instead of the Seagate, and get the Kingston HyperX 4gig PC8500 kit instead, the Corsair isn't worth the extra cash.

Finally, power supply, what is it?

EDIT: Nearly forgot, definitely go with Windows 7 RC1, it's fantastic, really fast. Everything that Vista should have been.
 
Last edited:
Hi all,

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I've tried to cover the main points raised.

"any reason you are sticking with XP ??"

I've already got a copy of XP Pro and was going to use that on my new system to cut the cost. Everyone seems keen on Windows 7 but I'm a bit nervous about using an OS that is still in the beta stage and worried that I will have compatability issues.

"Your other option would be to look at an AM3 system, though I dont see how i7 is more expensive than that set up, maybe £100 but definately worth it, its not worth building a high end 775 system now imo, either go AM3 route for a bit cheaper or i7 for a little bit more"

What are the main performance differences between the I7 and the Q9550? As for the AM3 route, which processor would you recommend for that?

"What size display are you using?"

Just brought a Asus VH222H 22" Widescreen True HD LCD Monitor resolution unsure what resolution I'll be playing at yet.

That's a very, very quick graphics card. I take it you're a gamer? What resolution do you play at?

"750W psu... which one? A 750W nasty branded one is a bad call, and a 750W respected one is probably more than you need, even with the 4870x2"

It is designed to be a gaming rig for a mixture of the latest FPS and RTS games.

The power supply I've picked is from ******** its very reasonably priced, I had a 650watt power supply from them previously and it worked fine. The power supply is only £31 less then half the price of the branded ones.

I'm having a look at the cost of an I7 rig with the recommended Hard drive and Memory.
 
GavinWard said:
Hi all,
"any reason you are sticking with XP ??"

I've already got a copy of XP Pro and was going to use that on my new system to cut the cost. Everyone seems keen on Windows 7 but I'm a bit nervous about using an OS that is still in the beta stage and worried that I will have compatability issues.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't have any compatability issues, windows 7 is basically (or should have been Vista SP2) plus it runs a virtual copy of XP.

GavinWard said:
"Your other option would be to look at an AM3 system, though I dont see how i7 is more expensive than that set up, maybe £100 but definately worth it, its not worth building a high end 775 system now imo, either go AM3 route for a bit cheaper or i7 for a little bit more"

What are the main performance differences between the I7 and the Q9550? As for the AM3 route, which processor would you recommend for that?.
Click to expand...

AMD 720 X3 or 955 X4 both can use DDR3 but unlike i7 the boards are a lot cheaper! ;)

GavinWard said:
"What size display are you using?"

Just brought a Asus VH222H 22" Widescreen True HD LCD Monitor resolution unsure what resolution I'll be playing at yet..
Click to expand...

I'd guess around 1600x1200 maybe higher.

GavinWard said:
"750W psu... which one? A 750W nasty branded one is a bad call, and a 750W respected one is probably more than you need, even with the 4870x2"

It is designed to be a gaming rig for a mixture of the latest FPS and RTS games.

The power supply I've picked is from ******** its very reasonably priced, I had a 650watt power supply from them previously and it worked fine. The power supply is only £31 less then half the price of the branded ones.
Click to expand...

Really wouldn't skimp on a PSU, the wattage is irrelevant a decent 550W PSU will blow a 1000W 'cheap' one out of the water. :D
 
If I were to use Windows 7, would I be able to install it from a CD or would I be installing XP first then upgrading the install to Windows 7?

Any issues I should be aware of for install?
 
GavinWard said:
If I were to use Windows 7, would I be able to install it from a CD or would I be installing XP first then upgrading the install to Windows 7?

Any issues I should be aware of for install?
Click to expand...

It downloads as an image which you burn to dvd from which you install, pretty sure it's from scratch only and will not upgrade an existing windows install (not 100% on this as always fresh installed it)

Only install issue is it installs so fast you don't have time to finish your coffee :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom