[EX-R]

Ok guys, ive been planning to get a new computer for a few months already but im just so confused at what parts i should get but im pretty set on geting an i7 though.

Requirements
-I want it to last me a a minimum of 4 years
-Watch HD videos
-Have inputs i might need in the future
-As quiet as it can get.
-Must be i7
-No OC
-6 gigs of ram
-1tb for hdd
-$150 or less for video card

Pretty much. im planning to spend big on the motherboard and processor and cheap out on things that i can upgrade later. My budget will be around 1600.

[Crowtservo]

I'll have more input later, but first for $1600 you don't really need to cheap on anything.

Also how many gigs of ram, it just says gigs.

Do you want to include a monitor as well? what size?

[John]

It would be informative to know what you are going to be doing with this rig. Its notable that you didn't say you would be gaming. To watch HD movies, the cheapest computer you can buy will do. I suspect this build will consist more of what you want than need. It's almost impossible to predict computing needs 4 years out.

[Cman333]

$1600 is a good budget for just a tower. I'm sure most ppl here dont spend that on their whole computer.

[impactX]

Ok guys, ive been planning to get a new computer for a few months already but im just so confused at what parts i should get but im pretty set on geting an i7 though.

Requirements
-I want it to last me a a minimum of 4 years
-Watch HD videos
-Have inputs i might need in the future
-As quiet as it can get.
-Must be i7
-No OC
-gigs of ram
-1tb for hdd
-$150 or less for video card

Pretty much. im planning to spend big on the motherboard and processor and cheap out on things that i can upgrade later. My budget will be around 1600.

I'd wait till Q1 2010 when they release the 32nm i5 on the 1156 socket. Since 1156 is at the start of its cycle, you can upgrade the processor to the best cpu you can find on 1156 2-3 years down the road if you really need to.

[EX-R]

Sorry guys. Should have mentioned 1600 with monitor included. Planning to get a 23". Asides from what I mentioned I I'll mostly be just surfing the net and playing flash games.
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[lilaznviper]

1600 for a computer playing flash games!?!?! you can get one for like 500 dollars doing that and still run HD videos

for the price you can get a decent computer now and save the money for a new one 4 years later

[Crowtservo]

1600 for a computer playing flash games!?!?! you can get one for like 500 dollars doing that and still run HD videos

for the price you can get a decent computer now and save the money for a new one 4 years later

+1

Spend 800 now and 800 two years from now and you will have a better computer in 4 years.

[underscore]

You don't need 6 gigs of RAM to run firefox and flash games. Like they said, drop $800 now and $800 later on, $1600 now is pointless.

[PsycHo_DraGoN69]

if you want to go big on the processor
wait a few more months for the intel i9 to come out. 6 cores =)
should be running on the 1366 socket and x58 chipset

[Cman333]

LOL

$1600 to play Facebook flash games. Like everyone said, $500 is plenty to get a rig to that'll play HD videos + flash games.

$1600 would get you a pretty decent gaming rig.

2 Gigs of RAM is plenty for viewing HD movies, 4 gigs would be even better, 6 gigs would just be plain overkill.

[EX-R]

i guess that 1600 was a little too much but from looking at the prices for the i7 and motherboards, they already added up to 600 so i was just leaving room for the rest plus the monitor. anyways 800 is the new budget then.

[lilaznviper]

get urself a nice quad core or even a c2d and pair it up with an hd video card with 4gb of ram and your good to go
this setup will last u for years

[Crowtservo]

In the lower budget range I would recommened an AMD CPU. They have great performance for the price and many have the ability to unlock additional cores.

I suggest you go read up a bit on what you want and then bring it back here and we'll make some suggestions on what you should change.

This is a good site to learn and look at similar builds: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/new-builds/

[Eclypz]

OK...here's the real question.

Do you really want a i7 because you think that's what you need to accomplish what you're using it for?

Or do you just want it because you have $1600 to blow and want to spend it?

Because, in case you haven't noticed from the previous replies, an i7 setup for surfing, flash games, and movies is waaaayyyyy more than you need. That's like buying a dump truck to move a shoe rack.

Based on your needs, you want a basic dual-core setup...even that's a bit more than you need, but its probably the best bang for the buck right now.

I just built a C2D setup for a friend for $417 taxes-in (no monitor)
2.93GHz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD, threw Windows7 on it and it runs like a champ.

[EX-R]

The reason I wanted an i7 in the first place is because I wanted this pc to last as long as possible. Not just to do what I mentioned. I had no intention of having to build another pc within the next year or 2. In terms of the price budget, I get a rebate at work which is 20% of the cost or up to a max of 350. I guess I'll just stick with the 800 budget.
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[underscore]

that setup Eclypz posted will easily last several years, you could most likely run that for 4+ years with only needing a reformat unless your needs drastically change.

[Crowtservo]

Here's something more in the middle:

Case: Antec 300 ($65)
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 ($250)
Mobo: Gigabyte P55-UD3R ($150)
RAM: 4GB G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws ($120)
Video Card: HD 4890 ($180)
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB ($110)
DVD: anything around $25
PSU: Corsair VX550 ($100)
Monitor: Samsung 2343BWX 23IN ($200)

Total: $1200

That's a pretty awesome build that will do a lot more than what you need it for and comes well under your stated budget. You could save a bit on the video card and get a 4870, get a slightly cheaper 640GB HDD, and cheaper RAM which would all knock off about $100. Plus you could definitely save money by timing your purchases and price matching using pricecanada.ca

[Eclypz]

The reason I wanted an i7 in the first place is because I wanted this pc to last as long as possible. Not just to do what I mentioned. I had no intention of having to build another pc within the next year or 2. In terms of the price budget, I get a rebate at work which is 20% of the cost or up to a max of 350. I guess I'll just stick with the 800 budget.
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you're only kidding yourself if you think the more you spend now = the longer it will last.

does a $100,000 car last longer than a $20,000 car? no.

As long as your needs don't increase, a basic dual core setup will last.

[freakshow]

the ncix weekly sale just started.. you could probably pick up all the parts you need from there

http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale.php?webid=superholiday09

[EX-R]

Here's something more in the middle:

Case: Antec 300 ($65)
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 ($250)
Mobo: Gigabyte P55-UD3R ($150)
RAM: 4GB G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws ($120)
Video Card: HD 4890 ($180)
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB ($110)
DVD: anything around $25
PSU: Corsair VX550 ($100)
Monitor: Samsung 2343BWX 23IN ($200)

Total: $1200

That's a pretty awesome build that will do a lot more than what you need it for and comes well under your stated budget. You could save a bit on the video card and get a 4870, get a slightly cheaper 640GB HDD, and cheaper RAM which would all knock off about $100. Plus you could definitely save money by timing your purchases and price matching using pricecanada.ca

thanks for the input, i found this:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43260&vpn=750-UD3R-4GB&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1030

EDIT:
looked through the sale ncix is having and put this together. let me know if i should change or add something.

Processor, motherboard, and ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43260&promoid=1030
DVD Writer
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39427&promoid=1030
Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24294&promoid=1030
HDD:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35676&promoid=1030
Video Card:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41845
PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&promoid=1030
Monitor:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=44317&vpn=LS23NVTABW/ZC&manufacture=Samsung&promoid=1030

[Crowtservo]

thanks for the input, i found this:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43260&vpn=750-UD3R-4GB&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1030

NCIX sales are great. Pretty funny that they put up the exact parts i suggested. I guess it shows it's a pretty popular combo.

Spec-wise the RAM is similar to the Ripjaws (similar CAS latency with lower voltage).

There are also some decent PSUs on sale this week.

[VooDood]

thanks for the input, i found this:

Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24294&promoid=1030


http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=21123&vpn=NINE%20HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec imo, since ure getting another psu anyways.
or this from expc http://expc.ca/i-10291-Cooler_Master_HAF922.html

[Crowtservo]

thanks for the input, i found this:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43260&vpn=750-UD3R-4GB&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1030

EDIT:
looked through the sale ncix is having and put this together. let me know if i should change or add something.

Processor, motherboard, and ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43260&promoid=1030
DVD Writer
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39427&promoid=1030
Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24294&promoid=1030
HDD:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35676&promoid=1030
Video Card:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41845
PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&promoid=1030
Monitor:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=44317&vpn=LS23NVTABW/ZC&manufacture=Samsung&promoid=1030

Looks good and great choice on PSU that's the same one I'm using on my other rig. Just a couple things:

1. Pick a different case. That one comes with a PSU that I wouldn't recommend using for your setup. You can spend a lot less and get a better looking/functioning case. Also I hate top mounted PSUs, it's a poor design.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29812&vpn=THREE%20HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39190&vpn=BETA&manufacture=NZXT&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26048&vpn=RC-690-KKN1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38996&vpn=RC-922M-KKN1-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER <-- My favourite but more expensive.

2. Spend $5 more and get a SATA DVD writer.

3. The Caviar Green HDD are great for storage but aren't recommended for primary use (OS and programs). While it has lower power consumption it also underclocks the speed to preserve power. Ultimately you won't notice the speed difference but still I would recommend:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37232&vpn=ST31000528AS&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=31000&vpn=WD1001FALS&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD <-- personal favourite

4. That's a great monitor but is $100 more than the nearly as good alternate. if you wanna can swing the extra money it's probably worth it but this one is great too:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42752&promoid=1030

[EX-R]

are there any cases with a conservative look that has a side glass?

[striderblade]

if you gonna go for core i7, get a corsair H50 for cooling. Is the best fanless cooling unit out there. I'm running a core i5 at 3.2ghz. temp range from 31-41c on causal use. Max temp i reached so far is 67c and that is having all my core stressed at 100%. Before when i had stock heatsink it was running at 50c on stock speed and 75-80c on 3.2ghz overclocked. Is a amazing cpu cooling unit. And since you're not planning to Overclock the temp from core i7 can still go up to pretty high depend on what your'e doing. Always getting a after market heatsink to prolong your cpu processor. I agree with some of the poster above. The ATI 4700 series are best bang for the bucks right now. But yea core i7 for flash game? kinda waste hehe

[VooDood]

are there any cases with a conservative look that has a side glass?
first thing that came in mind
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41960&vpn=CC800DW&manufacture=Corsair
theres this beauty, but you might as well take off your pants and bend over.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

you're only kidding yourself if you think the more you spend now = the longer it will last.

does a $100,000 car last longer than a $20,000 car? no.

As long as your needs don't increase, a basic dual core setup will last.

that's not true dude.

basic needs can stay the same in the computer world, but your needs will increase, even if the basic needs stay the same.

newer software comes out that you have to get, or use, to satisfy your basic needs.

software is always being developed, and newer software almost never requires less computing power.

[Eclypz]

that's not true dude.

basic needs can stay the same in the computer world, but your needs will increase, even if the basic needs stay the same.

newer software comes out that you have to get, or use, to satisfy your basic needs.

software is always being developed, and newer software almost never requires less computing power.

Its true for gaming and other processing power intensive applications, but look at what he's using the PC for and tell me a basic dual-core setup won't last him for many years.
He's watching movies, web surfing and flash games. Will movies/internet/flash games ever require a quad-core? Probably not within the next 5+ years.
However, if his needs changed, and started gaming, then he might want to look into something faster.

and let's be realistic here...most people replace/upgrade their computers in 1-2 years anyways...It doesn't matter whether they bought a C2D now or an i7. In 1-2 years, they'll be replacing it with something new, and go through the same process all over again. Buying an i7 now, won't make it last any longer.

[LUUUUUUUU]

get a mobo with USB3.0 SATA3

[EX-R]

first thing that came in mind
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41960&vpn=CC800DW&manufacture=Corsair
theres this beauty, but you might as well take off your pants and bend over.

Haha yeah I saw that and said wtf at the price!
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[Ferra]

+1

Spend 800 now and 800 two years from now and you will have a better computer in 4 years.
+1
and you will also end up with 2 computers instead of 1!

[EX-R]

will there be better deals closer to boxing day?

[Eclypz]

will there be better deals closer to boxing day?

For sure there will be.
But be prepared to be empty handed. Trying to buy something online during boxing day requires a lot of patience to say the least...lol

i.e. Constantly hitting refresh for an hour or two.

[EX-R]

For sure there will be.
But be prepared to be empty handed. Trying to buy something online during boxing day requires a lot of patience to say the least...lol

i.e. Constantly hitting refresh for an hour or two.

didnt necessarily mean the day of boxing day, more like the week before and after

[Crowtservo]

didnt necessarily mean the day of boxing day, more like the week before and after

For the most part if you shop around and price match your items the unpredictability of the sales won't really matter. Chances are if it was on sale one week, it will be on sale somewhere else another.

[EDawg]

here are the parts for my new build, maybe can help you out

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping
ASUS P6T SE X58 ATX LGA1366
Sapphire Ati HD 5850
OCZ 6GB DDR3-1600
Antec Earthwatts 750W
Thermalright 120e-1366
Samsung 22x
Coolermaster Storm Scout
Western Digital 640GB Caviar black


picked up everything for less than 1400 after tax @ NCIX
just gotta be patient and wait for the sales ;)

[ddr]

here are the parts for my new build, maybe can help you out

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping
ASUS P6T SE X58 ATX LGA1366
Sapphire Ati HD 5850
OCZ 6GB DDR3-1600
Antec Earthwatts 750W
Thermalright 120e-1366
Samsung 22x
Coolermaster Storm Scout
Western Digital 640GB Caviar black


picked up everything for less than 1400 after tax @ NCIX
just gotta be patient and wait for the sales ;)

that's a sick build! you should add a ssd in there and it'll b perfect

[SpuGen]

Here's my build that cost me about $1500 with Monitor. I got it through some friends for cheap brand new. It should be closer to about $1800 though.
I just changed up the video cards though, and now it's much more than this.

Antec 900
Truepower 750
Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Asus X85 Deluxe V2
Intel i7 920
Corsair XMS3 Dominator 6 GB
ATi 4890
LG W2442PA-BF 24IN

Built it to last me a long time, and to run future games like SC2 and Diablo 3 etc with zero problems. I also use it to mix songs and I plan to do some Video editing. I also had a Auzen X-Fi Prelude, but the 4890 is already too big and it's in the way for me to run it, so I'm switching it up when it sells.

The only things I'll probably need to upgrade is an extra HD, and i9 when it comes out.
I'm still waiting on my 5890s to come in. THe main reason why I went with the 1366 Mobo is because I can upgrade to the i9, and I'll pretty much just need to add stuff to it like Harddrives.

In all honesty, you don't need to spend that much on a comp to last you. But I did it because I have the money to spend it on the new fancy stuff. It's not a need, but a want, and this want will last me longer and run the newer stuff longer and better.

[tgill]

get a mobo with USB3.0 & SATA3
^^^ :thumbsup:

if your lucky 4890 will be about $150 come boxing day
and I saw someone link to a caviar green drive in the thread, get a 1tb caviar black!
no reason to go for a low power/slower drive green series for a performance i7 system, the black series is already pretty damned quiet: i sleep next to 2 640gb blacks running in a tower, the 4890s fan at 28% is louder than the blacks!

[Crowtservo]

here are the parts for my new build, maybe can help you out

Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping
ASUS P6T SE X58 ATX LGA1366
Sapphire Ati HD 5850
OCZ 6GB DDR3-1600
Antec Earthwatts 750W
Thermalright 120e-1366
Samsung 22x
Coolermaster Storm Scout
Western Digital 640GB Caviar black


picked up everything for less than 1400 after tax @ NCIX
just gotta be patient and wait for the sales ;)

Here's my build that cost me about $1500 with Monitor. I got it through some friends for cheap brand new. It should be closer to about $1800 though.
I just changed up the video cards though, and now it's much more than this.

Antec 900
Truepower 750
Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Asus X85 Deluxe V2
Intel i7 920
Corsair XMS3 Dominator 6 GB
ATi 4890
LG W2442PA-BF 24IN

Built it to last me a long time, and to run future games like SC2 and Diablo 3 etc with zero problems. I also use it to mix songs and I plan to do some Video editing. I also had a Auzen X-Fi Prelude, but the 4890 is already too big and it's in the way for me to run it, so I'm switching it up when it sells.

The only things I'll probably need to upgrade is an extra HD, and i9 when it comes out.
I'm still waiting on my 5890s to come in. THe main reason why I went with the 1366 Mobo is because I can upgrade to the i9, and I'll pretty much just need to add stuff to it like Harddrives.

In all honesty, you don't need to spend that much on a comp to last you. But I did it because I have the money to spend it on the new fancy stuff. It's not a need, but a want, and this want will last me longer and run the newer stuff longer and better.


Both are way more power than the OP needs. The i5 build I posted (includes a monitor) will be more than enough for what he wants and will last several years.

[EDawg]

that's a sick build! you should add a ssd in there and it'll b perfect

Thanks ^^
Definitely adding more hdd/ssd in the future, probably going to be doing some cosmetic work as well

[EX-R]

ok guys....decided to wait for boxing day to buy a computer and heres what im pretty set on right now. let me know if i should change something

Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24294&promoid=1012
89.99
PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&promoid=1012
68.89
HDD
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37232&promoid=1012
88.99
Proccessor:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38149&promoid=1012
188.99
Motherboard:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37207&promoid=1012
108.99
Video Card:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=44883&promoid=1012
134.99
dvd drive:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42349&promoid=1012
28.99
Ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26456&promoid=1012
94.99

total 804.82 + tax

[John]

I think the time for LGA775 has past. I would get a low end i5, but this will cost you about $90 more.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=47706&vpn=i5-750%20%26%20P55A-UD4P&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1012

The price of DDR2 has risen while DDR3 has fallen. so you will save about $20 on the RAM.

The net cost difference will be about +$70.