Bang4Buck Challenge

[ev0styLe]

Hey there guys so basically im having a really hard time deciding on what new build to go for, ive looked at so many systems im ready to jump off a bridge with confusion. I very nearly went for an i7 system:

CPU: Intel® Core i7 920
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 chipset, SLI/Crossfire)
Memory: 3.0GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz XMS3 CL9 (3x1GB)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB S-ATAII 3.0Gb/s 32MB Cache
Optical Drive: Sony DRU-190A 20X DVD±RW
Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB
PSU: Corsair TX 750W
Case: Antec Nine Hundred

I then realised i7 may not be the right option for me as it means buying into an enthusiasts platform. Im not into overclocking yet therefore not as knowledgeble as your average enthusiast either. I game now and then but dont render or multi-task so was thinking i7 would be a waste of my money seeing as though games arent optimized for i7 yet? But seeing as i hardly ever upgrade i thought the latest CPU architecture would do me well.

My current specs are:
CPU: AMD Athlon 2600+
Motherboard: Biostar M7NCD
Memory: 1GB Crucial (2x 512MB)
Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon X1550

So this is where u guys come in, instead of streching my budget and jumping to high end i7, i was thinking of going for the most bang for buck in terms of price vs quality and performance. What ya think?

I will be gaming on 1920x1080 and will be using XP 32-bit. This is what ive come up with so far:

CPU: Intel® Core 2 Duo E8400
CPU Cooler: Stock
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro (Intel P45 chipset, Crossfire)
Memory: 4.0GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz XMS2 (2x 2GB)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB S-ATAII 3.0GB/s 32MB Cache
Optical Drive: Sony DRU-190A 20X DVD±RW
Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB
Sound card: Onboard 7.1 Audio
PSU: Corsair TX 650W
Case: Antec Three Hundred

The reason i chose 4GB of memory is because 4GB only cost a little extra as opposed to the 2GB even though XP 32-bit can only address something like 3.5GB RAM.

So for all u system builders out there what would be the most bang for buck rig at the moment?

[OMG9950]

that core 2 duo is still a very fast system so thats best bang 4 buck x58 and i7 is for future proofing and enthusiasts.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by OMG9950

that core 2 duo is still a very fast system so thats best bang 4 buck x58 and i7 is for future proofing and enthusiasts.

Considering i5 is out in the next little while and will compete with i7 .. no i7 is not future proofing.

[OMG9950]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Considering i5 is out in the next little while and will compete with i7 .. no i7 is not future proofing.

/facepalm i5 is i7s little brother bud......Its the "mainstream" i7..

[dmelchart]

Also, i5 is supposed to be delayed now, so no, it will not be out in the next little while.

[misterlarry]

I think that you have a pretty good looking configuration. I would still recommend an after market CPU cooler only because, I always do, and the 4870 will likely crank out some high temps in the case. But I'm no expert. Good luck!

[Brian]

Definitely looks good for a bang for your buck system! Even with that it's still a pretty kickin' system!
Just have to chime in and say another +1 for the aftermarket CPU cooler... if it's within your budget of course. Just because (as mentioned before me) that size case might wind up keeping some heat from the video card in there. But I'm sure it won't be that much of a problem. Also adds a lot to the look of your system too!

Best of luck with the build!

[chouchou]

Your build looks great!
One thing i would suggest is to possibly switch that 4870 to a gtx 260 216. It's a great + and better "bang for your buck"
Also, maybe a bigger case than the 300? Given that you're throwing a lot of things in there, as ^ said, heat might gather up..
Yup, another +1 for an aftermarket cooler. Gives you headroom IF you think about overclocking in the future. 8400 is a great chip to pass up overclocking.
Last but not least i'd advise going 64bit vista. Great OS contrary to what a lot believe. + you'll get the full RAM addressed.
Keep in mind that the ram from vid card factors into the addressed ram for 32bit. Meaning that you might only be getting around ~3GB at the most.

[ImmaPC]

Personally I would get the Antec 900, or maybe CM Centurion 590. As misterlarry and Brian said, the size of the case is small relative to the heat from the 4870. Please, get an Antec 900 or CM Centurion 590 if it's in your budget! :D

+1 for aftermarket HSF. There's some great ones for fairly cheap, like the OCZ Vendetta II, and the Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

The 4870 can be had for ~ $230 plus or minus rebates, etc. Good choice on the card!

[3.0charlie]

What's your budget, for that bang?