Im thinking about buy a new computer from Hp.com. I want something thats top of the line and the fastest but i really dont know what processor to get my chocies are the Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-940 processor (2.93GHz, 1MB L2 + 8MB shared L3 cache with QPI Technology) and the Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9650 [3.0GHz] and last but not least the AMD Phenom(TM) II X4 940 quad-core processor [3.0GHz] I really dont care about the price, so does anyone has any opinions.
Q9650 is the best value, i7 940 is the best performer. Phenom II is the not so nice of the three offerings. (Rough performance index: Q9650: 100% Phenom II 940: 80% Core i7 940: 100-130%
HP is not a great company for high-end stuff. Dell offers workstations with two quad-core chips if money is not a concern. Also, the overall selection is much better at Dell, and Dell PCs are a lot more reliable in my experience. I hate all the OEMs and always build my own; but if I had to go OEM, it would probably be Dell.
Dell are even more of a pain with proprietary gear that's difficult to upgrade, but overall I agree I think they make the best prebuilt systems.
Ok now im thinking about just building my own. What are the advantages if build my own versus just buying OEM, the only reason why i thought buying and OEM computer is what if something goes wrong i could just send it back versus taking a computer that i build to a computer shop and having them look at it. So i did the math i would save like $100, but im going to stay within the $2000-$2300 budget. So im very interested in the Intel i7 processors the i7 965 in particular, but i was talking to a guy and he said, i would save a lot of money if i just went with the i7 920 and if i want i could overclock it and pretty much have the i7 965. He said the i7 965 is more for people that are really big into overclocking witch i know nothing about but planning to get into. What are your opinions about this? Heres what i have so far for parts for my computer everything is going to be brought from newegg.com LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144 COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 Western Digital Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB 5400 to 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136149 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220 Intel BOXDX58SO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.156822 Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM I didnt list the processor because im trying to find out what will be my best option to go with either the i7 920, 940 or the 965. So guys what do you think?
Heres the video card XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150330
Being able to send it off if it goes wrong is both good and bad. You don't have to diagnose the problem, but you will be without a working PC for much longer, and you have to send the whole thing off. If you have sufficient knowledge of PCs to know what the problem is, you can send the appropriate part back for a replacemenr, or if you're desperate, buy another, and when the replacement for the old one arrives, sell it. Everything there is good stuff except the motherboard, which is frankly pants. The guy you spoke to is correct about overclocking an i7 920, it won't be difficult to surpass the 965 in performance when you overclock a 920. Thing is, to overclock even the slightest amount with an i7, I'd strongly recommend a new cooler. Better motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 The GTX260 216 isn't usually a very good value card these days, but if you will play the two free games that come with it, that balances it out nicely.
The best buys these days are the HD4870 1GB (because it's cheap and outperforms the GTX260 216 in its non-overclocked versions), HD4890 and GTX275.
Ok heres what im thinking, Im trying to make a computer thats going to last me at least a few years by buying the i7 965 will i have that? Its stocked at 3.2ghz and if i need more speed for the feature i can just overclock versus just buying the i7 920.
Will this be a good cooler Thermaltake CL-W0075 Liquid Cooling System http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106077
No. Prebuilt watercooling is a terrible idea, especially low-quality ones like Thermaltakes. Stick with air cooling. With the i7 CPUs, you can never truly futureproof yourself. You are spending a vast amount more money for the 965 over the 920, and it won't make your PC last much longer before it becomes antiquated. The extra money you shell out has to be for the performance NOW, not later.
There have been a lot of bad EVGA motherboards in history. I see no reason to go for them specifically as a brand when there are other better options available. Asus are OK in the high end sector. Them and Gigabyte are fine, but my top picks for i7 are DFI and Biostar.
Last question before i order everything, im debating rather i should go with this rosewill power supply and save at least $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182097 or go with the corsail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007 What is my best option?
Short answer: neither. Reason why not the Rosewill: The Rosewill will go bang, and destroy half your components, possibly also catching fire. Reason why not the Corsair: It's complete overkill, you don't need anywhere near 1KW for your system. What you should actually buy: The damn power supply you posted to start with: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 Or, better yet, this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379007
I didnt mention that im going to go with the i7 965 not the i7 920. The reason why i thought 1KW would be good was what if i want to add more things in the future i would have the power if i need it.
You won't need it, trust me. Even with dual graphics, my friend's i7 overclocked to 4Ghz has a 750W TX, and even that's overkill. You only really need more than 700W for triple or quad graphics, no matter the CPU.
