Core i7 system for under $1400?

**ben805** · 03-24-2009, 08:11 AM

I'm trying to upgrade my dinosaur AMD Opteron 148 system and base on the brief research I did, here is a list of gear that I came up with from newegg, I'll be using it mainly for video editing and photoshop, and a little gaming once awhile. As far as memory goes...please let me know if I made the right choices and if you would change any thing from the list? I would like to run 12GB of ram if not I could settle on 6GB kit.

Intel Core i7 920 $279.99
Asus P6T Deluxe V2 $289.99
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x2GB) DDR3 1600 $109.99/ea (x2 = 12GB $219.98)
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid tower $109.99
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W PSU SLI Certified: $119.99
Samsung 22X DVD Burner $24.99
EVGA GTX 285 1GB video card $354.99

total: $1399.92.

note: I already have several hard drives that I can use so it's not included in the list.

**SNiiPE_DoGG** · 03-24-2009, 08:17 AM

the antec 900 is C-Rappy lol.... do yourself a favor and get a CM690 or a HAF932 (the two best budget cases around IMO)

**clayton** · 03-24-2009, 08:43 AM

I would go with 6gb ram and upgrade to a GTX 295. Unless you're planning to go SLI later with 2 285's.

**ben805** · 03-24-2009, 10:19 AM

K, i'll look into CM690 or HAF932 for the case then.

Originally Posted by clayton

I would go with 6gb ram and upgrade to a GTX 295. Unless you're planning to go SLI later with 2 285's.

Any reason why 6GB ram instead of 12GB? I don't game much, the only game that I play once awhile is the BF2 or BF2142, that's why I do not need the best video card or anything, I don't plan on running SLI either.

**Fafeifa** · 03-24-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by ben805

K, i'll look into CM690 or HAF932 for the case then.

Any reason why 6GB ram instead of 12GB? I don't game much, the only game that I play once awhile is the BF2 or BF2142, that's why I do not need the best video card or anything, I don't plan on running SLI either.

I bought the CM690 at the refurbished store of CM at half the price. The case looks like new!!

**NoX** · 03-24-2009, 10:47 AM

I have exactly the system you outlined except I bought an Antec 1200 (Newegg deal). I'm completely satisfied with the setup. It pushes games at 1920 x 1200 with no effort. I would just recommend to get the 2GB version of the GTX285. It would be better long term purchase.

**PC_User** · 03-24-2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by ben805

Any reason why 6GB ram instead of 12GB? I don't game much, the only game that I play once awhile is the BF2 or BF2142, that's why I do not need the best video card or anything, I don't plan on running SLI either.

What will you be doing that requires 12GB of ram?

Also, for that price, I'd recommend going with the Corsair 850TX PSU. It's $100 after rebate from Newegg.

**ben805** · 03-24-2009, 10:59 AM

Converting RAW files from my Canon 5D Mark II (21MP) camera is the main reason why I think having 12GB of RAM would help, each RAW file is about 22~28MB depending on what ISO i use, right now it takes about 1 1/2hr to convert about 580 RAW files. Then post processing these files in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or Lightroom 2.3 takes forever with my current machine....

If 6GB is sufficient then I'll stick with it, anything to consider is if or when I decided to overclock this system, would 6GB allow higher overclock as well?

**faster3200** · 03-24-2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by ben805

Converting RAW files from my Canon 5D Mark II (21MP) camera is the main reason why I think having 12GB of RAM would help, each RAW file is about 22~28MB depending on what ISO i use, right now it takes about 1 1/2hr to convert about 580 RAW files. Then post processing these files in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or Lightroom 2.3 takes forever with my current machine....

If 6GB is sufficient then I'll stick with it, anything to consider is if or when I decided to overclock this system, would 6GB allow higher overclock as well?

I'm in Web Deisgn, but I have done a fair amount of graphic work too. I haven't really used many RAW files at the same time, but I have worked with very large vector files. For me, 6gb is enough, but 12gb would probably be slightly better. It is a huge step up from 4gb though, the difference is noticeable on CS4.

The main thing keeping me from 12gb is I don't think it is really all the needed and it will make OCing harder.

**PC_User** · 03-24-2009, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by ben805

Converting RAW files from my Canon 5D Mark II (21MP) camera is the main reason why I think having 12GB of RAM would help, each RAW file is about 22~28MB depending on what ISO i use, right now it takes about 1 1/2hr to convert about 580 RAW files. Then post processing these files in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or Lightroom 2.3 takes forever with my current machine....

If 6GB is sufficient then I'll stick with it, anything to consider is if or when I decided to overclock this system, would 6GB allow higher overclock as well?

I pretty much do exactly the same thing, only I have a 40D. 6GB is enough if you ask me.

**Bobsama** · 03-24-2009, 08:05 PM

What about dropping the GTX285? I think CS4 is accelerated by HD4800s as well, and a 4830, while not as fast, would be much less expensive. Other than that, what about the DFI LP DK T3eH6?

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/view...5445&sliceId=1

What about a G92 512MB or 1GB card? Decent gaming, good in CS4.

**SNiiPE_DoGG** · 03-25-2009, 05:37 AM

4870's are beasts in cs4 lol, or at least my dad (who is a professional photographer) can zoom and pan in CS4 while working on an ~800mb file with ease

**Lukee** · 03-25-2009, 05:44 AM

The extra 6 GB is $109 more so if you are ok with that, then get it. I have 12 GB. That said, 6 GB probably OCs better, so if you plan on OCing the ram, then 6 GB may be better. My Ram isn't OCed.

I have the HAF 932 now and love it. I used to have the Antec 900 and it was a good case, but a bit small. The 932 has tons of room. I recommend it.

**ben805** · 03-25-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by PC_User

I pretty much do exactly the same thing, only I have a 40D. 6GB is enough if you ask me.

I still have my 40D as backup, my current system with only 2GB handle 40D files just fine. But the 5D Mark 2 is a whole different beast!

**ben805** · 03-25-2009, 11:00 AM

What after market heatsink/cooler do you guys recommend for the Core i7 920? I prefer to stick with air cooling.

As for video card, I'm still using the X1900XTX....it's more than enough for me to game BF2, I guess it will do ok with CS4, etc as well?

**SNiiPE_DoGG** · 03-25-2009, 11:44 AM

I've just installed the coolermaster V8 in an i7 system and its definitely a really nice cooler. the tip-top is the TRUE as always

**PC_User** · 03-25-2009, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by ben805

What after market heatsink/cooler do you guys recommend for the Core i7 920? I prefer to stick with air cooling.

Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 RT 1366.

Originally Posted by ben805

As for video card, I'm still using the X1900XTX....it's more than enough for me to game BF2, I guess it will do ok with CS4, etc as well?

A bit of an older card, but should be able to handle CS4 just fine. If you plan on playing the latest games, you'll need to upgrade.

**2slick4u** · 03-25-2009, 07:40 PM

[QUOTE=ben805;3741180]What after market heatsink/cooler do you guys recommend for the Core i7 920? I prefer to stick with air cooling.

Noctua NH-U12P

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