Tax refund = New Computer!

[Gaviston]

I've suffered long enough with my Pentium 4, I built some years back. Never have enough money to buy a new computer though, until now. Getting larger than expected tax refund baby! $1,563 bucks. Woot.

Haven't built a computer since my current system, about 5 years ago. Been viewing tech-forums here drooling over other builds, and now it's my turn!

First off, I'd like to ask what's you guys opinion in processors. I can put together a system easily enough. With all the recommendations on previous threads. I'm just not sure if I should get a Core 2 Quad... or the new i7.

I know it will be easier to upgrade in the future with the X58 motherboard... but is it worth the extra cost when I could spend less on the processor, MB and ram... and get a much better video card. I really want the GTX 280 1GB.

Or am I over analyzing like usual.

 

[NosBoost300]

gtx285 will suit you better
core i7 920

 

[saltynay]

Go I7 you won't regret it and with that budget you have plenty of room for a graphics card. What type of cases do you like?

Cpu: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
ram Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
gpu:Newegg.com - MSI N285GTX-T2D1G-OC GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
sound card: Asus xonar d2x
psu: Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE ST1000 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
Case: lian li or silverstone but you may prefer the "gaming look" give us some examples of what you like
Hdd: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

This is why you should get a 285 over the 280
Nvidia's GeForce GTX 285 and 295 graphics cards - The Tech Report - Page 7

 

[philbar71]

^ build looks good. a bit overboard with the psu, salty?

 

[saltynay]

Yeah copy and pasted from a thread for a possible tri-sli 280 build this would probably be better in this case Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

If he doesn't order today then get this one
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS750QBL 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies