Which build?

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RudyA956

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Hey Guys,

Never been much of a computer gamer. I usually play console games ps3 and nintendo wii. I have played some computer games but none with "intense graphics" I've played world of warcraft counter strike and starcraft (LOL :)). Anyways I'm building a gaming rig. I dont know if I should go for an i7 920 / ddr3 build or a q9650 ddr 2 build. I know that ddr3 isnt in the proper stages to be superior to ddr3 in gaming anyways and I also know that there aint much of a diffrence between the i7 and the 9650 IN GAMING. I know the i7 will rip the 9650 a new one when it comes to encoding and other apps. These are the setups I would like (please feel free to bash me on my choices :)).

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory x2
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
and lets not forget the all mighty
Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease
or

Newegg.com - EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

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

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

still undecided on the video card still don't know if I should save some green and go to the 285 and wait for the 295 prices to drop or to fork up the extra dough and go for the 295
oh and this is my case
Thermaltake VH8000BWS Armor+ MX ATX Mid-Tower Case - 230mm Fan at TigerDirect.com
and monitor
Acer X223Wbd 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 2500:1, 1680 x 1050 (WSXGA+), VGA, DVI (HDCP), Black ET EX3WP 001 at TigerDirect.com

please comment guys!!

thanks in advance!!
----Rudy
 
I'd go for the i7 build. It's more future proof and holds better value. For that size monitor, the 285 would be good. The 295 would only be necessary if you're gaming at 1900 x 1200 res or above.
 
Just a few things to point out. If you go with the first build, the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro comes with a thermal pad of MX-2 which is better than Arctic Silver 5, so you won't need to buy the extra thermal.

For the second build, you will obviously want an aftermarket cooler to take advantage of the overclock value on the 920. If you are debating between those two video cards, I'd get the 285. Getting another 285 later when the price drops will up your performance higher than just one 295, and you could eventually add a third card, but that is rarely necessary.

The RAM looks good in both, as well as the PSU and the rest of the parts. I didn't put them together in a shopping cart to see which was cheapest, but even with the added expense of the i7 I think you would have a better computer for even longer. Add an aftermarket cooler to the 920, overclock it to 3.2-3.4GHz and it will be quite a bit faster even at gaming than the Q9650.
 
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