Core i7 - SRT Forums

SRTie4k · 08-20-2009, 11:55 AM

My parents want a new PC and I agreed to help them build a custom box with a lot of my current and shelved parts (Abit IP35 Pro, Core 2 Duo E6850, 4GB Corsair XMS PC8500 RAM, Geforce 8800GTX), which means I have half of a new system paid for me, so upgrade time it is.

Anyone running a Core i7, what are your thoughts on the i7 compared to the C2D/Q line? I don't expect a significant gaming improvement, but I wonder what differentiates the i7 from the C2D/Q line.

BLKDOUTSRT4 · 08-23-2009, 10:57 AM

i7 is a giant leap in technology compared to a c2d from what ive read they are night and day difference

**mmenser** · 08-23-2009, 11:11 AM

i7 with ddr3 will give you a noticeable difference when playing most games over the c2q/c2d series GENERALLY... Make sure you get a solid board though. I built a system for a customer not too long ago, and this was the board we went with for the i7:

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Everything was cut and dry. Also, the heatsink/fan that intel ships with the i7 seemed much easier to seat then any c2d I have built to date. I always hated feeling like I had to almost break the board in half in order to get the heatsink/fan to seat properly.

Bottom line is, the i7 is a HUGE HUGE HUGE leap in technology, but JUST when it comes to gaming, you will see higher fps rates and an overall higher performance benchmark with the core 2's that are ABOVE 3.0 GHz. c2e QX9770 is my favorite chip. You would also probably see a slightly higher benchmark on the Q9650.

Just my POV.

Adionik · 08-23-2009, 02:09 PM

Really? So I7 is worth the money? I've been wanting to build a new rig around this chip but I haven't researched much about it

**mmenser** · 08-23-2009, 02:25 PM

I mean, I would not do it right now if money really is an issue, because I attended an Intel webinar last week about vPro, and the speaker was hinting at the next round of chips being released in Q4. When that happens, the 940 i7 should come down in price, and the supporting hardware from different manufacturers should as well. THEN I think it will be worth it. Right now, I would much rather build a system around:

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Q9650. Chip is a little higher in price than the lowest end i7, but supporting hardware is a little cheaper for what you get. All in all you will pay the same for a Q9650 system with higher end hardware than you would for a system built around an i7 (920) with the most economical parts. You are going to enjoy the higher quality Q9650 more than the i7, buhlee dat homie. ESPECIALLY for gaming.

Adionik · 08-23-2009, 05:15 PM

Well I build computers every 4-5 years...i might be able to splurge a lil. I can probably save a lot by going with a so-so $200 GPU

SRTie4k · 08-24-2009, 09:37 PM

This is what I just ordered today. The hard drive is going to be used to build my parents a PC from my leftover parts.

Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

**mmenser** · 08-25-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTie4k

This is what I just ordered today. The hard drive is going to be used to build my parents a PC from my leftover parts.

Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

You coulda prolly found a 25 dollar combo drive and noticed no difference whatsoever and saved 20 bucks. Also, not a fan of evga. Had 3 of their boards go up in the same office for the same client about 5 months after a bulk build. I prefer Gigabyte. I guess you are recycling your curent P/S also. And I didn't see an OS there. I guess you have that taken care of.

All in all, should be a solid build. The issues that I had with the evga boards, was with the P45 chipset series. This is the X58 and is a totally different board, so I think you will be fine. I just don't deal with them anymore.... it is like when you get a bad meal at a restaraunt and you don't go back because that is what you remember. Same kinda thing. Could happen on any board. Good luck man!

SRTie4k · 08-25-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mmenser

You coulda prolly found a 25 dollar combo drive and noticed no difference whatsoever and saved 20 bucks. Also, now a fan ov evga. Had 3 of their boards go up in the same office for the same client about 5 months after a bulk build. I prefer Gigabyte. I guess you are recycling your curent P/S also. And I didn't see an OS there. I guess you have that taken care of.

All in all, should be a solid build. The issues that I had with the evga boards, was with the P45 chipset series. This is the X58 and is a totally different board, so I think you will be fine. I just don't deal with them anymore.... it is like when you get a bad meal at a restaraunt and you don't go back because that is what you remember. Same kinda thing. Could happen on any board. Good luck man!

If you're talking about the DVD Burner, I've always been a fan of Plextor. Their drives, in my experience, have always been quieter and more reliable than companies like Light-On and LG.

**mmenser** · 08-25-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTie4k

If you're talking about the DVD Burner, I've always been a fan of Plextor. Their drives, in my experience, have always been quieter and more reliable than companies like Light-On and LG.

Gotcha. Nice build!