Video and memory for i7 build

[kudos]

Short version:
Have an EVGA E760-A1 X58 mobo, an i7-920.
I need memory suggestions in the 6GB 1.5v category, as well as a video card to upgrade my 8800gt in the $200 price range


Long version:
I am currently building a new PC. I got a great deal on this motherboard EVGA 141-BL-E760-A1 X58, and plan to pair it with an i7-920. I don’t really have an overall price range in mind but I do have some parts in mind I would like suggestions on. I’ll be buying all my parts in the US, on whatever website I find the best deals on. For example, I’ve actually been finding good deals at Amazon.com with free shipping for some of the parts I want. I’ve switched brand loyalty based on which brand had the best performance and right now it’s Intel and AMD. Besides those two brands, it’s just whatever gets the best bang for the buck really.
I do plan on using some of my existing parts at least initially as I plan on buying components over a period of time to help ease the stress on the wallet. I will be re-using my power supply, but will be upgrading to a corsair cmpsu-750tx 750w in the future. I’ll re-use my LCD’s, my keyboard, mouse, speakers, DVD burner (which is still IDE…*shiver*), Antec P180 case and my hard drive which is just a basic Seagate 250GB sata drive until I upgrade to a 650gb WD caviar black drive.
The components I am having a hard time deciding on would be the memory and the video card. I want to use 6GB of memory at 1.5v (based on suggestions from other threads here that mentioned i7 builds don’t like running memory over 1.5v) but it’s pretty tough to find. I think the only set I found so far was Giel which I wouldn’t mind if that’s the best option. For the memory, I’d like to spend as little as possible but assume I’ll have to spend at least $175. I hate how the prices skyrocketed for no noticeable reason. As far as the video card goes, I am currently running an 8800gt 512MB. It’s served me extremely well the past few years, and I’d like to get something that’s going to blow it out of the water, but would like to spend around $200 for it. I noticed the 4890 is still available at some places (tigerdirect, amazon) and is right at that pricepoint.
I don’t plan on overclocking and I run at either 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 depending on which monitor I use as my main. I'll also be running Win7 Pro 64bit.
Just for edification, I am running an Asus A8ne (non sli, first edition board I got while attending the debut of Xp 64bit conference), a 64 bit AMD Athlon processor (I forget the specs, it's been that long), an XFX 8800gt 512MB (not OC'd), and a 250gb seagate SATA hdd (7200rpm, pretty slow on the benchmarks so it will be upgraded in the future)

 

[PeteRoy]

This card might be good for under 200$

 

[kudos]

Thanks for that suggestion.
I was curious about the new dx11 cards. That card has better specs then the 4890 I was looking at too, and for 20 bucks cheaper.

 

[MisterDonut]

I wouldn't spend the enthusiast money on a 1366 socket, rather an 1156 and save quite a bit of money (unless you already have some parts). TurboBoost on an i5 is more than enough, but if you really want the best bang for buck, AMD is the way to go. A Phenom II 955 handles games probably as well as most Intel quadcores will. Spend the money saved on a nice 5850 or wait for games that will actually use its full potential. Or pick up a faster HDD/SSD (personally I wouldn't pay the high price for an SSD, especially for gaming).

If you like low voltage RAM, G.Skill ECO is the way to go. Good headroom for overclocking around 1.5v, not so much around 1.35v, as it's rated. Still, though, great line.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

1366 is not that much more $$$, and it's nice getting 17,800 MB/s memory read bandwidth to feed the 4 cores (not that it's so simple). Anyway, www.compusa.com had some Kingston HyperX for a decent price + free shipping. (I think it was $180 for 3x2GB 1600 MHz)

 

[mfenn]

I want to use 6GB of memory at 1.5v (based on suggestions from other threads here that mentioned i7 builds don’t like running memory over 1.5v) but it’s pretty tough to find.

Really now....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

 

[kudos]

Yes, Giel is the only DDR3 1600 at 1.5v
Look at that list and tell me why I should pay more money for slower memory?
Maybe I've been out of it so long I really don't know what I'm looking at...

 

[RaistlinZ]

This card might be good for under 200$

You should be able to find a 5770 for around $170 or less. The $190 XFX version is a rip-off.

 

[kudos]

I have seen the 5770 for that price point, but the specs are all lower then the XFX version.
Haven't looked for benchmarks though, so have no idea if it would be worth the extra 20 bucks or not, but I do know that the XFX version has better specs then the 4890 I was looking at for ~$200

 

[mfenn]

Yes, Giel is the only DDR3 1600 at 1.5v
Look at that list and tell me why I should pay more money for slower memory?
Maybe I've been out of it so long I really don't know what I'm looking at...

There's pretty much no point to buying anything over DDR3 1333 for the X58 platform unless you're overclocking. Check out http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3589&p=6 and look at the real-world benches.

Now AM3 and 1156 (Lynnfield has a revised memory controller) can take advantage of DD3 1600 in a much better way, which is why you see at lot more 1.5V 2-channel kits.

BUT, as you said, there's no reason not to buy the GEIL kit at that price point. I was just refuting your assertion "I think the only set I found so far was Giel".

 

[kudos]

Got it.
I'll check out those benchmarks.
I was just going under the assumption of the highest clock speed the mobo can support, the more I can put thru the memory so it must be better =P
And of course, I know a little about how the timing changes how that works, but never did read any memory benchmarks so I'll go check that out.
Thanks