Yea Microcenter is going after Newegg, that's why the prices are like that. I heard, they will even knock off sales tax.
You can see if there is a store near you by going to the upper right box and scrolling thru the stores.
I have one about 2 hours away in Cleveland.
They can't be going after them that hard because the only "deal" I got was the processor. Their memory & motherboard was higher than New Egg AND Amazon.com.
I guess I can't complain too much... I did save a whopping $31.55 over Newegg :)
Here's the breakdown...
Micro Center
GA-X58A-UD5 = $299.99 (before $20 dollar mail in rebate)
i7-930 Proc = $199.99
6 gig Corsair Dominator Memory = $249.99
Total = $749.97 (before mail in rebate) + $37.50 taxes (5% state tax) = $787.47
Newegg
GA-X58A-UD5 = $279.99
i7-930 Proc = $288.99
6gig Corsair Dominator Memory = $219.99 (before $20 dollar mail in rebate)
Total = $788.97 (before mail in rebate) + $30.05 (UPS 2nd day delivery) = $819.02
Though I saved $89 dollars on the processor, they made up for it on the memory & motherboard.
As a seperate issue, and this is big with me, I can always do a face to face should I need to return something.
I've got a MicroCenter near me that I have gone too on occasion. Reminds me of the old computer swap meet shows that my dad and I used to go to.
The do have great prices on some items, some times....but it's like they have a pallet of things which fell off the truck. Often times things come out in big cardboard boxes like it's an OEM shipment...parts come in static bags versus retail boxes, etc. I've often felt something a little fishy was going on there.
Well all of my items were in stock retail boxes or I might of thought twice about making the purchase. In fact most of their stock is retail boxed so...
Now, if we’re talking hard drives, optical, and stuff like that, well yeah, but then you know or should know, it’s oem. I don't see any fishiness going on, and I could make the same argument about online stores so....
I do have a policy of purchasing my motherboards, processors, and memory from a brick and mortar store. I just don’t feel comfortable with purchasing these online as you never know who's return(s) you might get, especially if you buy oem. But that’s me.
And yes, I make online purchases all the time, I just don’t buy those items.
I suppose you cold smell fish anywhere
My side of the story.
OK, I'm going with the i7 930.
Now I [believe to] have narrowed down the Mobos.
My choices are
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
ASUS P6X58D-E
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD7
And
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD6
Any further suggestions?
I'm partial to the least expensive of the bunch. But please feel free to make a case for others.
Oh and anyone recommend an inexpensive, but cool-looking case?
If you're going with a i7-930, you can forget the Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD7. The 55 is an 1156 socket = i7-800 series, i7-500 series, i7-300 series.
The i7-900 series (i7-930) is a 1366 socket. That's where the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R figures in.
Bottom line...You can't use the i7-930 on the GA-P55A-UD7 board.
Last edited by sygnus21; 22 May 2010 at 02:32. Reason: corrections
Yeah, I meant socket. I was actually writing this when you chimed in :)
You also need to consider your RAM...
The 55 chipset (1156 processor socket) uses dual channel DDR3 memory i.e 2/4/8 gig = 2 stick sets.
The 58 chipset (1366 processor socket) uses DDR3 triple channel memory 6/12/24gig = 3 stick sets
The X58 chipset is more of a higher end system then the 55 chipset performance wise.
Price wise the 58 system will be more expensive over a similar 55 system. Do your homework and some research.
X58 vs. P55: Explaining Intel's Core i5/i7 Chipsets
If you're going with a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R, again, wait or look for rev 2.0 as these are upgraded boards from the rev 1.0 boards. Gigabyte x58a udr3 Revision 2.0
And if you do go with Gigabyte, here's a good site for tips/help - TweakTown forums - GIGABYTE
Most if not all X58's will, you just need to check that the BIOS supports the chips, and if neccessary, do a BIOS update.
I know I had to do a BIOS update right off the bat with mine as it shipped with the basic BIOS (F1) which didn't fully recognize my 930 chip.
I would do some homework on BIOS updates on the board you choose prior to purchase, this way you won't be left in the dark should you need to do one to get your system up and running.
Good luck.
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