New build, budget around $500

[techtard]

Hey guys, I was wondering if you could help me out.
(I have been waiting so long to upgrade that I am in a semi-permanent holding pattern, waiting for the next release.)

I am currently only allowed to spend a portion of the tax refund on my toys, so if you guys could help me optimize my purchase that would be awesome.
(I am not going with my friends advice IRL, they are fanboys and don't use logic when purchasing.)

I intend to reuse the following parts, which shall be upgraded at a later time:

22" 1680x1050 LCD
Radeon 5850 w/ Gelid IcyVision cooler
120gb HyperX SSD (sata6) For MMOs, SC2 and whatever 'game of the moment' is on heavy rotation
NH-d14 cooler
WD caviar black hdd for Steam
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit retail edition
Generic DVD combo drive
Corsair HX 620 Watt PSU
HAF 922 case

I was seriously considering an i5-2500k cpu, 8gb ddr3@1600mhz, and a z68 mobo with maybe a Crucial M4 for the OS drive.
But then the Z77 motherboards got released and the new Intel i5 & i7 CPUs are being released. So I am right back in that holding pattern. Help me break free!

Basically I am looking at the 'core' of a new platform : CPU, RAM, Mobo, bootdrive.

Also, maybe I can use the HyperX 120gb SSd that I currently own as the boot drive and buy a new PSU?

One of my friends spent the weekend trying to talk me into an Fx-8120 build. I like AMD
becaus they have pretty nice features for their motherboards, but their CPUs have been pretty lackluster lately.

I mention the AMD because I can save a bit of money and maybe shoehorn in a new HyperX 120gb ssd for Raid 0 goodness.

Also, I have been seeing rumors online of the new i5 and i7 series running hotter than expected, and maybe not overclockign as much.

Budget $500, maybe $600 Canadian dollars. Ty for any help.

PS My current rig will be replacing my fathers old and tired pentium 4 internet/email box.

[Rowsol]

2500k and a cheap p67 board

[brandonwh64]

Well the new IB CPU's are about to release BUT I have heard some of the reviewers mention that they would rather keep their SB cpu's than use the IB due to heat and some are poor OCers.

With that said I think 2500K/2600K and Z68/Z77 would be a good option.

[techtard]

Is there a good, affordable mobo that can reliably overclock an i5-2500k and not break the bank?
I'm thinking maybe a new PSU instead of an extra SSD, just to be careful.

So i5-2500k, 8gb ddr3 are looking pretty solid. Is it worth getting 16gb of RAM right now?
I can get 8gb for $46, and they are selling 16 for $90.

Now I need a mobo and either a SSD for OS drive, or a new, quality PSU.

[brandonwh64]

Were do you live? below are some NICE motherboards quite cheap

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

BIOSTAR TZ77XE3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

*Edit*

Honestly, if your gaming and other light stuff, 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz is fine

[BarbaricSoul]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819115072

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820226219

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813130610

$504.97

Granted, that's with a higher-end motherboard. I can't say I'm a MSI fan. Infact before this board, I didn't have a very good opinion of MSI for some reason(not sure why though). Only reason I got this board is because I bought it used from a very reputable seller here for about $75 off newegg price. I have to say, I have been very happy with this board. I've taken my 2600k as high as 4.9 ghz, and it's max multi 48.

Skip on the 2nd SSD and just reuse your current PSU.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by BarbaricSoul

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819115072

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820226219

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813130610

$504.97

Granted, that's with a higher-end motherboard. I can't say I'm a MSI fan. Infact before this board, I didn't have a very good opinion of MSI for some reason(not sure why though). Only reason I got this board is because I bought it used from a very reputable seller here for about $75 off newegg price. I have to say, I have been very happy with this board. I've taken my 2600k as high as 4.9 ghz, and it's max multi 48.

Skip on the 2nd SSD and just reuse your current PSU.

BTH it doesn't take that 240$ motherboard to OC the 2500K. The 100$ ones I posted above will do it with no sweat. SB clocks very well on lower end boards.

[BarbaricSoul]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

BTH it doesn't take that 240$ motherboard to OC the 2500K. The 100$ ones I posted above will do it with no sweat. SB clocks very well on lower end boards.

true, but it was within his budget, so I threw it out there.

BTW, this MSI board is a better OC'er than the Z68 Gigabyte board I originally had. The Gigabyte board didnt have UEFI bios though, and it's not the same model as the Gigabyte board you listed.

[brandonwh64]

Those ASRock boards I listed have been know for good clockers as well. The gigabyte board I posted is the same one I use and It clocks VERY well for a 8+2 Phase board. If he is benching then yes, I would recommend a 200+$ board but for sb 4.4-4.6Ghz is its sweet spots and the boards listed should do that with no issues.

[techtard]

Thanks for the replies guys, I am currently looking at
i5-2500k
ASRock Z68 EXTREME3 GEN3
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 (so it matches mobo)
Crucial m4 64gb OS drive
all for just under $500 shipped.
Now all I need to do is convince "the boss". LOL

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by techtard

Thanks for the replies guys, I am currently looking at
i5-2500k
ASRock Z68 EXTREME3 GEN3
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 (so it matches mobo)
Crucial m4 64gb OS drive
all for just under $500 shipped.
Now all I need to do is convince "the boss". LOL

Good luck with that..... I had to convience my boss to let me buy a I3-2120 HAHAH

[JrRacinFan]

Nice build techtard. Where ya ordering from? Can I just mention something, shoot me down if you want to but 'ere goes. Skip on the Crucial for now, work on selling your 5850 and maybe shoot for a 560Ti/6950 with the funds. Also see if you can somehow squeeze 1866 cl9 spec'd ram in there.

[badtaylorx]

if those 3 are all you need this is a no brainer @500$


max V no subs....will not regret......this will give you access to SSD cache (really fast...not quite as fast as a sata3 ssd....but damn close) and the new lucid software embedded on the z77chip... (the end of screen tearing as we know it....this board is a gamer's wet dream don't settle!!!

ASUS Maximus V Gene LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6... $200

intel 2550k wtf....an extra 10 bucks for a cooler running higher clocking chip....hell yeah!!!

Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Tu... $230

memory.....these Samsung's are incredible find a review.....nothing comes close in bang4buck

SAMSUNG 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 1280... $24/4gb....



read up on the intel ssd caching .... i really think you already have what you need for storage...your money would be better spent elsewhere...

good luck

bTx

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by badtaylorx

if those 3 are all you need this is a no brainer @500$


max V no subs....will not regret......this will give you access to SSD cache (really fast...not quite as fast as a sata3 ssd....but damn close) and the new lucid software embedded on the z77chip... (the end of screen tearing as we know it....this board is a gamer's wet dream don't settle!!!

ASUS Maximus V Gene LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6... $200

intel 2550k wtf....an extra 10 bucks for a cooler running higher clocking chip....hell yeah!!!

Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Tu... $230

memory.....these Samsung's are incredible find a review.....nothing comes close in bang4buck

SAMSUNG 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 1280... $24/4gb....



read up on the intel ssd caching .... i really think you already have what you need for storage...your money would be better spent elsewhere...

good luck

bTx

Why spend 230$ for a 2550K when he could sweet talk someone that lives next to a microcenter to buy him a 2600K for 199$

[lilhasselhoffer]

Seconding the AsRock suggestion, as I've got the extreme 3 variant and it allows me to get 4.3 GHz without really pushing anything. Additionally, the support for AsRock is more reasonable than that of Gigabyte... Just be prepared for a 2+ week wait if you don't get it replaced by the seller.

16 GB is a nice spot. If you run any sort of encoding or memory heavy applications then the expenditure is more than worth it. If you're only gaming then get 8 GB with the lowest latency possible.

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Why spend 230$ for a 2550K when he could sweet talk someone that lives next to a microcenter to buy him a 2600K for 199$

If you want some sweet talk, I'd love to provide. North Carolina is devoid of any kind of Micro Center, and I'd be very happy if you could find it in your heart to give me a fix... Completely serious though, PM please!

[badtaylorx]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Why spend 230$ for a 2550K when he could sweet talk someone that lives next to a microcenter to buy him a 2600K for 199$

could you link me an add....all i see is one for 279.99......if you can show me the link im heading out to Boston asap!!! only an hour away

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Why spend 230$ for a 2550K when he could sweet talk someone that lives next to a microcenter to buy him a 2600K for 199$

Originally Posted by badtaylorx

could you link me an add....all i see is one for 279.99......if you can show me the link im heading out to Boston asap!!! only an hour away

That sale ended on Sunday I beleive.

[techtard]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Nice build techtard. Where ya ordering from? Can I just mention something, shoot me down if you want to but 'ere goes. Skip on the Crucial for now, work on selling your 5850 and maybe shoot for a 560Ti/6950 with the funds. Also see if you can somehow squeeze 1866 cl9 spec'd ram in there.

Ordering thru ncix. Those guys do price-matching and a lot of my friends order from there. Will look into the 1866 ddr3, doesn't look to be a very expensive upgrade from 1600.
Waiting on the Gtx 660 to judge an upgrade path for the vid card. Either GTX 660 or Radeon 7870.

@badtaylorx Doesn't the z68 do caching too?

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by techtard

Doesn't the z68 do caching too?

Yes it does.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by jrracinfan

that sale ended on sunday i beleive.

aww!!

[techtard]

Actually I was browsing Newwegg.ca and there seems to be a lot more variety. Cheaper ddr3 RAM too.
I might order through them, and upgrade the z86 to an ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 just for future proofing.
You guys rock, so many good suggestions!

[badtaylorx]

Originally Posted by techtard

Ordering thru ncix. Those guys do price-matching and a lot of my friends order from there. Will look into the 1866 ddr3, doesn't look to be a very expensive upgrade from 1600.
Waiting on the Gtx 660 to judge an upgrade path for the vid card. Either GTX 660 or Radeon 7870.

@badtaylorx Doesn't the z68 do caching too?

it does....but what it doesnt have is the LucidLogix Virtu MVP which has "newly designed Virtual Sync, users can enjoy a smoother gaming experience by eliminating tearing artifacts"

a godsend for anyone with a 60Hz monitor

[techtard]

I'll make my decision tonight. Ncix usually has some nice deals on Wednesday nights, and I like their price-matching feature. If they don't have anything interesting I may for for Newegg.

I'm definitely moving on from this old AM2+ build.
It was fun, AMD. But I'm going back to Intel for this build.

@badtaylorx I'll read up on that new Lucid tech. I've been of the opinion that those guys are snake-oil salesmen though.

[badtaylorx]

they (were).....past tense

since giving up trying to marry off a 580 with a 6970 they've made some epic breakthrough software....ie quick-sync

[techtard]

I did some reading up on some z77 board reviews, and they say if you have Intel integrated graphics, Radeon dedicated GPU or an nVidia dedicated GPU that you should stay away from Lucid.
The reviews I read recommended not installing the bundled Lucid software.

I have read that i5-3570k will be about 10% faster on average than an i5-2500k, and we know they also natively run pcie-3.0
The tradeoff is potentially lower overclocks, and they run a lot hotter.

So should I order RAM and a z77 mobo now, and wait for the new CPUs to release to buy, or just pull the trigger on a 2500k now.

I want this system to last a good 4 years like my last one.

(Even though I had to cobble together parts due to dying components)

I can live with waiting a bit for the CPU if the core system wil be better in the long run.

Also, looking at an Asus motherboard, but they are a lot more expensive than the other brands. I've always had good luck with Asus, and they are pretty good with bios updates.

PS I woke up super early to surf the web, scouring for info. Damn upgrade bug is ruining my sleep!