Help needed on build.

[Ikaruga]

Ok, got it! I'm feeling confident about the 4 year old cpu anyway! I'll look more into that overclocking part latter.
Now the thing I don't like that much is the motherboard, it has PCIe 2.0, won't it affect the gpu performance?

i7-2600 and PCIe 2.0 is enough for gaming, and 16GB ram is "enough" for 3D stuff. What kind of monitor do you have (native resolution?)

 

[Asvybre]

What are you doing? The 3630QM is a laptop CPU..............

Why are you so apprehensive about buying the 2600 used?

No, PCIe 2.0 won't significantly affect performance. Plenty of people are on that platform with up-to-date graphics cards. Since you've decided that you're going to upgrade to new hardware in the near future, I don't see a problem with a 4-year-old CPU if it's as excellent as the 2600 is.

I wasn't quite sure and it wasn't specified in the specifications of the cpu on intel's site, sorry.

I don't know, never thought of doing that and I don't know what to expect really...

That's a relief then! Soon enough I'll buy it!

 

[Asvybre]

i7-2600 and PCIe 2.0 is enough for gaming, and 16GB ram is "enough" for 3D stuff. What kind of monitor do you have (native resolution?)

I'm planing on playing mainly on 1080p.

 

[tabascosauz]

I'm planing on playing mainly on 1080p.

Seeing as you'd probably want the GPU to last, rather than have to replace it when you replace your CPU, maybe you'd want to look at something that can handle 1440P just to be on the safe side. GTX 960 and R9 380 are decent 1080P cards. I think you can figure out the rest from there; just go up the stack.

 

[Asvybre]

Seeing as you'd probably want the GPU to last, rather than have to replace it when you replace your CPU, maybe you'd want to look at something that can handle 1440P just to be on the safe side. GTX 960 and R9 380 are decent 1080P cards. I think you can figure out the rest from there; just go up the stack.

Yes, that's true! Ok! GTX 960 and R9 380 is the way to go then, should I choose the 4gb version? Also in terms of Ram, what specifications should I look for?

 

[basco]

go first for the quantity you need after that the mhz dont matter too much
1600cl9 or cl11 doesnt matter much for example

 

[Asvybre]

go first for the quantity you need after that the mhz dont matter too much
1600cl9 or cl11 doesnt matter much for example

I'm going for the standard then! psu wise, considering all the components I should go with a 500w?

 

[tabascosauz]

I'm going for the standard then! psu wise, considering all the components I should go with a 500w?

You want the PSU to last? Go get yourself an XFX TS550.

You want a PSU that's 80+ Gold? Go get yourself a EVGA G2 550 or 650. Seasonic G Series 550W /650W is also good.

Also, if I recall properly, the R9 380 is a rebrand of the R9 285, but it comes with 4GB standard. So far in the benchmarks that I've seen, the R9 380 beats the R9 280X. The GTX 960 comes in at just below the R9 280X, and in some reviews even overclocking does not allow it to beat the 280X, and it's only 2GB. Both the R9 380 and GTX 960 have new technologies that make more efficient use of RAM, and both are relatively efficient, so I'd say the R9 380 wins here. Unless you're really worried about the future of AMD and want to stay with Nvidia. That's OK too.

I beg to differ on the RAM. Quantity over speed always, but 1600 C11 is a bad idea. Go for 1600 C9 at the least. 1600 C9 is barely more expensive than C11, but C11 does suffer. C9 means timings of 9-9-9-24; you'll see that string often.

 

[Vayra86]

Great PSU advice, good to see you're taking it all in. Going to be a fine and cost effective build this way.

1600CL9 RAM, seconded, solid value/performance choice.

For GPU: avoid the GTX 960, it chokes on anything past 1080p whereas the AMD alternatives do not. It is a shitty card to SLI as well because of its 128 bit bus and it is priced too high for what it offers currently. Basically it's a GTX 770 that hasn't had a good breakfast. R9 380 is quite okay.

 

[Asvybre]

@Vayra86 @tabascosauz
As of now, I have acquired the motherboard and the processor and both look really nice.
The CPU cooler is the only thing I think I'll have to change, since it's so little it would be better to get a more effective one for overclocks, wouldn't it?

 

[tabascosauz]

@Vayra86 @tabascosauz
As of now, I have acquired the motherboard and the processor and both look really nice.
The CPU cooler is the only thing I think I'll have to change, since it's so little it would be better to get a more effective one for overclocks, wouldn't it?

Lovely. Yes, you'll need a better cooler. Standard fare is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, not expensive.

However, I"m not a huge fan of that one. A little more money, and you can step up to the Noctua U12S and Phanteks TC12DX, my faves. Enermax T40 is also great.

If you're looking for the best air coolers that money can buy, the Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 3, Noctua D14 / D15, and Phanteks TC14PE are there for you.

I reckon that the 212 EVO is great for OC into 4GHz territory. Approaching 5 GHz, however, will most likely need a dual tower like the D15 or TC14PE.

 

[HWTactics]

There is a sale going on for new GTX 770 2GB cards @ $180 + FS. This will be faster than the GTX 960 for the same price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...900_12005_2500_001_gtx_770_graphics_card.html

 

[Asvybre]

Lovely. Yes, you'll need a better cooler. Standard fare is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, not expensive.

However, I"m not a huge fan of that one. A little more money, and you can step up to the Noctua U12S and Phanteks TC12DX, my faves. Enermax T40 is also great.

If you're looking for the best air coolers that money can buy, the Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 3, Noctua D14 / D15, and Phanteks TC14PE are there for you.

I reckon that the 212 EVO is great for OC into 4GHz territory. Approaching 5 GHz, however, will most likely need a dual tower like the D15 or TC14PE.

The only thing is the socket, this cpu uses the 1155 and those coolers I don't think they support it..
But I would probably go with the 212 EVO, my budget is getting limited..

EDIT:
Just found I was looking at the specs of the 212 PLUS not the EVO xD

 

[Asvybre]

There is a sale going on for new GTX 770 2GB cards @ $180 + FS. This will be faster than the GTX 960 for the same price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...900_12005_2500_001_gtx_770_graphics_card.html

Thank but I was thinking on taking the R9 380 and I think I can get it for about 200$ here.

 

[tabascosauz]

The only thing is the socket, this cpu uses the 1155 and those coolers I don't think they support it..
But I would probably go with the 212 EVO, my budget is getting limited..

EDIT:
Just found I was looking at the specs of the 212 PLUS not the EVO xD

No.

1. LGA1156 LGA1155 LGA1150 LGA1151 coolers are cross compatible. They have the same hole spacing on the board.

2. Plus is virtually the same as the EVO. Make sure to check out the Enermax T40 though; it is the next cheapest. It is very capable, beating the 212 and TC12DX and the white version looks stunning.

 

[Asvybre]

No.

1. LGA1156 LGA1155 LGA1150 LGA1151 coolers are cross compatible. They have the same hole spacing on the board.

2. Plus is virtually the same as the EVO. Make sure to check out the Enermax T40 though; it is the next cheapest. It is very capable, beating the 212 and TC12DX and the white version looks stunning.

I'm going for the T40, seams nicer!

Have you got any tips on the case?

 

[tabascosauz]

I'm going for the T40, seams nicer!

Have you got any tips on the case?

Have you decided yet?

I'd go for the NZXT S340 just because of its size; when I can't afford Caselabs, I like cases that are compact for their maximum form factor. However, its CPU cooler support is not stellar; you could go for the standard choices: NZXT H440, Fractal Design Define R5, Define S, etc.

Just to be sure though, the S340 does support the T40; its maximum clearance is 161mm and the T40 is 160mm.

 

[Asvybre]

Have you decided yet?

I'd go for the NZXT S340 just because of its size; when I can't afford Caselabs, I like cases that are compact for their maximum form factor. However, its CPU cooler support is not stellar; you could go for the standard choices: NZXT H440, Fractal Design Define R5, Define S, etc.

Just to be sure though, the S340 does support the T40; its maximum clearance is 161mm and the T40 is 160mm.

Yeah I saw that one and I really liked it and the case supports the R9 380 and the T40. But I'll be looking at some more reviews

 

[1.61803398875]

Not so much for me.

Why not? What tasks do you perform which makes it seem as if 16GB minimum is not "way too much"?

8GB if you want to suffer... 12GB is the absolute minimum for comfortable gaming.

Really? Interesting. What games have you played which have provided you an uncomfortable performance sub 12GB of RAM?

RAM is never too much. The same goes for storage space. Never too much, never.

Perhaps not too much, but unnecessary... absolutely. I could install 64GB of RAM in a system on which light programming is being done... it is not "too much" RAM in such a case, but it is unnecessary and the extra money that was spent on RAM could have been put towards something that would have been more beneficial to the user, such as a CPU or a graphics card... depending on the tasks being carried out.

[quiote]I'd say 32GB is the way to go, because it it is the maximum the mainstream/poor CPU has to offer. And 32GB capable motherboard is not expensive at all.[/quote]
Some 32GB-capable motherboards are expensive, some aren't. It also depends on what you define as "expensive". Expensive, for me, is anything over $250.

If you are going to higher ends... Then 64GB.

Spoiler: Unnecessary comments

You will never see yourself in such situation: "Oh, I just bought too much RAM!".

No, you probably won't see this... however there have been instances, such as one that I have personally experienced, where I thought to myself "That extra 4GB of RAM was really unnecessary".

Just my opinion.

Indeed, it is just your opinion... but it seems that some elements of your opinion are ignorant.

 

[Blue-Knight]

@1.61803398875 I agree with every line you said.

Spoiler: Unnecessary comments

Perhaps I was not in a good day when I wrote that. LOL!

Sorry!

 

[1.61803398875]

@1.61803398875 I agree with every line you said.

Spoiler: Unnecessary comments

Perhaps I was not in a good day when I wrote that. LOL!

Sorry!

We all have those days, mate... I understand.

 

[Asvybre]

UPDATE:
Just ordered the MSi R9 380 Gaming 4Gb, The XFX TS 550w and the Crucial BX100 250Gb.
Still not too sure about the Case and RAM tho.

 

[Asvybre]

Just got everything together apart from the CPU Cooler and here's the result!!
Thanks to everyone for the help!!