775 system: Upgrade or total refit?

[T_Yamamoto]

Yeah, that PSU looks good

 

[lehtv]

not being able to find any decent reviews for the CX series

The CX500 and CX600 seem to be seriously short on reviews, whereas several CX430 reviews can be found.

Jonnyguru CX430 9/10 recommended
Jonnyguru CX430 V2 9/10 recommended
Hardwaresecrets CX430 silver award (would have been golden award if not for slightly lower efficiency than expected)
Hardwaresecrets CX430 V2 golden award
Techpowerup CX430 V2 8.8 recommended

 

[mfenn]

How about this:

ASUS P8P67 b3 1 085 kr
i5 2500K 1 790 kr
Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 mhz 379 kr
FSP Aurum Gold 500W 749 kr
Scythe Ninja 3 435 kr

Total: 4 438 kr

This should be an improved setup, compared to your suggestion mfenn, for just a 230 kr increase in price, am I right?

If I go the 4 GB route - Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 1600 mhz, the total drops to 4 298 kr.

Any thoughts? I'm particularly interested to know your input on the P8P67 B3 in terms of overclocking.

EDIT: Oh, that Aurum PSU doesn't seem to be available in any of their shops (online or otherwise) atm. Maybe this could work: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 599 kr

That would bring my total to 4 148 kr while still being able to overclock if I feel the need for it.

That looks pretty good. The HCG is a Seasonic build IIRC, so it should be fairly quiet. A gold unit will always have big advantage though because the fan doesn't have to dissipate as much heat.

The mobo is fine. It's not a world-beater but it is very decent. I would imagine you can get 4.5GHz no problem if you don't mind a bit of noise under load.

Ok, good to know about the memory thingy. I think I'll get 8 GB.

Agree.

The CX500 and CX600 seem to be seriously short on reviews, whereas several CX430 reviews can be found.

Jonnyguru CX430 9/10 recommended
Jonnyguru CX430 V2 9/10 recommended
Hardwaresecrets CX430 silver award (would have been golden award if not for slightly lower efficiency than expected)
Hardwaresecrets CX430 V2 golden award
Techpowerup CX430 V2 8.8 recommended

Yeah, the CX are all based on the same platform, so they should perform similarly. It's a good budget PSU, but will probably be a bit noisy for the OP's tastes.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Thanks for all of your help guys. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

This is the setup I've finally decided on:

ASUS P8P67 b3 1 085 kr
i5 2500K 1 790 kr
Corsair XMS3 Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600 mhz 435 kr
Antec High Current Gamer 520W 599 kr
Scythe Ninja 3 435 kr

Total: 4 344 kr

A bit more than I had in mind originally. But since this is a total refit instead of an upgrade I still think the final cost is pretty decent for what looks like a very capable rig.

Again, thanks!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

haha, yep. no problem!

 

[mfenn]

I'd get the XMS3 instead of the Vengeance. Otherwise you may run into clearance issues with the Ninja.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

I'd get the XMS3 instead of the Vengeance. Otherwise you may run into clearance issues with the Ninja.

Nice catch, I'll do that. How big a difference would 1600 as opposed to 1333 MHz be?

 

[lehtv]

1600MHz CL9 maybe 0-3% faster than 1333MHz CL9 in real life apps

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3/1

 

[T_Yamamoto]

3% max? not worth an extra few bucks

 

[lehtv]

Actually, it is worth it if the total price of the PC is 1-3% more. I.e. for a setup (consisting of the core components) worth $500, paying $5-10 more for 1600MHz RAM isn't a bad decision.

I don't know why I haven't realized this before. I've been telling people "nahh you'll be fine with 1333MHz RAM, you won't notice the difference". But if the price difference is equally unnoticeable on the whole, what's the problem with going for 1600Mhz? In reality, the speed increase that faster RAM gives you should be compared to the price increase of the total system consisting of the core components, not to the price of the RAM itself.

Based on this argument, even 1866MHz RAM could be worth it, if the rest of the core components are expensive enough. After all, it does increase overall system performance slightly. Pay $300 for a 2600K, $70 for a top air cooler, over $200 for a high-end Z68 board, $200 for an SSD, and it's totally worth it.

EDIT: looking at anandtech's memory scaling tests once more, 1866MHz memory just cannot be justified no matter what. The price is too high. But 1600MHz memory can be justified, price difference to 1333MHz is often small enough to justify that extra 2%.

 

[mfenn]

I guess it depends on your viewpoint. I would look at it the other way: why should I spend $10 more for something that gives me no benefit most of the time? Sure, it probably doesn't matter in a $1000 build, but it does matter in a $500 build. Letting somebody spent more money just because they have a larger budget (even it the requirements are the same) just feels sloppy to me.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

ASUS P8P67 b3 1 085 kr
i5 2500K 1 790 kr
Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 mhz 379 kr
FSP Aurum Gold 500W 749 kr
Scythe Ninja 3 435 kr

I ordered this today. The HCG 520W is out of stock and won't come back for some reason so I switched back to the Aurum Gold. Can't hurt to have a gold-rated PSU anyway!

The one thing I'm slightly worried about is if I will have enough power to overclock and maybe add an SSD down the road. What do you say?

I can still change the order before I go pick it up at the store.

 

[lehtv]

Why FSP? I would get one of these

TX650 5-yr warranty http://www.webhallen.com/hardvara/12...husiast_series
HX650 7-yr warranty modular http://www.webhallen.com/hardvara/10...supply_650w_hx

You will probably be fine with the FSP even if you OC but it's not the brand I'd go for ... The Aurum Gold also looks hideous.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Why FSP?

Why not?

The HX650 is just a bit too expensive for my tastes. And I don't need a modular PSU.

I went for FSP after mfenn recommended that particular PSU. And it's gold rating is a big selling point. The TX-series is only bronze-certified.

And when I start caring about how a component that will be stuck inside an enclosed case looks like I will be sure to let you know.

By the way, why do you recommend the Corsair PSU's if I may ask?

 

[mfenn]

ASUS P8P67 b3 1 085 kr
i5 2500K 1 790 kr
Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3 1333 mhz 379 kr
FSP Aurum Gold 500W 749 kr
Scythe Ninja 3 435 kr

I ordered this today. The HCG 520W is out of stock and won't come back for some reason so I switched back to the Aurum Gold. Can't hurt to have a gold-rated PSU anyway!

The one thing I'm slightly worried about is if I will have enough power to overclock and maybe add an SSD down the road. What do you say?

I can still change the order before I go pick it up at the store.

Looks good to me. The FSP Aurum is a good PSU, there's no reason to pay for "name" PSUs if you know what to look for.

 

[lehtv]

Looks good to me. The FSP Aurum is a good PSU, there's no reason to pay for "name" PSUs if you know what to look for.

Just in that other thread you were recommending not to pay extra for a "fancy 80+ gold" PSU. That's what's happening here - Corsair TX650 is cheaper and can has higher output.

 

[mfenn]

Just in that other thread you were recommending not to pay extra for a "fancy 80+ gold" PSU. That's what's happening here - Corsair TX650 is cheaper and can has higher output.

Back when we originally posted this thread, that PSU wasn't available. Hence the HCG-520 recommendation. Thank you for pointing out that the 650TX is less expensive (kroner doesn't click with me right off the bat).

OP, you should get the 650TX.

 

[lehtv]

Corsair TX650 is cheaper and can has higher output.

Looks like I'm starting to speak lolcat without even noticing

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Its his FRENCH side

Lehtv n'est pas intelligent
(French 2)

 

[lehtv]

^ But Google Translator is...

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Ok then, since all the experts agree I guess I'm going with the TX650. By the way, that was the PSU I was going for originally...

Since I'm eager to learn - why NOT pay extra for a gold-rated PSU?

 

[StrangerGuy]

Ok then, since all the experts agree I guess I'm going with the TX650. By the way, that was the PSU I was going for originally...

Since I'm eager to learn - why NOT pay extra for a gold-rated PSU?

It will take a looooooong time (5+ years) to save enough in electricity bills to break-even with the price premium of the gold PSUs. By then, you probably need a new PSU anyway.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Alrighty then. I changed the order but ended up with the Corsair HX650 instead. The modular thing does appeal to me after all...

Thanks for all your help!

 

[titan131]

Actually, it is worth it if the total price of the PC is 1-3% more. I.e. for a setup (consisting of the core components) worth $500, paying $5-10 more for 1600MHz RAM isn't a bad decision.

I don't know why I haven't realized this before. I've been telling people "nahh you'll be fine with 1333MHz RAM, you won't notice the difference". But if the price difference is equally unnoticeable on the whole, what's the problem with going for 1600Mhz? In reality, the speed increase that faster RAM gives you should be compared to the price increase of the total system consisting of the core components, not to the price of the RAM itself.

Based on this argument, even 1866MHz RAM could be worth it, if the rest of the core components are expensive enough. After all, it does increase overall system performance slightly. Pay $300 for a 2600K, $70 for a top air cooler, over $200 for a high-end Z68 board, $200 for an SSD, and it's totally worth it.

EDIT: looking at anandtech's memory scaling tests once more, 1866MHz memory just cannot be justified no matter what. The price is too high. But 1600MHz memory can be justified, price difference to 1333MHz is often small enough to justify that extra 2%.

I get what your saying but if you use your PC primarily for gaming and don't do compression and video encoding then there really is really no benefit going above 1333MHz IMO, also is there a time when you should ever recommend a board over $200? even if he has a big budget it's still money down the drain.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I get what your saying but if you use your PC primarily for gaming and don't do compression and video encoding then there really is really no benefit going above 1333MHz IMO, also is there a time when you should ever recommend a board over $200? even if he has a big budget it's still money down the drain.

Well, he gives baffling advice like how a 955BE + 6950 2GB is somehow better than a 2500K + 560 Ti 1GB for a $700 build, and now this. I don't even know whether if he is actually using his head to think.