About to purchase tomorrow - little help

[mazeroth]

I'm taking a trip to Micro Center to buy parts for my new HTPC which will be hooked up to a 1080p projector and I will be doing some gaming on it aside from other HTPC duties. I will do most of my gaming on my main computer (in sig) but a good amount on this new system, like racing games, Dolphin emulation etc.

I was set to get the 3570k but see the 3770k is only $60 more. I doubt the hyperthreading will really be worth it for gaming, right? Also, I am an overclocker but I don't go crazy. How high of an overclock can I achieve on the 3570k with just the stock cooler? What about if I step that up to a CM 212+?

I'm still undecided on the video card so I may just get a 7850 2GB for my main computer and throw the 6850 into this HTPC build to see how things go.

Oh, and if you're really feeling up to it, care to recommend any of the motherboards I can bundle this CPU with? I was thinking of this guy since this will be a pretty basic comp with only an SSD in it:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/401769/Z77A-G41_LGA_1155_mATX_Intel_Motherboard

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Idontcare]

4.2GHz with stock cooler, maybe 4.5GHz with the 212+.

You got to delid to get much above 4.5GHz without going crazy with the volts and the temperatures.

You are probably fine with 3570k. I went for the 3770k but then I do a fair amount of movie transcoding.

 

[videogames101]

212+ is a great buy, the 3770k not so much

 

[hokies83]

3770k is an insane crazy good buy for 229$.. Heck u could buy that and a 3570k and sell the 3770k for 270$ somewhere @_@.

 

[NTMBK]

You considered a Trinity rig? You could leave out the dedicated graphics and get a smaller case with a mini-ITX mobo, and take up less space in your lounge. Should work well for the kind of light gaming you're describing.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I would go 3570K. I did that with my MiniITX setup. And for gaming the 3770K doesnt make any sense.

 

[Broheim]

I'd go with the 3570k in your case, I personally went with a 3770k but I'm a programmer so I can use the extra threads.

 

[Termie]

The 3770k is actually $100 more, not $60 more, because it doesn't qualify for the motherboard bundle.

That MSI motherboard is a nice price, but make sure it also qualifies for the bundle. I would think it would,making it $25AR(!). Here it is at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130653&Tpk=Msi z77 g41

 

[mazeroth]

Thanks for all the input. You are right, the 3770k does not qualify for the $40 motherboard bundle deal so that's a no-go. I'm just not sure I want to stick with the stock HS+F or spend $25 more for a CM 212+, even though it looks like I can get somewhat of an overclock without upping voltages much at all.

 

[Charlie98]

I found with my 2500K the stock voltage was too much... why don't you try the 3570K with the stock cooler and undervolt it a little with a mild OC?

 

[SnooSnoo]

I would go 3570K. I did that with my MiniITX setup. And for gaming the 3770K doesnt make any sense.

Does that mobo alow overclocking? Since there are only a handfull of mITX boards where I'm at, the one like yours seems the best out of the bunch. So, I'd be very interested in your answer. But all info I got is that H77 doensen't allow CPU overclocking... thanks. Sorry for the de-rail.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Does that mobo alow overclocking? Since there are only a handfull of mITX boards where I'm at, the one like yours seems the best out of the bunch. So, I'd be very interested in your answer. But all info I got is that H77 doensen't allow CPU overclocking... thanks. Sorry for the de-rail.

Its a H77 without the ability to overclock. You need Z77 to overclock. There are plenty of Z77 options for MiniITX tho.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXEWD/
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXE/
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6184/two-new-z77-mitx-announced

Etc.

 

[SnooSnoo]

Its a H77 without the ability to overclock. You need Z77 to overclock. There are plenty of Z77 options for MiniITX tho.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXEWD/
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77I_DELUXE/
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6184/two-new-z77-mitx-announced

Etc.

Thanks, I was thrown off by your 3570k, hence the question.

 

[bigrash]

I'd go with the 3570k since it's not your main rig.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

The Intel® Core™ i5-3570K is a great processor and one of the best gaming processors you are going to find in the performance/value area.

 

[Hubb1e]

i5 at microcenter is a deal you don't even need to think about. Just do it. I'd also stick to your 6850 for now and see how that goes. You don't need an overclock on your rig to maintain playable framerates so just keep it stock for now and overclock later when you need the extra performance. Then you can keep the stock cooler for now and not even worry about it. Maybe spend the extra cash on a SSD for the boot drive. My HTPC feels faster with my old Intel SSD in it.

 

[mazeroth]

Thanks for all the input. I opted to just stick with the stock HSF and see how that goes. I probably won't even overclock this thing unless Dolphin gives me some shit with Mario Galaxy or something.