New Computer Build

[Wolfman1862]

Hello I need some help building a new computer, my questions are kind of specific, but since they encompass multiple computer part I figure its best to start here.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Almost primarily gaming.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

under 700$

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

United States

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Intel.

Intel

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

gtx 470, Corsair 750 watt psu, my computer case, and peripherals. I mostly need core units, Ram, MB, and CPU.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I have and I apologize if I am rehashing old questions.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I would like to overclock.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1200
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
I need this built ASAP. I plan to order part early next week 2/21/11.

Ok my current build is a q6600 at 3ghz, with 4gb of ram.

I am selling that old build to my sister because her computer just died, the money I am getting from selling it is what is helping me be able to afford a new build. So that being said I cannot wait for the new sandybridge motherboards to come out because she needs a computer now, and if I wait I wont have the funds to be able to purchase the system. (I helped her put together her computer from pieces of a retail HP, so all she needs is a MB, Ram, and CPU so I will be keeping all other parts)

Ok so here are my questions.

1. I have been trying to find the flawed p67 mbs online but I can't find them anywhere. If anyone can help me find one I would much rather get a SB processor.

1. Barring I can't find a SB mb, I was looking at either i7 950(200 at MC), i5 760 (170 at MC) or a i7 870 (230 at MC). Which one of these would be best for Overclocking and general gaming performance, and would they offer a dramatic improvement in games over my q6600.(If the upgrade is not worth it I will just help my sister with a cheaper build, and save my money.)

Again sorry if this is a rehash of older posts, Thanks in advance of any responses.

 

[mnewsham]

okay, get the i5-760 at MC a good P55 motherboard, samsung F3 1tb HDD, HAF 912 case, gtx 460 GPU, 400 watt respectable brand PSU, 4gb 1333mhz cl9 RAM, and a dvd/cd burner + windows 7 my guess is around 700-800 you can get an mATX motherboard with 2 RAM DIMMS and get 2x2gb of RAM to get it cheaper. Iv got to take a shower now so enjoy my 45sec build

 

[BoomerD]

The P67 boards are available on Ebay...for a premium price. The recall has driven demand through the roof...and the scammers are taking advantage where they can.

I like mnewsham's recommendation. The i5-760 is a great processor. It's the same one I have...and I'm running it at 3.9 with fabulous temps.

 

[Wolfman1862]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, so it seems at least you two are for the i5 760, any recommendations for a p55 motherboard. I was looking at an asus p7p55d-e, but there are so many choices, I always have the most trouble picking out a mb.

 

[BoomerD]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, so it seems at least you two are for the i5 760, any recommendations for a p55 motherboard. I was looking at an asus p7p55d-e, but there are so many choices, I always have the most trouble picking out a mb.

I'm a fan of the more premium boards than most folks here. I built mine with an ASUS P7P55D-E Pro and couldn't be happier with the build quality or performance.
I know many folks here will say I spent WAY too much for a board, but in my years of building computers, I've had nothing but problems with the "budget" boards, and have NEVER had a "premium" board fail me.

 

[Wolfman1862]

I'm a fan of the more premium boards than most folks here. I built mine with an ASUS P7P55D-E Pro and couldn't be happier with the build quality or performance.
I know many folks here will say I spent WAY too much for a board, but in my years of building computers, I've had nothing but problems with the "budget" boards, and have NEVER had a "premium" board fail me.

Actually that is the one I wanted, but I was not sure about the 30 dollar premium over the standard p7p55d-e.

 

[Wolfman1862]

I was also thinking of hooking a hyper 212+ for cooling, I want to go with 8gb of ram (2x4gb), but I am not sure if its worth it over 4gb(2x2gb). (The ram I was looking at was gskill ripjaw ddr3 1600)

 

[BoomerD]

meh...personally, I justify it because I only build every few years...(last build was started in 2003, replaced the crappy board in 2006, but stayed with socket 478) just build new in December 2010...that's 7 years. and was due to be rebuilt several years ago...but since I don't work...the budget doesn't let me play like it used to.

Looking at the comparison between the two boards, it looks like the main differences include:

PCI Express 2.0 x16
(Pro) 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (single at x16 or dual at x8 / x8 mode) vs.
(non-Pro)1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (single at x16)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (@x4 mode, 2.5GT/s)

PCI Express x1
(Pro) 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 (2 at 5GT/s [blue]; 1 at 2.5GT/s [gray]) (non-Pro) 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 (2.5GT/s)

Otherwise, the two are pretty similar. BOTH support USB 3.0, BOTH have plenty of room for expansion, BOTH have the same warranty, and BOTH support up to 16 Gb of RAM in the same speeds.

(bah...link failure)

IMO, the increase from 4 Gb to 8Gb is worthwhile...if you're running a 64 bit OS.

 

[Wolfman1862]

How about the x58 platform with the i7 950, I was looking at the asus x58 sabertooth MB which is similar in price to the p7p55d-e pro.

 

[mnewsham]

How about the x58 platform with the i7 950, I was looking at the asus x58 sabertooth MB which is similar in price to the p7p55d-e pro.

Not worth it. 1156 has better price vs. performance then 1366

 

[BoomerD]

While there's nothing wrong with the 1366 platform...for gamers, it's overpriced...and you pay a premium for only slightly better performance.
Here's the anandtech benchmark comparison:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=191

It's faster, (slightly) but considerably more expensive.

 

[Wolfman1862]

Well the way I was going to set it up would be similar to my p55 build...

p55
i5 760=170
MB=180

x58
i7 950-200
mb-187

Well I guess with overclocking the difference in performance will be even more nullified no? Also a quick question while overclocking, with chips with HT it seems a lot of people turn that option off as it causes large heat increases for small performance gains, I could be wrong though.

 

[Athadeus]

Yes, turn off HT for gaming. There is like <1&#37; performance benefit for a lot more heat. Also, list the specific games you want to play, because there are a very few that perform significantly better on 1366 than 1156.

 

[Wolfman1862]

Yes, turn off HT for gaming. There is like <1&#37; performance benefit for a lot more heat. Also, list the specific games you want to play, because there are a very few that perform significantly better on 1366 than 1156.

Hmm I run a lot of different games actually, I wont try and list them here. I pretty much play a good amount of whats out there so it might be easier if you tell me what games run better on the 1366 platform. If you don't mind.

To clarify, I play a lot of strategy games, Total war, world in conflict, Dawn of War 2. I play Modern warfare, Battlefield bad company 2 as well. I also play rpgs, witcher, Oblivion, Fallout 3. Hah sorry I can't help more, I have a bad habit of buying to many games.

 

[mfenn]

Actually that is the one I wanted, but I was not sure about the 30 dollar premium over the standard p7p55d-e.

Considering that the two are built on the same assembly line with the same parts, I'd gonna go with no. A lot of that $30 premium goes to Nvidia for the SLI license.

Well the way I was going to set it up would be similar to my p55 build...

p55
i5 760=170
MB=180

x58
i7 950-200
mb-187

Well I guess with overclocking the difference in performance will be even more nullified no? Also a quick question while overclocking, with chips with HT it seems a lot of people turn that option off as it causes large heat increases for small performance gains, I could be wrong though.

$180 for a P55 motherboard, are you mad? Get the GA-P55-USB3 for $120.

Here's a rule of thumb: seriously question your component choices if you ever find yourself paying more for a mobo than the CPU.

 

[fffblackmage]

Here's a rule of thumb: seriously question your component choices if you ever find yourself paying more for a mobo than the CPU.

:thumbsup:
You definitely won't get 50% better performance with a mobo that costs 50% more.

My dad is mad the other way around. He got spoiled by the Fry's combo deals, so he thinks mobos should be practically free.

 

[Davidh373]

$180 for a P55 motherboard, are you mad? Get the GA-P55-USB3 for $120.

:thumbsup:

x58
i7 950-200
mb-187

OP, you also have to consider that you'll be paying for 6 or 12GB RAM, instead of 4 or 8. That tacks on at least another $30.

 

[Athadeus]

Starcraft 2 runs a bit better on 1366 than 1156, and I'm fairly sure Diablo 3 will run on the same engine and get the same benefit. I have heard people say that the benefit in those games is mostly from the triple channel memory (questionable), but you definitely do not have to use triple channel memory performance to get >= to 1156.

SB is still going to be best though, so you should just hold up. Besides performance, it uses a lot less power than 1366.

 

[Wolfman1862]

Well thanks for all the input guys, I will probably go with the i5 760, 8gb gskill ram, and a cheaper motherboard I am still doing some research on the one I am going to buy though. Yeah Athadeus I wish I could wait for the new SB motherboards, but I can not wait my sister wants a computer asap, and the money she is giving me to put together her computer is whats helping me pay for mine, so yeah just terrible timing, and terrible quality control by intel :biggrin:.

 

[mfenn]

Starcraft 2 runs a bit better on 1366 than 1156, and I'm fairly sure Diablo 3 will run on the same engine and get the same benefit. I have heard people say that the benefit in those games is mostly from the triple channel memory (questionable), but you definitely do not have to use triple channel memory performance to get >= to 1156.

You aren't going to be seeing anything close to a 25% performance difference, which where you would have to be to make up for the cost difference. That extra $100 is far better put towards a future GPU upgrade.

 

[Wolfman1862]

Well I headed down to Microcenter today to buy some of the parts for my build, and to my surprise saw that the 2500k was on sale for 180, 10 dollars more than the 760 this kind of disturbed me so I called up my sister and eventually she agreed to wait the extra month or 2 until I can get a motherboard(she is using an older computer for the time being), so I picked up a 2500k and a hyper 212+, 180 and 23 respectively. Now I have to play the waiting game I guess.

I am kind of doubting my purchase of the 2500k, I hope it doesn't get cheaper than that between now and the time I get a MB.

Thanks again for all the help sorry I wasted your guys time lol.

 

[dpodblood]

In the end you will be happier with the 2500k. I am playing the waiting game for those boards to be re-released as well.

 

[Wolfman1862]

So I am guessing that the motherboards for the fixed p67 boards are going to be exactly the same except have the problem fixed? Stupid question I know but I want to make sure before I start researching the p67 boards.

Any recommendations are welcome.

 

[BoomerD]

So I am guessing that the motherboards for the fixed p67 boards are going to be exactly the same except have the problem fixed? Stupid question I know but I want to make sure before I start researching the p67 boards.

Any recommendations are welcome.

I expect the P67 boards to be exactly the same...BUT, it's also possible that the Z68 boards will be out around the same time...decisions, decisions, decisions...

you'll notice, that like I said earlier, many folks have come out against buying the premium boards...Told ya so.
I'm still a fan of spending a bit more for a premium board even if I won't use all the features they offer. IME, they're just better built boards.

 

[mfenn]

I am kind of doubting my purchase of the 2500k, I hope it doesn't get cheaper than that between now and the time I get a MB.

You should be fine, MSRP is $225, but MC is selling them cheap.