New Gamer Computer, Different mobo?

[Amitojc]

Well this is the specs for my new computer. Tell me what you think:

i7-950 ------------------$299 ( easy OC to 3.6 -3.8 )
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R $209
6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1333- $70
MSI N460GTX------------ $166 - $30 rebate ( Add another if decide to go double )
PSU CORSAIR TX650 ------$90 - $10 rebate
COOLERMASTER 212+ -----$30
------------------------------------------
--------------------------$864 $824

First, I was wondering that I want to sli, so I will have to get an nvidia mobo. Any recommendations? Also is the i7 950 a sandy and should I get that instead? Also what is a good heat sink to really get the most out of my comp. Is it possible to overclock to 4.0? Thanks.

 

[BoomerD]

You'd save about $75 on the processor if you go with the Sandy Bridge i5-2500K. Your i7-950, while a good processor is NOT a Sandy Bridge unit...it's a Bloomfield IIRC.

The i5-2500K will be a faster processor for gaming...and uses less power as well.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288
The CoolerMaster 212 is a pretty popular heat sink around here. Not my first choice, but lots of people use it with excellent cooling.
If you switch to the i5, go with 8 Gb of RAM if you're using a 64 bit OS. IMO, it's worth it.

 

[Amitojc]

Ya man that looks cool. I think ill pick that chip up. I was reading this board is quite good with it as well,
MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130574

What do you think?

What is better bang for your buck, two 460s or two 470s. Thanks!

 

[Amitojc]

What about this for the graphics card and ram. Do a little crossfire might be nice. Thanks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.616261

 

[Amitojc]

Hows this for my computer, its a little bit over my budget but I think its worth it! Tell me what you think..

CPU Intel Core i5-2500K
MoBo MSI P67A-GD65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130574
Ram G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314
PS Corsair 650V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005
Graphics 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150477

Would really like your input. Thanks!

 

[gorcorps]

That's the motherboard I have and can attest to its greatness. Well that's hard to say as I haven't touch a lot of the features it has, but it's well laid out and has been running great.

The one thing I found odd was that windows 7 didn't have the proper drivers included to have the lan connection work, so I did have to use the outdated drivers found on the CD first before I could get online to get the up to date ones. Not an issue for a first install, but just be prepared to need either the CD or usb stick with drivers whenever you reinstall windows. Again, not really an issue just something I wasn't expecting.

 

[gorcorps]

You could also save a little money on your memory. You will not notice a difference between 1333 and 1600, and the heatsinks on the Ripjaws are pretty bulky and unnecessary. That's just my opinion, but smaller heatsinks w/out the goofy fins do just as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226095
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145315

I went with the Mushkin in my build. The heatsink is smaller, which is great because the Hyper 212 (which I also went with) is huge and comes close to hitting your memory on nearly every motherboard setup. It's also rated at 1.5V vs. 1.65V, which means less power draw, less heat, and I suppose room to OC the memory if that's your thing.

 

[Zap]

Graphics 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150477

Strangely the 5870 is cheaper.

 

[Amitojc]

You could also save a little money on your memory. You will not notice a difference between 1333 and 1600, and the heatsinks on the Ripjaws are pretty bulky and unnecessary. That's just my opinion, but smaller heatsinks w/out the goofy fins do just as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226095
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145315

I went with the Mushkin in my build. The heatsink is smaller, which is great because the Hyper 212 (which I also went with) is huge and comes close to hitting your memory on nearly every motherboard setup. It's also rated at 1.5V vs. 1.65V, which means less power draw, less heat, and I suppose room to OC the memory if that's your thing.

Cool will going from a 1600 to 1300 affect my overclocking? Ya that looks like a much better deal. The mushkin got really good reviews too so I think I will go with that.

 

[BoomerD]

Cool will going from a 1600 to 1300 affect my overclocking? Ya that looks like a much better deal. The mushkin got really good reviews too so I think I will go with that.

Nah, you won't even notice the difference. Technically, the 1600 speed RAM isn't supported by the i5 processor...but it works.
I have the i5-760 in my rig, and the default setting for my RAM is 1333...even though it's 1600. Takes one change in the BIOS for it to set at 1600.

Personally, I don't care too much for Msi boards, but lots of people here seem to like them.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Cool will going from a 1600 to 1300 affect my overclocking? Ya that looks like a much better deal. The mushkin got really good reviews too so I think I will go with that.

No, normal Sandy Bridge K-chip overclocking uses a higher multiplier rather than a higher frequency.

 

[Amitojc]

cool sounds good. What do you guys think of the power supply. My friend was telling me that a 650 w is overkill. Can I drop it to a 600 w or even 500? Hows this,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-019-_-Product
almost half the cost of the original power supply ..Thanks!

 

[dpodblood]

I have a less expensive (but similar) MSI board in my SB system which I just built 2 days ago. No problems so far. The G.Skill RAM is good as well, same stuff I have in my system 8 Gig DDR3-1333. The heatsinks aren't too tall. My cooler covers over top of the ram slot, but the ram still fits in the slot.

 

[dpodblood]

I would stick with a 650w PSU. Maybe save some money by going with an Antec, or XFX?

 

[Amitojc]

I would stick with a 650w PSU. Maybe save some money by going with an Antec, or XFX?

Antec or XFX do you mean with the graphics card?

 

[dpodblood]

Power supply. XFX power supply's are actually rebranded Seasonic units (which are a very reputable brand).

 

[mnewsham]

No need for 650w unless you are rocking dual GPU's a 500w would work fine.

 

[mfenn]

No need for 650w unless you are rocking dual GPU's a 500w would work fine.

I agree. OP, you can also save a bit by going with the Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3.

 

[Amitojc]

No, normal Sandy Bridge K-chip overclocking uses a higher multiplier rather than a higher frequency.

You said the sandy board uses a different multiplier instead of a cpu frequency. I just made this computer and was at the moment trying to overclock it. The multiplier can only be changed from 33 to 60 which will raise the speed to 6.0 gig which I do not expect to work. Am i doing something wrong.

 

[mfenn]

You said the sandy board uses a different multiplier instead of a cpu frequency. I just made this computer and was at the moment trying to overclock it. The multiplier can only be changed from 33 to 60 which will raise the speed to 6.0 gig which I do not expect to work. Am i doing something wrong.

That sounds like a BIOS bug to me. Try getting the newest version from the manufacturer's website.