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Yorkfield to Ivy Bridge upgrade.

A

ArizonaSteve

Senior member
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming. Skyrim is my game of choice. Also some older FPS's.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$800 +/- $100 (without graphics card).

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

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.
No brand preference.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Case (Lian-Li PC-V1200)
PSU (PC Power & Cooling 720W)
Graphics (XFX 5870) - Waiting for 4GB GTX 680.
1TB Drive

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Planning to overclock i5-3570K to around 4.5 GHz. No plans to overclock graphics.

8. What resolution will you be using?
30" Monitor - 2560 x 1600.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Within the next week.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
No.

I have been running a Xeon X3350 (Q9450 equivalent) since January 2008, which is finally beginning to show its age running Skyrim + some mods. My current goal is to upgrade everything except the video card (an XFX 5870), which will eventually be replaced with a 4GB GTX 680 when those become available.

I use my computer mainly for gaming, although I can see myself doing some Skyrim modding in the future. Skyrim is my main game, and I will be looking to use the high-resolution texture patches when I get my GTX 680, something that is not possible now with my 5870.

Here is my current component list and the gear that I'm looking to get.

CPU (Currently X3350 @ 3.2 GHz): Intel 3570K. The general opinion seems to be that hyperthreading is useless for gaming. So I will save the $70.

CPU Heatsink: I plan to overclock the 3570K into the 4.5 GHz range. I have read good things about the Noctua NH-D14 heatsink. Is this overkill? If so, what should I be looking at.

Motherboard (Currently Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R): No idea, honestly. I have two requirements: Ability to run SLI in the future, and preferably three slots between the two PCI X16/X8 slots, and at least one eSata port. Must work with heatsink selected above. Suggestions?

Memory (Currently 8GB G-Skill DDR2 1066): I think I'll go with 16GB 'cause memory is dirt cheap. Need DDR3. Are 8GB sticks cheap enough to consider? May need low profile RAM to work with heatsink selected above. Suggestions?

SSD (Currently Intel X25-M 160GB G2): My girlfriend has been jealously eyeing my SSD for years, so I am looking to upgrade to a pair of 128GB raid-0 SATA-3 SSDs. Suggestions?

Graphics (Currently XFX 5870): Keeping this for now as I'm waiting for the 4GB GTX 680 to appear. No, I will not get the 2GB version!! I intend to upgrade to SLI when the next generation of cards is released. Wanted to do this with my 5870, but 1GB was obsolete before I could go SLI. I run @ 2560x1600, by the way.

Case (Currently Lian-Li V1100, I think). Not a cheap case, and I intend to keep this. Lots of room inside to work with, and I don't have to worry about graphics cards being too long for the case.

Power Supply (PC Power & Cooling 720W): I intend to keep this. 60A on the 12V rail should be sufficient for an overclocked 3570K and SLI GTX 680s, I think.

Finally, I need a cheap and reliable graphics card for my current motherboard that will be passed on to my girlfriend's PC. She doesn't do much more than peruse facebook and load toolbars onto her IE (she refuses to use FireFox + AdBlocker, yet complains about advertising. Go figure.). Also need a cheap case upgrade that will work with my current components since she is still using a 2006 vintage e-Machines case.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Go for ivy. But a 750 watts psu isn't the best for oc 680s and oc ivy. Safe and it's enuf headroom will be a quality 1000w and you can find them around $200 these days
 
aaksheytalwar said:
Go for ivy. But a 750 watts psu isn't the best for oc 680s and oc ivy. Safe and it's enuf headroom will be a quality 1000w and you can find them around $200 these days
Click to expand...

Ivy is a 77W TDP and GTX 680 is 195W TDP, so that's ~300W add another 100W (generous) for everything else and the extra W for the 4GB version, you are at 400W, overclocking to 4.5Ghz and OCing the 680 reasonably will add another 150W so 550W, and you recommend 1000W? O____O lolwut... If you don't OC too much you could add a second 680 with a good 750W unit.

My question is why not get the 7970/7950 as it has 3GB vRAM and is more widely available (and has actually been released)
 
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Tiger Direct has the 3570K for $209.99 after coupon code (ends 4/30):
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=I69-3570K

MSI Z77A-GD65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130643

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G3D/US
(currently OOS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

Same item (found via Google search) in stock here:
http://www.ramexperts.com/samsung-g...dr3-1600mhz-1-35v-1-5v-vlp-ram-cl11-30nm.html
 
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I plan to overclock the 3570K to around 4.5 GHz with the lowest voltage possible - The chart linked above is indicating somewhere around 150W at that point. Take around 450W for two (non-overclocked) 4GB GTX 680s and I'm around 600W before considering motherboard and other components.

Only reasons for not considering the 7970 are the higher power consumption and flaky ATI drivers.

I guess I will need a PSU upgrade when I add the second GTX 680.
 
I have done some research of my own and come up with the short list below (Prices @ Newegg) Please help me home in on a final build (plus a few pieces to upgrade the GF's machine which will receive most of my current parts):

CPU:
3570K ($249)

Heatsink:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (saves some money over Noctua NH-D14).

Motherboard:
All motherboards below appear to allow for SLI (option of 16x or 8x/8x).
MSI Z77A-GD65 ($169, suggested above)
ASUS P8Z77-V LK ($144 - I have an internal SATA to eSATA from my current motherboard that I can reuse. Have heard bad things about ASUS support though).
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ($159, has built-in eSATA).

Memory:
8GB Sticks have come WAY down in price since the last time I looked. Two sticks generally cause less trouble than four. All below are PC 1600, looking for lower profile sticks that won't be blocked by the heatsink. Still want 16GB.
Corsair 16GB (2x8) 11-11-11-30 ($109).
GSkill Ares 16GB (2x8) 10-10-10-?? ($114)
Geil Black Dragon 16GB (2x8) 10-10-10-?? ($114)
Patriot G2 16GB (2x8) 9-9-9-24 ($129)

SSDs:
2x Crucial M4 128GB ($129 with 3.5" mounting kit, $258 total). Seems to be the general consensus. Any alternatives worthy of consideration?

El-cheapo Graphics card for GF:
Don't really want to spend more than $50 for something that will do very little more than internet surfing. Need something with DVI connector as my current motherboard doesn't have onboard graphics. Newegg is overloaded with possibilities, what's worth getting?

El-cheapo, but half-decent case:
Basic case with decent ventilation. No side-windows or other frills. Up to $100. Suggestions?
 
ArizonaSteve said:
CPU:
3570K ($249)
Click to expand...

Not worth the $30 premium over the i5 2500K IMHO and the i5 is easier to cool with a moderate heatsink.

ArizonaSteve said:
Heatsink:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (saves some money over Noctua NH-D14).
Click to expand...

Good.


ArizonaSteve said:
Motherboard:
All motherboards below appear to allow for SLI (option of 16x or 8x/8x).
MSI Z77A-GD65 ($169, suggested above)
ASUS P8Z77-V LK ($144 - I have an internal SATA to eSATA from my current motherboard that I can reuse. Have heard bad things about ASUS support though).
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ($159, has built-in eSATA).
Click to expand...

Check out the $135 ASRock Z77 Extreme4. It costs less than any of those boards and has SLI and eSATA.

ArizonaSteve said:
Memory:
8GB Sticks have come WAY down in price since the last time I looked. Two sticks generally cause less trouble than four. All below are PC 1600, looking for lower profile sticks that won't be blocked by the heatsink. Still want 16GB.
Corsair 16GB (2x8) 11-11-11-30 ($109).
GSkill Ares 16GB (2x8) 10-10-10-?? ($114)
Geil Black Dragon 16GB (2x8) 10-10-10-?? ($114)
Patriot G2 16GB (2x8) 9-9-9-24 ($129)
Click to expand...

Plenty of people run 4x4GB, so I wouldn't be particularly worried about that. Two of these CAS 9 DDR3 1600 Patriot kits would be $82

ArizonaSteve said:
SSDs:
2x Crucial M4 128GB ($129 with 3.5" mounting kit, $258 total). Seems to be the general consensus. Any alternatives worthy of consideration?
Click to expand...

Why add the complication of RAID0? Sure it can push a huge amount of IOPS, but you're not going to be able to generate the sustained queue depths necessary to hit those peak numbers. If you need the space, a single 256GB M4 is $250, otherwise get the 128GB version.

ArizonaSteve said:
El-cheapo Graphics card for GF:
Don't really want to spend more than $50 for something that will do very little more than internet surfing. Need something with DVI connector as my current motherboard doesn't have onboard graphics. Newegg is overloaded with possibilities, what's worth getting?
Click to expand...

The finest, cheapest $20 AR 6450 would be enough. And it's passively cooled!

ArizonaSteve said:
El-cheapo, but half-decent case:
Basic case with decent ventilation. No side-windows or other frills. Up to $100. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

$100 and basic don't usually go together in my mind! Something like the NZXT Source 210 or Antec Three Hundred sounds like what you're looking for.
 
Final shortlist:

CPU - 3570K
Heatsink - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard - ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Memory - GSkill Ares 4x4GB
SSD - Corsair M4 256GB

Additional parts for GF PC upgrade:
Graphics - XFX 6450
Case - Antec Three Hundred

Will order parts tonight.
 
I don't see any point in buying more than 8GB RAM for a gaming PC. It simply isn't needed. I know RAM is cheap, that alone doesn't make it worth paying for.

I'd switch the heatsink to Hyper 612 for just $5 more. It's identical in all respects except that the heatsink is almost twice as heavy, so it will be able to absorb and dissipate a lot more heat.

Other than that, looks good to me. :thumbsup:

EDIT For your GF's PC, consider CM 690 II Advanced $55 AR AP. I know Antec 300 would be sufficient, but this case is much better for the same price after rebate: it comes with front 140mm fan, top 140mm fan, rear 120mm fan, sideways hdd bay, toolless installation, better cable management. And it arguably also looks better (the LED can be turned off).
 
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ArizonaSteve said:
Final shortlist:

CPU - 3570K
Heatsink - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard - ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Memory - GSkill Ares 4x4GB
SSD - Corsair M4 256GB

Additional parts for GF PC upgrade:
Graphics - XFX 6450
Case - Antec Three Hundred

Will order parts tonight.
Click to expand...

Looks good to me with the caveat that 16GB of RAM probably isn't necessary for a gaming rig.
 
I have received everything except the SSD, which should be here tomorrow. Looking at the pile of goodies in the corner of my office is torture!
 
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