Advice on bundle or system, upgrading from q6700

David_VI

David_VI

David_VI

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Colchester
I've been fighting with my system for past few months and finally I think its kicked the bucket.
Of course there are other options like replacing the PSU if thats the culprit but I would like the option of replacing as I need this system working.

I was browsing OCuk's shop and working out what would be suitable.

Are there any newer CPUs out (the i's i3-i7) that wouldn't be an improvment on my Q6700 (Which I was running at 3.33ghz), i'm guessing theres more to a cpu than just clock speed?

With regards to cash, I can't spend too much because I don't even have the money yet but I don't want to spend over £500.

I need this system for gaming and most importantly work/study which is music production related (Home studio kinda stuff), so CPU Power and ram may be important.

Most if not all the parts from my current PC can be reused except the RAM I believe as its ddr2. But I have 3 internal SATA drives, a GTX460 and a 8800gts (was using for physx).

To summerise.
  • A decent enough upgrade from a Q6700
  • Motherboard needs to have e-sata at least 1 port and 7.1 onboard sound
  • Already have harddrives, graphics, monitor, keyboard/mouse etc
  • Budget under £500 preferably around £400
  • Potentially a motherboard cpu ram bundle unless theres other alternatives on the OCUK shop or elseware.

Is a bundle the way to go? or building a system on the site but leaving out components.. Or buying all parts seperately and getting it built by a shop or self?
I'd appreiciate your expert advice on where to go and what I may have forgotten to consider!

David
 
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM £161.99
(£134.99) £161.99
(£134.99)
MSI P67A-GD55 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £134.99
(£112.49) £134.99
(£112.49)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £74.39
(£61.99) £74.39
(£61.99)
XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply £71.48
(£59.57) £71.48
(£59.57)
Antec Kúhler H2O 620 CPU Watercooler (Socket Intel LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / AMD AM2 / AM3 / AM2+ / AM3+) £50.99
(£42.49) £50.99
(£42.49)

Sub Total : £411.53
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.00
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £84.31
Total : £505.84

CPU/mobo/RAM/PSU/cooler, assume that's all you need?
 
Wow I didn't expect such help. That is great. I've been looking and everythings either been too much or missing what I need but those two seem great so far.. I'll delve deeper.

Would I be gaining much performance compared to my Q6700 with the i5 for example?

CPU/mobo/RAM/PSU/cooler, assume that's all you need?
Click to expand...
Yeah, well that eliminates everything that could be a problem in my system atm. Its either of those components (except ram thats fine).

The amount of issues i've had with this system i'd love to be able to have a new MB and CPU tech.

Edit: a query, when ordering these things can you have them built? or is it really simple to put the MB and CPU into my current case?

David
 
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It's pretty simple really, with the extra money you'd pay them to pre-assemble I don't think it's really worth it. It's basically a case of:

Attach heatsink backplate to the motherboard (not required if you use the stock heatsink)
Insert RAM sticks and CPU
Screw motherboard into case
Put the cooler on (can be a bit fiddly, but not too bad)

And you're done basically, just need to attach your power/SATA cables. :)
 
Redmint said:
It's pretty simple really, with the extra money you'd pay them to pre-assemble I don't think it's really worth it. It's basically a case of:

Attach heatsink backplate to the motherboard (not required if you use the stock heatsink)
Insert RAM sticks and CPU
Screw motherboard into case
Put the cooler on (can be a bit fiddly, but not too bad)

And you're done basically, just need to attach your power/SATA cables. :)
Click to expand...

Thought so. I've done my share in pc DIY for about 10+ years now but never moved/installed a motherboard or CPU heatsink which is one of the scary things I think!

Oddly enough i've got my PC running, so gives me more chance to save up for the upgrade without the worry of needing a PC right NOW! That is if my PC remains working.

David
 
I'm back. I don't know if its okay for me to bump my own thread?

Soon the money will be available for me to finally replace my unreliable PC.
I have decided to go nearly the whole way and get a new case also, only keeping my old harddrives, graphics card(s) and external peripherals/drives.

I've been looking at the system configurator on the OCUK site.

Could someone explain these things for me?

The difference in ram, for example the 'Corsair Vengeance' ram is so much more expensive than the others, why? what are the benefits? Also what do things like C9 mean and why would I choose that over others?

Is there no way to configure a system without a harddrive or graphics card?

I'll be back again when i've done more research!
Thanks,
David
 
Okay couldn't resist checking it out further.

Not using system config but ideas from the two great helps in this thread previously.

"Radon Allosaur" Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.40GHz Overclocked Bundle - Asus "Radon Allosaur" Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.40GHz Overclocked Bundle - Asus £419.98
(£349.98) £419.98
(£349.98)
XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply £76.99
(£64.16) £76.99
(£64.16)
Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM DVDRW DL & RAM Lightscribe SATAII Optical Drive - OEM Black Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM DVDRW DL & RAM Lightscribe SATAII Optical Drive - OEM Black £55.99
(£46.66) £55.99
(£46.66)
Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £47.99
(£39.99) £47.99
(£39.99)

=600 inc vat exactly!

Any thoughts?
I'm going to use my 460gtx 1gb and 3 Sata drives.
I've read lots of good things about the i5 2500k and it being OC'ed like that must be pretty good so I feel positive about the system, esp compared to my half broken q6700 @3.0.

David
 
David_VI said:
I'm back. I don't know if its okay for me to bump my own thread?

Soon the money will be available for me to finally replace my unreliable PC.
I have decided to go nearly the whole way and get a new case also, only keeping my old harddrives, graphics card(s) and external peripherals/drives.

I've been looking at the system configurator on the OCUK site.

Could someone explain these things for me?

The difference in ram, for example the 'Corsair Vengeance' ram is so much more expensive than the others, why? what are the benefits? Also what do things like C9 mean and why would I choose that over others?

Is there no way to configure a system without a harddrive or graphics card?

I'll be back again when i've done more research!
Thanks,
David
Click to expand...

The RAM differences (C9 etc) come down to RAM timings, but it's not something you're really going to notice until you intend on benchmarking a lot. Certainly not something you'd wanna pay £20 extra for. Corsair Vengeance and some other RAM come with large heatsinks etc and they're generally more expensive because of it aswell.

Something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-290-CS, which is on spec offer today :P is just as good.

Is there no way to configure a system without a harddrive or graphics card?
Click to expand...

Not entirely sure what you mean by that. If you mean a prebuilt system, generally no, they don't do that(Though you never know, can always ask. They do allow "small" changes). But really, installing a mobo, cpu and cooler is very easy, with many guides out there if you're unsure. The manuals are usually pretty good too. Worth saving the money to install it yourself.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18046396 + Your manuals = jobs done.
 
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Kaeo said:
The RAM differences (C9 etc) come down to RAM timings, but it's not something you're really going to notice until you intend on benchmarking a lot. Certainly not something you'd wanna pay £20 extra for. Corsair Vengeance and some other RAM come with large heatsinks etc and they're generally more expensive because of it aswell.

Something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-290-CS, which is on spec offer today :P is just as good.



Not entirely sure what you mean by that. If you mean a prebuilt system, generally no, they don't do that(Though you never know, can always ask. They do allow "small" changes). But really, installing a mobo, cpu and cooler is very easy, with many guides out there if you're unsure. The manuals are usually pretty good too. Worth saving the money to install it yourself.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18046396 + Your manuals = jobs done.
Click to expand...

Yeah I decided on the setup in my post above yours which would mean i'd have to build it myself. I'm sure i'll be okay, but I worry I break things easily haha.

Any thoughts on my specs?
I decided on the OC bundle over it all seperately because I assumed it would be better value and a bit quicker.

David

Edit, oh man the price has changed since last night, to 678, I guess something was on offer doh'
 
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Hehe yeah, the prices go up and down. :) There's new offers on stuff starting this week for easter though! :D

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18266071

Honestly though, overclocking these new boards is so simple, it's almost not worth getting a pre-overclocked bundle. You can build much more to your liking, and overclock them with very simple multiplier settings in the bios. Some boards even come with an overclock button on the motherboard. Lol. :D

I was considering buying an overclocked bundle myself, but it turns out OCuk don't do i5 2500k MSI bundles, so I had to do it myself. Aslong as you take your time, follow the advice on these forums, and your manual, you really can't go wrong with installing parts and overclocking these days. You're only going to have problems if you go outside the normal route, ie not installing standoffs because you aren't reading the manual, or trying to overclock too far without thinking about it.
 
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Kaeo said:
Hehe yeah, the prices go up and down. :) There's new offers on stuff starting this week for easter though! :D

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18266071

Honestly though, overclocking these new boards is so simple, it's almost not worth getting a pre-overclocked bundle. You can build much more to your liking, and overclock them with very simple multiplier settings in the bios. Some boards even come with an overclock button on the motherboard. Lol. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply :)

Yeah I considered this but wasn't sure. Who are the overclocked bundles aimed at, i'd assume someone purchasing from OCUK would have an idea on OC'ing if at least basic, especially if its that easy to overclock those boards.

Shame about the deals, I don't think any of the current ones are relevent for my build/budget which I would be ordering within the week (after 25th).

I suppose ill do a cart of similiar setup without an OC bundle to see.. I feel i'll be speculating parts for this pc forever!

David
 
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