Bit of a spec check please?

Andyt_uk · 21 Aug 2011 at 11:52

Decided that as I've not upgraded my machine in the last 5 years, its time for a change and I'd quite like to go back down the Shuttle route after having one previously.

Shuttle SX58J3 XPC Barebone for SKT1366 Intel CPUs - 500W PSU
Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz Socket 1366 8MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor
Sapphire HD 6950 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI Dual DP Out PCI-E Graphics Card
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz XMS3 Memory Kit CL9 1.65V

I'm kinda struggling with the decision about whether to use an SSD or just go for another ~500gb sata drive. Does anyone use the hybrid drives and think they make much of a difference?

Is there an Nvidia alternative to the 6950 or would it be worth dropping it down to a 5850 to save on costs?

This'll be a gaming rig primarily (CSS/BF3) and again I'll be planning on keeping it for the next 3 years at least.

Cheers all!
Andy

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 11:56

Do Shuttle do a socket1155 option? so you can use the cooler and less power hungry Sandybridge CPU's?

As a i5 2500K is a better CPU than the i7 950 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=100

Andyt_uk · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:05

They do the Shuttle SH67H3 which is skt1155 by the looks. Price difference between the two is ~£40 or so (to change both CPU and the Shuttle).

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:16

Is that £40 less or more?

As for the hybrid drive, I think you either buy a standard HDD or go all out on a real SSD and bot some halfway house.

Andyt_uk · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:23

ah.. £40 less

Not a huge difference and I prefer the look of the SX58J3 if I'm going to be picky. Is socket 1155 the newer socket type or will there be more to come along in the 1366 variety.

stulid · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:24

Socket 1155 is the newer type.

Ivybridge due early next year is also socket 1155, dont think there will be any more socket1366 chips as im sure intel are deep into socket2011 (sandybridge-E) development (but try and find a roadmap to confirm this).

Andyt_uk · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:35

ok cheers, it almost looks like it would be better to go for one of the Krypton Z68 600i Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.60GHz Overclocked Bundles at the moment then and stick the Shuttle idea on the back burner for now.