Build Me A Rig!

[benjstevo]

Hi all,

I haven't upgraded (apart from a GPU replacement in 2010 when BFG bust, then went bust) in over 4 years now so well behind the times with CPUs, GPUs, Motherboards, Memory!

My old rig is a Q6600, 4GB DDR2, GTX460 so the whole main spine of the machine needs upgrading! PSU is a 600W Cooler Master Green Power so should in theory hold up? PSU estimator says 405W for the lot.

Here's what I've found so far. I'm open to suggestions regarding bang for buck/performance. About £1200 to spend.

These prices are from *No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*, more interested in the components than the price (as long as within budget!)

CPU:
Intel Core i7 3820 Quad Core CPU (3.60GHz, 10MB Cache, Socket 2011, 130W, Sandy Bridge)
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

Cooler:
Zalman CNPS12X Ultimate Performance Triple Fan CPU Cooler S775/1155/1156/1366/AM2+/AM3/FM1
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

Mobo:
Asus P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard (Socket 2011, Intel X79, DDR3, ATX, Bluetooth, Dual Intelligent Processors 3, DIGI+)
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

GPU:
EVGA GF GTX 680 SC 2GB GDDR5 Signature Graphics Card
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

Memory:
Corsair CMP16GX3M4X1866C9 Dominator 16GB DDR3 1866MHz C9 Memory Kit
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

--OR--

Memory:
GeIL EVO Veloce Hot-Rod Red 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Quad Channel Kit
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

HDD:
OCZ VTX4-25SAT3-256G 256GB Vertex 4 SATA III-6Gb/s 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
*No competitor hinting please! - w3bbo*

Fire away!

 

[Idleman]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

What will be the main uses for this system?
Do you need a monitor or OS?

 

[OutcastSpartan7]

I have the same question as Idleman, what are you intending to use the computer for?

 

[PraxxtorCruel]

I think generally like the most of us. Just to have the current best out there that money can buy, eh?

 

[benjstevo]

Sorry - forgot to say.

It's the 'spine' of the machine that needs upgrading. Case, monitors, spare HDDs, optical drives, sound, kb/mouse are all covered

The machine is mainly used for gaming (the latest and upcoming stuff will definitely be the aim - FC3, Crysis 3), but also plenty of work (when there's time ).

Also want some degree of future proofing, as the last upgrade I did was just over half that budget with a lot of middle of the range gear, which admittedly did let me run virtually everything with acceptable performance. I've actually never done an upgrade over about £6-800.

I just need enlightening really! Ex-enthusiast in need of a knowledge upgrade! Thanks

 

[Stinger53]

For gaming i5 is fine and 8gb is plently. games dont use HT which is only rly the benefit of the i7
YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 Windforce 3X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £349.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £184.99
1 x OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (VTX4-25SAT3-256G) £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure Edition CPU Cooler (Socket LGA2011/1366/1155/1156/775/ AMD AM3/AM3+/AM2/AM2+/FM1) £29.99
1 x GeIL Black Dragon 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GD38GB1600C11DC) £23.99
Total : £893.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).

 

[triggerthat]

I'd go for something like this (assuming you want 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD). Just pick a case you fancy.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 670 DirectCU II 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £329.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £184.99
1 x OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (VTX4-25SAT3-256G) £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI316G160C9K) £71.99
1 x Arctic Cooling Freezer Xtreme Rev.2 High Performance Quiet CPU Cooler (Socket 775/1155/1156/1366/AM2/AM2+/AM3) £29.99
Total : £921.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).

 

[benjstevo]

Just to note, this is not being paid for by myself (work!) so can be as close to £1200 as you like. I will take a look at your suggestions though

Is Ivybridge the better option going forward? Was reading a comparison earlier and opinion seemed mixed!

 

[triggerthat]

In that case, see below. Ivybridge is newer technology, worth keeping to that. You have £200 to play around with.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 Windforce 3X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £349.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £184.99
1 x OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (VTX4-25SAT3-256G) £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x Antec Kúhler H2O 920 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366/AM2/AM2+/AM2+/AM3+) £84.98
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-14900C10 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI316G186C0K) £71.99
Total : £996.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).

 

[Krono5]

Not sure if you needed a pSU so added one anyway.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7970 Lightning 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **OcUK Exclusive** with FREE Sleeping Dogs PC Game £379.99
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £184.99
1 x OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (VTX4-25SAT3-256G) £179.99
1 x Asus P8Z77-V PRO Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
1 x XFX 850W XXX Edition Modular '80 Plus Silver' Power Supply £94.99
1 x Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E CPU Cooler (Socket LGA 2011/1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3/FM1) £79.99
1 x GeIL Black Dragon 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GD316GB1600C11DC) **OcUK Exclusive** £53.99
Total : £1,133.93 (includes shipping : FREE).




This is what I would personally go for and have several of the components myself. However if you won't be overclocking there's no need for a lightning, such a good cooler or that mobo unless you like some of the features.

A case could also be made for a 3820 for futureproofing with haswell coming out on 2011. My thoughts on this are that a 3570k is so good for gaming that it's the new Q6600 and by the time anyone would really need to upgrade skylake/skymont will be coming out.

 

[Krono5]

nvm about the PSU, just saw your current one.

 

[benjstevo]

Ta all, will consider options...oh and my apologies for the URLs! Didn't think to remove these as this was posted on another (non retailer) forum!