Build Upgrade Suggestions

sandeep

sandeep

sandeep

Associate
Joined
8 Jan 2009
Posts
743
Location
Gidea Park, Essex
Hi everyone,

I'm looking to upgrade my current build to sandybridge.

Here's the components that I'll be looking to upgrade with, thoughts please:

build.jpg
 
stulid said:
Does your Megahalem have a socket 1156/55 fitment?
Click to expand...

No it doesn't but I'll see if I can get the fittings for the socket. Or I may just buy another cooler.

Surveyor said:
May I ask why a £290 motherboard?

If it's mainly for gaming a 2500K processor will do nicely.

Much cheaper RAM on This Week Only:

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £65.99

I assume you have all the other components?
Click to expand...

tbh I just really liked the features of the mobo and it just looked really cool :p

I went with the C8 Ripjaws just really because I didn't want to go with C9 or spend that bit higher for C7 so met in the middle for C8
 
It's all nice kit - but do absolutely need the £290 Z68 board? You can get nice Z68 boards like this which fulfil pretty much all the key functions of the UD7 at around half the price. Also, if you don't need the Z68 specific features (SSD caching, Intecl Quick sync) then you would do well to go with a nice P67 board like this - which is even cheaper.

In terms of RAM, I would look at this kit, it saves you £24 and the real-world performance difference between CL8 and CL9 1600MHz dual channel DDR3 RAM on a SB system is tiny (negligible in most cases).
 
Last edited:
cmndr_andi said:
It's all nice kit - but do absolutely need the £290 Z68 board? You can get nice Z68 boards like this which fulfil pretty much all the key functions of the UD7 at around half the price. Also, if you don't need the Z68 specific features (SSD caching, Intecl Quick sync) then you would do well to go with a nice P67 board like this - which is even cheaper.

In terms of RAM, I would look at this kit, it saves you £24 and the real-world performance difference between CL8 and CL9 1600MHz dual channel DDR3 RAM on a SB system is tiny.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I may just go for a cheaper mobo then, I am mainly looking at Asus and Gigabyte out of personal preference.

stulid said:
Memory timings has little effect on Sandybridge performance.
Click to expand...

In that case I may go for the cheaper RAM
 
sandeep said:
Thanks for the info, I may just go for a cheaper mobo then, I am mainly looking at Asus and Gigabyte out of personal preference.
Click to expand...

In that case I would look at this board. It does SLI/CF at x8/x8 and supports SSD caching. However, it doesn't have access to the graphics core like some Z68 boards - so Quick Sync isn't available.

The ASUS board you linked to is also a decent one (again doesn't have access to the iGPU, so no Quick Sync).

sandeep said:
if I go for P67 instead, would it make a difference than going with Z68?
Click to expand...

Do you think you will need access to the IGP, Intel Quick Sync technology or SSD caching? If not, get a P67 and save a bunch of money (perhaps put it towards an SSD).
 
Last edited:
I have the Asus P8P67 Pro motherboard and its a really nice board to work with, not had
any problems with it at all.
 
cmndr_andi said:
In that case I would look at this board. It does SLI/CF at x8/x8 and supports SSD caching. However, it doesn't have access to the graphics core like some Z68 boards - so Quick Sync isn't available.
Click to expand...

I won't really be using SSD Caching, and I have my 5850 for graphics, may go Crossfire if I can find a cheap 5850 someones selling. So Quick Sync isn't a big thing for me.

Shadz said:
I have the Asus P8P67 Pro motherboard and its a really nice board to work with, not had
any problems with it at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.

Surveyor said:
If you want a board that's in stock now then try this:

MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £139.99

None of the issues that some have had with the Asus boards and will overclock just as well as any.

The MSI P67A-GD53 is also a fantastic board at £109.99 but it's out of stock.
Click to expand...

Hmm not really keen on MSI, I have had a MSI board before but I don't know
 
Surveyor said:
If you want a board that's in stock now then try this:

MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £139.99

None of the issues that some have had with the Asus boards and will overclock just as well as any.

The MSI P67A-GD53 is also a fantastic board at £109.99 but it's out of stock.
Click to expand...

+1

I really wouldn't discount MSI - their sandy bridge boards are excellent, they have honestly raised their game recently (have a look at this review of the £110 GD 53). They are good value, offer proper SLI/CF support at low price points, overclock great and use high quality components on the board that don't get very hot - so require little in the way of cooling (so mounting coolers is less of a pain).
 
sandeep said:
Hmm not really keen on MSI, I have had a MSI board before but I don't know
Click to expand...

Each to their own.

Personally I have 2 MSI P67 boards and they've been faultless.

If you don't want MSI go for Gigabyte.

The Asus boards are the ones which have caused the most problems.
 
 
sandeep said:
OK Here's some I picked, which one would be the most beneficial:

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-457-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

GIGABYTE Z68X-UD4
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-336-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

GIGABYTE P67A-UD5-B3
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-326-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906

GIGABYTE P67A-UD3P-B3
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-323-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906
Click to expand...

If you won't be needing SSD caching, Quick sync and completely discount MSI P67 boards (which are really nice) - but do want SLI/CF (at x8/x8 speeds), good overclocking and ASUS or Gigabyte brand then I would suggest going for this board. Anything more expensive doesn't sound like it is required.
 
cmndr_andi said:
If you won't be needing SSD caching, Quick sync and completely discount MSI P67 boards (which are really nice) - but do want SLI/CF (at x8/x8 speeds), good overclocking and ASUS or Gigabyte brand then I would suggest going for this board. Anything more expensive doesn't sound like it is required.
Click to expand...

I guess I'll go for that board, it seems good enough, and I may be able to chuck in an SSD with the money I've saved.

Actually worth it?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-076-OC&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1427
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom