Building a new Skylake system

BennettWHU · 5 Aug 2015 at 18:31

I'm going to upgrade my system now Intel Skylake is out and I was looking for some advice. Once I make the move back over to Intel, I don't intend to upgrade for at least 3 - 4 years. The only things I'll upgrade is the GPU and maybe minor features like fans, coolers, case, led's etc. I want to use mATX if possible because of saving space. I really like my Fractal Design Define R4, but it's too big for my desk and moving down to an mATX case would make things a lot easier. I'm not sure there will be much left to use from my current system apart from the PSU and I'm not sure if that could do with an upgrade either. I know my HDD sucks and an SSD and HDD combo is on the cards at some point soon. Anyway, I'd like some advice on which way to go with Intel Skylake. Should I get the i5 or save for the i7 since I don't want to upgrade for a long time?

My current system:

AMD Athlon X4 860K Black Edition @ 3.7GHz
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Gigabyte F2A88X-D3H
Corsair Vengeance 12GB @ 1600MHz
MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB OC Edition
500GB Seagate Pipeline
Cooler Master GM 650w

dacads · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:02

You could re-use the RAM and cooler as well.

Bart_Hunt · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:13

I think 8 Pack pointed out that Haswell-E scores much better than Skylake, especially with multi-gpu rigs.
Why not consider that advice?

You can getsome deals at OCuk which make the idea even better:

X99 mATX

5820K

4x4GB DDR4 2400Mhz

After that, it's up to your choices.
I would add an M2 disk.
As for the case, I really like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Micro ATX Case
It's full of features and looks great.
I am not convinced about using old PSU. I would spend a bit more and get one of Superflower's 650/750W ones.
Then graphics. Not sure what you need the PC for, but GTX 970 would be a good all round choice.
CPU Cooling: Either an AIO or Prolimatech Megahalems Black / Be Quiet Dark Rock series.

It will last you for years.

ps. I should have asked first, but what kind of budget do you have in mind?

BennettWHU · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:19

Bart_Hunt said:
I think 8 Pack pointed out that Haswell-E scores much better than Skylake, especially with multi-gpu rigs.
Why not consider that advice?

You can getsome deals at OCuk which make the idea even better:

X99 mATX

5820K

4x4GB DDR4 2400Mhz

After that, it's up to your choices.
I would add an M2 disk.
As for the case, I really like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Micro ATX Case
It's full of features and looks great.
I am not convinced about using old PSU. I would spend a bit more and get one of Superflower's 650/750W ones.
Then graphics. Not sure what you need the PC for, but GTX 970 would be a good all round choice.
CPU Cooling: Either an AIO or Prolimatech Megahalems Black / Be Quiet Dark Rock series.

It will last you for years.

ps. I should have asked first, but what kind of budget do you have in mind?

When does Intel stop producing Haswell CPU's? I require a few months to save up and I'm not sure if Haswell is still going to be a thing then.

dacads · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:32

Bart_Hunt said:
I think 8 Pack pointed out that Haswell-E scores much better than Skylake, especially with multi-gpu rigs.
Why not consider that advice?

You can getsome deals at OCuk which make the idea even better:

X99 mATX

5820K

4x4GB DDR4 2400Mhz

After that, it's up to your choices.
I would add an M2 disk.
As for the case, I really like Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Micro ATX Case
It's full of features and looks great.
I am not convinced about using old PSU. I would spend a bit more and get one of Superflower's 650/750W ones.
Then graphics. Not sure what you need the PC for, but GTX 970 would be a good all round choice.
CPU Cooling: Either an AIO or Prolimatech Megahalems Black / Be Quiet Dark Rock series.

It will last you for years.

ps. I should have asked first, but what kind of budget do you have in mind?

Haswell-E is totally unnecessary if OP will be gaming only.

Bart_Hunt · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:35

At the moment, maybe.
No idea what kind of games we get in the next couple of years.
Oh, and the price for both platforms is similar, so why not?
Actually 5820k is cheaper than 6700K.
Look up 8 Packs comparison here:

5820K vs 6700K

See my point?

BennettWHU · 5 Aug 2015 at 20:50

I'm going to spend at least £500 - £600 on this upgrade and I'd rather it be on the latest Intel has to offer. Also, given my current system's PSU, would you suggest upgrading that as well?

Guest2 · 5 Aug 2015 at 21:39

£169 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-649-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=3078

£200 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-580-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=3069

keep your RAM and the cooler, the cooler will fit (1150 and 1151 are the same fitting i believe)

120GB SSD second hand but new is ~£40

A good (970 / 780Ti) GPU about £250

I would personally upgrade the PSU if you get a 780Ti or 980 or something like a titan, with a 970 yours should be fine. That said, I used to skimp on the PSU until it went bang and took out half my system - do not buy a cheap psu!

Edit - sell your old stuff get get back some money

dacads · 5 Aug 2015 at 22:29

Bart_Hunt said:
At the moment, maybe.
No idea what kind of games we get in the next couple of years.
Oh, and the price for both platforms is similar, so why not?
Actually 5820k is cheaper than 6700K.
Look up 8 Packs comparison here:

5820K vs 6700K

See my point?

Yes I do but you have to take into mind the extra price of X99 motherboards as well

Your point is more relevant if OP is considering an i7, at the moment we are seeing i5 is still the sweet spot and with no change looking likely with the industry focusing on graphics cards mainly.