Can anyone improve this PC build???

hydie

hydie

hydie

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Joined
5 Oct 2008
Posts
37
Hi guys,

I've recently decided to buy a relatively high spec PC and would like some of the "Pros" to take a look and see if it can be improved. My budget is roughly £1200 but that must include peripherals!

So far i have got this:

Gainward GeForce GTX 580 "GOOD Edition" 1536MB
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-141-GW

Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) (2000 HD graphics)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-359-IN

Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-051-AK

Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Triple Channel
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-294-CS

OcUK Rage GT 800W PSU 80+ Dual Rail "80 Plus" Efficient Power Supply
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-053-OP


I'm undecided as to what case i'll buy and would love for some suggestions.... So far that comes to £909 with a DVD RW.

Some questions i would very much appreciate if you could give answers to:

Is Sandy bridge the best for price intel processor out at the moment?

Will the 2000/3000 hd graphics be irrelevant because i have a gfx card?

Would SLI 580's be as poweful as a single 590?

Many thanks for any replies!
 
1. You want to get yourself a 2500K processor. Not the 2600. (your specced one isn't overclockable either)

2. Too much ram

3. Avoid cheapo PSU

For the case... Get something in the £50-£80 bracket. Silverstone, Coolermaster, Antec. All good brands!
 
Sandybridge does not support triple channel memory, you'll need to look at double.

The onboard graphics wont be used no, as you have a dedicated card.

I would also consider a better quality PSU, corsiar, XFX etc.

<edit>

And as said above, if your this is a gaming build get an I5 and save some ££.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum.

1. An i5-2500K processor for overclocking as suggested by Buchanan0204.

2. Sandy Bridge uses a dual channel memory controller so 4GB, 8Gb or 16GB of RAM. 8GB is plenty for gaming use.

3. SLI GTX 580's are more powerful than a GTX 590.

4. If you're considering SLI'd GTX 580's you need a good quality 850W+ power supply. Even if you only run a single GTX 580 you need a better quality PSU than you've listed.

5. The onboard graphics will be useful as a back up and can be used with Intel Quick Sync for video encoding with the appropriate software.

6. The i5-2500K is the best Intel processor for the price/performance ratio.

7. There's a Gen 3 version of that motherboard with PCI-E 3.0 ready for the next generation of graphics cards. PCI-E 3.0 is only enabled though when a new Ivy Bridge processor is installed.

So I think the answer to the title of your thread is yes.
 
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Wow, very informative! Thanks!

But i'm still slightly confused with the Processor/Ram issue. What would perform better, the Sandybridge i7 2600k with dual channel RAM or the Sandybridge i5 2500k with TRI channel RAM?

If you guys have the time please post me the links to a better build and i'll take a look!


Will this be adequate enough?

Antec CP 850W Modular Power Supply
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-120-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
 
hydie said:
Wow, very informative! Thanks!

But i'm still slightly confused with the Processor/Ram issue. What would perform better, the Sandybridge i7 2600k with dual channel RAM or the Sandybridge i5 2500k with TRI channel RAM?

If you guys have the time please post me the links to a better build and i'll take a look!


Will this be adequate enough?

Antec CP 850W Modular Power Supply
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-120-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
Click to expand...

Neither the 2500K nor the 2600K support triple channel RAM.

It's dual channel all the way.

The main difference between the processors is that the 2600K supports hyperthreading. This is of no benefit in games so unless you do a lot of video encoding, which may use the hyperthreading, then the 2500K is the way to go.

That PSU only fits in a small number of Antec cases.

If you're thinking of SLI'd GTX 580's then this:

OCZ Z-Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply
 
+1 to everything people have said

get an 8GB kit of dual channel, 1600MHz RAM. any that ocuk stock would be fine so just go with whatevers cheapest at time of ordering.

the motherboard and graphics card are decent choices but definitely go with the 2500k unless you're gonna be doing a lot of video encoding type stuff. if that's the case get the 2600k, not the 2600.

as for the PSU, corsair are my personal favourite but seasonic, antec, xfx and cooler master are good brands too. go for something around the £60-£80 mark, and avoid ocuk and ocz as i've read their quality is variable (some models good, other bad)
 
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hydie said:
Also, this is a gaming build!

If Sandybridge isnt the way to go ill look at some other alternatives!
Click to expand...

Sandybridge is definitely the way to go, go for the I5 2500K for gaming. It is easily overclocked.

hydie said:
But i'm still slightly confused with the Processor/Ram issue. What would perform better, the Sandybridge i7 2600k with dual channel RAM or the Sandybridge i5 2500k with TRI channel RAM?
Click to expand...

None of the sandybridge CPUs support tri channel memory. Only the 1st generation, none sandybridge I5's and I7's support tri channel.

Sandybridge is quicker, cooler, and uses less power than the 1st generation I5 / I7's.
 
Argghh this is tougher than expected!

I just want a kick ass machine that will be able to play games over the next 2 years with ease!

Would it be better off with a Intel Core i7 960 3.20Ghz (Nehalem) using Tri chan or a i5 sandy using dual chan?

Sorry for all the questions guys & gals!
 
SheepBeast said:
+1 to everything people have said

get an 8GB kit of dual channel, 1600MHz RAM. any that ocuk stock would be fine so just go with whatevers cheapest at time of ordering.

the motherboard and graphics card are decent choices but definitely go with the 2500k unless you're gonna be doing a lot of video encoding type stuff. if that's the case get the 2600k, not the 2600.

as for the PSU, corsair are my personal favourite but seasonic, xfx and cooler master are good brands too. go for something around the £60-£80 mark, and avoid ocuk and ocz as i've read their quality is variable.
Click to expand...

A £60-£80 PSU isn't going to run SLI'd GTX 580's which is what the OP is considering.
 
2500k all the way 8gb dual channel ram and decent cpu cooler
asrock board gen 3 version
whatever graphics card you want

what monitors and resolution you game at..
 
hydie said:
Argghh this is tougher than expected!

I just want a kick ass machine that will be able to play games over the next 2 years with ease!

Would it be better off with a Intel Core i7 960 3.20Ghz (Nehalem) using Tri chan or a i5 sandy using dual chan?

Sorry for all the questions guys & gals!
Click to expand...

i5-2500K.

End of discussion :D
 
it's worth noting, that unless you're running a beast of a monitor or a multi-monitor setup, then a single GTX 580 will handle any current games on max settings with ease - there's no need to get two in sli. it might be a good upgrade a couple of years down the line though.

as for cases, the cooler master CM690 II is very popular as a mid-range case. the antec 300 is great for a cheaper budget, and the corsair 600t white is my recommendation if you want to spend a little more money on a luxurious case.

the cooler master storm enforcer is worth looking into too.
 
Legends!

Ok, i will recompile my list and get final feedback before i spend lots of monies!

Gainwood "good edition" is pretty similiar to all the other 580's right?

Should i go water for the cpu cooler? If so, any recommendations!?

Thanks :)
 
do you mean self contained water as in the corsair h series

up to you and the case you choose really...

top air coolers as as good ... unless you mean proper full water.
 
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