Help me decide between cpu please

Didzi · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:24

My trusty old Core2Duo E6600 as failed, so I am looking to purchase a new cpu, motherboard and ram that will last me a long time to come. Is this a good setup below and would it work fine together?

Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Retail

Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION *

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

Is it worth paying that bit more for the i7 2600 over the i5 2500K?

Edit: Would a ocz 600w psu be ok with the setup since thats what i already have at the moment.

MCMLX · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:40

i5 would be sufficient for gaming so if that is what you intend to use the pc for it is worth saving the extra.
4Gb is plenty.

Post what you will mainly be using it for and you will get a more informed response.

Didzi · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:44

Gaming, video encoding/conversion and day to day office work

TWiNKLeT0Es · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:45

I may be out of my death tonight as i seemed to have posted a few times and its not like me but i hope i have helped as it seems the real peeps are away.

It would all depend on what you use your system for really?

2500 - 2600 all you get is hyper threading.

For the PSU to be added a full spec may help others correct any issues?

:Edit:

Beat me to it MCMLX

The 2600 would do you lovely for encoding.

Didzi · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:49

thanks for the reply MCMLX and TWiNKLeT0Es

The graphics card will be a Geforce GTX480 , however i shall be using a gefore 8800gts for a few days

MCMLX · 15 Mar 2011 at 21:55

Didzi said:
Gaming, video encoding/conversion and day to day office work

I think that would be a good build for that.

Don't know about psu,sorry.

TWiNKLeT0Es · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:01

Technical Info PSU:

Connectors

* 1 x 20+4-pin ATX
* 1 x 4+4-pin CPU (supports double CPUs/supplies stable voltage)
* 1 x 6-pin PCI-E
* 1 x 6+2-pin PCI-E

You can check here: http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

For power consumption just the minimum i got 460W

Blue160 · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:07

Nvidia reckon you need 600W for a GTX480, so your PSU should be just about ok.

As far as the CPU goes the 2600 would be better for encoding while the 2500k would be better for games due to it's overclocking potential. It depends which is more important to you.

The build you list looks like a great build whichever CPU you go for..

Didzi · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:10

Thanks everyone i think iam going to go with the i7 2600

Brumboy · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:13

Looks good to me, I would pay an extra £40 and get another 4GB memory if I were you. The PSU will be fine and the SB CPU's are great for overclocking.

Blue160 · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:19

The 2600 isn't great for overclocking as it has a locked multiplier. To overclock you need one of the 'k' chips. Also 4GB RAM is plenty.

MCMLX · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:24

Don't forget the pics whichever setup you go for.
All the best!!

TWiNKLeT0Es · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:32

Just to add as above is this a 2600K chip and will you be overclocking?

Didzi · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:50

i was thinking of just getting a 2600 as i wont be overclocking

TWiNKLeT0Es · 15 Mar 2011 at 22:58

8 threads will be your new best virtual friend going from your Core2Duo.

Enjoy.