Looking for a spec that can x264 encode as well as game

[z0mbi3]

I'm due an upgrade, and these days I'm not just gaming but also doing a lot of 1080p x264 encoding using ripbot.

I already have 8gb of DDR3 and a 6950 that I'd be reusing, and I'm probably sorted for storage so really I'm looking for recommendations in the cpu, heatsink, motherboard and case department.

My budget is ranging from 300-400 and the outcome I'd like is something that is really well equipped for encoding as well as gaming. I'd also like something I can overclock.

As far as cooling is concerned I'm only after air cooling, and I don't want to blow too much of the budget on the heatsink and case.

I guess the largest chunk of the budget I'd like to go towards the cpu.

Anyway I'd love to hear your suggestions.

 

[RJC]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3770K 3.50GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £269.99
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 TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38192M1600HC11DC) £29.99
Total : £454.36 (includes shipping : £9.50).

 

[Blackjack Davy]

Video encoding is CPU intensive, the faster the CPU, the faster it'll go. Overclocking will give you a boost too, a good i5 should do or an i7.

Ripbot's x64 encoder is faster than the 32 bit version.

 

[passey89]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3770K 3.50GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £269.99
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 TeamGroup Elite 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED38192M1600HC11DC) £29.99
Total : £454.36 (includes shipping : £9.50).

An i7 will be perfect just make sure you have enough RAM I would go with 16GB just incase as it cheap anyway

 

[Orcvader]

An i7 will be perfect just make sure you have enough RAM I would go with 16GB just incase as it cheap anyway

He already has an 8gb kit, so with the new RAM it would total to 16gb .

Can't go wrong with that spec!

 

[z0mbi3]

Why would I need 16 gb of ram? I know it's cheap but seems excessive.

 

[honosuseri]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £184.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x BitFenix Shinobi USB3.0 Gaming Case - Black £49.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 612S CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/1156/1155/775/AM3/AM2+/AM2) £31.79
Total : £379.76 (includes shipping : FREE).



I dont think ripbot can use quicksync, I use DVDfab which can use quicksync or cuda etc. If you can use quicksync it makes a BIG difference so the i5K overclocked would be just fine. The i7 doesnt give you an advantage for gaming.

The mobo is Xfire/SLI capable and has a 3 year UK warranty. You have a 650W PSU which could power say two 6950\7850s if you wanted to. I prefer the 612S over the matterhorn as it comes with a tube of paste (MH has a single use sachet). Fitting fans to the 612S is easier too which makes adding a second fan to improve cooling more appealing. The Bitfenix shinobi is a nice case, what you choose case wise will very much be personal preference

 

[z0mbi3]

I use DVDfab which can use quicksync or cuda etc. If you can use quicksync it makes a BIG difference so the i5K overclocked would be just fine. The i7 doesnt give you an advantage for gaming.

My encodes are all about the quality, so seeing as x264 doesn't support quicksync and dvdfab can't do CQ I pretty much have to use ripbot.