Looking for some advice on a system upgrade

Shamikebab · 30 Mar 2011 at 23:16

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a bit of advice on an upgrade to my system. This is my current spec that's lasted me a good while:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (stock 2.4GHz)
Abit AW9D-MAX Intel 975X
4Gb RAM
Asus ATI HD5770 1024MB
Geil 4Gb DDR2
Seasonic M12 600w PSU

Now I've already bought a nice new Dell U2311H and a couple of Western Digital 2Tb drives for data. I'm planning on getting an SSD for my Windows 7 install as well. I'm happy with my GPU at the moment (only got it last Xmas) so it's really the processor I'm looking to upgrade as it's getting a little long in the tooth.

I'm looking to upgrade to an I5 2500k system as it seems to be the bang for buck one out there, I've never tried overclocking before, and to be honest the whole idea makes me a little nervous!

I've been looking at OcUK's overclocked bundles (for example http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-063-OE)

Has anyone else bought them? Are they worth it? Is it a good set of components?

As far as I can see there are two choices of motherboards in the packages, either the Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard ** B3 REVISION ** or the Gigabyte P67A-UD4 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION**

Which would people recommend?

Also would my current Seasonic 600W be sufficient for the new components?

Many thanks

Shamikebab · 31 Mar 2011 at 11:30

Anyone?

olivier renault · 31 Mar 2011 at 11:39

- The seasonic will be fine. In fact it's a great unit.
- I would select the gigabyte over the Asus.
- It will be cheaper to take the components manually.
- Overclocking is simple on the 2500K. You can take it as easy as you want, the i5 is really quick at stock.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail with FREE Shogun 2 Game £167.99
1 x MSI P67A-GD55 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £134.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) £38.39
1 x Corsair A50 High-Performance CPU Cooler (Socket AM2/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £29.99
Total : £382.75 (includes shipping : £9.50).

For the price of the bundle, you can go 8GB. Although overkill, so save yourself some cash

If you want cheaper, you can shop around as well. Saving around £15 (but I'd still stick with OcUK personally).

Shamikebab · 31 Mar 2011 at 12:13

Thanks for that

Perhaps I'll try overclocking myself then (got to learn eventually i guess)

Is that the best cooler to go for? I was looking at the Water cooling one (I think it's the H50) is that any good or is it a bit of a gimmick?

olivier renault · 31 Mar 2011 at 13:09

A lil bit of a gimmick. It performs OK, but mine isn't as silent as I hoped. My opinion is that you will be better off with a good air cooler.

The A50 has good performance, especially for the price. Some conflicting info about the noise, but you can always replace the fan, or set to low speed.

If you want a good semi-water cooler, I'd look at the Antec Kuhler which as some good review but is a bit new. Performs almost to H70 level and is a lot more manageable. These coolers require some space at the fan exhaust to operate, although most of the time that is usually less of a problem than the huge air coolers that require room around the socket. The A50 should be an easy fit, especially on the gigabyte board, which has more room around the socket than the Asus.

If you want to push to the extremes, the Kuhler will do that in relative comfort, or a top air cooler like the Archon or Megahalem. Personally, a good £30-£40 cooler will get you close.

I would hold on the Kulher until it has some mileage in case there is a design flaw somewhere.

choices :
- £30 cooler : A50 (well known good performance, should fit any case, can swap fan for quiet low RPM).
- £50 cooler : Thermalright Archon (huge lump, case fit issues, DDR3 fit issues).
- £50 cooler : Antec Kuhler H2O 620 (a bit unkown, should fit any case).

Trusty · 31 Mar 2011 at 13:22

I'd be tempted just to pop a Q6600 in, £70 2nd hand, sure there would be someone willing to sell in the wanted section of MM. Can't go wrong at £70....not sure how much better it would be over a 6600 though. Quite a bit i imagine if you overclock to 3.2 which all can do. You'd want a G0 stepping one though as they don't run as hot as the B3's.

Shamikebab · 31 Mar 2011 at 17:56

olivier renault said:
A lil bit of a gimmick. It performs OK, but mine isn't as silent as I hoped. My opinion is that you will be better off with a good air cooler.

The A50 has good performance, especially for the price. Some conflicting info about the noise, but you can always replace the fan, or set to low speed.

If you want a good semi-water cooler, I'd look at the Antec Kuhler which as some good review but is a bit new. Performs almost to H70 level and is a lot more manageable. These coolers require some space at the fan exhaust to operate, although most of the time that is usually less of a problem than the huge air coolers that require room around the socket. The A50 should be an easy fit, especially on the gigabyte board, which has more room around the socket than the Asus.

If you want to push to the extremes, the Kuhler will do that in relative comfort, or a top air cooler like the Archon or Megahalem. Personally, a good £30-£40 cooler will get you close.

I would hold on the Kulher until it has some mileage in case there is a design flaw somewhere.

choices :
- £30 cooler : A50 (well known good performance, should fit any case, can swap fan for quiet low RPM).
- £50 cooler : Thermalright Archon (huge lump, case fit issues, DDR3 fit issues).
- £50 cooler : Antec Kuhler H2O 620 (a bit unkown, should fit any case).

Thanks for the advice

I might go with the A50 then, I'm not going to be aggressively overclocking so the more expensive options probably wouldn't be worth it.

Trusty said:
I'd be tempted just to pop a Q6600 in, £70 2nd hand, sure there would be someone willing to sell in the wanted section of MM. Can't go wrong at £70....not sure how much better it would be over a 6600 though. Quite a bit i imagine if you overclock to 3.2 which all can do. You'd want a G0 stepping one though as they don't run as hot as the B3's.

I did think about that but tbh I only tend to upgrade when it's going to be a significant performance boost, the I5 looks like a pretty big jump from my current CPU and would set me up for a while.

Trusty · 31 Mar 2011 at 20:28

You won't be let down, an i5 at 4+ Ghz is a speed demon!

olivier renault · 31 Mar 2011 at 21:07

Yeah, and the A50 will bring you way past the 4GHz barrier with ease. If you can keep an OC around 60-65C, then that's a good place to be without going to the limit (I'd max at 80C).

GD55 or GD65 should be relatively similar. the GD65 has slightly better cooling on the VRM (alledgedly more stable at extreme overclocks). It's only a fiver more and has two extra SATA 3 ports. The MSIs have a 'go faster' button that overclocks for you to slightly over 4GHz. or the Gigabyte P67A-UD3P and UD4. All good boards really.