My proposed i7 setup

madindehead

madindehead

madindehead

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I would like some quick feedback on whether people think this is a good i7 setup for me to upgrade to come September when I have some cash.

CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-280-IN

Motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-155-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1283

RAM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-169-CS

Cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-005-NC

(Note: Might hold out to see prices on EX58A revisions when they are released.) This all depends on the release date of course.

The plan is to also eventually add another GTX 275 in SLi with my current one, and upgrade my hard drives to WD Caviar Blacks. Also upgrading my soundcard to a Creative Titanium when I add the second GTX 275, due to Titanium being able to run in any PCI slot.

Good future proofing you think?
 
I would stick with the UD5 as it's tried and tested and a proven clockers board - the fact that OCuK use it for a lot of their clocked bundled kits is proof of this.

Nothing wrong with the overall build and about as future proof as you can get - there are cheaper options but if you have the money it's a fun build.

You may want to consider getting the Prolimatech Megahalems Performance CPU Cooler and strapping 2 Noctua fans to it as alternative to the Noctua HS - but that's only if you plan on clocking the CPU heavily and still want a relatively quiet machine.
 
I will be planning on overclocking it to around 3.5-4GHz. I have read reviews for the Noctua cooler and it seems good. The fans sound amazing. If that would be a better solution, the Prolimatech with the two Noctua fans, then that might be a change I make.

Not to fussed by noise really, as long as it runs cool and can be overclocked =)
 
The Noctua fans are fantastic - so is the stand alone cooler - it's just that a hybrid of the 2 makes for slightly better cooler, although it obviously comes at a price.

Which ever HS you have strapped to it you will be assured of a 3.5 overclock but with a decent MB (UD5) and quality memory i should think that you'll hit 4GHz without too may problems.
 
Nice. The RAM has always confused me to be honest. Is that quite good RAM for my overclock? Or should I be looking at something a bit faster? I'm never sure when it comes to RAM really. Advice on RAM would be awesome ^^
 
madindehead said:
Nice. The RAM has always confused me to be honest. Is that quite good RAM for my overclock? Or should I be looking at something a bit faster? I'm never sure when it comes to RAM really. Advice on RAM would be awesome ^^
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It’s down to personal choice and compatibility mainly but if you look at the OCuK bundles they seem to favour the Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600MHz). Like the UD5 that’s a pretty good bench mark for making a decision.

There’s no need to spend a fortune on memory as long as it’s quality branded stuff. There would be no real benefit in getting anything faster than 12800s but be aware that anything over 1333MHz is classed as an overclock so you will have to manually set the timings for the 12800 memory. This isn’t a problem even with a healthy overclock.

The fact that you’re leaning towards a UD5 MB and OCuK have tested the Patriot Viper in that very same board to nth degree with heavy overclocks on the CPU, for me personally, that would be a reason enough to consider/buy it.
 
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No worries.

My word isn't gospel - but it gives you an idea.

As an additional - the added bonus of buying Gigabyte is that they have a base in Milton Keynes so if you have any future problems, especially after the e-tailer guarantee has run out, the rma process is relatively quick and painless.

Good luck with whatever components you decide to get - and let me know how you get on with the clock. (If you run into problems at least you know that there are plenty of other forum users with very similar setups, to the one you’re considering, so help wouldn’t be many key-pushes away if you were to run into difficulties with your overclock.)
 
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Thanks =)

Will be a little while until I do actually buy this setup sadly. Sometime in September is more likely. Student loans are wonderful things. But I will make posts when I start to clock the thing.
 
madindehead said:
Student loans are wonderful things.
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Without trying to add to your confusion what will be the main purpose of the new spec?

If it's for gaming and coursework then an AMD setup would suit your needs just as adequately and save you around £200 when compared to the above spec. AMD have really got their act together with their present CPU line up and for the average user, especially gamer, they more than hold their own when compared to their i7 counterpart.

It may be worth a bit of research especially considering you're a student - try browsing the spec me threads on top end Quad Core Black Edition AMD builds.

It may be that your usuage would benefit from an i7 spec - but if not the AMD route is worth consideration and not just for fiscal reasons as they're great chips.

Additional: For example an AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition costs £145 and a top spec AM3 MB, Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P, costs in the regions of £100.

Total: £245

The i7 920 costs £210 and the UD5 £204

Total: £404

That's a saving of £161 for a spec that would be very comparable in everyday computing/gaming.

All the other components would be the the same price and you would only be installing 4 gig of memory as the AM3 MB's are dual channel only - but that is all you need and you could always upgrade to 8gig in the future if apps/games started to warrant it.
 
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Dno what others will say... but £57 for a noctua when you could have the corsair H50 for same price and cooler?

I will sell you my noctua that is just over 1 month old just so I can trade it for a h50 :D
 
The main uses of my setup are gaming, electronic CAD software, and some 3D modelling in Bryce 5. My 21st is coming up in September just as I start back at uni, so money shouldn't really be an issue hopefully. Thought I might treat myself a bit =D

As for the Corsair H50, how good is it really?

I have read some things in this forum advising against cheaper watercooling kits, whilst others have said they are really good. Bit confusing that one.
 
madindehead said:
The main uses of my setup are gaming, electronic CAD software, and some 3D modelling in Bryce 5. My 21st is coming up in September just as I start back at uni, so money shouldn't really be an issue hopefully. Thought I might treat myself a bit =D
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With your usage you could justify the i7 and as you have the money/b'day you may as well treat yourself.

madindehead said:
As for the Corsair H50, how good is it really?

I have read some things in this forum advising against cheaper watercooling kits, whilst others have said they are really good. Bit confusing that one.
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The H50 does seem to be a bit of an anomaly - i'm waiting for more user results to come in before i make a decision either way...

This thread is an interesting read and has all the gritty details as well as user comments etc - link
 
Some mixed reviews on that H50 it seems. Still not sure if I should take the Prolimatech with the Noctua fans, or the Noctua of a Corsair H50. Leaning towards the Prolima/Noctua option currently.
 
If you want higher overclocks the prolimatech would be your best bet, thats the new king of the air coolers.
The corsair H50 does look good though, temps are compareable to high end air, there would be less weight on mobo.
Also if you wanted to have more than 6 gig of ram or ram with bigger heatsinks you could, something thats a problem with the high end air coolers, the front fan blocks the ram slots.
 
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