New build - need some advice!

[titaniumx3]

Would really appreciate some advice for a new system I'm building. I've had my current system for 3yrs and haven't built anything new since then, so I'm a little out of touch with current tech. This is what I need or may need:

- CPU: I'm looking at the i7 2700K. I know the 2500K is much better value, but I'm the "what if?" type of person . I will definitely be looking to get a high overclock, so obviously something that overclocks well.

- Motherboard: No idea at what I should be looking at, but I'm guessing the Z68 boards are the ones to look at and something with PCI-E 3.0 compatability, as I plan to get a HD7000 series card when they come out. It must be reliable, with a good overclocking capability. Also, it must have at least one PCI slot, for my sound card.

- Memory: 8GB DDR3 I think. Something that's good quality, reliable, fast and goes well with overclocking the CPU (if that even matters anymore).

- CPU Cooler: Something that maximises my CPU overclock and isn't unreasonably loud. I prefer air cooling, but don't mind those prebuilt, closed unit liquid coolers, so long as they have a tangible performance increase over air coolers.

- Thermal Paste: Whatever is best.


This will all be going into my current Antec 300 case, which has 3x120mm intake fans and 120mm + 140mm exhaust fans. I've never had any heat issues with my system. I will also bring over a 5870, Essence ST, SSD and two hardisks (possibly more in the future).

For the PSU, I have a Corsair TX 650W, which I bought 3yrs ago with my current system. I've not had a single problem with it and my system has always been rock stable. I'm not sure how long these PSUs are meant to last, but I would prefer to keep it unless there is a good reason not to ... otherwise please recommend something of good quality and at least the same power output as the Corsair.

I'm looking to spend no more than £500, but may go slightly above if it's worth it.

Would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[titaniumx3]

Anyone?

 

[olivier renault]

- CPU: I'm looking at the i7 2700K. I know the 2500K is much better value, but I'm the "what if?" type of person . I will definitely be looking to get a high overclock, so obviously something that overclocks well.

Sure why not. As long as you stay in the SandyBridge family, there not a bad buy, all depends on budget.

- Motherboard: No idea at what I should be looking at, but I'm guessing the Z68 boards are the ones to look at and something with PCI-E 3.0 compatability, as I plan to get a HD7000 series card when they come out. It must be reliable, with a good overclocking capability. Also, it must have at least one PCI slot, for my sound card.

Lots of choices. The more expensive, the better at overclocking usually. Asus and Gigabytes are good boards, the P8Z68-V Pro Gen 3 isn't a monster overclockers (Similar ot the AsRock Extreme4) , but will do 4.8 and that sort of stuff. Look at VRM phases, the more the better, but the more expensive. Personally, I don't bother with over 4.6GHz, it's already plenty fast, and anything higher will be marginal, plus more headaches. Any decent board will do that.

- Memory: 8GB DDR3 I think. Something that's good quality, reliable, fast and goes well with overclocking the CPU (if that even matters anymore).

Ram speed dont seem to affect much, besides benchmarks and kudos. on SB, you overclock the multiplier and tweak CPU voltage profiles. I would say Corsair Vengeance Low Profile, although I have no issue with my Kingston HyperX.

- CPU Cooler: Something that maximises my CPU overclock and isn't unreasonably loud. I prefer air cooling, but don't mind those prebuilt, closed unit liquid coolers, so long as they have a tangible performance increase over air coolers.

Difficult to say, not sure a Silver Arrow fits in a Antec 300. Usually, you have to go big if you want cooling performance and low noise, other you compromise one or the other. Good choice also is the Thermalright True Black with any kind of fans you want. It's an old 6-pipe design but seems to perform very well. Plus you have the Thermalright quality.

- Thermal Paste: Whatever is best.

Nice and simple, MX4. Good air coolers come with decent paste as well. Noctua have their own compound, Thermalright ships Chill Factor III.

This will all be going into my current Antec 300 case, which has 3x120mm intake fans and 120mm + 140mm exhaust fans. I've never had any heat issues with my system. I will also bring over a 5870, Essence ST, SSD and two hardisks (possibly more in the future).

For the PSU, I have a Corsair TX 650W, which I bought 3yrs ago with my current system. I've not had a single problem with it and my system has always been rock stable. I'm not sure how long these PSUs are meant to last, but I would prefer to keep it unless there is a good reason not to ... otherwise please recommend something of good quality and at least the same power output as the Corsair.

I'm looking to spend no more than £500, but may go slightly above if it's worth it.

Would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Keep the corsair, really. Unless you plan on crossfire.

 

[olivier renault]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-2700K 3.50GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £261.98
1 x Asus P8Z68-V GEN3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £144.98
1 x Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA775/AM2/AM3) £54.98
1 x Corsair Vengeance Arctic White 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £45.59
Total : £519.54 (includes shipping : £10.00).




Provided the SA fits in a Antec 300, which I have doubts.

I'd just go 2500K BTW. Then maybe consider IvyBridge i7 later.

 

[titaniumx3]

^^ Many thanks for that.

When you say the Thermalright fan you listed won't fit inside an Antec 300, is that height wise? Looking at my case now, it looks like it might just fit, especially considering that the CPU socket on S1155 is lower than my current S775.