New build - your thoughts?

SheepBeast

SheepBeast

SheepBeast

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Hi, I'm new to OcUK forums but i figured this is a good place to find guys who really know their stuff!

I'm planning a new sandy bridge gaming build (for 1920x1080 max settings on most/all games), here's what i'm thinking so far:

Intel Core i3 2100 CPU
MSI P67A-GD53 B3 revision mobo
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB 1600MHz RAM
EVGA Geforce GTX 560Ti 1GB video card
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm HDD
Zalman Z7 Plus case
Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W PSU
Windows 7 Home Premium

Basically i am trying to maximise the lifetime and upgradeability of my PC while keeping it as cheap as possible. I know the CPU is a weak point but the plan is to upgrade to one of the new ivy bridge ones when they come out, hence i'm going for a fairly low end one for now so i dont waste much money. What do you guys reckon about this build? Anything you'd recommend i change? In particular i am considering the following:

Is a 500W PSU sufficient?
Is the Z7 better/worse than the Z9? Or would you recommend any other cases instead?
Will that motherboard DEFINITELY support the ivy bridge CPUs?
I'm not planning on OCing the 2100 (obviously) but is the motherboard a decent overclocker for when i get the ivy bridge processor?
Does SLI absolutely need two x16 slots or is it fine with one or both operating at x8? (i may want to stick another 560Ti in sometime if i get some spare money)

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any help you give :)
 
500W will do, but later on you'll need more. It's a good build for upgrading when Ivy Bridge is out, I have no clue about Ivy Bridge compatibility though.
 
Why not just buy the i5 2500K now? Realistically, a new Ivy Bridge CPU for the same purpose is going to be around the same price, maybe a little more due to the "just out" premium, and I doubt it'll last more than about a year longer. Why waste £90 on what you openly claim is a placeholder CPU?

Regardless, the motherboard is fine, x8/x8 SLI has essentially no performance loss from x16/x16, and one GTX 560Ti is more than enough at your res. Two is a stupid waste of money.
 
hybrid572 said:
Why not just buy the i5 2500K now? Realistically, a new Ivy Bridge CPU for the same purpose is going to be around the same price, maybe a little more due to the "just out" premium, and I doubt it'll last more than about a year longer. Why waste £90 on what you openly claim is a placeholder CPU?

Regardless, the motherboard is fine, x8/x8 SLI has essentially no performance loss from x16/x16, and one GTX 560Ti is more than enough at your res. Two is a stupid waste of money.
Click to expand...

Better to buy the i5 2500K as we can't guaranbtee IB support
 
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