New computer parts

[ExcessiveEvil]

Hey guys, wondered if you could look over my basket on overclockers for my new system.

Not sure whether i'm going to go for the 6970 or the nvidea 570gtx

Using computer for:
Programming
Gaming
Virtual Machines

 

[stulid]

A few things

Crucial M4 SSD - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-008-CR&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=910

Asrock Z68 motherboard - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-051-AK&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

Whats this PC to be used for?

If its for gaming then you dont need a 2600K, a 2500K CPU is just as fast, the sound card is unnecessary too

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

Yeah gaming, but will be doing a lot of programming and running virtual machines when needed.

Whats the difference with that SSD compared to the one I have in my current basket? Is it just cheaper or..

 

[stulid]

Cheaper and there are more than a few threads about the Aglity3 series causing BSOD and needing firmware updates and OCZ denying any issues but eventually back tracking on what they said.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18283492

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

Ah that's a bit of a bummer!

you reckon it's worth waiting on getting the ocz drive when a fix has been released?

 

[stulid]

I think the Crucial drive is fast anyways.

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

Okay i've updated my cart, i'm looking to overclock a little bit aswell, you think that cooler is going to be okay to get the speed up above 4ghz?

 

[Ginger-Menace]

with the sandybridge the stock cooler will get you slightly above 4ghz , with the cooler you slected you should easily get 4.4-5

 

[stulid]

The cooler is ok, my biggest gripe is with the £260 GTX480.

A GTX570 with a custom cooler is £269 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-129-MS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

Is as fast/uses less power and generates less heat - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/309?vs=306

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

you make a fair point there buddy, i'll swap cards

just need to verify the use of this 2600k

 

[stulid]

You did say virtual machine usage so I can see the benefit that hyperthreading/2MB extra L3 cache and the 100MHZ extra speed will bring in this case and the amount of RAM too, usually 4GB is all thats needed for a gaming PC.

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

so i'm good to go?!

 

[stulid]

Yes.

Oh, what about a normal harddrive for storage?

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

recycling from old pc , ssd was just for the OS really

 

[stulid]

Is the HDD a SATA? the motherboard doesnt have any old style IDE connectors.

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

All sata!

 

[stulid]

Sorted, apart from the soundcard that I dont think you really need its all good.

But saying that, I use a X-fi on that same motherboard but I got mine before onboard audio was any good.

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

Well I wanna give the sound card a shot, i'll let you know how it goes

 

[ExcessiveEvil]

by the way, is there a need a need for faster ram if I am over clocking?

 

[stulid]

The default speed of the Intel memory controller is 1333mHZ, so the 1600MHZ stuff will allow plenty of room.

Also that RAM has XMP profile which the latest BIOS is able to read and set the timings correctly.

You can select any of the common RAM speeds within the memory section of the BIOS, 1066/1333/1600 etc.

But saying that, RAM speed and timings has little effect on Sandybridge performance.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/sandy-bridge-ddr3.html



Also and finally, in the BIOS of the board you will find a drop down menu of a pick your own CPU overclock speed from 4.0-4.8GHZ, just select what you like and let the board sort it for you.