shortlist for i7 2600K upgrade, thoughts?

schmutz06

schmutz06

schmutz06

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19 Jun 2011
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I use my computer for Video editing, Music production, gaming and extreme multi-tasking. After thorough research here is my shortlist:

CPU

Intel Core i7 2600k 3.4GHz Socket 1155 8MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor £235.65

RAM

G.Skill ripjaws X-series 8GB kit x2 (16GB) £177.98

OR

Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz HyperX Blu Memory Kit CL9 1.5V x2 (16GB) £125.98

MOTHERBOARD

Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H OR Asrock Z68 EXTREME4?

SSD DRIVE

Crucial 128GB 2.5" M4 SSD £169.98

CPU Cooler

Noctua NH-D14 - £65.02

I am upgrading from:

  • Q6600 @ 3.0Ghz
  • 4GB DDR2 RAM @800mhz
  • Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R
  • Windows 7 64-bit OS*
  • SATA drives x4 - 1TB,1TB,2TB,500GB*
  • Coolermaster Silent pro Gold 1000W PSU*
  • Asus Xonar DX soundcard*
  • Dell U2711 + Samsung SyncMaster 245B*
  • Gigabyte GTX 560ti*
  • Keyboard/Mouse/Speakers/Hard drives*
  • Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced Case*
(*I will continue to use with the new build)

I am settled on the processor and SSD drive. The CPU cooler offers great performance and operates very quietly. I am inclined to go with the ASROCK motherboard over the gigabyte one because it receives largely postitive reviews everywhere I look. Finally, the Kingston HyperX Blu Memory offers the greatest price/performance imo. I'd like to know if the Ripjaws X series (which get recommended everywhere) warrant paying the extra £52?

Please give me your thoughts!
 
You won't fit that G.Skill RAM with most CPU coolers, go for the kingstons or choose an all-in-one water cooler - I would suggest the Antec 620.

If you choose air cooling, change the RAM and change the cooler to the Thermalright Silver Arrow as it performs just as well at a fraction of the cost.

And for the motherboard, choose the Asrock.
 
Isn't the Thermalright Silver Arrow around the same price as the Noctua D14? this comparison is probably worth a mention: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/thermalright_silver_arrow_vs_noctua_nh-d14/3

The Noctua appears to be the superior cooler for around the same price.

What about a performance comparison between the G.Skill RAM and the kingston kits? I would love to see it - not in benchmarks but real world examples such as RAM previews in Adobe AE and multi-tasking performance. Can anybody help me decide whether to go for the G.Skill Ripjaw x series or the much cheaper Kingston RAM? I will definately make the most out of any extra performance BUT I do not want to pay that much extra for marginally superior memory.
 
Apparently he had a dodgy one.

Another review states differently:

Thermalright Silver Arrow receives our Editor’s Choice title as the today’s most efficient CPU air-cooler
Click to expand...

Also the graphs on page 5 show the SA beating the D14 in every test.

Also the SA is £51, so quite a bit cheaper.

Doubt there will be any real world difference with the RAM to be honest.
 
thanks I see it on sale here for £51. Seems like the better deal then. Well this means I'll be sourcing my upgrade parts from several websites.

I think I am pretty much there picking out the parts for my upgrade. I need to do further research on the Asrock Z68 EXTREME4 and make sure it'll be the best choice for me. Picking the motherboard is always the trickiest part as there are so many technical terms regarding their features/performance/compatibility.

What do you think of the Asrock Z68 EXTREME4? Are there any alternatives worth considering? I don't have a budget if a £250 motherboard warrants the extra money I am happy to go with it...
 
That asrock is the board I went for as it has all the features of a Z68 board and comes with a free usb 3.0 front panel - it has some pretty good reviews too :)
 
stulid said:
You can get a MSI with free cooler - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-036-OP&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906

Then sell the cooler for profit.
Click to expand...

interesting, but that's P67! it seems wise to go with Z68 chipset now it's available. The Z68 has all the features of the P67 plus some extras which allow for SSD caching (I'm not clear on how this works or if I'd use it) and support for the integrated graphics on processor/intel quicksync technology. As I intend on investing in the most "future proof" parts, I am quite convinced Z68 is best for me.
 
schmutz06 said:
interesting, but that's P67! it seems wise to go with Z68 chipset now it's available. The Z68 has all the features of the P67 plus some extras which allow for SSD caching (I'm not clear on how this works or if I'd use it) and support for the integrated graphics on processor/intel quicksync technology. As I intend on investing in the most "future proof" parts, I am quite convinced Z68 is best for me.
Click to expand...

A Z68 is not necessarily needed for future proofing, a P67 board will last you just as long really, so if the extra money you would get from the price of difference+price of cooler is gonna get you something better else where in the spec then it will be worth it.
 
what about quicksync? Video editing is my main game, quicksync afaik is something that I should not overlook and is only available via the Z68 chipset. I mean, Z68 allows for use of a discrete GPU AND quicksync simultaneously. Am I a victim to advertising "buzz words" and gimmicks? if anyone can set me straight on this it would be appreciated. I am especially interested in other video editors opinions on quick sync, and any benchmark tests.
 
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schmutz06 said:
what about quicksync? Video editing is my main game, quicksync afaik is something that I should not overlook and is only available via the Z68 chipset. I mean, Z68 allows for use of a discrete GPU AND quicksync simultaneously. Am I a victim to advertising "buzz words" and gimmicks? if anyone can set me straight on this it would be appreciated. I am especially interested in other video editors opinions on quick sync, and any benchmark tests.
Click to expand...

It only works with certain software so if your software doesn't support it you'll get no benefit.

Intel Quick Sync
 
It's good at accelerating video transcoding but it's limited to certain programs at the moment.

mediaespresso.png

Tom's Hardware
 
aha thanks. With regards to it being limited to certain programs it will at least provide me with something more future proof. I use Adobe CS and sadly there is no evidence it is going to be supported any time soon. I would be kicking myself if I overlooked it/didn't grab it while I could though. I also understand the Z68 boards have an exclusive ability to switch between discrete GPU and integrated GPU depending on the workload, thus making significant energy savings. This, and the ASRock Extreme 4 just gets a lot of praise everywhere I look for being a reliable quality motherboard. I would have peace of mind if I went for it.

Before Z68, people selected between H67 and P67 knowingly making compromise to certain features. Now the Z68 offers the best of both, correct? It seems logical to go for it.

Also, I have found 16GB G.Skill RipJaws X-Series @ £127, this seems unbeatable. My only concern is whether it will fit alongside the CPU cooler - I am getting the Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU cooler.
 
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That is interesting. I'm stuck again now! I thought I had it sorted when I found 16gb's RipJaws X series @ £126, but now I am looking at a saving of £30........

Is £30 worth it for 1600MHz over 1333MHz? Every comparison review I have read recommends 1600MHz RAM as the greatest bang for buck. For the multi-tasking and video editing I do my RAM will be pushed to it's full potential. If I will get greater performance with 1600MHz that £30 will be well spent.

Now, as for the G.Skill + Silver Arrow not fitting, I've looked this up and it appears they can play nicely together if you adjust the height of the fan:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=19360542

http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling/1011769-silver-arrow-compatible-ripjaws-x.html

http://www.overclock.net/intel-memory/915168-g-skill-ripjaws-x-thermalright-silver.html

I am surprised how this is even an object. AFAIK a heatsink sits on top of the CPU which is a good few inches away from the RAM. For example the Zalman 9700 which cools my Q6600 is nowhere near my RAM. I guess things have changed a lot since I last upgraded haha
 
That looks ok then, you'll just have to have the fans sitting a bit higher up than usual resting on the ripjaws, if that's what you choose.

Best Memory for Sandy Bridge

The video editing graph shows 1333MHz outperforming 1600MHz except on the tighter CL7 timings. (page 4)

The 1600MHz will be better for multitasking though and slightly better overall.

Check out the whole article and you can make decision on whether it's worth £30 for the extra MHz.
 
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Thanks for the article. From my interpretation, I am looking at a ~36% price difference for a subtle (1-5%) performance gain... Is this correct? Will it be different in another circumstance i.e. multi-tasking with all 16GB's of memory?

As it stands, it doesn't seem worth going for the faster memory :confused:
 
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