Spec help

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 02:13

Hi OCUK!

So im making a new computer, mainly to be used for gaming, 3D work and video editing. I'm curious about costs and wondering that as SB is new, would a CPU and MOBO combo be a lot more expensive (and if so how much) than an older i5 / i7 cpu + mobo combo.

These are the 3 options of cpu that im thinking -

i5 760 + mobo
i7 920 / 950 + mobo
i5 2500K + mobo

Do you know how much each would cost? Im sorry to ask and i have looked myself, but i have no idea what motherboards are decent and reliable. I would also like to take advantage of some overclocking.
Also am i right in thinking this -

i5 760 - dual memory bandwidth (ie 2 ram sticks are best)
i7 920 / 950 - triple memory bandwidth (ie 3 ram sticks are best)
i5 2500k - dual memory bandwidth (ie 2 ram sticks are best)

i wonder how much of a difference would 4gb vs 8gb of ram make? Just seems that 2x4gb sticks for the 2500k is expensive. 3x2gb would be ideal, but i think it would ignore the last 2gb stick as its dual memory (that right?)

Hope you can help!

Ps ill probably add a ati 5850 or ati 6950 as the GPU.

stulid · 6 Jan 2011 at 02:18

I saw the sandy bridge prices earlier, and from the top of my head I think a motherboard was around £140 and a 2500 cpu was £170ish.

Your correct with the memory bandwidths used.

8Gb ram for sandybridge and the i5 760 doesnt have to be expensive - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

but you could also just use 4 sticks of 2GB - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517 times two = £76.78

Just looking at the reviews show this new sandy bridge stuff to be awesome, and more than a match for i7 cpus, in fact beating i7 cpus in some tasks.

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 02:23

stulid said:
I saw the sandy bridge prices earlier, and from the top of my head I think a motherboard was around £140 and a 2500 cpu was £170ish.

Your correct with the memory bandwidths used.

8Gb ram for sandybridge and the i5 760 doesnt have to be expensive - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

but you could also just use 4 sticks of 2GB - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517 times two = £76.78

Just looking at the reviews show this new sandy bridge stuff to be awesome, and more than a match for i7 cpus, in fact beating i7 cpus in some tasks.

Yeh the 2500k looks amazing, just maybe out of my price range.
Thanks for the RAM link! very interesting. Do you know if there are any performance differences with ram when using 4x2gb vs 2x4gb?

Thanks stulid, i hope you're getting paid, you're a godsend on these boards, always helping people!

stulid · 6 Jan 2011 at 02:29

There should be no performance difference with multiple sticks of ram, what normally goes wrong is the amount of overclocking that can be done.

With more ram sticks, the memory controllers/north bridge chips on the motherboard/cpu is put under more strain, this doesnt mean you cant overclock with more than two sticks of ram, but if your trying for world record overclocking then it can be affected.

The normal 2500 (non K) cpu was cheaper (the K version has a higher unlocked multiplier)

M1k3H · 6 Jan 2011 at 02:36

ashatron said:
Do you know if there are any performance differences with ram when using 4x2gb vs 2x4gb?

Well since the memory controller would have to deal with 4 Dimms on the 4x2gb configuration, it would be a little more stressed though you would manage less of an overclock, or require more volts to be stable, though for stock it doesn't matter.

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 03:06

Thanks mikeh!

stulid said:
There should be no performance difference with multiple sticks of ram, what normally goes wrong is the amount of overclocking that can be done.

With more ram sticks, the memory controllers/north bridge chips on the motherboard/cpu is put under more strain, this doesnt mean you cant overclock with more than two sticks of ram, but if your trying for world record overclocking then it can be affected.

The normal 2500 (non K) cpu was cheaper (the K version has a higher unlocked multiplier)

So for overclocking the less sticks, the better. Got it

danewesley · 6 Jan 2011 at 04:15

the 2500k was £189.99 my matey ordered one

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 14:02

danewesley said:
the 2500k was £189.99 my matey ordered one

Even if I don't want to spend that much, for the performance the 2500k does seem to be the best bang for buck almost.

But then the mobo costs £150! are they're any good mobos capable of
overclocking for less?

Sli / crossfire I Dont think i need.

stulid · 6 Jan 2011 at 14:04

You need a P67 chipset board for overclocking, the H67 chipset is to naff, if the 2500K was £189.99 then the 2500 must have been £169.99 so thats £20 saved right there.

cmndr_andi · 6 Jan 2011 at 14:11

If you need 8GB then this kit is worth a look. Not too much more than 4x2GB and less modules used means less strain on the memory controller (as mentioned above).

Also, when you order make sure you apply the discount code.

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 16:15

stulid said:
You need a P67 chipset board for overclocking, the H67 chipset is to naff, if the 2500K was £189.99 then the 2500 must have been £169.99 so thats £20 saved right there.

Thats true, cheers mate

i suppose a mobo is the HUB, so you dont really want to skimp on that.

ashatron · 6 Jan 2011 at 16:16

cmndr_andi said:
If you need 8GB then this kit is worth a look. Not too much more than 4x2GB and less modules used means less strain on the memory controller (as mentioned above).

Also, when you order make sure you apply the discount code.

awesome, thanks for the code!!