Spec me a build for uni

Dea924

Dea924

Dea924

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Joined
24 Sep 2010
Posts
679
Location
Thornaby a.k.a Middlesbro
Hi guys.

Uni starts in 3weeks (computer science), but i'm looking at getting stuff early then keeping my loan just for myself as i've saved enough to cover the cost.

Currently running an i5 2500k stock (h60v2 cooler, don't have the extra socket support hinges) with a 970gtx (new) 8gb ddr3 ram and a 650W xfx xxx psu.

I have a h440i White case which i will be using for the new build.

Ideally i'm thinking skylake but open to x99 if decently priced

Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - Retail £349.99
(£291.66)
MSI Z170A Gaming M7 Intel Z170 (Socket 1151) DDR4 ATX Motherboard £179.99
(£149.99)
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C15 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Red (CMK16GX4M2B3000C15R) - £129.95

currently have this in my basket but not sure.

I can reuse Hdds and my ssd is a couple of months new so that's fine.

don't need a monitor or OS.

Budget of £650-750 at a push.

Ideally this will last me the next 4-5 years minimum as my 2500k has for the last 5 years.

Any help is greatly appreciated :) (i can use the current psu as a stop gap for now if need be, if a new one can be included then great)
 
Personally I would keep the i5, at least 2 years more anyway.

As someone who studied Software Engineering many years ago, the first couple of years your only writing basic programs / word processing. Only in the final year project you might get into say Neural Networks where you need the processing power.

Personally I would enjoy freshers week, put money towards course work books etc. Also not sure if your staying in student accommodation but concern over expense gear being stolen.
 
Yep, keep your current set up mate. I did Comp Game Production, the first year is the same as their Comp Sci so I'm assuming it'll largely be the same for you, and there was nothing in it that couldn't have been done on a cheap laptop (I know this because I did it on a cheap laptop :D)
Spend your money on beer, you'll thank me for it.
 
haha, i already have a cheap laptop i've used through out college, im 26 so older student, and i game a bit so was putting this towards a new pc really.

Also the beer is a good choice, but i'm not a big drinker! so i'l just have my money and it won't be going anywhere other than a portion on the pc and the rest just to save up maybe towards doing something in america.
 
I don't really see any reason to do a full upgrade. I suppose you could swap out just your CPU for a 3770k which would give you hyperthreading (check motherboard is compatible first - may need BIOS update). But that's probably not worth it either tbh.
 
The motherboard I have is awful imo. It's a

MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard ** B3 REVISION **

It doesn't let me overclock on it either. When I've tried to change a setting (memory to xmp profile for example) it causes slowness and freezing. And any touch to the CPU causes blue screens within 45 minutes.

Hence a new build, I'd rather get a new CPU/board than just replace a motherboard for another 1150 one.
 
 
Save your money. The only thing I would suggest is a second monitor. The only thing that may bite you in a year or two is that your CPU doesn't fully support virtualisation.
 
i've got the two monitors already so i'm good on that front. Just feels a little sluggish when gaming aswell, been looking a while for a decent upgrade on the cpu but just don't know what to go for.
 
Dea924 said:
i've got the two monitors already so i'm good on that front. Just feels a little sluggish when gaming aswell, been looking a while for a decent upgrade on the cpu but just don't know what to go for.
Click to expand...

Have you checked for a BIOS upgrade that will allow you to overclock? That said, looking on MSI's website, the board is supposed to come with OC Genie II overclocking software. It may just be that your CPU isn't a good overclocker - it happens.
 
aye the bios has been updated and the oc genie function i've tried using. it's just the same really, it hits 4ghz and then after an hour or so blue screens.

Most recent time i tried it barely lasted 5/10 minutes so i gave up on that front lol.
 
Just a question, what res, refresh rate are you gaming at? What's your frame rate? 60?

What I am wondering is will there be an advantage? You could try OCing another i5 2500k cpu?

Congrats on your Uni place homes.
 
Dea924 said:
Hi guys.

Uni starts in 3weeks (computer science), but i'm looking at getting stuff early then keeping my loan just for myself as i've saved enough to cover the cost.

Currently running an i5 2500k stock (h60v2 cooler, don't have the extra socket support hinges) with a 970gtx (new) 8gb ddr3 ram and a 650W xfx xxx psu.

I have a h440i White case which i will be using for the new build.

Ideally i'm thinking skylake but open to x99 if decently priced

Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor - Retail £349.99
(£291.66)
MSI Z170A Gaming M7 Intel Z170 (Socket 1151) DDR4 ATX Motherboard £179.99
(£149.99)
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C15 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Red (CMK16GX4M2B3000C15R) - £129.95

currently have this in my basket but not sure.

I can reuse Hdds and my ssd is a couple of months new so that's fine.

don't need a monitor or OS.

Budget of £650-750 at a push.

Ideally this will last me the next 4-5 years minimum as my 2500k has for the last 5 years.

Any help is greatly appreciated :) (i can use the current psu as a stop gap for now if need be, if a new one can be included then great)
Click to expand...

Studying computer science myself, your current rig is plenty really. Go back to the drawing board and overclock the CPU, sandy chips overclock really well as will yours more than likely.
 
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