Spec me a bundle

Bromhead

Bromhead

Bromhead

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11 Nov 2012
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Staffordshire
Hi guys,

So continuing with the upgrades to my rig. I have posted a spec me a case thread in the cases section with a few ideas of what I want.

I generally know where I'm going with these upgrades and where I want the final outcome to be.

Currently, I'm in need of a CPU/Mobo/ram/cooler.

The ram I have is the following

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-310-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1390

But my concern is, with 4 sticks this will likely block any cooler I go for?

The only thing I know I do want is the 3570k. What mobo/ram/cooler I'm unsure of. I don't want to crossfire in future and I don't need any special features with regards a motherboard.

I have already looked at the bundles section, but if I can save money doing it myself, I am happy to try overclocking myself. Got to learn some time :D

I know where I want to go, just unsure on the specific parts / bang for buck - any ideas guys?

(If I can save cash anywhere, all the better!)
 
Your RAM is a good speed but yes it is tall which makes getting a tower heatsink tricky. Rather than change the RAM why not just use a CLC cooler? There are cheaper ones but this H80i has two fans either side of the Radiator and is going to keep your CPU cooler for the overclocks

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H80i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1155 / LGA1156 / LGA1366 / LGA2011/ AM2 / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £76.98
Total : £358.36 (includes shipping : £9.50).



Building isn't that hard really (Video link), overclocking the i5K is very simple too, just a matter of upping the multiplier in the BIOS really
 
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Watercooling...I was thinking about this the other day. Then all of a sudden images of liquid pouring over my rig like a broken dam entered my head...that probably has never happened to anyone but.

I'll have a read up - how does it compare to air the one you've listed?
 
Bromhead said:
Watercooling...I was thinking about this the other day. Then all of a sudden images of liquid pouring over my rig like a broken dam entered my head...that probably has never happened to anyone but.

I'll have a read up - how does it compare to air the one you've listed?
Click to expand...

Don't panic, it's a sealed unit (closed loop cooler). Technically a good air cooler (£50-60) is better value but............

If you do the math an 8GB 1600mhz RAM kit is £35.99, plus a heatsink £30ish you are already at the price of the H80i roughly and are losing half the capacity of the RAM you currently have ;)
 
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Yeah the cost of swapping out the RAM was one of my concerns. This seems like a good alternative, CLC I guess could save me some money and headache.

Although it's a closed loop, everything breaks eventually right? :p What are the chances of it ever leaking?
 
Bromhead said:
I am really torn between buying and overclocking myself with the suggested CLC or going for a bundle like this ...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-134-OE&groupid=43&catid=2384&subcat=2288

Seems there is maybe a £40 difference in it, which could easily be recouped by selling off the 16GB corsair vengeance I'm using right now... choices :p
Click to expand...

I'd sooner keep the RAM you have to be honest (very reputable brand). The sniper mobo allows dual GPUs but you said you don't want that and it's a mATX mobo so isn't really ideal for dual carding plus being a smaller mobo it will have fewer PCI slots

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £105.98
1 x Corsair Hydro H80i High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1155 / LGA1156 / LGA1366 / LGA2011/ AM2 / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £76.98
Total : £374.35 (includes shipping : £9.50).



Better mobo than I used earlier, supports dual cards (if you have changed your mind) and whilst on offer it's very close to the price of the Z77-D3H. Your RAM would look good too as the mobo has a black PCB :)

Closed loop coolers are safe, unless you try fitting them with a hammer ;)
 
Ok thanks for the tip hono, I guess I have a choice to make. CLC does with i5 and mobo you suggested does look like the better option.

I don't think I would likely go for a crossfire option in the future...other than the ability to crossfire on the second mobo you recommended, are there any other important differences I should consider? Although baby blue wouldn't be my first choice, for £15 difference I'd prefer to go with the cheaper option.

Looking at the description they both support crossfire? Or am I mistaken
 
NVIDIA SLI and AMD Crossfirex. For multi display or ultimate performace gaming.

Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard does both

Support for 2-Way AMD CrossfireX/NVIDIA SLI Technology (16x and 8x)
 
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