Time for a new CPU + Motherboard, advice?

[NutterzUK]

Hi,

I currently have a g1 sniper with a i7 920 in. I am studying a PhD in computer science and the processing power is actually important to me. I'm looking to upgrade now as it's been a while (Not long since a new motherboard actually, but it has some problems). I'm looking for advice on what's good at the moment or if I need to wait a bit for something coming out soon. I don't keep totally in touch with all the latest hardware as it's not my field, but I have always built my own systems so have a fair idea.

My current problems:
- USB3.0 front header port on the g1 sniper is broken
- No wake on lan functionality (this is a HUGE problem for me as I work remotely).
- I'm sure by now, since i've had my CPU 4 years almost that there is something much better.
- Audio keeps breaking and crackling, the sound is built in the current motherboard, if I disable and re-enable the sound it fixes it, but something is just going wrong.
- The bigfoot killer network is driving me nuts, it seems to have endless problems and it's just not necessary (I do game sometimes, but I am sure this makes no positive difference).

I currently have 24GB of memory in there (Corsair Vengeance) which I would like to still use.

I can spend up to around £1,000 if I have to, but i'd like a fairly big improvement and all of the issues above fixed (audio, network and updated CPU).

I have a Corsair 900d case and I'd like to add water cooling at some point to make it quiet, currently it has a Corsair H-50 in which I have had for a long time.

Any pointers? Part of me was wanting to splash out a little more and go for a dual socket motherboard, but perhaps that's a little overkill.

I have one GPU (Powercolor PCS+ HD 7950) but some day would like to add a second.

I am open to spending a bit more if necessary since I have a Corsair TX650W PSU, if that needs upgrading I can do that too.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[DaleTheWhale]

The 2 choices I would be looking at right now would be:

• Wait for Haswell which is coming out in June.
• Or get a 2011 socket chip and overclock.

For 1k you could get a Chip/Motherboard/ and a start off for watercooling:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - OEM £469.99
1 x Gigabyte X79-UP4 Intel X79 (Socket 2011) DDR3 Motherboard £209.99
1 x OcUK Tech Lab - V12 Watercooling Kit 360 £205.85
1 x Mayhems X1 UV Blood Red Coolant £7.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £51.98
Total : £957.80 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Add some extra fittings and GPU block and you could watercool your GPU as well?

 

[NutterzUK]

This is what I was considering:
Motherboard

CPU

Total: £1,271

I know that's a lot of money but it would last me I am sure. I believe my current memory would slot in fine (not 100% sure). It's a bit over my budget but I can stretch to it.

I could then put USB3.0 on the front of my 900d, and keep my graphics card. Later on I could buy a new GPU to go in there.

I would need to consider cooling again I would think.

 

[NutterzUK]

The 2 choices I would be looking at right now would be:

• Wait for Haswell which is coming out in June.
• Or get a 2011 socket chip and overclock.

For 1k you could get a Chip/Motherboard/ and a start off for watercooling:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - OEM £469.99
1 x Gigabyte X79-UP4 Intel X79 (Socket 2011) DDR3 Motherboard £209.99
1 x OcUK Tech Lab - V12 Watercooling Kit 360 £205.85
1 x Mayhems X1 UV Blood Red Coolant £7.99
1 x XSPC RayStorm CPU WaterBlock (Intel) £51.98
Total : £957.80 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Add some extra fittings and GPU block and you could watercool your GPU as well?

Thanks! This looks more sensible than my suggestion, it would give me the water cooling and be within the £1,000. I'm going to take a look at these items, I'll check out the Haswell chip too, does it look like it's going to be worth waiting for, do we know yet?