To i5 or not to i5? I've no idea...

WantoN

WantoN

WantoN

Soldato
Joined
11 Jun 2003
Posts
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Location
Hampshire
Hello chaps,
That time has come again where I dig deep into my pockets and return to the world of Desktop Computing and never ending upgrades.

I'm building a new rig, I'd like it to be compact, powerful ish, but not make me poor.

Requirements :
  • mATX form factor
  • Decent Performance
  • Not need to buy an upgrade in the next 2 years
  • Overclocking potential, but not horrendously difficult
  • Plays all modern games well
  • Good for a bit of GIMP and other image editing, but not heavy use

My Spec :
34ravll.jpg


My Questions :
  • Is there a decent, cheaper, AMD route for mATX?
  • Is there any point in CrossFire? (Adding another card later)
  • Would the Corsair H80i be decent enough for overclocking later on?
  • I would LOVE to drop the price to £600 or less, any ideas on how?
  • No idea about the RAM, is it any good?
  • I've noticed that it says "1833 (OC)" can I get faster ram and make it work out of the box with the Mobo?

Would REALLY appreciate some help lads, as I'm very lost with all this new fangelry. I do all my gaming etc on my PS4 at the minute, which I love, but I'd like a new, cost-effective PC that'll last me a while too.

I've read the guides and searched the forums. I'll be adding a hybrid drive later if required, I have a USB3 external hard drive to expand storage until then.

Help mucho appreciated!
 
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I have that RAM, it looks really great but I think I'd go for a faster, 2133/2400Mhz kit as they are pretty much the same price
 
Right, so thanks to your sterling advice I've made some tweaks. With the cash saved I can fit a R9 280X for the same sort of money. I believe there's a £25 rebate on the Gigabyte i5 Combo.

nzrur7.jpg


Questions :

  • The board is rated for 1800, but the RAM is 2133+ will this work? And how?
  • Are there any benefits to using m.2 SATA instead?
  • If I decide to add more RAM later on, can I add 8GB of the same stuff. Will this work well / Any negatives?
  • Will adding another R9 280X in CrossFire mode be a decent upgrade further down the line? (I'll probably be running at least 2 monitors).
  • Can I, and how do I, get the rebate for the Gigabyte, is there a form in the box or something?
  • I'm contemplating a 4K 28"+ Monitor. How would the R9 280X cope with this on games? Can I run a 4k off this graphics card?

I may buy the graphics card and a 1TB Hybrid Drive a month later, relying on the Intel HD4600 integrated graphics until then.

Opinions?
 
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Ok,
So looking at the bundles & freebies on OCUK, I've noticed that you can get a Radeon R9 290 (Powercolour PCS+) with 8GB of RAM (the AMD stuff).

This is most definatley more than I wanted to spend now, but it's a small cost extra vs my last spec.

Do you think this is worth the additional cost vs my previous? (Post Above)

mbhnrq.jpg


Also, I believe the card should fit no problem, can someone confirm. If I want to run this in CrossFire (upgrade later on) could I get two on the board?
 
Yes the extra £££ will be worth spending for better performance


You will be able to run crossfire on that board,however that PSU would die if you tried that it with it.


If you intended to maybe go for CF in the future you will require a quality 750w/850w unit.


Regarding your 4k question, a single 280x/290 isnt enough.Honestly no single card is at that resoultion .It would require CF irregardless
 
Swap the PSU for a Superflower.

Why don't you want a fully modular PSU? I think you do :)

Also a bronze rated PSU gets hot. You don't want this in your small case. Get the most efficient PSU you can, they are cooler.


You wont get two of the powercolour 290's in there, well you will but it will be tooooo close.

Edit: But, you will maybe be able to put the powercolour at the bottom with a slimmer card at the top.
 
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Thanks for the replies chaps.

Yes, Yes I do want a fully modular PSU! However, I'm already above my budget, and I had to cut somewhere. The case is sectioned into two compartments, so all the PSU gubbins will be completely hidden, might this also help the heat?

I plan on upgrading to an aftermark cooler further down the line, (eg a month or two) Can the CPU live with the stock cooler until then?

I didn't even know you could mix & match with crossfire; so I could have two different branded cards (both R290) in the future?

If I decide to add more RAM later on, can I add 8GB of the same stuff. Will this work well / Any negatives?
 
Stock cooler will be fine for now but do consider the upgrade. Superflowers are best suck up the extra few quid for now, it will pay for itself throughout the years you'll have it. As long as the cards run at the same clock speed with the same VRAM etc. the brand is irrelevant.
 
Do yourself a favour and swap that awful Corsair psu to the Superflower HX550w Golden Green. It may seem like a downgrade but the CX600 only has 552w on the 12v rail anyway. The Superflower has 546w on the 12v rail, is gold rated and has decent internals unlike the Corsair which uses cheap caps.
 
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