Upgrade to what?

Secret_Window · 14 Jan 2011 at 22:29

I bought a Q6600 a while back to upgrade my existing C2D dual core cpu and it was a nice upgrade. I also bought a ATI 6870 to replace my 8800 GTX but found that both of these together (6870 and Q6600) were stressing my motherboard too much causing it to make dodgy squealing noises(long story don't ask and not a PSU problem!) under load.

Not wanting to go down the route of replacing hardware with old hardware again, I decided enough was enough, and I may as well just go with something more reliable and up to date.

Thing is, I mainly use my PC at the moment for gaming, and AMD have some good stuff that is cheap, which I hear would be more than good enough... But at the same time, the newer tech Sandy Bridge is also tempting.

I also do the odd video edting with my pc, so I am not sure if that sway things considerably over to intel on that front.

Ram wise, I am not sure if going over 4GB is worth it just to be futureproof either and would I nessarily see the benefits?

I am probably gonna need a new PSU also, as I may throw in another ATI 6870 for crossfire.

I'd like to hear your opinions on what CPU + MOBO + RAM + PSU combo I should go for.

Budget is about £500 max and also not really interested in overclocking at the moment.

Aretenon · 14 Jan 2011 at 22:52

Intel Core i5-2500 3.3GHz £164
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-361-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1275
Obviously change this to the i5-2500K if you want the option to overclock in the future.

Asus P8P67 Pro £140
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-432-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906

Geil Value Plus 4GB (2x2GB) 1600MHz CAS9 1.45-1.6V £42
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

XFX Pro 650W Core Edition, 80Plus Bronze £66
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-003-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=
With such a large, spacious case I don't think you really need a modular power supply, but if you do then this is probably the most suitable:
Antec Truepower New TP-650 80Plus Bronze Modular £75
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

Total: £412/421

Yes I think that video editing justifies getting an Intel, altho if it really is the odd video edit then you'd be perfectly satisfied by a quick AMD quad, which would save £50 odd. You can always add some more RAM later if you find that 4GB isn't enough for what you do with it, but I think that 4GB will be plenty.

95thrifles · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:08

Yeah RAM you can either go Geil or Corsair as Artenon showed above
PSU either that XFX or if you want modular spend a few quid more and get Antec Truepower, both good PSUs
CPU/mobo options

Intel

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor with FREE Lost Planet 2 PC Game - Retail £191.99
Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £139.98
Total: £331.97

AMD

AMD Phenom II X6 Six Core 1055T 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £144.98
MSI 890GXM-G65 AMD 890GX (Socket AM3) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £102.12
Total: £247.10

Comparison

Secret_Window · 15 Jan 2011 at 09:03

Thanks.

Yeah Sandy Bridge seems a lot quicker in lots of things, but if I did really want to save money, I would be pretty damn happy with the performance of that AMD X6.

The only problem I see now by saving money with AMD now is the fact Bulldozer is round the corner. Whatever path I decide to take, I want it to last me 4-5years like my Core 2 Duo system did. The AMD X6 will probably be very futureproof still with 6 cores but when it's outclassed by it's X4 Phenoms which are even cheaper, it makes me wonder if there is any point..

I also thought about even going the i7 route for hyperthreading, since there are some applications I use that would benefit that. And by i7 route, I mean old i7's in skt 1366 as they are still good performers, but are they easily being outclassed a lot by the i5 sandy bridge at the moment? Perhaps I should just go all out on a i7 sandy bridge instead?

By the way, are these XFX PSUs trustworthy? I have heard that the cables are not very good and that they are not as reliable as other brands for the same money. :confused:

Secret_Window · 16 Jan 2011 at 09:21

95thrifles · 16 Jan 2011 at 10:38

I think the XFX PSUs are quite good, certainly their other model the Black Editions are very well recieved, theres less info on these pro editions but from the little Ive seen theyre still resonable, if youre not sure though go for the Antec for peace of mind
As to what system to get only you can decide that, use the comparison I included above to compare the different options and try and stick to your budget as that will help with your decision making too, but as I say only you can decide which set up is worth it, though if you can afford it the SB i5 route would give best performance and is newest socket

chaparral · 16 Jan 2011 at 10:43

95thrifles said:
Yeah RAM you can either go Geil or Corsair as Artenon showed above
PSU either that XFX or if you want modular spend a few quid more and get Antec Truepower, both good PSUs
CPU/mobo options

Intel

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor with FREE Lost Planet 2 PC Game - Retail £191.99
Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £139.98
Total: £331.97

AMD

AMD Phenom II X6 Six Core 1055T 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £144.98
MSI 890GXM-G65 AMD 890GX (Socket AM3) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £102.12
Total: £247.10

Comparison

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor with FREE Lost Planet 2 PC Game - Retail [BX80623I52500K] £191.99 inc VAT
Asrock P67 Pro 3 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £94.98 inc VAT
Total = £286.97

That if the OP no need a motherboard with crossfire or SLI support..

Secret_Window · 16 Jan 2011 at 13:04

I was thinking of getting this:

Intel Core i5-2400 3.10GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £145.99

MSI P67A-GD55 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) MSI P67A-GD55 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) £131.99

G.Skill RipJawX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL) G.Skill RipJawX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL) £41.99

Antec TruePower New Modular 650W Power Supply £74.99

Total : £406.96

I am not really interested in the overclocking of the i5-2500k and so figured i5-2400 would be good enough or would I really be missing out on much? Also gives me some money to go up to 8gb of ram if I choose to.

The PSU I am still undecided. I have read good things about the Antec TruePower 650w, but want to get the best possible PSU for under £80 and I am not sure if it is that.

MSI mobo was chosen because it was a good price and it offers crossfire if I choose to add another 6870 in the future.

And finally, the reason for the ripjaw ram is because of its low volts which I hear might be a problem with Sandy Bridge with anything over 1.5 - true?

What do you think?