Upgrade???

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:27

Hi

I currently have an E8400 @3.7, 4gig DDR2 800 RAM, a EVGA SC GTX 460.

I want to upgrade, primarily to increase my gaming experience. With the total flop of the Bulldozer I am still scratching my head as to what to do, I want to maximise my performance / £ (I dont have much £!).

What I would like to know is what would give me a better gaming exp, going for something like:-

i2500k
8gig ddr3 memory
Z68 mobo with SLi (but for the time being usitilise my 460).

or

go for an amd phenom (not sure which)
8 gig ddr3 memory
AM3+ mobo
x2 gtx 460

I have no idea which will perform better in games, however I am worried that going with a 2500k, will offer me no 'cpu upgradability' as the ivybridge isnt the same socket right?

My thinking about going for an amd, is that I can stick a better revision bulldozer if amd get their act together, anyway thoughts welcome. Will I see a decent performance upgrade from my E8400?

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:31

The i5 2500K is certainly the cpu to go for and is faster than anything AMD has to offer including their new Bulldozer range of chips.

will offer me no 'cpu upgradability' as the ivybridge isnt the same socket right?

Incorrect, its the same socket and many manufacturers from MSI/Gigabyte/ASUS/ECS have confirmed compatibility and have released BIOS updates accordingly, all socket 1155 boards are compatible including low end H61/H67 chipsets.

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:33

Ok Stulid, will the performance increase in games be noticable tho, considering I am only upgrading the RAM speed / CPU?

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:34

Also, whats the best motherboard to go with? something thats going to last, can beoverclocked well yet inexpensive?

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:34

This is at stock speeds - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/56?vs=288

If you cant get the i5 2500K past 4GHZ then I will eat my hat (if I had one)

holymonk said:
holymonk said:

Also, whats the best motherboard to go with? something thats going to last, can beoverclocked well yet inexpensive?

Click to expand...

This is the cheapest board that allows SLI/Crossfire at an equal 8X/8X - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=mb-368-gi&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

ivybridge compatible - http://uk.gigabyte.com/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid=1048

reviewed here - http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/z68xp-ud3-dz68db,review-32228.html

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:35

ASUS Maximus IV GENE-Z Intel Z68 (REV B3) ?

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:37

stulid said:
This is at stock speeds - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/56?vs=288

If you cant get the i5 2500K past 4GHZ then I will eat my hat (if I had one)

This is the cheapest board that allows SLI/Crossfire at an equal 8X/8X - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-368-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

Will the board work with the new ivybridge?

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:38

holymonk said:
Will the board work with the new ivybridge?

See above, I added more to the post

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:42

Thanks stulid, nearly ready to order, not sure if I am breaking forum rules, by linking, but bearing in mind the prices on this site, would you still stick with the gigabyte?
https://www.****.co.uk/Products/Com...sc&p=cF9zdHlsZT0mcF9wcm9kdWN0c1BlclBhZ2U9Jg==

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:42

clearly I am, can I pm you? (**** website)

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:44

MSI Z68A-GD55-G3 Intel Z68 (REV B3) Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard w/ FREE Voucher DiRT 3! ??

its cheaper board on another site?

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:46

Thats a good board also, but its £20 more than the Gigabyte

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:48

Does the MSI support ivy too?

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:49

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:50

Thanks, do you think ivybridge will be a gaming CPU, i have heard its mainly for servers?

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:51

oh last question i promise, best air cooler price/perf?

Howling · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:52

stulid · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:53

Ivybridge is another home user CPU its going to be faster per core and have an even better onboard GFX core ( but still crap compared to a dedicated GFX card)

oh last question i promise, best air cooler price/perf?

Gelid tranquillo - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

holymonk · 15 Oct 2011 at 16:09

All ordered, thank you

1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail @ 155.99GBP
1 x 8GB Mushkin Silverline #996770 (2x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz 9-9-9-24 @ 31.99GBP
1 x MSI Z68A-GD55-G3 Intel Z68 (REV B3) Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard w/ FREE Voucher DiRT 3! @ 119.99GBP
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler @ 24.50GBP
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Order Total (inc.VAT inc. Shipping): 340.81GBP