Help Me Build My New Computer!

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#21

Thanks for the info.

I missed what resolution you plan to play games at.

For now its going to be 1280 x 1024 since that is the native resolution of my monitor. I would like to be able to go higher in the future though.

That said, in 70-90% of the benchmarks, Intel newest line (i5-2500K, i7-2600K) performs admirably against Intel’s previous top model line (980X) for a third or a quarter of the price. I’m talking $200 to $300 vs $1,000 for the 980X.

It’s slightly annoying timing, but if that is actually the price I would go with the older one.

Some ppl get Sapphire cards and the like to get the highest model at the cheapest price where they might be served better buy getting an EVGA (for Nvidia) or XFX (for AMD/ATI) card with lifetime (or double lifetime for XFX) warranties from a slightly lower model.

As the owner of a Saphire card I tend to agree.

Just as a general update, I have not had time to look at this stuff in the last week, as I have been really busy at work and suffering from a cold. Probably the end of next week I will start seriously looking again.

#22

If that’s the case, you can go pretty cheap. I’d plan for 1680x1050. Say a $115 (GeForce GTS 450) or $130 (Radeon HD 5770 1 GB) card with with a solid brand and warranty. You can definitely fit under your budget if you go below $115.

Need any help with RAM? If you plan to still get AMD, I’m less knowledgeable. But, after researching DDR3 for Intel, I and others can prolly help.

#23

Does what type of RAM you get depend on the brand of CPU?

#24

Not as such, RAM speed is determined by motherboard bus speed, also RAM type, size of chips, whether they need to be fitted in pairs (usually more of a server issue that one, doesn’t really impact desktops).

So you could say the CPU determines the RAM in that you need to buy a compatible board to slot you CPU in to, but not directly, no.
Phaze
on thee “with due apologies to the cat who tweeted me re: windows seven, we’re only just rolling it out now so I have not had much chance to play with it” ID

#25

Some motherboards (like Gigabyte) cannot use some RAM without being overclocked, while others (like Asus) will work with most reasonably priced RAM without further effort.

What I said about video cards can apply to RAM too. Fortunately, newer chipsets don’t seem as affected by cheaper RAM. If you go too cheap (getting a high Cas, lower frequency RAM), your system can suffer. But, you may never notice the difference.

Memory Scaling on Core i7 - Is DDR3-1066 Really the Best Choice?
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2792/13

System Builder Marathon, December 2010: $2000 PC - CPU And Memory
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,2792-4.html

Not only are these far lower-grade than the parts we expected from Mushkin, but they’re organized completely differently, with twice the density. That means a module from the current part number 998586 set can’t even be mixed in multichannel mode with a module from the previous 998586 set, even though both carry the same part number. We realize that both versions of this model number are only guaranteed to be stable at the same 1.50 V, DDR3-1333 and lowly 9-9-9-24 timings, but shouldn’t cross-compatibility for modules of the same part number also be guaranteed?

Value Conclusion (Same article)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,2792-19.html

Finally there’s the problem of memory. This is the first time in recent memory that we’ve ran into a hard memory bottleneck in games, and that snag looks like fodder for a completely separate article. Our only excuse is that the memory we thought we would get would have been good enough, but the simple truth is that being cheap has finally bitten this editor in the buttocks. Newegg’s current offering of 6 GB DDR3-1600 CAS 8 for only $95 makes this system look even worse today than it did on the day it was ordered.

I linked the RAM they linked. It’s $70 at this time.

Edit: I should clarify that not all Gigabyte and Asus motherboards are the same across their entire X58 product line. But, I haven’t seen an X58 mobo made by Gigabyte that natively supports PC3 1600 (12800) RAM. And, there are some Asus X58 mobos that need to be overclocked for PC3 1600 RAM to work.

#26

Wow, lots of links! Thanks.
Ok, that is pretty much what I thought as far RAM. I need to pick a mobo first before choosing RAM. And with mobo goes CPU, although I think I am going to go with the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T.

#27

Ok. If you don’t want to wait for AMDs new line (I dunno when it’ll be out), go for it after the 11th. Prices should be going down for CPUs. Unfortunately, RAM prices might increase due to demand for the new Intel chipset, but hopefully not enough to make it a wash.

Personally, I decide on CPU first, then RAM and mobo. But, w/e. Not too important as line as you have some idea. (:

#28

It may actually be a while before I order anything unfortunatly, definitly after the 11th. Work has been insane lately, but I will keep everyone posted.

#29

So I read a bit more about the new Intel i7 2600 and 2500 CPUs (Sandy Bridge). From what I am reading, it looks like these are going to be the best choices for me. My only question is about the GPU features that I have read about, specifically the Quick Sync tech. Do you need to be using the Intel Motherboad with the Integrated GPUs for these features? Also, will a non-Intel motherboad significantly change the performance of these features?
Anyway, back to research.

#30

I think it all depends on the chipset. If they follow the Intel reference spec then those features should be there. The biggest F@#$%^&P that can happen is in the bios. Depending on what the mainboard uses features are given and taken away.

#31

When you install your operating system, make sure to install the 64 bit edition rather than the 32bit - There’s many different reasons to do so, such as no memory limitations (32-bit you’ll be stuck only having access to 2-3GB of your RAM), and in my experience you’ll be getting much better performance.

#32

According to reviews I’ve read, Quick Sync is fastest when there’s no dedicated GPU (only the new 2500/2600 by itself). I think (don’t quote me, I’ll check in a minute) only the H67 motherboards have the feature.

Gimme 30 minutes to re-find that review.

#33

Good advice!

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/9

Quick Sync with a Discrete GPU
There’s just one hangup to all of this Quick Sync greatness: it only works if the processor’s GPU is enabled. In other words, on a desktop with a single monitor connected to a discrete GPU, you can’t use Quick Sync.

This isn’t a problem for mobile since Sandy Bridge notebooks should support switchable graphics, meaning you can use Quick Sync without waking up the discrete GPU. However there’s no standardized switchable graphics for desktops yet. Intel indicated that we may see some switchable solutions in the coming months on the desktop, but until then you either have to use the integrated GPU alone or run a multimonitor setup with one monitor connected to Intel’s GPU in order to use Quick Sync.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-5.html

Unfortunately, you have to be using Intel’s integrated graphics core in order to take advantage of Quick Sync. Neither MediaEspresso or MediaConverter are able to recognize the pipeline with a discrete card installed. So, if you’re doing media work on a gaming PC, Quick Sync might not be an option for you.

Looks like Quick Sync is in the processor/CPU and not the motherboard. So, any H67 motherboard should work.

http://www.intel.com/technology/quicksynch/index.htm
http://www.intel.com/products/core_vpro/index.htm

Intel® Quick Sync Video7 makes fast work of editing and sharing videos
…
7 Available on the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family. Includes Intel® HD Graphics, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology (Intel® CVT HD), Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology, and Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (Intel® AVX). Also optionally includes Intel® Wireless Display, depending on whether enabled on a given system or not. Whether you will receive the benefits of built-in visuals depends upon the particular design of the PC you choose. Consult your PC manufacturer whether built-in visuals are enabled on your system. Learn more about built-in visuals at www.intel.com/technology/visualtechnology/index.htm.

#34

Hey Juan, thanks for jumping in! I was planning on getting the 64 bit version of Windows 7, although right now I am still looking at hardware.

Fastcart, still a bit confused, Quicksync will not work on the setup I am going to have? i7 2600 CPU, but using an external (Discrete as they are calling it) card.
I am not that concerned with Quicksync itself it is more of a question of if this CPU is worth it in the configuration I will be using. In the reviews it is unclear when they are talking about the just the CPU and when they are talking about both CPU and its built in GPU.

#35

To be fair and honest, I’m not good with knowledge on Quicksync. I’m building a similar PC, but that’s not a feature I’ll be using.

You’re right about it not being exlicit, but I gathered that Quicksync is faster when using the processor built in GPU. But, now that you ask, I’m not entirely sure. Lemme call Microcenter and ask.

Edit: No answer. ><

#36

Ok, I did a little more reading. Quicksync looks like it is something that is specifically for the onbaord GPU.
However, the i7 2600 has many other graphic enhancements that give better performance on all (onbaord or PCIe) GPUs.
So, it looks like I am going with the i7 2600. Four reviews with Benchmarks show that it is consistantly outperforming the AMD Phenom II X6 series in just about everything.

Now, onto motherboards.

#37

Sorry I wasn’t able to help you on that one. But, the Fastpedia has been updated. (:

For motherboard, I went with Asus Sabertooth P67. It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles a board like the Asus ASUS P8P67 Deluxe has. But, it has enough, and I feel more comfortable with it’s 5 year warranty. We’ll see if I’ll come to regret that decision.

I picked up my 2600k yesterday for $280 at Microcenter. They have a combo deal where you’ll save $140 if you buy the 2600k and one of two motherboards from them. But, I just saved $40-50 on the CPU.

#38

I picked up my 2600k yesterday for $280 at Microcenter. They have a combo deal where you’ll save $140 if you buy the 2600k and one of two motherboards from them. But, I just saved $40-50 on the CPU.

Nice! At my current rate of progress you’ll probably be up and running before I even order my parts. Oh well, time for more reading.

#39

And you might save more money than me too. (: Have fun.

#40

The new PC is built and working. Getting weird errors on a separate USB flash drive I ordered though, but checkdisk found nothing wrong.

Took me 14 hours to build it once I had the piece. Then, another 2-3 moving my 6+ yr old PC and 4 yr old PC around to make space. 4 hours of sleep over 42 hours. d: Got 6 last night though.

I still need to run memtest over night…

Edit: The USB issue could be issues with the case or maybe the leads are loose. I’ll check later.

Edit edit: Lowering my ram timings seems to have helped. They are supposed to be DDR3 1600, but the motherboards sees them at DDR3 1333.