2600k or 3770k i7?

[mdm963]

Hello,

I have been on this site numerously the past week and it has been a huge help to me thus far, so thanks to all of you. I am currently looking to build my first system, and I (thought) I had most of what I want selected. Here is what I have so far:

Intel i7 2600k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Intel z68 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121533

GeForce GTX 550 graphics card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127649

Crucial M4 SSD for OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

Western Digitial Caviar Black 1TB HDDs (probably 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

Rosewill blackhawk mid-tower case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107

Lamptron FC4 fan controller
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811997023

Rosewill card reader
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223119

First, any thoughts on any compatibility issues here so far? (I know I'm not done yet, I still need a power supply and an optical drive). Second, I realized the Ivy Bridge CPUs are coming out on April 29th, is it worth waiting for the 3770k, which I noticed is generally 10% faster than the 2600k and is more power efficient, and will my current components no longer be compatible with it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[amuffin]

I would change the graphics card, but what is this system going to be used for? The difference between teh 3770k and 2600k is very low. If you are gaming the 2500k will be a better option, also for the power supply a corsair tx650w will be plenty.

 

[photonboy]

I would wait for the new CPU, provided the price is comparable. Definitely.

The new CPU might need a BIOS upgrade for an older motherboard so if you're buying a new CPU I'd recommend only the Ivy Bridge motherboards (a BIOS upgrade requires a working CPU).

I believe this is Ivy Bridge which is Z77/H77:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=70263&vpn=GA-Z77X-UD3H&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1259

My advice would be to wait another month for parts to become a little more available as there will be new motherboards nor is the recommended CPU even out yet.

 

[photonboy]

System use?
I noticed you put in a low-end gaming card. It makes little sense to spend a lot on a CPU and fret about Ivy vs Sandy Bridge then spend little on the graphics.

If it's a gaming system, then spend $100 less on the CPU and $100 MORE on the graphics card, such as the i5-2500K and whatever $225 gets you for graphics, probably a GTX560Ti or HD6950.

These two cards are nearly identical so price will dictate, unless a card has a feature you desire.

 

[mdm963]

Thanks for the replies,

This will be used for gaming and some video editing. Also, I want to build something that will last a long time, so my logic is to build something that is top of the line today so it will be more adequate later.

I agree that I should purchase a better graphics card, and I was considering the Radeon HD 6950. However I read somewhere that the Radeon cards normally aren't as compatible with the intel processors as the GeForce cards... is this true?)

I think I will end up waiting for the 3770k, and looking for a suitable ivy bridge motherboard when they come out.

Also, if I were to do this, would the corsair tx650w power supply still be an acceptable power supply?

 

[bwrlane]

Not true at all re compatibility between AMD graphics and intel processors. Both run fine. 6950 is a good choice and far, far better than the 550. But given the nVidia 6 series mid range cards are around the corner, it might be worthwhile waiting a short while.

As for CPU, for video editing, i7 is a good choice. Since ivy release is so soon, you'll probably regret not waiting another few days.

Re motherboard, I'd suggest a Z77. Not much different to the Z68 - both will run both sandy and ivy, but probably little reason to go for the earlier generation when the later one is out.

 

[Anonymous_26]

Thanks for the replies,

This will be used for gaming and some video editing. Also, I want to build something that will last a long time, so my logic is to build something that is top of the line today so it will be more adequate later.

As other people have said you would be better off with the 2500K. There is no real need to spend an extra 100 dollars on the I7 because you're paying for extra stuff that games won't even use. Games aren't really going to make use of hyper threading or the extra cache.

I agree that I should purchase a better graphics card, and I was considering the Radeon HD 6950. However I read somewhere that the Radeon cards normally aren't as compatible with the intel processors as the GeForce cards... is this true?)

I would take that extra money you save by getting the I5 and put it towards a better video card. Both Radeon and Nvidia cards will work fine with AMD and Intel CPU's. Both have good video cards but in both the 6000 vs 500 sereies and 7000 vs 600 series Nvidia has had the edge in performance. I like Nvidia better for they're slightly better performance and IMO way better drivers.

Also, if I were to do this, would the corsair tx650w power supply still be an acceptable power supply?

Corsair makes pretty good powersupplies. The top PSU makers are probably Seasonic, Corsair and Power PC and Cooling.

 

[wifiwolf]

I agree that I should purchase a better graphics card, and I was considering the Radeon HD 6950. However I read somewhere that the Radeon cards normally aren't as compatible with the intel processors as the GeForce cards... is this true?)

They're all the same on compatibility.
Though on quality: Some people claim Nvidia drivers have better quality, and less people claim AMD has better.

If compatibility is your concern, you're safe whatever you choose, just don't use integrated graphics(i think everyone agree there). Grab a 7750/7770 if you'd like to stay in the same range.
But if you'd like a future proof system, get a 7870 and you wont worry about graphics for a long time without breaking your bank account.

 

[Anonymous_26]

I agree that I should purchase a better graphics card, and I was considering the Radeon HD 6950. However I read somewhere that the Radeon cards normally aren't as compatible with the intel processors as the GeForce cards... is this true?)

They're all the same on compatibility.
Though on quality: Some people claim Nvidia drivers have better quality, and less people claim AMD has better.

If compatibility is your concern, you're safe whatever you choose, just don't use integrated graphics(i think everyone agree there). Grab a 7750/7770 if you'd like to stay in the same range.
But if you'd like a future proof system, get a 7870 and you wont worry about graphics for a long time without breaking your bank account.

Not really. In the Radeon 7000 vs Nvidia GTX 680 the GTX 680 has better performance and at a lower cost. The high-end 7000 video cards cost more and performance less than the 680's. As for the drivers I would say yea most of the time Nvidia has better drivers plus they are constantly updating them with improvements. Radeon drivers are buggy and it seems to take them forver to update the buggy drivers.

 

[bob1255]

just buy a 2500k and get like dual 6850s.

you will save alot and be glad.

6850 x 2 are stronger than a 680

ivy bridge is a very very small 10% increase. wait till haswell tbh

 

[wifiwolf]

@Anonymous_26:

I didn't advice 7950/70 did I?
For that range i'd probably recommend 680, (but that would be reasonable if retailers priced it according to nvidia's recommended price, which is not the case) Here in UK and in other countries, it's more expensive than 7970.

My advice is based on my own decision which fits professionals who like gaming a lot but the computer is used less than 50% of the time gaming. Nvidia haven't realeased yet (and will take some time to put a 660 on market) a rival for 7700-7800 range.

 

[Anonymous_26]

No but I was saying that head to head the GTX 680 out performs the 7970 in MOST games. I don't know why they would cost more in Europe I was under the impression that prices were set by AMD and Nvidia just like CPU's. Intel sets the price of the 2500K at 220 and the I7 at 300 dollars and thats the prices you see it at in retail at TigerDirect, NewEgg, Fry's, Microcenter and other stores. I see what you are saying but I would if I was going to do any gaming I would go with Nvidia.

 

[Soda88]

As some already suggested, get Z77 board and i7 3770K. You want every ounce of CPU power you can get your hands on for video editing (well, rendering).

 

[mdm963]

As some already suggested, get Z77 board and i7 3770K. You want every ounce of CPU power you can get your hands on for video editing (well, rendering).

This is what I was thinking. However, should I go with an ivy bridge board when they come out? And I think I'm sold on the Radeon HD 6950... This will be more of a video editing computer and less of a gaming. I will do both, just less gaming, and I think the 6950 should suffice, unless there exists an equivalent Nvidia card for around the same price range..

 

[ohyouknow]

This is what I was thinking. However, should I go with an ivy bridge board when they come out? And I think I'm sold on the Radeon HD 6950... This will be more of a video editing computer and less of a gaming. I will do both, just less gaming, and I think the 6950 should suffice, unless there exists an equivalent Nvidia card for around the same price range..

560ti would be equivalent to the 6950. Cheers and GL

 

[mdm963]

Thanks again for everyone's input. I actually think I am sticking with the Radeon HD 6950. However, since I am deciding to go with the 3770k ivy bridge processor when it comes out, should I also wait for an ivy bridge board or just get a Z77?

 

[Anonymous_26]

There really isn't going to be much of a diference with Ivy Bridges. The biggest thing is the support or PCIe 3.0 and a die shrink. The next big change isn't going to be until Haswell. If you're seriously considering Ivy Bridges I would wait another week for it's official release and benchmark reviews then decide.

 

[wifiwolf]

Ivy boards are already available.
ivy CPU is not.
But I would anyway wait and buy them together as probably there will be more offers by the time the CPU is out. You wont be able to use the board anyway.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Both the Z77 and H77 chipsets are designed to work with the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors that are set to be released in the near future. The main advantages of the 3rd generation Intel Core processors will be lower power and better IGP (Integrated Graphics on Processor) performance.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[sarinaide]

Radeon HD 7870 OC, either the Gigabyte windforce model or MSI TwinFrozr III model. You can push a 1300+ Core and 1400+ VRAM on it easily.

Considering all the GTX 680 cards are reference design cards, from the models I have tested (names excluded) they overclock poorly compared with reference design HD 7970's let alone the 3rd party designs. Non of the major designs for 680's are out, and they will cost you a lot when they do.

 

[mdm963]

I think I'm going with the Z77 motherboard with the 3770k when it's available. However, since they are fairly new, they are not many reviews on all of the Z77s, is there any manufacturer/model that stands out from the rest?

Same thing for the Radeon HD 6950, anything in particular I should be looking for? I was looking at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549

However, it seems people are saying that it runs hot...

 

[licktheenvelope]

I think I'm going with the Z77 motherboard with the 3770k when it's available. However, since they are fairly new, they are not many reviews on all of the Z77s, is there any manufacturer/model that stands out from the rest?

Same thing for the Radeon HD 6950, anything in particular I should be looking for? I was looking at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549

However, it seems people are saying that it runs hot...

There's not many reviews on the Z77 boards because they just came out a few weeks ago.

I picked up a Asus P8Z77-V Pro and am waiting for an i7 3770k to go with my nvidia GTX 680.

After all the reviews and scare from people about the Ivy Bridges I really love the gains for video encoding. One review I read the writer noted that he encoded a 130 minute film, 1080p, while gaming in just under 8 minutes on basically the same system (slightly different board). 😍

 

[mdm963]

That is awesome, truly amazing. This board was actually the one I was looking to get, and is the same that czar357 suggested.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131820&Tpk=13-131-820&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=98e37hv1d621

It's nice, but I kinda wish it had bluetooth, like the Deluxe edition does, but I'm not about to spend an extra $75 just for bluetooth. Any recommendations for bluetooth adapters?

As for the video card, I'm still shopping around. The Radeon HD 6950 scares me a little because it gets hot. The Radeon HD 7850 was pointed out to me, and oddly it's cheaper than the 6950, but it's out of stock at newegg 🙁

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102986&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=xcoirx97cyey

Still waiting for the 3770k too! hoping to see it in stores soon!