Cheap build vs Expensive build

[alhanelem]

Ok I want to build a new PC to replace my old E8500, G31 mobo and 4GB of DDR2 Ram with either:

CHEAP: $302
ASRock H61M-HVS-B3: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18337
G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (1333MHz) : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16509
Intel Core i5 2320: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18947

OR

EXPENSIVE (at least for me): $409 *Has been edited, switched from 2500K to 3570K, switched from Extreme 4-M to PRO4-M
ASRock Z77 PRO4-M : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19865
G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (1600MHz): http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16510
Intel Core i5 3570K: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20138

I want something that is future proof (at least last me 1-2 years), I will be gaming with this build and going to replace my GTX 460 with a GTX 660 when it releases.
Should I go with the cheaper build or will the expensive build be a better idea?

Cheap build will mean i get the build earlier and I will also be able to get the GTX 660 earlier too.
Expensive build will take me longer to save up the money and take me longer for the 660 as well.

Unless someone has a better build suggestion? My budget is at $430 since I also need to pay for shipping and handling which is about another $20.

 

[jmsellars1]

I would drop the 2133Mhz RAM and go for 1600Mhz stuff. The RAM would only run at that speed when you overclock and even then it won't give much of a benefit in games. I would then change the i5-2500K for the newer i5-3570K. There's no real performance boost but there's less power consumption and it will support PCI-E 3.0 on your new graphics card. Also Sandy Bridge only supports up to 1333Mhz RAM without overclocking, Ivy Bridge supports 1600Mhz.

In that case, the more expensive build would have the following benefits:

- Slightly better stock performance
- Better motherboard chipset with USB 3, SATA 3 etc.
- CPU with native 1600Mhz RAM and PCI-E 3.0 support
- Ability to overclock.

For an extra $100 or so, I'd say that was definitely worth it. Especially since the GTX 460 is still fine for games, I have one myself.

 

[alhanelem]

I would drop the 2133Mhz RAM and go for 1600Mhz stuff. The RAM would only run at that speed when you overclock and even then it won't give much of a benefit in games. I would then change the i5-2500K for the newer i5-3570K. There's no real performance boost but there's less power consumption and it will support PCI-E 3.0 on your new graphics card. Also Sandy Bridge only supports up to 1333Mhz RAM without overclocking, Ivy Bridge supports 1600Mhz.

In that case, the more expensive build would have the following benefits:

- Slightly better stock performance
- Better motherboard chipset with USB 3, SATA 3 etc.
- CPU with native 1600Mhz RAM and PCI-E 3.0 support
- Ability to overclock.

For an extra $100 or so, I'd say that was definitely worth it. Especially since the GTX 460 is still fine for games, I have one myself.

Ok thanks for the advice, i changed the expensive build around and switched out with a cheaper mobo but it's still a good one.
Still not 100% sure though which one to get...

 

[alhanelem]

anyone have experience with overclocking on a ASRock Z77 PRO4-M?

 

[jmsellars1]

I know you can overclock on it but I haven't done it myself.

 

[manofchalk]

anyone have experience with overclocking on a ASRock Z77 PRO4-M?

If it shares the same EUFI BIOS as the Extreme4 (no reason why it wouldnt), it is quite simple.

Get into BIOS (Mash DEL until your in), go into the OC Tweaker menu, bump up the multiplier to 40. exit, boot to windows, test if its stable and not too hot. Back to BIOS, multiplier to 41, etc, etc. Around 4.3Ghz you have to start increasing the voltage.

Thats what I did on my Extreme4 on a Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO, got my i5-3570k to 4.2Ghz. Intend to go higher but right now don't know of any software to properly test for stability and performance, so keeping it conservative for now. Use Prime95 for 10min or so for testing max temps and simple stability.