I3 2105 compatability question

[Shambolicuk]

Hi, i currently have a i3 2105 mini itx build and am trying to decide wether to get a different itx case and get a decent graphics card or build a complete new system. So my question is, if i pair up this graphics card im looking at http://uk.msi.com/product/vga/N570GTX-Twin-Frozr-III-Power-Edition-OC.html with my i3 2105 in an Asus P8H61-i motherboard with 4 gig of ram (may upgrade to 8 gig) wouls you think im ilkely to bottleneck or encounter any issues? I would have to change my case as it only takes half height cards.

 

[andrewcarr]

First of all if you can get a 7850 it will perform similar to the 570 and is cheaper.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html
As for the bottleneck issue there shouldn't be any. The 2105 is the same speed as a i3-2100 so will perform like this (look at i3-2100's data).
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

Regarding the motherboard you will be fine. The 4GB of memory will most likely be enough but adding more won't hurt. What is the PSU? What is the Case? PSU because it may not be enough to power the 570 although should be enough to handle the 7850 (which has significantly less power use). The case is just to make sure it will fit although most ITX cases can handle those cards.

 

[cmi86]

It really depends on what you do. If all you do is game and play on facebook then a i3 is fine (for now, even games are beginning to move past dual cores) If you do anything more than that I would suggest a new build with a nice quad and 8GB ram. Programs are being coded to use more cores and more ram every day that goes by so having a good bit of power in your system now will keep you compatible with future software for quite some time.

 

[andrewcarr]

That is on older technology (although yes still works) and has a huge power requirement. It could make it more expensive if he needs a new PSU with it. Because of that I would buy the 7850 if it were my money.

 

[Shambolicuk]

Thanks for your input peeps

My current case is an Antec isk 300-150, i bought it and made a htpc with the i3 2105 as i thought i was done with gaming...i was wrong lol
So that case will obviously be going as it wont suit my needs.

The case i am looking at is the as yet unreleased http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=608&cl_index=1&sc_index=0&ss_index=0&g=spec

This will suit my needs as i have no intention of sli/crossfire and it will take a full atx psu so power wont be an issue as long as i get a new psu.
I was thinking of getting that case, a psu and a graphics card and simply swapping my components over for now which should get me through this round of intel chips and give me plenty of time to save up for next years Haswell chips.

 

[Shambolicuk]

Forgot to mention it will be my main PC for internet surfing, gaming (mainly Guild Wars 2 when its out) and HTPC use as it will be hooked up to a 1080p HDTV.

So you think the suggested 7850 would be a better option than the msi 570?

 

[andrewcarr]

That is about the same as this I believe it is just an updated version of that. It would work fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112265
Another option would be something like this that comes with a good 600W PSU too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163169

 

[Shambolicuk]

Yes i did look at the SG07 and SG08 and im not going to rule them out, prefer the SG08. But i do like the Lian Li cases even though they are overpriced, and now that the PC Q18 is coming out with the new pop off sides as opposed to the PC Q08 which requires unscrewing the side panels to gain access i think that the PC Q18 could be a case to last me many years, the only downside i can see to it is the limited (60mm) cpu cooler clearance so if the 7850 runs cooler it would be better to help keeps temps down i guess.

 

[HEXiT]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html looking at these benches i can see a bottleneck on every cpu up to the 2400 when the benches reach the 2400 theres a 10% or more jump in performance in some of them... when theres that big a difference you can only assume that its the cpu choking.

 

[Shambolicuk]

Yes i would say your probably right Hex but isnt that on one of the most powerful cards available?

I did a bit of reading on various companies versions of the 7850 and found this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-157-MS
Seems like a good mid range card that should keep cool you think that may pair up with my 2105 ok?