Upgrading to a Sandy Bridge build from Q6600

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thedooce

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Apr 14, 2010
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Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next week.

Budget Range: $600-800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet, normal daily usage

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS (Win7 x64), Hard drives, optical drive, GPU(HD5850), PSU(Silverstone 750W), ATX Case(Antec 900)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, ncixus.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel Sandy Bridge CPU, ASUS/Gigabyte motherboard, G.Skill

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire:No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Looking for input on my selection of components

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My current selection as of right now:

Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128478&cm_re=ud4-_-13-128-478-_-Product

CPU: Intel i5 2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&cm_re=2500k-_-19-115-072-_-Product

Memory: G.Skill RipjawX 2x4GB DDR3 1866MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455&cm_re=g.skill_1866-_-20-231-455-_-Product

CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B (I will be getting extra clips and a 120mm fan for push-pull setup)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142&Tpk=scmg-2100
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I figured the 2600K wasn't worth the extra $100 since I won't be using any heavily threaded applications (I mostly game), but I am open to criticism. I went with the G.Skill RAM as I have had no problems with their chips in the past, and the heat spreaders are not very tall. I haven't seen anything showing a good reason to go faster than 1866MHz, and maybe some of you would even suggest I save $25 by going with the 1600MHz 8GB set. Again, I am open to any and all criticism.

The budget is for motherboard, CPU, RAM and cooling setup only.

Thank You.
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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Oct 19, 2009
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A better choice is the Extreme 4 because of UEFI, Gigabyte oddly opted to stick with BIOS but the UEFI is a real great interface for anyone really. Plus it's 30$ cheaper and performs and the same level if not better.

Overclocking:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg10/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-overclocking.html

Review:
http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116/ASRock-P67-Extreme4-Motherboard-Review/9#axzz1J2SQup2V

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg11/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-conclusion.html

Product:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229&cm_re=asrock_extreme4-_-13-157-229-_-Product

Best RAM:
This:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416&cm_re=8gb_ddr3-_-20-231-416-_-Product

OR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&cm_re=8gb_ddr3-_-20-233-144-_-Product

You have the PSU, get another one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375&cm_re=5850-_-14-121-375-_-Product
 
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zooted

zooted

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It says in the op he has a 5850
 
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thedooce

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I currently have a 5850.



Good looking out on that ASRock board. Good reviews and a bit cheaper to boot!

I was actually eyeballing the Corsiar Vengeance memory as well, but I'm worried about clearing those gigantic heat spreaders. Saving money on the motherboard could allow me to get some CL8, or maybe even 7, 1600mhz RAM.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/58099/F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM/G.Skill/
and
http://www.ncixus.com/products/58100/F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH/G.Skill/

As for an additional 5850, I'd prefer to stick with a single GPU and upgrade later this year if need be. I have mine overclocked to 950MHz core at only 1.187 volts and can easily hit 1Ghz with 1.225 volts, however my CPU seems to be the bottleneck with it clocked that high. I think with it's ability to run as fast or faster than a stock 5870, that I can hang on to it for a little while longer, and that I will still see a nice improvement simply with the addition of the 2500k CPU. If not, I'll be upgrading the GPU sooner than planned.



I found a killer deal on ncixus.com for an Asus p67 Sabertooth mobo and 2500k CPU for only slightly over $400. If I go with Asus, that will be a hard deal to pass up. Oh, and it comes with Shogun 2 Total War =)
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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^ Really sweet deal on the Sabertooth. Though I'm not a big fan of the "Tact Vest" it really makes the board hotter, not cooler.

Well the Newegg is a bit cheaper, the CL8/CL7 has no difference from CL9. Fact during overclocks CL9 is a bit more stable. Memory benches really don't matter. They don't even reduce bottlenecks that much.

Your better off with the deals I mentioned, they have the 10$ off and the 25$ off right now.
 
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asantesoul

asantesoul

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I did my utmost to search the OP comment for the video card..and my eyes didn't pick it up :(....but, as mentioned..everything looks fine! The sabertooth is a pretty good board..lots of people manage to get 4.6+ on that bad boy on air
 
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thedooce

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Apr 14, 2010
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Thanks for the replies guys.

I still haven't ordered the stuff yet, but I think I have made up my mind on an ASRock P67 Extreme4. It offers the same or more features than boards costing $30-40 more and receives great reviews (I really like that it has on-board power/reset :D ). It may not be the fastest or prettiest board in the world, but it looks to be a real winner thus far considering features/stability and the problem free experience current users are having with it.

The ASRock board supports socket-775 coolers. Something you guys can maybe help me in really solidifying my choice is if you believe my old socket-775 Tuniq Tower120 would provide enough (maybe more?) cooling for a 4.5GHz overclocked 2500k compared to some newer budget coolers like the CM 212+.

The older Tuniq is keeping my Q6600 (3.55GHz) 66 degrees and below as we speak with all cores at 100% load for ~80min. now which has me thinking it should be a cake-walk to keep a 2500k in check, and would save me $30+.

Thoughts?

Edit:\ It would also open up my RAM options to those with taller heatspreaders like the Corsair Vengeance series.
 
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