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Long over due build upgrade - recommendations?

post #1 of 15
6/15/12 at 12:41am
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Hi,

Finally the time has come and now I saved up enough money to upgrade this again AM2 build! My max budget is $400, I only plan on upgrading my motherboard, CPU, and RAM as of right now. I have choosen a couple of parts that I think will do good for money. Does the OCN Community have any other build upgrade ideas? biggrin.gif

ASRock Z68 Extreme3

Intel 2500k

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB

Thanks in advance. smile.gif
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post #2 of 15
6/15/12 at 2:02am
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks


CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
The 3570k is 15% better and $20 more so theres no reason to get a sandy bridge. this ins in store only so You have to be near a microcenter

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
You'll want an aftermarket heat sink to overclock you cpu.

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Great Z77 mobo which you can get $50 off with the 3570k. (I didn't include the deal)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Same performance and reliability but this is cheaper.

Total: $396.96
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post #3 of 15
6/15/12 at 2:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraHoboLord View Post

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
The 3570k is 15% better and $20 more so theres no reason to get a sandy bridge. this ins in store only so You have to be near a microcenter
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
You'll want an aftermarket heat sink to overclock you cpu.
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Great Z77 mobo which you can get $50 off with the 3570k. (I didn't include the deal)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Same performance and reliability but this is cheaper.
Total: $396.96

Thats a pretty good setup if you are near MC.
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post #4 of 15
6/15/12 at 3:30am
Intel processors are nice. The i5-2500k is better than a Phenom II x4. But the Phenom II x4 is still a pretty good CPU. For gaming, you're not going to see a huge benefit. Be warned you may be underwhelmed by the upgrade. Normally I'd recommend upgrading monitor or GPU instead, but it looks like you've still got decent parts in both those categories.

If you're a gamer, a 670 might still be a better choice than a new CPU.
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post #5 of 15
6/15/12 at 5:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterFred View Post

Intel processors are nice. The i5-2500k is better than a Phenom II x4. But the Phenom II x4 is still a pretty good CPU. For gaming, you're not going to see a huge benefit. Be warned you may be underwhelmed by the upgrade. Normally I'd recommend upgrading monitor or GPU instead, but it looks like you've still got decent parts in both those categories.
If you're a gamer, a 670 might still be a better choice than a new CPU.

Don't be silly, in terms of raw processing power the 2500K is anywhere between 30-100 percent faster.
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post #6 of 15
6/15/12 at 5:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TickleMeElmo View Post

Don't be silly, in terms of raw processing power the 2500K is anywhere between 30-100 percent faster.

So?
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post #7 of 15
6/15/12 at 8:11am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UltraHoboLord View Post

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
The 3570k is 15% better and $20 more so theres no reason to get a sandy bridge. this ins in store only so You have to be near a microcenter
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
You'll want an aftermarket heat sink to overclock you cpu.
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
Great Z77 mobo which you can get $50 off with the 3570k. (I didn't include the deal)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Same performance and reliability but this is cheaper.
Total: $396.96

Thanks for the build it looks great. That PC-Parts Picker is a really good website! Sadly there are no microcenters in the state of Arizona so I am unable to use the cheapest option. I was planning on the buying the hyper 212 but at newegg I saw that I went over my budget and I will be buying it later. On another note, the reason I went sandy bridge is because I really plan on overclocking to ~ 4.5 GHz if the processor is capable. But I've reviewed and read many pots here on OCN about Ivy Bridge processors and how they run hotter than Sandy Bridge when overclocked. Heat for me is a big issue since I live in hot Arizona and the ambient temps are really high. Would anyone still recommend it? Other than than that the build looks great, thanks smile.gif
Edited by SkippyDogg - 6/15/12 at 8:14am
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post #8 of 15
6/15/12 at 1:02pm
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Are any of these ram choices suitable ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211457

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226295

I want a black theme going on my computer and the red rip jaws don't really fit. redface.gif
Edited by SkippyDogg - 6/15/12 at 1:05pm
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post #9 of 15
6/15/12 at 1:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkippyDogg View Post

Are any of these ram choices suitable ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211457
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226295
I want a black theme going on my computer and the red rip jaws don't really fit. redface.gif

Ive had a few ADATA Sticks of RAM they work just fine , make sure theyre the MHZ your Mobo supports and your set
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post #10 of 15
6/15/12 at 1:21pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdebrooke View Post

Ive had a few ADATA Sticks of RAM they work just fine , make sure theyre the MHZ your Mobo supports and your set

Thanks for your input, I will definity consider them. Do the timings matter a lot on ram? I cannot decied between these two sticks.

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB DDR3 1600 (8-8-8-24)

ADATA XPG Gaming Series 8GB DDR3 1600 (9-9-9-24)
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