My first build: Intel Gen 1 i7-950 vs Gen 2 i7-2600K : worth the price difference?

1827 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by smcr, Apr 6, 2011

smcr

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2011

Hi, I am trying to build my first PC and I would like you input.

I know the parts I want to buy but, I am having tough time deciding between Intel Core i7-950 vs i7-2600K build. Price difference between the two build would be $121. Is it worth it?

Here are the specs:
(AZ = Amazon, NE = New Egg, MC = Micro Center)

Intel Core Generation 1 Build: $1045

Motherboard
Asus P6X58D-E Board:
AZ: $219: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-LGA-1366-Motherboard-P6X58D-/dp/B003FV5XGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301579259&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: ASUS LGA 1366 - Intel X58 - True USB 3.0 & SATA 6Gb/s - ATX Motherboard P6X58D-E: Electronics[/URL]

Intel Chip
i7 950:
MC: $199+tax= $212: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0346210

RAM
Corsair 6GB KIT:
AZ: Dominator $110

Case
AZ: $155:

Power Supply
AZ: 850: AX $ 183

DVD Drive
ASUS DVD Drive: model: DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
AZ: $24: http://www.amazon.com/Asus-DVD%C2%B1RW-DVD-RAM-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301598253&sr=8-1&rps=1

Hard Drive
WD Black:
AZ 640GB: $70: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Desktop-WD6402AAEX/dp/B003AJXUTQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301601180&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Western Digital 640 GB Caviar Black SATA 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD6402AAEX: Electronics[/URL]

Water Cooling System
Corsair H50
AZ: $72 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Cooling-High-performance-Cooler-CWCH50-1/dp/B002QG2H7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301597576&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H50 All in One High-performance CPU Cooler CWCH50-1: Electronics[/URL]

Intel Core Generation 2 Build: $1166

Motherboard
Asus P8P67 Deluxe Board:
MC: $239.99+tax = $255

Intel Chip
i7 2600K: MC: $279.99+tax = $297

RAM
Corsair Dominator Series 8GB KIT:
AZ: $110:

Case
AZ: $155:

Power Supply
AZ: 850AX $ 183

DVD Drive
ASUS DVD Drive: model: DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
AZ: $24: http://www.amazon.com/Asus-DVD%C2%B1RW-DVD-RAM-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301598253&sr=8-1&rps=1

Hard Drive
WD Black:
AZ 640GB: $70: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Desktop-WD6402AAEX/dp/B003AJXUTQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301601180&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Western Digital 640 GB Caviar Black SATA 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD6402AAEX: Electronics[/URL]

Water Cooling System
Corsair H50
AZ: $72 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Cooling-High-performance-Cooler-CWCH50-1/dp/B002QG2H7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301597576&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H50 All in One High-performance CPU Cooler CWCH50-1: Electronics[/URL]

Thanks for your help!
SM

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bratas

· #2 · Apr 5, 2011

yes, since it can OC a lot higher.

Welcome to OCN.

what vid card you planning on?

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MIKEVALL

· #3 · Apr 5, 2011

Paitently awaiting a massive TROLL fest!!!!!!!!

There both great processers, i think anyone you chose you will be happy! IMO

For the avg gamer/user either will be more than enough!!!

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MooCwzRck

· #4 · Apr 5, 2011

As is usually suggested, you could probably save yourself a hundred bucks and get pretty much equal performance out of the i5-2500k depending on what types of applications you plan to run.

What do you want to do with it?

And yes, sandy bridge is probably the easiest processor set to overclock ever...I pressed like three buttons and got a stable 4.6Ghz overclock on air cooling.

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vortech

· #5 · Apr 5, 2011

I'd probably recommend a 2500k unless you can justify the need for the 2600k.. Take the saving and put it towards an SSD, it'll be the second best upgrade you can make. I'd recommend the Antec Kuhler over the H50 for the updated plate and rubber lines. The rad is the same on both of them, the Antec tests very well, it even gets better with better fans.

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bratas

· #6 · Apr 5, 2011

he hasn't specified what the system will be used for, why I made no recommendation between a 2500k or a 2600k. Yes if it is going t be used for gaming mostly, you would be better off with a 2500k, if your heavy into photo editing/encoding then the 2600k. Regardless clock for clock is faster than 1366 and with a good air cooler can run at 5Ghz 24/7.

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Sin0822

· #7 · Apr 5, 2011

most 2500k can do 4.5ghz stable, some 950s can too, oh and you lost HT.

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LuckySe7ens

· #8 · Apr 5, 2011

go with a 2500k.

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smcr

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 5, 2011

Wow so many response in so little time! lol Thank you!

I have 3 monitor setup and my main is Dell UltraSharp 23in' for gaming running at 1080p and a 32in' LCD for movies and another UltraSharp 17in' used together with the other two when I do programming assignments and browsing. I currently have HD6850 video card with my Dell XPS 600 (I had the system for 5 years now) which by the way is incapable of running game on my 1080p monitor so I figure I need an upgrade. Instead of getting another Dell I decided to build one that will last about another 5 years or so.

Btw, I am thinking of getting a 128GB SSD and I found one on sale at NewEgg for $200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

Thanks again for the suggestions!
SM

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MIKEVALL

· #10 · Apr 6, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcr;13014594
Wow so many response in so little time! lol Thank you!

I have 3 monitor setup and my main is Dell UltraSharp 23in' for gaming running at 1080p and a 32in' LCD for movies and another UltraSharp 17in' used together with the other two when I do programming assignments and browsing. I currently have HD6850 video card with my Dell XPS 600 (I had the system for 5 years now) which by the way is incapable of running game on my 1080p monitor so I figure I need an upgrade. Instead of getting another Dell I decided to build one that will last about another 5 years or so.

Btw, I am thinking of getting a 128GB SSD and I found one on sale at NewEgg for $200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

Thanks again for the suggestions!
SM

Theres nothing wrong with that SSD ! It has good read speeds ( kinda low write) but it is sata 6 !

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MrAMD_Fan

· #11 · Apr 6, 2011

2500k is $179.99 at microcenter.... best value on the planet, right now. I helped my friend pick out components and steered him toward the 2500k. You always get fast response on this forum! This is OCN! Oh and welcome to OCN!

EDIT: just noticed the motherboard you picked is the same one my friend went with.... great choice!

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smcr

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 6, 2011

looks like I will be getting 2500K and H20 620 cooler instead.

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smcr

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 6, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAMD_Fan

EDIT: just noticed the motherboard you picked is the same one my friend went with.... great choice!

Yes, microcenter got the best price on the CPU. I asked Amazon to price match but they said they don't do such a thing...

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smcr

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 6, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKEVALL

Theres nothing wrong with that SSD ! It has good read speeds ( kinda low write) but it is sata 6 !

Thanks!

I ordered the SSD yesterday and I can't wait to try it on!

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