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Best CPU & board for this build?

T

texas_nightowl

n00b
Joined
Oct 28, 2010
Messages
8
So, my current system is 4 years old - and with one exception, video encoding, I could stick with it a while longer. But, it's time to upgrade.

I have 2 major dilemmas. Which CPU and which motherboard.

For CPU, since I want to use the on die graphics, specifically the HD3000 version, my choices as I understand them are the i3-2105, i5-2500k, and i7-2600k. Since I'm planning on this system lasting 3-4 years like my current one has, I was thinking of splurging on the 2600k, though really the 2500k should be more than enough.

For motherboard, I think I want Z68 chipset...the Virtu stuff for the switchable graphics could come in handy if I want to add a separate video card later. So obviously I also want a board with HDMI and DVI ports.

Anyway, here are my answers to the sticky.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

General use; Word & Excel; web browsing; no gaming (well, I still run Civ4 on occasion); mostly low demand except...I am going to be doing some video encoding...my blu-rays are ripped to hard drive and waiting for a new PC to encode them to smaller sizes for storage on my WHS.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

$800 (or less if I skip an SSD)

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

USA - North Carolina - No Frys or Microcenter within 5 hours :<

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
optional - SSD? not sure I want to go for one or not
optional - video card - I'm thinking I'll skip this for now and just use the igp from the cpu

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

Case - Antec Solo
PSU - Corsair HX520
DVDRW
HDD - I have a 320gb primary and 500gb secondary, both Western Digital

6) Will you be overclocking?

no

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

I have a 20"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

September, so in the next 2 weeks

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.

USB3.0; SATA 6Gb/s (for when I get an SSD at least); DVI/HDMI port so I can use IGP on the CPU

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

Yes, Win 7 64bit
Click to expand...
So, CPU: 2500k or 2600k?

Motherboard: I was looking at some of the lower cost options since I don't seem to need some of the more advanced ones. Some on my list are:

Asrock Extreme3 Gen3
Asus P8Z68-V LE
Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

Are there any others in that $125 area I should consider? Any reason I should move up to the $160-175 range?

Memory should be pretty straightforward, so finally...SSD. Should I go for one?
 
Save 100$ and spend it elsewhere and get the 2500k. I'd personally go /w the Gigabyte variety as i've been burned too much lately by Asus...but thats just personal and the luck of the draw as it were.

So 2500k, spend the extra 100$ on a SSD for your OS, get plenty of ram, and make a ram drive for things liek your browser and cache.
 
Thanks...the 2500k does make a lot of sense..but I keep justifying to myself that the i7 is "only" $95 more :>

I am planning on 8gb ram.

I'm trying to decide whether to splurge on a 120gb SSD or not. A 64gb would be workable though. It just trips me out the price/gb compared to a regular drive.
 
CPU: if you're planning on doing a ton of video encoding (by a ton I mean days and weeks worth of video encoding), then go for the 2600K. If just occasional video encoding, then just go with the 2500K.

Mobo: Not the AsRock on account of its one year warranty. Flip a coin between the Asus and Gigabyte

RAM: I recommend this:
$45 - G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

SSD: Yes get one. I recommend any of these SSDs:
$115 - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SSD
$140 - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 64GB SSD w/ USB to SATA Adapter and Drive Cloning software
$219 - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SSD
$229 - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SSD w/ USB to SATA Adapter and Drive Cloning software
$278 - Intel 510 Series SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SSD
$406 - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SSD
$425 - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 256GB SSD w/ USB to SATA Adapter and Drive Cloning software
$580 - Intel 510 Series SSDSC2MH250A2K5 2.5" 250GB SSD
 
Initially, it will be a lot of encoding while I take care of the 20-30 discs I've already ripped to hard drive. After that it will be pretty sporadic.

Thanks for the list of SSD's to check out.
 
I'd still got with the 2500k, its extremely fast. You'd get more benifit from having your OS reside on your SSD. I have a 64gb SSD, i just put my OS and most of my small application installs on it (browser/office/photoshop etc) on it. If you like to hoard things on your desktop might want to grab a 128gb SSD, but personally i always have 30gb free on my SSD with everything installed.
 
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