Help choosing Sandy Bridge CPU and Chipset

[Leo123]

Hi there,

I am thinking of building a new rig - my rather ancient AMD 2500+ is on its last legs.

I have read everything I can on Sandy Bridge and cannot decide on which combination would be best for me.

I am not into overclocking (please don't hate me!) and will only be using a single GPU.
My main uses for the computer will be for music production (e.g. Cubase) and editing and converting video.

I might look into getting back into gaming, if I have a PC that is now capable of playing the latest games.

With regards the CPU - is it worth going with the i5-2500k or i7-2600k if I am never going to do any overclocking? If I do go with one of the "k" series - which one? I have heard that the hyperthreading benefits of the 2600k over the 2500k are minimal, but is this likely to change in the near future with new computer programs making better use of threading.

As for the motherboard - this is ultimately going to be partly based upon the CPU I choose - if I ended up getting an i5-2500, would there be any point in getting a P67 board?
I will be using a graphics card, so it would appear to make more sense to get an P67 board, but then I would miss out on the Quick Sync Technology that I would get from the H67, which I have heard is great for video encoding (which is what I am going to be doing) - HOWEVER, I am not going to be able to use Quick Sync as I will be using a discrete graphics card (who wants to be using integrated graphics on a top spec machine).

Ultimately, I have no idea which combination really suits me.

Given my circumstances, I would guess that (depending on whether hyperthreading really is worth it or not) either the i5-2500 or -7-2600, as not overclocking, and an H67 board with a discrete graphics card, as again not overclocking and no need for more than one GPU.

Sorry, for the really long question, your views on how you have or will make a decision as to SB mobos and chips would be really appreciated to make a decision.

Tjanks

 

[Dangman]

I say spend the extra for the K version just in case you may want to OC in the future. The price difference is only about $30 between the non-K and K versions. Considering your usage, go for the i7 2600K.

Motherboard wise, if you're planning on gaming at all, go for the P67.

 

[plugwash]

My main uses for the computer will be for music production (e.g. Cubase)

Do you have or plan to have any specialist hardware related to this and if so how is it interfaced to the PC?
Are you planning to keep the machine for a long time and therefore desiring expansion room to add whatever the next big thing is in PC interfaces?

With regards the CPU - is it worth going with the i5-2500k or i7-2600k if I am never going to do any overclocking?

The only reasons to get a K model in your situation would be either because you might change your mind on overclocking or because you are considering resale possibilities down the road.

As for the board if you get a K series chip you should get a P67 for the overclocking. P67 also gives you (provided the board supports it which all but the bottom end boards do) the option to split the CPU PCIe into 2x x8 . This can be used for a second graphics card but it could also be used if in the future you want some other really demanding card.

As for hyperthreading according to hardocps testing it apparently does make a fairly substantial difference IF your software can actually use up all the virtual cores. I'm not sure what cubase is like in that regard.

 

[E4g1e]

I say spend the extra for the K version just in case you may want to OC in the future. The price difference is only about $30 between the non-K and K versions. Considering your usage, go for the i7 2600K.

Motherboard wise, if you're planning on gaming at all, go for the P67.

I completely agree. With the Sandy Bridge CPUs, the K series CPUs finally get an included HSF. The one that comes with the i7-2600K is decent enough for moderate overclocking.