New Build Sandybridge

[limitedaccess]

Posting this to get some thoughts, or in case I missed something/have something wrong.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, multi client gaming, gaming while multitasking (background video watching, server, graphics work, encoding), 2d/3d graphics work on and off as a hobby, Virtual machine use as a hobby/program compatibility.
Needs low noise to be on while sleeping in the same room.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Want to spend as little as possible (preferably ~$1000 or less), no real hard budget though.

3) Where do you live?
Vancouver, Canada

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, Memory, CPU Heatsink, Most likely new case, possibly video card. Strongly prefer to say with single GPUs.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
19 month old Corsair VX550 PSU. Will reuse hard drives. Might reuse Creative Audigy 4. Possibly reuse current 5770. Less possibly Sonata Plus case, due to limited cooling (2x92mm in, 1x120mm out), and video card length restrictions (9 inch or shorter).

6) Will you be overclocking?
Will OC awhile after initial frequent bios/efi updates are done due to being a new platform.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
1920x1080 23 inch u2311h. May add a 1080p TV later on, or a 2nd monitor for dual display. Fine with at most 4x AA (even 2x really).

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
No real rush, could wait until Ivybridge and 28nm GPUs even. Current PC is a e6750@3.2ghz, 6gb ram, 5770.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
Want option to use 4 dimms of same model in the future, so mobo/heatsink/memory combination should be able to do this. USB 3, but this is really pretty standard now. Prefer UEFI. Prefer method of bad "flash" recovery (eg. dual bios). Prefer eSata, don't really want to pay extra for it.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Win 7 x64

Current plans are (replace ++++ with N C I X) -

CPU/mobo - 2500k/MSI p67a-gd55 combo - $370 > $350 AR > ??? (might sell bundled game, 3d mark 11)
http://++++.com/products/index.php?...5-2500K&manufacture=Bundle Deals&promoid=1275
CPU options - wait for bundle on 2600k CPUs
Mobo options - Asrock p67 Extreme4(not yet available here), Asus P8P67, Gigabyte P67 ud3p, Msi p67a-gd65

Heatsink - Hyper 212 Plus - $25
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC8843&vpn=RR-B10-212P-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

Memory - G.SKILL Ripjaws X 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 1.5V - $100
http://++++.com/products/index.php?sku=57953&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL&manufacture=G.Skill&promoid=1275

GPU - XFX 6950 2gb Reference Design - $275 > $265 AR (might try this 5% guarantee to get $261 no rebate)
http://++++.com/products/index.php?sku=57630&vpn=HD695ACNFC&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1275
Option 2 GPU - MSi GTX 560 Twin Frozr OC - $250 > $??? after reselling bundled Just Cause 2 and Mafia 2
http://++++.com/products/index.php?... II/OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar&promoid=1275
Option 3 GPU - Stay with 5770 for the time being as I am fine playing current games with it, and I will not really "want" a graphics upgrade until BF 3 or Skyrim releases.

Case - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl - $110
http://++++.com/products/index.php?...LACK&manufacture=Fractal Design&promoid=1275\
Option 2 - Another suitable case, at roughly the same cost or save by going a lot less.
Option 3 - Stay with Sonata Plus for now if possible (can wait for Fractal Design Arc Midi maybe, or save money).

I'm actually having second though about a new GPU now that I think of it. For what I currently play, I can certainly enjoy at the current settings, and I figure the CPU upgrade will at least add a little to smooth out the experience. (SC 2, BC 2) As far as I know, I won't have a high requirement "eyecandy" type game until Skyrim and BF 3. Mainly the productivity type benchmarks for Sandybridge (compared to what I get currently) is what is making me want to upgrade, and the possible multitasking improvements.

 

[Dangman]

Ditch the AsRock as it only has a one year warranty.

Get a new case if you go with any new card. Speaking of cards, I'd go for the HD 6950 2GB.

What are the specs of your current PC?

 

[Zaraky]

Hey, since Danny told me to buy this ram, Maybe you'd get lucky and get the deal as well. Even if you have to order it today

Link promo code DM15A0111CA which end yesterday so if you hurry you might get it. End at ~65$ per 8gb not shipped.

Just saying in case. Danny might have another though. Damn, missed the "No real rush" for when you want to buy... so yeah take your time.

 

[limitedaccess]

Ditch the AsRock as it only has a one year warranty.

Get a new case if you go with any new card. Speaking of cards, I'd go for the HD 6950 2GB.

What are the specs of your current PC?

My main choices for the mobo are the MSI P67a gd55/gd65 (estata and more sata really from what I understand), and the Asus p8p67, followed by the Gigabyte p67 ud3p (no uefi, but love the board look). The Asrock looked interesting in terms of price/feature ratio, with the support question mark, it also isn't available readily here, so it was the outsider.

System specs were in the wall of text , but here goes with more detail -
e6750@3.2ghz at stock voltage and heatsink
2x2gb Corsair, 1x2gb OCZ PC6400 (ocing problem right here)
gigabyte p35-ds3l
Powercolor 5770 PCS+
Corsair VX550
Sonata Plus (120m out, 2x92mm in)
1x500gb WD 7200rpm older HD, 1x1tb WD Green
Audigy 4 PCI

Expecting a 2x to 5x or more increase in CPU power depending on the task, which is making me want to upgrade. GPU upgrade from what I understand will net me roughly 2x more power. Good numbers certainly.

Hey, since Danny told me to buy this ram, Maybe you'd get lucky and get the deal as well. Even if you have to order it today

Link promo code DM15A0111CA which end yesterday so if you hurry you might get it. End at ~65$ per 8gb not shipped.

Just saying in case. Danny might have another though. Damn, missed the "No real rush" for when you want to buy... so yeah take your time.

I'm wondering if I need the slightly faster memory though for multitasking, as somewhat shown http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1
Also for the possibility I do an Ivybridge/Bulldozer (wishful thinking hoping AMD pulls it off?) and it might require 1600 memory.

I'd actually prefer the shorter ram, and I guess I could even go with an overkill for now 16gb at that price too.

 

[Dangman]

I'm wondering if I need the slightly faster memory though for multitasking, as somewhat shown http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1
Also for the possibility I do an Ivybridge/Bulldozer (wishful thinking hoping AMD pulls it off?) and it might require 1600 memory.

Well the difference really wasn't that great IMO to justify the higher costs for DDR3 1600 RAM. In addition, Ivy Bridge will not require DDR3 1600 as the current Sandy Bridge CPUs have made it so that the RAM and CPU are independent of each when it comes to overclocking. As such, the likelihood of Ivy Bridge, basically a die-shrink of the Sandy Bridge, requiring DDR3 1600 RAM is nil.

 

[limitedaccess]

Well the difference really wasn't that great IMO to justify the higher costs for DDR3 1600 RAM. In addition, Ivy Bridge will not require DDR3 1600 as the current Sandy Bridge CPUs have made it so that the RAM and CPU are independent of each when it comes to overclocking. As such, the likelihood of Ivy Bridge, basically a die-shrink of the Sandy Bridge, requiring DDR3 1600 RAM is nil.

I see your points, as I could possibly spend towards a 2600k instead for the multitasking. Which is another sticking decision, is whether to move up.

Since the 15% expired on the newegg deal, how are these for memory if I do drop down to DDR3 1333?

Muskin Silverline 2x4gb DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24 1.5V

http://++++.com/products/index.php?sku=55544&vpn=996770&manufacture=Mushkin Enhanced&promoid=1275

 

[limitedaccess]

After some tinkering I think I've got it down to 2 options I think -

Common Base -
Heatsink - Hyper 212 Plus - $25
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC8843&vpn=RR-B10-212P-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
GPU - XFX 6950 2gb Reference Design - $275 > $265 AR
http://++++.com/products/index.php?sku=57630&vpn=HD695ACNFC&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1275
Case - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl - $110
http://++++.com/products/index.php?...LACK&manufacture=Fractal Design&promoid=1275\

Sub total - $410 > $400 AR

option 1 -
CPU/mobo - 2500k/MSI p67a-gd55 combo - $370 > $350 AR
http://++++.com/products/index.php?...5-2500K&manufacture=Bundle Deals&promoid=1275
Memory - Mushkin Silverline 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 1.5V - $60 > $50 AR (cheaper special if bought with a mobo)
http://www.++++.com/products/index....770&manufacture=Mushkin Enhanced&promoid=1275

Sub total - $430 > $400 AR
Total - $840 > $800 AR

option 2 -
CPU - 2600k - $325
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX31558(ME).aspx
Mobo - MSI p67a-gd55 - $160 > $140 AR
http://www.++++.com/products/index....A-GD55&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar&promoid=1275
Memory - Mushkin Silverline 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 1.5V - $60 > $50 AR
(cheaper special if bought with a mobo)
http://www.++++.com/products/index....770&manufacture=Mushkin Enhanced&promoid=1275

Sub total - $545 > $515
Total - $955 > $915 AR

 

[Dangman]

If you have the cash, go for the 2600K. If you can't, then go for the 2500K.