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New build, Thoughts

Risant

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 19, 2004
Messages
160
Been going back and forth on components I want for my next build and I've finally decided on what I'm getting, just have to wait a few days until some stuff clears financially and then I can pull the trigger on it.

Looking at:

ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3
Intel Core i5-2500K
CORSAIR H80 (Hoping to get some good overclocks)
ASUS VE276Q Black 27" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD HDMI
ASUS 24X DVD Burner -- Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Then I need to choose between:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) or G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)

Don't know if the extra speed would make much difference, but it doesn't cost too much more.

Then once I get my old hardware sold (already have a buyer) I plan on getting:

ASUS HD7970-DC2T-3GD5 Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 (non-reference model)

Yes, I'm a sucker for the ASUS hardware, but it is reasonably priced and has good reviews.

Any idea what I may be able to expect? I may get an IB processor once those come out, part of the reason I went with the 2500k, great performance, but not too expensive
 
Don't waste your money on faster memory for an 1155 platform, as it makes almost no real world difference 1333, 1600, 1866, or faster. Use that money to buy as much memory as possible. Look at the 4x4GB or even the 2x8GB kits.

Everything else is a hell of a nice choice, imo.
 
is there a benefit from having all 4 banks filled on 1155?
 
Would a lower CAS latency matter at all or is that just a waste also? Just curious. I will probably go with the 1600 or 1866 RAM then.
 
Also probably going to stick with 8Gb unless there is likely going to be an increased benefit with gaming or everyday use. I do leave my computer on 24/7, and only reboot when I have to. But I still don't think that more than 8 is going to be a factor for me for a while. Hell, I'm only using 4Gb right now
 
You'll never see a difference between the shittiest 1.5v DDR3-1333 and crazy uber OCing megasticks costing 20x more. No, I am not exaggerating.

You should be able to pick up 16GB (4x4GB) for around $70 shipped. No excuse not to.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313086

Looks like closer to $80 now (no great RAM deals at the moment, at least on Newegg -- I didn't look elsewhere) but still, no reason not to double up. Get those Team Group sticks, sell the SDHC cards for $10, you win.
 
Last edited:
If you're going to do 1600 memory, then I'd recommend going with the Corsair Vengeance low profile. Your choice of blue or black RAMsinks.
 
What are you doing for a hard drive? That build is calling out for a decent SSD for the OS.
 
Why not? It is twice the size and costs less than half of what I paid for the c300 a year ago. Also the potential speed is much higher.
 
Why not? It is twice the size and costs less than half of what I paid for the c300 a year ago. Also the potential speed is much higher.

You might have a look at this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191

(120 GB Corsair Force GT.) I believe that it uses the same Sandforce controller, although it claims better specs than the HyperX. It's cheaper, too. The 10 days I've been using one probably aren't enough to establish reliability.

(I got it on a whim. It was on sale for $165US, with free shipping, and with a $30 rebate available from Corsair. I dislike rebates, but I get them.)
 
Looks pretty similar, really want the upgrade kit though. Would come in handy for several things
 
Looks pretty similar, really want the upgrade kit though. Would come in handy for several things

I hadn't noticed the "upgrade kit". I suppose that the external USB enclosure is worth the extra $25. I wouldn't need it; I already have an external USB SATA HD dock. And a screw driver. I'm not sure about the value of the Acronis "migration" software.
 
Haven't heard any bad reviews on the software, figure that it can't be too bad. Everything I've read says you can clone your hard drive & be running in 20 minutes
 
Haven't heard any bad reviews on the software, figure that it can't be too bad. Everything I've read says you can clone your hard drive & be running in 20 minutes

Maybe.

I've used Acronis True Image (Home), although I haven't updated it to the latest. I wasn't able to figure out how to use it to clone a 160 GB HD onto a 128 GB SSD, even though the space used on the HD was much less than would fit on the SSD. (Perhaps other versions of Acronis TI offer more flexibilty.) I'd hope that a utility bundled with an SSD would be a good match to the task.
 
^ That wish list is showing empty. What all did you end up ordering?
 
everything looks good as far as ram i would stick to 1600mhz as many reviews has shown that 1866/2133 only provide a 2-3 percent benifit, it would help in overclocking but considering most 1600mhz ram can usually OC to 1866mhz that isnt much of a problem just more of a gurantee
 
Here is the contents of the order, don't know why it isn't showing up with the link. Also hope that I got the order in before the motherboard went out of stock (hope I got the last one) They had sold out last week and just got them back in Friday I think.

ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Maximus IV Gene-Z/GE
Item #:N82E16813131806
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
Out Of Stock
Auto-Notify
Note (Add)
$189.99 $189.99

Update

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Model #:BX80623I52500K
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy:Iron Egg Replacement-Only Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$224.99 $224.99



G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Model #:F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Item #:N82E16820231428
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$46.99 $46.99

ASUS VE276Q Black 27" Full HD HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/Display Port & Speakers
Model #:VE276Q
Item #:N82E16824236091
Return Policy:Monitor Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$309.99 -$30.00 Instant $279.99



ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Model #:DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$20.99 $20.99


Antec KUHLER H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System
Model #:KUHLER H2O 920
Item #:N82E16835209054
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
 
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