Longterm Hex User, newbie Register & longterm AMD builder, but has to be Intel

[mclaughp]

Been using HEXUS for reviews for a long while now, chose to register whilst sourcing new build PC components (some of which from SCAN) ... here is my current build dilemma (current build is AM3+, 5yo & getting older by the day, like me ;-(). so looking at turning to the dark (or mainstream) side for added performance gap for NEW BUILD :

CPU = i5-2500k or i7-2600k (may wait till IvyB Chips released, may get better deals in 04/2012 ?) ; MOBO = Asus P8Z68Pro or Maximus GenieZ or new release (always preferred Asus vs GByte & AS) ;
GPU = Asus GTX560ti DCUII TOP or Sapphire 6950 2GB, always preferred nVidia over ATi but now not so sure, WILL PREFER QUIETEST as moving from PASSIVE Heatsink ;
MEM 8/16GB = Corsair Vengeance or G-Skill Ripjaws, whichever is cheaper from retailer at buying time ; CASE (Tsunami), SOUND (Creative X-fi Extreme) will leave as is ;
BUT may be looking for 22-24" LCD upgrade at same time (currently only 19" :-0).

Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated, along with any hints at good deals if current ??
(I am fishing, not whipping), whilst STILL ...

Thanks in advance & good to finally join the community I've been reading for an age,

Me

[DannyM]

Hi mclaughp,

Firstly, I wouldn't bother with a 2600k unless you do a lot of video editing. I'd stick to the 2500k for everything else.

The ASUS 560ti DirectuII is a quiet card and the temps on it are fantastic. However, there are two fans on it, so you should expect a fair bit of noise.

As for memory, for the price I would say go for 16GB, but truthfully I doubt very much you would need it or even utilize it.

Monitor wise, what is you budget for one?

[dave87]

Moved to Hardware so it gets the views it deserves

[shbris]

thought of sticking with AMD am3+ and using the money saved for an SSD?

maybe grab a 6 core 1055T for about 120, then with money saved from MOBO (180 say) and CPU (another 70 at least) you could grab an SSD for 150 ish plus some change

EDIT: the difference you'd get in terms of CPU upgrade would be similar from a 5yo AMD, but with SSD 'snappiness'

[mclaughp]

Hi mclaughp,

Firstly, I wouldn't bother with a 2600k unless you do a lot of video editing. I'd stick to the 2500k for everything else.

The ASUS 560ti DirectuII is a quiet card and the temps on it are fantastic. However, there are two fans on it, so you should expect a fair bit of noise.

As for memory, for the price I would say go for 16GB, but truthfully I doubt very much you would need it or even utilize it.

Monitor wise, what is you budget for one?

Cheers for input mate & hello to you, that is almost exactly what me's was thinking ... I'm going for the i5-2500k ; Asus GTX 560ti ; MOBO still swaying towards Maximus GenieZ (although mATX) ; & will check current deals for the memory ; note. LCD budget, as always less than £200 per component - Dell, Acer, Viewsonic, LG or Samsung (market flooded with too too much choice, may just wing it & wing it) ??

[mclaughp]

Moved to Hardware so it gets the views it deserves

Thanks, I think !?

[dave87]

Thanks, I think !?

Questions tend to get overlooked in the welcome forum - more people look here

[mclaughp]

thought of sticking with AMD am3+ and using the money saved for an SSD?

maybe grab a 6 core 1055T for about 120, then with money saved from MOBO (180 say) and CPU (another 70 at least) you could grab an SSD for 150 ish plus some change

EDIT: the difference you'd get in terms of CPU upgrade would be similar from a 5yo AMD, but with SSD 'snappiness'

Thanks for the advice, we must think alike, cause that is what I have already done last year when bought an OCZ Vertex2 and hooked it up for OS & it does speed it up no end ... but alas my PC needs (or so I believe in my head now anyway) a major overhaul, besides the Green Light from the huge Zalman CPU Fan is beginning to annoy me for no good reason ... Cheers !

[Biscuit]

AM3+ is only a year old isnt it? You sure you dont have just a plain AM3 or an AM2+?

Either way maybe you could put a Hex core in there to give your old rig a lease of new life? Other than that i woudl stick with your current plan

[DanceswithUnix]

So which cpu/motherboard do you currently have, and what are you trying to do that it can't cope with?

I assume this is for gaming, for everyday use I can't feel any difference between the 6 core Xeon at work and the AMD 4 core 955BE I have at home.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What components does the OP have in their current build??

[mclaughp]

Sorry been away for a while & out quite a bit ... but current build is OLD (it's AM3, PhenomII x4, Zalman AMD Cooler & passive Asus 8600GT ... not AM3+, oops that's my office, I said it's old style) :

Too Too Old to Mention, so it gets a straight ...

Cheers ... ps. Any RIDICULOUS UK Deals for noted new components ??