New Rig Advice

**visuvius** · 04-16-12, 06:05 PM

I need some help on my new build.

My main question is about processors and motherboards as I’m not sure which direction to go with this. I used the Tom’s article “Best CPU’s for Gaming” (Best Gaming CPU: $200 And Up : Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: April 2012) as a reference point and found that I can either go with the i5-2550K or the i7-3820 which is the newer Sandy Bridge-E.

Basically, which one should I go with? The Tom’s article threw me off -- they say their recommendation is for the i5-2550K because they generally don’t recommend processors more than $225. However, they also note that the newer Sandy Bridge-E might be better for processor heavy games and they give BF3 as an example.

Secondly, I have no clue which motherboard to go with. Most of my budget is going to the GTX 680 if I can ever find one so I need to keep everything else affordable. If I go with the i5-2550K, it can apparently be overclocked pretty well, but I’m not sure which affordable motherboard to choose for this purpose. Tom’s seems to recommend ASR Rock.

Third, is more than 8 GB of ram overkill? I can buy 16 gb or I can get 8 GB of lower latency memory. Which option is better?

Finally, I need some case recommendations. I think I will go with this Rosewill:

Newegg.com - Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan

They’ve got a combo deal where you get that and a 650W power supply for $100.

Also, other than thermal paste, what else do I need? I plan on using the DVD writer from my old Dell. Thanks for any tips.

**Guyver** · 04-16-12, 06:15 PM

I must say, for being Rosewill...that case seems great.

I don't know if I'd trust that PSU, though.

**SapiensErus** · 04-16-12, 07:03 PM

I am running an i5 2500k with SLI 560ti's (many less processor cores than a single 680 AND slower) and I can run BF3 on all Ultra without Hardware Ambient Occlusion and get 60+fps all the time with highs of 120+ in game. The i5 is fine for gamers. With a 50 dollar aftermarket cooler my Asus z68 mobo easily let's it OC to a continual 4.5ghz instead of 1.6-3.3/3.7turbo.

I would invest in a good mobo to go with that GPU and get a decent enough intel CPU. Maybe an aftermarket CPU and let it fly (make sure to get an unlocked i5/i7)

I would also look at another company for a PSU and get a trusted one with good ratings and at least 80 Plus certified. I like Corsair, Seasonic, Antec (higher end) and I have heard good things about PC Power and Cooling.

**dex71** · 04-16-12, 09:09 PM

Wait and get an Ivy Bridge Cpu. They are beibg released in about two weeks. Faster and more efficiant than Sandy Bridge.

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**DJ Ms. White** · 04-16-12, 09:42 PM

I would wait. Also, the i5 actually benchmarks better than the i7 as far as games go.

Rosewill PSU is alright, but not the best. While you don't want to overpay for a PSU, you've also got to make sure you're getting quality. A PSU going bad es no bueno.

TBH, 8 gigs is more than enough. I have 16 for the sheer facts that I got it severely discounted and that I run some pretty hard core physics simulations. The 16 GB cost the same as the 8GB, so I was like, why not? For the vast majority of people, going beyond 8 is cock stroking. You're better off getting RAM with tighter timings and that is faster. Get 8 GB, spend the money elsewhere.

**DJ Ms. White** · 04-16-12, 09:48 PM

Oh, and get the Antec Nano Diamond thermopaste.
Reasons:
-it lasts a long time
-no need to cure
-no need to reapply so long as you don't change CPU coolers.
-Because you can say you're buying diamonds to trick your wife into letting you spend money on computer parts.
I rest my case.

**Guyver** · 04-16-12, 09:53 PM

Well, any PSU going bad is no good. However, as others have said, it's definitely something that you do not want to skimp on.

**visuvius** · 04-16-12, 11:34 PM

How much faster/more efficient are we talking?

I need to get my wife a rig as well so I might just get the i5 now and then pick up the Ivy bridge for the second computer.

Okay so basically everyone is recommending against the Rosewill power supply. I think I'll get the Antec that Toms recommends and stick with the Rosewill case.

Any motherboard recommendations? What should I be looking for?

Also, why the hell is my text entry box for new posts grey? It's damn near impossible to type in.

**DJ Ms. White** · 04-17-12, 12:12 AM

From the looks of the scant benchmarks, about a 15% improvement for games in performance over Sandy. Power consumption will be about 25% less than Sandy.

On to mobos:
What features do you want?
Do you think you will ever upgrade to an SLI setup?
Overclocking?
Price Range?

**visuvius** · 04-17-12, 12:54 AM

I don't thnk I'll ever go with an Sli setup.

I'm interested in a board that is overclock-friendly as the i5-2550k apparently overclocks well.

Price range is $100-$200, preferably on the lower end of that.