CPU/Mobo/RAM Upgrade

Discussion in 'Tech Talk' started by Kava, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. Kava
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    I need a cheap (but still worthy) CPU/Mobo/RAM upgrade for TERA. I'm running an e8400, and 4 gb ddr2, and a recently acquired HD 6870. TERA ran ok, but it didn't run the way I need it to.

    I have a measly budget of 300-350. I live near a microcenter so it might be my best option. I'm leaning towards 2500k for this price range. I honestly don't know much about AMD cpu's.

    So, here is a deal I saw off the Microcenter site.

    CPU - (2500k) [$179.99] http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

    Mobo - (z68) [$59.99 with combo deal ::x:] http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352

    RAM - (8gb) [$50ish] http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306 or http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355690

    Total - [$315]

    Yes, that is a $60 Mobo with the combo deal haha. Says its usually $100 or so. I'm weary of buying a mobo that is 60 bucks, combo deal or not but I'm not savvy enough to tell these mobo's apart from each other. I just want the thing to run and maybe handle a simple overclock on the cpu at stock voltages. Is the mobo too cheap or will it do ok you think? Same with RAM, I just don't know enough about it to judge.

    While I'm here, I have a HX 620 PSU, this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002. Do you guys think it can handle the above set up? (2500k, HD 6870, 1 HD, 1 ROM, antec 900, and maybe simple OC on cpu)

    Ok, sorry for the length, any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. mwhays
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    Length is not offensive.

    Looks like your setup ought to work just fine. Enigma, thoughts on the mobo?
     
  3. ss_hype
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    For the same price (10.00 cheaper with rebate actually) you may want to look at the following. You may get more bang for your buck with AMD. Also I trust Asus more than Gigabyte personally.

    http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382961
    (89.99 after rebate)

    http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375766
    (139.99)

    Go for the Corsair XMS memory. There is little to no difference between both memory so just go with the cheapest.

    Your PSU should be fine for what you are running, even with a little overclocking.
     
  4. EniGmA1987
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    Well, normally the case is it would be a bad board for long term stability if you do any overclocking. However, looking into the board it *seems* like Gigabyte upped the ante with this one and provided a decent power regulation setup. It is a 5+1 design, digital. It should be capable of handling an overclock of a few hundred MHz fine in the long term. Looks like a rather solid cheap board.

    The 2500k can easily do 700MHz overclock no problem at stock voltage, many can even do a 1.1GHz overclock on stock voltage if you up your heatsink just a bit. These processors can safely go up to 1.375v without any lifetime issues, stock is between 1.25-1.3v. So as long as you have a better heatsink that can handle the heat load of the higher speed and voltage, Id say dont be afraid to just bump up your voltage 2-3 steps (which is still very small) and go for that 1GHz overclock. Even at that the processor will still last 5-10 years, which by then it would be obsolete from a performance standpoint anyway.

    Id say go for that setup, and then in a month or two buy a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO for $30. It will be a great heatsink for the price and allow you that 900-1100 MHz Overclock without any issues. Then you will have a really great setup for the price.





    Sorry SS, but I cant recommend that FX-6100 to him, especially if it is possible to afford the 2500k. In 85% of games the 2500k will dominate the FX, and in the other 15% it will either tie or lose by only a few percent performance.




    Just remember to in the bios (on any of the RAM you were thinking of actually) to set the voltage manually on the VDIM to 1.65v. Stock spec will be 1.5v probably, but the RAM specifications say that it wants 1.65v so you need to give it that. Also since 1600 and 1866 speeds arent JEDEC standards you will need to manually set your speed to that as well. This is easy stuff though.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2012
  5. Blackice
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    620 watt? Dunno why it's not manufactured at 600 or 650 but it sure is enough power.

    That whole setup looks good. Enigma recommended a really good CPU fan/heatsink as well. good luck!
     
  6. Kava
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    Wow, you guys are awesome, thnx for replies.

    Enig, that RAM is 4 gb, are you suggesting 4 is enough or that I buy 2 of those and fill up all 4 slots? It is 30 after rebate so 2 would only be 60 and still be in my range but im just not sure if going the 4x2gb is what you meant or not.

    This may be noob question but I have a after market heatsink on my e8400.. would it fit on the new set up or is the layout diff?
     
  7. mwhays
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    +1 on the 2500k. Fantastic insight on the technical specs, as usual. I continue to be impressed by your quick research and recall of relevant info on specs.
     
  8. Kava
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    Yeah im reading some of the other threads.. Enigma what are you, half robot? :p Thanks for all the tech help man, truly appreciated
     
  9. mwhays
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    Mo' ram = mo' $. Also, post your after market cooler model. And do you have all the parts thatcame with the cooler? Sometimes they include different brackets for different processor families.
     
  10. EniGmA1987
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    No Im sorry, I didnt pay enough attention when looking at the RAM. 8GB is better. I just did a quick search for under $50, 1866 speed, DDR3 and that came up. If you have $60 for RAM, this would be a good kit to buy:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455

    Sandy Bridge is all about the MHz, timings dont matter. You get a 2% performance difference from 8-8-8 to 11-11-11 in timings. So the higher speed the better, regardless of timings. Shoot, if you could get some 2400MHz @ 13-13-13 it would even performance far better than 1600MHz @ 6-6-6 on the Sandy Bridge platform


    Your heatsink may or may not work. It all depends on the company and how their mounting system works. To be safe, Id say if it is a bit older of a heatsink that it most likely will not mount properly. However, you wont know till you try and it might actually work.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2012
  11. Kava
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  12. EniGmA1987
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    Well, you could do that and save some money and it would work ok. The Hyper 212 EVO has a little more than 1" additional size which means more fin area to dissipate heat. It also uses a better heatpipe technology and the pipes are done in a way that it doesnt have gaps in between them like the Xigmatek does. So its efficiency at transferring heat is better as well. Its up to you, either would work fine but the 212 EVO would do a bit better of a job.




    I edited my last post with some more RAM info for you too
     
  13. Erock
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    dang man too bad your not on long island id hook ya up at micro center ... dont think my employee stuff works across coast :p

    check out my sig for a sick set up :)
     
  14. Kava
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    Yeah, the mounting gear costs 10 bucks, I would rather throw in the extra 20 for a brand new and better working heatsink, especially because I like to have my temps as low as possible.

    And ill look at the ram, thnx dude.

    @Erock - Damn that is too bad haha, I love getting discounts. :) BTW, how did your system run with TERA? I know it can do max settings just fine when out questing but what about in the big dueling areas and main city, how clean do you run then?
     
  15. Erock
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    i ran it maxed out ... had no issues and I was broadcasting at the same time on twitch

    Im gonna be putting up a video soon so you can see how bad ass I am i mean how the game looks
     
  16. Kava
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    Yeah free shipping and on sale, I'll grab that ram for sure, plus I'm intrigued by G.skill, reviews are all good.

    And thats interesting about the timings and Mhz, very good info. Thanks man. Will hopefully get this thing going this week now.

    Will be about $330 out the door for all of it which is an amazing deal, the same set up buying at newegg is $452 out the door. The difference is bringing a smile to my face right now :p
     
  17. EniGmA1987
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    Microcenter always has a better deal on CPUs as they tend to sell them below MSRB often times. The sales people are supposed to really push you to buy a MB and RAM with it which is how they then make money. So it really is a great deal when you can get a CPU/MB combo that brings the cost of a motherboard down a long way as well :)
     
  18. mwhays
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    Ugh... I yearn for you microcenter discount. Im there every weekend.
     
  19. mwhays
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    My Gskills work just fine. :)
     
  20. Kava
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    I got all my pieces coming and very soon will put it together but I have an OC question.

    Do you guys think its a good idea to wait to OC the CPU after a few weeks or just see if its stable and do it right away? Something tells me it might be a good idea to wait to see if the CPU is working right for a few weeks but I don't want to wait if I dont have to. Haha.