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View Full Version : Building a new desktop, this time for real!



Ketchup345
Jan 9, 2011, 02:34 AM
Now that Sandy Bridge has been released, I am going to build a new desktop. I'd like someone to double check what I have, and after the recommendations for the processor, motherboard, and memory, I'll place my order.

Processor: I'm thinking the Core i5 2500K or 2500. Is there any reason to choose the K over the normal 2500?
Motherboard: The other big problem. Any suggestions here?
Memory: How much and what speed?
Graphics Card: Is the Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908) still a good choice?
Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-650TX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005) will still be powerful enough, right?
Hard drive: Western Digital 1TB SATA 6.0GB 7200RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533&cm_re=caviar_black-_-22-136-533-_-Product)
Case: I'm thinking either this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203) or this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124132), unless anyone would strongly suggest against both.
DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24B3LT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221)
Operating system: Win 7 Home Premium 64-Bit OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754)

Assuming no changes, current price: About $537 before memory, CPU, and motherboard. CPU: up to $225, brings me to $762 tops before motherboard and memory.

Ezodagrom
Jan 9, 2011, 12:22 PM
Well, about the 2500 and 2500K, the difference is that the Core i5 2500K can be overclocked (it has an unlocked multiplier), while the 2500 can't be overclocked.

Here's my suggestion:
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500 3.3GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073) - $209.99
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128460) - $129.99

Memories: GSkill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Ripjaws - $49.99
EDIT: Scratch this, there's some new memories designed specifically for the Sandy Bridge platform:
Memories: GSkill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Ripjaws-X (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427) - $49.99

Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon HD6870 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102913) - $239.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 6.0Gbps (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533) - $89.99
Power Supply: Corsair TX-650W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005) - $89.99
Case: Coolermaster Elite RC-310 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203) - $39.99 (more expensive ones probably have better cooling, but this one should be fine too)
DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24B3LT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221) - $21.99
Operative System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754) - $99.99
Total: $971.91

Blitzkommando
Jan 11, 2011, 04:42 AM
Microcenter has the new Sandy Bridge processors (http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?N=4294966995+4294945356&sht=Any&prt=NewProduct&) for dirt cheap. $150 for the 2400 or $250 for the 2600. Their motherboards (http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?N=4294966996+4294945905) are also on quite the heavy discount.

VioletSkye
Jan 11, 2011, 01:04 PM
I was getting excited there for a second, then I saw it was in-store pickup only :( Still that's a great price for anyone who can take advantage of it :D

Ezodagrom
Jan 11, 2011, 05:44 PM
Well, about the 2500 and 2500K, the difference is that the Core i5 2500K can be overclocked (it has an unlocked multiplier), while the 2500 can't be overclocked.

Here's my suggestion:
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500 3.3GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073) - $209.99
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128460) - $129.99
Memories: GSkill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Ripjaws (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277) - $49.99
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon HD6870 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102913) - $239.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 6.0Gbps (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533) - $89.99
Power Supply: Corsair TX-650W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005) - $89.99
Case: Coolermaster Elite RC-310 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203) - $39.99 (more expensive ones probably have better cooling, but this one should be fine too)
DVD Drive: Asus DRW-24B3LT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221) - $21.99
Operative System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754) - $99.99
Total: $971.91
Just noticed there's some new memories from GSkill that are designed specifically for the new Sandy Bridge platform, the GSkill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Ripjaws-X (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427) (they cost exactly the same as the previous ones).

Ketchup345
Jan 11, 2011, 07:06 PM
I had ordered everything Sunday, so those suggestions are a bit late.

Blitz- In store only, and I'm not going to drive to the nearest store (over an hour away).

Ezo- Looking at the new RAM you linked, literally the only thing I see different is the timing gets -2N added to the end. Is it worth it to return it and upgrade? Or stay with what I have now and I'll get Sandy Bridge designed when I change this ram out in the future?

Ezodagrom
Jan 11, 2011, 10:19 PM
I had ordered everything Sunday, so those suggestions are a bit late.

Blitz- In store only, and I'm not going to drive to the nearest store (over an hour away).

Ezo- Looking at the new RAM you linked, literally the only thing I see different is the timing gets -2N added to the end. Is it worth it to return it and upgrade? Or stay with what I have now and I'll get Sandy Bridge designed when I change this ram out in the future?
I was only suggesting the Ripjaws-X because those are at the same price and are a newer kit, but the normal Ripjaws should be fine, most likely there's no difference in performance.