New Sandy Bridge Computer Help (Built - WOW!)

Prime95 · 2011-01-10, 03:09

Sandy Bridge CPUs are now available at newegg! I want to build a new computer with this CPU. Goals: modest overclock and cheap. Intelligent input is needed - I don't follow all the latest hardware like I used to.

I made a first guess as to what I'll need below.

Questions:

1) What memory is best? There are hundreds of DDR3 choices with different CAS ratings, speed, voltages, etc.

2) Is the power supply good enough to power an Nvidia GPU?

3) Can I build it using the on-chip GPU and add the Nvidia GPU later (they might be cheaper by the time I'm done with AVX programming and ready to try GPU coding)?

4) Is the Intel heatsink junk? Is there a better heatsink choice?

Code:

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3F1600LV4GK
Item #:N82E16820227507
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
	$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
	$64.99

HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C HDS721010CLA332 (0F10383) 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822145304
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
	-$15.00 Instant
	$69.99
$54.99

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817371015
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
	-$30.00 Instant
	$99.99
$69.99

Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147111
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
		$29.99

SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B
Item #:N82E16827118031
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
		$16.99

Thermaltake Silent 1156 CLP0552 92mm CPU Cooler For Intel Socket LGA1156
Item #:N82E16835106139
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
		$25.87

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128460
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
	-$20.00 Combo
	$354.98
$334.98
Grand Total:	$597.80

WraithX · 2011-01-10, 03:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prime95

Code:

Thermaltake Silent 1156 CLP0552 92mm CPU Cooler For Intel Socket LGA1156
Item #:N82E16835106139
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
		$25.87

I haven't kept up much with the hardware either, so I can't answer your questions, but I think I can help avoid a possible error. I think Sandy Bridge will use socket LGA1155. The cpu cooler you quoted above says it is for a socket LGA1156. This one probably won't work for your cpu. It doesn't look like newegg or tigerdirect have a cpu fan for socket LGA1155.

Flatlander · 2011-01-10, 04:05

I watched youtube videos from newegg earlier today. My understanding is that LGA1156 HS&F fit onto LGA1155.

I think if you overclock (past turboboost max) you need to use an off-CPU GPU.

http://www.youtube.com/user/newegg?b.../1/JGxMdwJ1Rjk (iirc!)

ATH · 2011-01-10, 05:00

You can't use on-die GPU if you want to overclock:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/6

Quote:

The H67 chipset has an FDI so you can use the on-die GPU, however it doesn’t support CPU overclocking—only memory. What about those users who don’t need a discrete GPU but still want to overclock their CPUs? With the chipsets that Intel is launching today, you’re effectively forced to buy a discrete GPU if you want to overclock your CPU. This is great for AMD/NVIDIA, but not so great for consumers who don’t need a discrete GPU and not the most sensible decision on Intel’s part.

sdbardwick · 2011-01-10, 05:12

Power supply will be fine for any single graphics card. Your proposed system is unlikely to draw more than 400W DC with a single graphics card.

Can't really help with memory, aside from general personal experience; I avoid all but Corsair and Crucial. I've given up on twiddling with RAM settings and simply buy modules that use max. 1.65V to run one speed grade above whatever the fastest officially supported speed of the MB (MB supports 1333, I buy 1600).

I strongly suggest acquiring the HDD locally, even if it means resorting to BestBuy. UPS/FedEx destroy drives that are not properly packed, and in my experience Newegg has been among the worst at packing HDDs.

LGA1156 coolers work with LGA1155.

ATH · 2011-01-10, 05:19

Regarding power supply it depends on which Nvidia GPU you plan to get. If you are getting one of the newest GTX 570 or 580 you might want a 750W or 850W, since power supplys runs best at 50-70% of max capacity. Tomshardware uses a 1000W on all the newer graphic card tests, but that if probably not necessary. Quality is also important, I don't know the Antec brand, but I usually use Corsair.

Flatlander · 2011-01-10, 05:24

Quote:

Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Will that fit?

Is it worth paying extra for an i7-2600k with 8 threads?

sdbardwick · 2011-01-10, 05:30

Good catch on the case!
How about this one for $5 more: Rosewill ATX

Brain · 2011-01-10, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prime95

4) Is the Intel heatsink junk? Is there a better heatsink choice?

From what I have read here it is still the same cooler I bought with my i5 750. It will work and has reserves for a modest overclock. And SB will be cooler than Lynnfield (hopefully, lower core voltages, TDP includes IGP, ...).
But it's like running a marathon with sprint speed. I was much happier with a better cooler: less noise, >15° cooler.
If you overclock with a 2-steps-forward-1-back-strategy I assume you might wanna try 4.5 Ghz to drop to 4 GHz at last.

Most gamers buy Noctua. I chose an European brand: Alpenföhn.

nucleon · 2011-01-10, 10:06

Of the 2x chipset choices at the moment:

P67 needs an additional video card, and allows you to overclock the cpu.

H67 doesn't need an additional video card, and doesn't allow you to overclock.

The 'Z' version of the chipset which is coming soon, will allow both overclocking the CPU and using the GPU.

So you'll need a video card with what you have there. If you have a spare pci card - I'd suggest run with that until you're ready to spend money on a gpu. Current recommendation is the nvidia GTX460 1GB. Good balance between $$ and performance. GTX570 if you're keen. :)

According to anand, the stock cooler can get you to 4.4GHz- "Both my Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K hit ~4.4GHz, fully stable, using the stock low-profile cooler."

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/3

As for memory, the cpu runs the memory at 2133, 1866, 1600, 1333, or 1066 MHz.

So buy what you can afford basically for memory. Buying 2133 will allow you to test multiple memory configurations to see if things like memory starvation occurs with different combinations of hardware.

As for PSU - 650W is plenty for a single GTX460, GTX560 (when they arrive) or even GTX570. According to nvidia's website 550W is enough for a 570GTX

I have a 650W with GTX460 on i7-920 and I run my PC 24x7 with prime95 on 3x cores, and mfaktc on the other core. It also has 3x SSDs and 1x HDD. So far everything seems sweet.

-- Craig

henryzz · 2011-01-10, 10:49

I would be suprised if Prime95 wanted to overclock while testing so I would suggest H67. This might also mean that he could program the internal GPU as well as NVIDIA cards with the same pc plus saving cost for now and enabling him to get a better GPU later. It would surprise me if most home users don't just use GPUs built into the CPU in a few years.

2011-01-10, 04:05	#3
Flatlander I quite division it "Chris" Feb 2005 England 31×67 Posts	I watched youtube videos from newegg earlier today. My understanding is that LGA1156 HS&F fit onto LGA1155. I think if you overclock (past turboboost max) you need to use an off-CPU GPU. http://www.youtube.com/user/newegg?b.../1/JGxMdwJ1Rjk (iirc!) Last fiddled with by Flatlander on 2011-01-10 at 04:09

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2011-01-10, 05:12	#5
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego County 5·137 Posts	Power supply will be fine for any single graphics card. Your proposed system is unlikely to draw more than 400W DC with a single graphics card. Can't really help with memory, aside from general personal experience; I avoid all but Corsair and Crucial. I've given up on twiddling with RAM settings and simply buy modules that use max. 1.65V to run one speed grade above whatever the fastest officially supported speed of the MB (MB supports 1333, I buy 1600). I strongly suggest acquiring the HDD locally, even if it means resorting to BestBuy. UPS/FedEx destroy drives that are not properly packed, and in my experience Newegg has been among the worst at packing HDDs. LGA1156 coolers work with LGA1155.

2011-01-10, 05:19	#6
ATH Einyen Dec 2003 Denmark 2×1,579 Posts	Regarding power supply it depends on which Nvidia GPU you plan to get. If you are getting one of the newest GTX 570 or 580 you might want a 750W or 850W, since power supplys runs best at 50-70% of max capacity. Tomshardware uses a 1000W on all the newer graphic card tests, but that if probably not necessary. Quality is also important, I don't know the Antec brand, but I usually use Corsair.

2011-01-10, 05:30	#8
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego County 5·137 Posts	Good catch on the case! How about this one for $5 more: Rosewill ATX

2011-01-10, 10:06	#10
nucleon Mar 2003 Melbourne 5×103 Posts	Of the 2x chipset choices at the moment: P67 needs an additional video card, and allows you to overclock the cpu. H67 doesn't need an additional video card, and doesn't allow you to overclock. The 'Z' version of the chipset which is coming soon, will allow both overclocking the CPU and using the GPU. So you'll need a video card with what you have there. If you have a spare pci card - I'd suggest run with that until you're ready to spend money on a gpu. Current recommendation is the nvidia GTX460 1GB. Good balance between $$ and performance. GTX570 if you're keen. :) According to anand, the stock cooler can get you to 4.4GHz- "Both my Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K hit ~4.4GHz, fully stable, using the stock low-profile cooler." http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/3 As for memory, the cpu runs the memory at 2133, 1866, 1600, 1333, or 1066 MHz. So buy what you can afford basically for memory. Buying 2133 will allow you to test multiple memory configurations to see if things like memory starvation occurs with different combinations of hardware. As for PSU - 650W is plenty for a single GTX460, GTX560 (when they arrive) or even GTX570. According to nvidia's website 550W is enough for a 570GTX I have a 650W with GTX460 on i7-920 and I run my PC 24x7 with prime95 on 3x cores, and mfaktc on the other core. It also has 3x SSDs and 1x HDD. So far everything seems sweet. -- Craig

2011-01-10, 10:49	#11
henryzz Just call me Henry "David" Sep 2007 Cambridge (GMT/BST) 7×29² Posts	I would be suprised if Prime95 wanted to overclock while testing so I would suggest H67. This might also mean that he could program the internal GPU as well as NVIDIA cards with the same pc plus saving cost for now and enabling him to get a better GPU later. It would surprise me if most home users don't just use GPUs built into the CPU in a few years.