New gaming PC help

[Chrisakky]

Hi guy's/ PC hardware Guru's

Ok so I'm trying to build a new computer for the first time to play DCS and Battlefield 3 among others.

 

At the time of buying my last computer I was quite up to date with computer hardware as in i told the shop what i wanted and they made it..... however, not any more. :) Please excuse my lack of understanding in this topic :music_whistling:

 

So this is what I'm thinking so far: Not a complete list yet.

 

maximus iv gene-z motherboard

intel I5 2500K @3.30 GHz, 8MB Cache processor

Nvida Geforce GTX 570 graphics card

8GB Kingston Hyper-x Genesis dual DDR3 1600MHz RAM

500GB WD5002AALX SATA 6 Gb/s, Hard drive

CORSAIR 750W TX750 V2-80 PSU

 

My current PC spec is:

 

Intel Quad Core Q8300 @2.5GHz Processor

500 gig SATA - 7200rpm Hard drive

4 gig DDR2 RAM

Asrock 4core 1600 GLAN Motherboard

1 gig nvida geforce 9800gt Graphics Card

620 WATT PSU

 

My first question is: Can i rip any parts out of my old pc to use in the new one?

I'm thinking that PSU is worth swapping but I don't know if it's compatible or will supply enough juice. And that hard drive looks good to swap but its slowly dying of old age so i think il bin it.

 

Second question: im not exactly the best with PC hardware or the pricing of it either... so can you see any improvements that are worth while, or any errors i've made in compatibility?

 

And finally: can you suggest any compromises to save money?

 

Thanks so much for your time :thumbup:

Edited November 4, 2011 by Chrisakky

[EtherealN]

A 620 Watt PSU will supply enough if it is in good condition, and the parts should be compatible, but you might want to double-check what PCI-e connectors and CPU voltage connectors it has.

 

Regarding pricing on the hardware - you'll generally get pretty much the same gaming performance from an i5-2500K, which costs a lot less. (It will, however, do multithreaded applications a lot worse.) Compatibility check can also be done on the memory sticks - 1.65v sticks usually works, but intel recommends 1.5v sticks (to ensure voltage delta of less than .5v between processor and memory).

[KillaALF]

I'd definitely try the old PSU, especially if its a good brand, 620W is plenty for what you have in mind. Saving money: motherboard and CPU. A 2500K is not that much slower, yet costs considerably less and good Z68 motherboards can be bought for <100€ (ASRock Z68 Pro for example).

 

Waiting a few more months would also be a viable option, as Ivy Bridge and new GPUs are just around the corner.

 

@EtherealN: Sandy Bridge = DDR3, DDR2 won't work.

[Chrisakky]

Ok i'l rip my computer apart and have a look what PSU it has tonight

 

Ive just had a look into the specs of the RAM and it said "Test Voltage: 1.50-1.65V" I think this is the right one. Is this ok or will i have to choose some other RAM to keep the voltage at 1.50v?

[EtherealN]

@EtherealN: Sandy Bridge = DDR3, DDR2 won't work.

 

I know.

What I said was: check them out for their voltage. ;)

 

Just being "DDR3" is not enough to guarantee compatibility.

 

Chrisakky, I'll see if I can find those memory modules and figure them out. It does sound like they should work just fine.

[Chrisakky]

I know.

What I said was: check them out for their voltage. ;)

 

Just being "DDR3" is not enough to guarantee compatibility.

 

Chrisakky, I'll see if I can find those memory modules and figure them out. It does sound like they should work just fine.

 

Thanks m8!

 

they aren't set in stone so anything you think will work better will be much appreciated.

[EtherealN]

It appears they have both 1.65 and 1.5v kits under that name. The KHX1600C9D3P1K2/8G part is a 2-dimm kit (two 4GB sticks) with 1.5v CL9 and should definitely work. 1.65v kits might also work, but Intel doesn't like it.

[Chrisakky]

It appears they have both 1.65 and 1.5v kits under that name. The KHX1600C9D3P1K2/8G part is a 2-dimm kit (two 4GB sticks) with 1.5v CL9 and should definitely work. 1.65v kits might also work, but Intel doesn't like it.

 

Yep i see it. Thanks for the help much appreciated :thumbup:

 

Now to Finnish the list :)

[Chrisakky]

Ive just had a look through THIS article and it said that the I5 2500k supports to 1333 MHz. However, the RAM sticks are 1600MHz. Have I mis-understood or are they un-compatible?

[KillaALF]

Nah, you're totally fine there.

[EtherealN]

It applies to pretty much all Sandies (I haven't checked all 3 billion variants of it though :P ). Basically, intel considers any RAM above 1333 to be overclocked. This means on first boot you might see the computer default your RAM to 1333, but you can correct this to the appropriate JEDEC profile in BIOS.

[Chrisakky]

It applies to pretty much all Sandies (I haven't checked all 3 billion variants of it though :P ). Basically, intel considers any RAM above 1333 to be overclocked. This means on first boot you might see the computer default your RAM to 1333, but you can correct this to the appropriate JEDEC profile in BIOS.

 

Got it... and thanks again.:thumbup:

[Chrisakky]

So what kind of cooling will a PC of this type need?

I've never had to worry about it before :)

[PoleCat]

A good aftermarket CPU cooler and reasonable case cooling is in order. There are several different brands for CPU HSF that do a great job and will not break the bank. Coolermaster and Zalman make excellent heat pipe design HSFs. For good all in one water cooling I recommend the Corsair H70 although really probably overkill as the above air coolers come very close to cooling just as well at all but the most extreme overclocks. The importance of air flow over the components through the case should also be considered. It is a much overlooked but important aspect of the build. Hopefully you have a well designed case with adequate fans for cooling it.

 

Out

Edited November 7, 2011 by PoleCat

[EtherealN]

Have to agree with PoleCat - almost as important as the quality of the cooler itself, is other airflow considerations. When building, ensure you route cables effectively (preferable behind the motherboard's mounting plate if the case allows it).

 

Another thing to consider is, when on air cooling, how to align the cooler. The traditional method is one that sucks air sideways and feeds it to a chassis exhaust fan to get rid of it, but some motherboards nowadays like to have one that pulls air towards the motherboard itself in order to cool the power cirquitry around the socket. (The Intel standard cooler does this, and an example of such a mobo is the P67 Sabertooth.)

 

But generally, as long as you're not going for the truly extreme overclocks, any nice Zalman or Coolermaster air kit should be good enough. I personally like my H70 - it leaves the socket very clean and makes working inside the chassis very easy, but it's also a bit on the loud side and forces me to use an additional small fan to feed air under the shroud of my Sabertooth.

[Chrisakky]

I won't be going extreme with the over clocking.

And I think i will go for a Coolermaster kit, with the LGA 1155 socket course.

Tnx.