New PC, i7 920 D0 or 2600k?

[Holzberg]

below is what my PC is so far. Although, I can't decide whether to stay with the 920 or get the 2600K.

I don't want to hear posts that I should wait until the end of the year, because no matter what you buy, there is always something better right down the road. For instance, I wait for the new processor, then I will be told to wait for the new Video Card, then wait for new RAM or a new processor again and then it just keeps cycling. At some point you need to decide that this it's time to build. Well, that time for me is now. My current pc is a p4 1.6Ghz single core with 1GB RAMBUS which I built in 2000. I rarely turn the power off so this machine has been running for 11 years. Yeah, the kids broke the USB connector in the front and the machine makes some noises and I can't load a CD on boot anymore (yes I checked the bios) , but it still works!

But now is the time, so please help me decide. I will be running 2 970s SLI and from some reviews the x58 works better with SLI, but I am not sure what to believe.

Thank you very much!

EVGA X58 FTW3 132-GT-E768-KR
Intel Core i7 920 D0 (sSpec Number: SLBEJ)
PV7312G1600ELK (12GB) PV7324G1600ELHK (24 GB +$120)
2 - EVGA GTX 570 Superclocked 012-P3-1572-AR
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Fatality Platinum
Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow ATX Full Tower Case Black - (RC-932-KKN1-GP)
Thermalright Silver Arrow
Lite-On BD Writer
WD1002FAEX 1TB
Corsair HX 1000

[Holzberg]

Oh yeah, the recall on the sandy bridges also concerns me. I noticed that Newegg stopped selling them but Amazon did not and I could get one from them. However, how do I know I don't have one of the faulty CPUs?

[OS-Wiz]

Well, the 2600K's chipset has a problem and you won't be able to get a mobo 'til around last of March or early April.
So, its the 1155 or 1366 socket mobos for now.

[Leeghoofd]

There's no problem with the Sandy CPU's mate. Only the S-ATA 2.0 part of the chipset (read motehrboard) got a short life expectancy (2-3 years) Intel is correcting this as we read, but it will mean that you will have to wait till end of march , early april to get your hands on a 100% working board. Or you can buy a board now and swap it later on.


If I had to choose between the 1366 and 1155, my preference would go for the 2600K. Far easier to setup, clock per clock very efficient, less power consumption and heat... win win to me...

[zalbard]

SB will be a better choice for the $. There is an issue with boards, however.

[Holzberg]

Oh, it's the chipset not the CPU. Well that sucks that you have to wait until close to March. Maybe then I will go for the 920 D0... or do you tyhink I should wait because the Sandy Bridge would make a big difference?

[zalbard]

Well, an average overclock jumps up from 4GHz to around 4.8GHz... And it's slightly faster clock per clock, too.

[fl0w3n]

Just built a friend a 2500k+ud3p+xms+gtx460 768mb+cx500w and it is a freaking monster of a machine for roughly $800, it is what temps me to go from 1366 to 1155...but I'm not going to. It doesn't make too much sense to go from top of the line last generation to mid line current generation, even if it does perform slightly better. However, if I were in your situation and had the money and was deciding between 1366 or 1155, I would most likely go with the 1155.

I'm not too sure about the differences in SLI on 1155 vs 1366, but I do know it works very well on 1366 and I assumed the same for 1155.

[Holzberg]

Are companies allowing you to swap later if you buy a board now? if even for a small fee?

[Leeghoofd]

free free free free, new boards early april, if you put the HDD's eitehr on the Marvell chipset or on the Intel one with port 0 and 1... it will survive 2 months , no biggie

[Ket]

The biggest unanswered question is whats your budget? I'll assume for now that you are looking to get something that performs very well without spending too much money, in which case this is the kind of build I'd go for;

Asrock P67 Extreme4 or Extreme6
i5 2500k or i7 2600k
GTX460 1GB / GTX560 1GB / GTX570 / HD6950 (take your pick)
8GB G.Skill DDR3 2133MHz RipjawsX
Any 1TB-3TB SATA2/3 HDD
Asus Xonar DX 7.1
Any DVD-RW / BD Drive that takes your fancy
Corsair HX1000 (future proof)

Cooling:

Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (its a excellent cooler, and at lest in the UK stupidly cheap)
120mm Coolermaster Sickleflow fans

That about covers you Don't let the current 1155 P67 issue put you off, its not as bad as it seems. I've tested SATA2 port3 (didn't try others) on my Extreme4 and it passed without any errors or warnings at all. The 2500k and 2600k CPUs also OC insanely well. Average OC seems to be about 4.5GHz @ 1.25v. If all that goodness doesn't tempt you, socket 1155 also appears as though it'll be around for a while. Ivy Bridge should be available on 1155 and 1155 will probably see some 8 core goodness as well down the road.

[Holzberg]

Asrock P67 Extreme4 or Extreme6
i5 2500k or i7 2600k
GTX460 1GB / GTX560 1GB / GTX570 / HD6950 (take your pick)
8GB G.Skill DDR3 2133MHz RipjawsX
Any 1TB-3TB SATA2/3 HDD
Asus Xonar DX 7.1
Any DVD-RW / BD Drive that takes your fancy
Corsair HX1000 (future proof)

Cooling:

Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (its a excellent cooler, and at lest in the UK stupidly cheap)
120mm Coolermaster Sickleflow fans

Alright, below is my new PC config. The cost will be around $2,300 without a monitor.

Do you think the Cooler Master Hyper 212 is better than the Thermalright Silver Arrow?

With the G.Skill RAM I went with the RipJaws that were (2x4GB) but also the lowest timing numbers.

I have yet to figure out the best way to situate the fans in the HAF 932. I also wonder how much overclocking I will be able to do with the air cooling fans.

Also, do you think I should get GPU or RAM coolers?

I still haven't decided if I am going to wait until April. I Don't know how much I care (or should care) that the SATA II ports are not usable.


Oh yeah, I chose the P8P67 over the AsRock Extreme6 because after some research, ASRock is owned by ASUS and a couple of posts I read is that the ASRock Mobos are dying sooner than the ASUS mobo. Although, I am not real sure if the "dying before the ASUS mobos" is validated anywhere. ASRock is supposedly a value brand of ASUS.


ASUS P8P67 Deluxe
Intel i7 2600K 8MB Cache
G.Skill Ripjaws-X (F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH) 2x4GB 7-8-7-24-2N
EVGA GTX 570 Superclocked 012-P3-1572-AR
ASUS Xonar DX 7.1
Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow ATX Full Tower Case Black - (RC-932-KKN1-GP)
Thermalright Silver Arrow
Lite-On BD Writer
120mm Coolermaster Sickleflow fans
WD1002FAEX 1TB
Corsair HX 1000

[sin0822]

i would go with the new tech, aside from the stupid SATA problem i would wait or buy off ebay.

[Ket]

Alright, below is my new PC config. The cost will be around $2,300 without a monitor.

Do you think the Cooler Master Hyper 212 is better than the Thermalright Silver Arrow?

With the G.Skill RAM I went with the RipJaws that were (2x4GB) but also the lowest timing numbers.

I have yet to figure out the best way to situate the fans in the HAF 932. I also wonder how much overclocking I will be able to do with the air cooling fans.

Also, do you think I should get GPU or RAM coolers?

I still haven't decided if I am going to wait until April. I Don't know how much I care (or should care) that the SATA II ports are not usable.


Oh yeah, I chose the P8P67 over the AsRock Extreme6 because after some research, ASRock is owned by ASUS and a couple of posts I read is that the ASRock Mobos are dying sooner than the ASUS mobo. Although, I am not real sure if the "dying before the ASUS mobos" is validated anywhere. ASRock is supposedly a value brand of ASUS.


ASUS P8P67 Deluxe
Intel i7 2600K 8MB Cache
G.Skill Ripjaws-X (F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH) 2x4GB 7-8-7-24-2N
EVGA GTX 570 Superclocked 012-P3-1572-AR
ASUS Xonar DX 7.1
Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow ATX Full Tower Case Black - (RC-932-KKN1-GP)
Thermalright Silver Arrow
Lite-On BD Writer
120mm Coolermaster Sickleflow fans
WD1002FAEX 1TB
Corsair HX 1000

In my experience using the Hyper 212 Plus (be sure to get the Hyper 212 Plus and not the Hyper 212) its performed extremely well and will keep a 2500k/2600k CPU very cool. Fully loaded @ 4.7GHz 1.36v Realtemp reports the cores @ 55c for me.

You done right with the Ripjaws, lower timings are always best, and you will probably find you can tighten them up further with a little tweaking. As for how much clocking you can do.. that will depend on a lot of factors, but I've not seen anybody not reach at least 4.5GHz on a 2500/2600k.

Don't be too mislead by the Asrock brand, they are a fine competitor now and will give anyone a hard run for their money. Of all the P67 mainboards its the Asrock boards that by far have the fewest problems, they are also bonkers mad overclockers. My extreme4 has taken my PC12800 set of Ripjaws all the way up to 2133MHz @ 9-10-9 1T timings. Aside from those points, Asrock boards are also very feature packed for much less. Even the Extreme4 offers 4 SATA3 ports and 4 USB3 ports. Don't pay too much attention to the amount of phases the mainboard has either, a 8 phase P67 board is equally capable of clocking a 2500/2600k as a 16 phase board. Of course, what board you get is your decision, but just to throw it out there; Heres a review of the Asrock Extreme4 (8 phase) vs. the Fatality Professional (16 phase). Phew! Ok! lastly the SATA2 ports on P67 boards are perfectly usable, their not strictly do-not-use, but if you do hook any HDD up to the SATA2 ports I would check that ports integrity with HD Tune. Just click on the "health" tab and if theres no errors or warnings, you're good to go

Your system config looks good to me but to save some cash you might want to pick up a regular GTX570 equipped with a good cooler. Factory overclocked cards don't really OC any further than their standard models. The standard models just have to have their GPU voltage raised to the same levels as their OCd parts and your off. Alternatively, you could (for example) buy the standard clocked EVGA GTX570, download the EVGA GTX570 superclocked vBIOS, flash it to your standard model and just like that you have the superclocked model and saved some change

I think.. thats everything

[joshua7]

I'd go for the 2600K... if relevant mobos were available...

[Sam_oslo]

920 (like other hot and power-hungry 45nm CPUs) is dead, finito, forget it.

You should either get a expensive 6-core 32nm, or 2006k, there is no other good option today.

If you can find a SB MB, go and get it. Use the SATA3.0-ports (or if you need many good ports, a PCIe add-on card) until you can get a refunds or replacement for your MB in about 3 months.

[Holzberg]

Alright, I am willing to give the ASRock Extreme6 a try. IT has 7.1 audio though, should I still get the Xonar DX 7.1?

Also, Can anyone else confirm that putting the GTX570 SuperClocked BIOS on a regular GTX570 works and that it will be running that same as the SuperClocked?

If I do go with the regular GTX570 and flash it with the SuperClocked BIOS, what suggestions do you have for a GPU cooler?

Also, for the RipJaws, do I stick with stock cooling or get something else?

[Ket]

If you want exceptional audio quality, stick with the Xonar 7.1. All mainboards today come with onboard 7.1 audio, the problem with them is they are just inferior to a deadicated audio device. Some onboard solutions are obviously better than others, but unfortunately the most common 7.1 onboard audio solution is a Realtek ALC892, its just a horrible chip. Manufacturers only choose it because its cheap. The vBIOS flash method will work, the decision between spending and saving some change is up to you. As for a GPU cooler, theres no need for a 3rd party option, nvidia reference coolers are actually pretty good and you can squeeze a bit more from them by reapplying TIM and lapping the HS base if its needed. I wouldn't worry about getting a memory cooler, DDR3 really doesn't get very hot as long as airflow is decent.

[Johnny87au]

Alright, I am willing to give the ASRock Extreme6 a try. IT has 7.1 audio though, should I still get the Xonar DX 7.1?

Also, Can anyone else confirm that putting the GTX570 SuperClocked BIOS on a regular GTX570 works and that it will be running that same as the SuperClocked?

If I do go with the regular GTX570 and flash it with the SuperClocked BIOS, what suggestions do you have for a GPU cooler?

Also, for the RipJaws, do I stick with stock cooling or get something else?

If u want the best performance for audio/entertainment the new Titanium HD soundcard seems to be the best atm,with highquality DAC's.. That or the essence STX would be the two i'd pick

[Ket]

^^ Overkill much? the essence STX is more of a professional level audio card. The Xonar DX basically gives you everything you need (including good quality DACs), at a very low price. Only notch in the Xonar DX is that it doesn't (by default) support Dolby DTS. I'm working on a *cough* ahem... "remedy" for that little problem though. *whistles innocently*

[Johnny87au]

^^ Overkill much? the essence STX is more of a professional level audio card. The Xonar DX basically gives you everything you need (including good quality DACs), at a very low price. Only notch in the Xonar DX is that it doesn't (by default) support Dolby DTS. I'm working on a *cough* ahem... "remedy" for that little problem though. *whistles innocently*

This is XS right? , I did own the xonar d2x but after testing both of the cards i mentioned I dont think i would ever use one hehe

[Ket]

I love my Xonar DX. It lets all of the creepy sounds in AvP come through perfectly like the creepy noise the aliens skin makes an stuff That sound FX alone creeps me out way more than staring down a alien trying to eat my face

[Johnny87au]

hehe never played Avp i do like the bench though.. I'm still using the Forte for gaming but seems my A900TI need to be fixed, broken jack.. just not sure where i can get a new one as someone mentioned i need a TRRS connection and a standard Jack wouldnt work.. = /

[Fantastadon]

without reading the replies my first response would be this:

1155 is going to have a longer shelf life than 1366 - 2011 is going to replace this very soon, nobody is going to release new motherboards for this, whereas the 1155 is epic, has new motherboards and CPUs in the works

if you buy p67 now, buy a cheap motherboard, then after april/z68 launch have a look at whats available and buy a decent/epic motherboard, send the cheap one back RMA, then sell it or keep it as a backup - or even build a new rig who knows

ontop of this 1155 peforms better which cheaper hardware

so you can spend very little on RAM and the motherboard and have it impact very little on the performance of your system, but then again this is xtremesystems.... ehhh?

[Ket]

You got me there. I replace caps and stuff on audio cards but never anything like that. Never needed to, never had any break... you shove a screwdriver in that jack or something lol