Upgrade from q6600 suggestions.

[Milt]

I'm interested in upgrading my current rig's CPU, MB, & RAM and looking for advice on what upgrade path is best suited for my needs.

Currently:
Intel q6600 (no OC)
MSI p7n Platinum 750i
6Gig Mushkin Ram DDR2 800 6400
ATI HD5870 factory OC (keeping)
CorsairTX 750w (keeping)

Questionnaire:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
High-end game art/animation, video rendering (3d animations), scripting/programming, playing video games.

2. What YOUR budget is.
$1000, taxes in.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Pref for Intel chips. I'm open to the rest.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Replacing CPU, MB, RAM. Keeping the rest.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have read similar threads and read reviews on different parts.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No OC for now.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
This month (today?)

9. What resolution do you use?
Currently 2048 x 1152 + 1680 x 1050.

So my questions is 'What upgrade path should I take?'

My original plan was to go 1366 with a i7 960, asus sabertooth, and 12 or 24 gigs of DDR3-1600. I'm reading now that the 1155 line would give a greater boost in single core processes but not so much multi-core.

Also I hear that intel will be releasing new chip sets in the near future. Should I wait for those before I upgrade?

The ram is for high def art and poly modelling software. More cores are used for faster render times. Im just learning to script/program so not sure what hardware config best suits that.

Edit:
So far it looks like the i7 2600k on a z68 board. Still have to look up boards tho. thoughts?


All suggestions welcome!
Thanks for your time.

[dma0991]

Newegg.ca - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost)
Newegg.ca - ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Newegg.ca - Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F120GB3-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III

These parts costs less than $1000 and should be more than enough for your needs. The SSD is up to you to decide on how you want it. You could do a full sized 120GB partition for OS + programs or 60GB OS + programs and 60GB for Intel SRT.

[Phill]

I agree with what DMA said although this is my variation on the hardware selection.

[Milt]

Thanks for your input guys! I was thinking along the same lines after reading up on hardware last night. Here's what I ended up with from canada computers.

ASROCK EXTREME
INTEL 2600k
Mushkin Blackline 8gb (2x4gb) ddr3 1600mhz Dual
Mushkin Blackline 8gb (2x4gb) ddr3 1600mhz Dual
OCZ (AGT3-25SAT3-120G) Agility 3 2.5" 120GB SATA3 6GB/s Solid State Drive, Read: 525MB/s, Write: 500MB/s

[chubaka]

change your 2600k to a 2500k. I dont think ht will benefit you much based on your usage ( unless u plan to fold later on).

[JJThomp]

With that budget you should grab a wicked cooler whichever one you want really... I agree with dma on the rest of the parts.

[GT7R]

Why spending extra money when you won't be using the CPU graphics anyway? Why not P67?

[Phill]

Originally Posted by chubaka

change your 2600k to a 2500k. I dont think ht will benefit you much based on your usage ( unless u plan to fold later on).

He is not Overclocking and will be using the computer for a fair amount of rendering. IMHO I would stick with the 2600k without a doubt. If he were just gaming then yes I could see the 2500k make more sense... but alas that is not the case.

[xbasiickz]

I would go to the 2600k as well, since is better for renders.

[Phill]

Originally Posted by GT7R

Why spending extra money when you won't be using the CPU graphics anyway? Why not P67?

Indeed, although I think for the little more that Z68 costs over P67 I would go for the Z68. Perhaps down the road the extra features like SSD caching and onboard video may be useful.