New Gaming PC Build Opinions

[guilly]

Hi Guys,

First post just thought I would post my specs. I'm almost done my build but woudl still like to hear what you people have to say(good or bad). I tried to keep my budget around ~$800 cnd.

ASRock Z77 Extreme 3 Socket 1155 - 89.99
ASUS 7850 2GB - 189.00
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866MHz - 29.99
Zalman Z11 Plus - 44.99
Samsung 840 128GB SSD - 89.99

Total so far(tx incl.): $501.68

Will most likely go with a 750W modular PS and the i5 3570k. I'm really debating wether it's really worth going quad core or dual core. Any thoughts on this ? I would think the quad core would be more "future proof" but it seems like any i3 would be equally competitive for today's games.

[Bond007]

Seems like solid choices to me(not familiar with the case though). I would say go for the i5.you could easily get a 650w psu.

[concinnity]

Future proofing is relative to what you are doing. In terms of gaming, people's 3 generations old systems with Core 2 Duo's and 8800GT's can run most of today's latest stuff. Most games only use a single core or two, depending on whether or not you have multicore turned on. What kind of games do you play/intend on playing?

[guilly]

thanks for replies,

I'll be using the stock cooler for now until I decide to OC later on. The Zalma Z11 plus is the case.

As for games, I'm not sure since I'm just trying to get back into gaming but most likely be the typical games (BF3, COD).

Also, its probably worth mentioning that I will most likely run a few VM's for testing new system layouts. For example a couple of Windows Server Domain controllers with Microsoft Exchange and SCCM.

I would love to get the i3 since the price difference is quite significant. What's the best i3 for OC ?

[Bond007]

You can't. Only i5 and i7 can OC. Normal ones can OC 400mhz and i5 3570k and i7 3770k are unlocked and can OC as far as you are willing to try.

[concinnity]

Originally Posted by Bond007

You can't. Only i5 and i7 can OC. Normal ones can OC 400mhz and i5 3570k and i7 3770k are unlocked and can OC as far as you are willing to try.

nuff said. Besides that, you'll want the extra horsepower for the VMs. On that note, if you plan on running more than one VM 24/7, it's probably worth buying 16GB of RAM. It's still pretty cheap and you only really need 1600mhz.

For $40 more: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10

[guilly]

Thanks, I wasn't aware you couldn't OC i3.

The VM's will only be for testing purposes. I'll never be gaming and having the VM's running at the same time.

[jaraxle316]

Just to add some options you can also consider non "k" version i5. You won't be able to push it far in OC terms but it will be in the middle of the best i3 and the i5 k version. For gaming it is still best to put ur $$ on videocard so unless your doing benchmarks you will see very little gain in OC your cpu. With regard to VMs 4 cores, i5, will be better than 4 threads, i3, for sure and again OC will not provide huge benefits on VM set ups. So my bet would is on i5 non k version IF your not benchmarking OC cpu. Hope that helps.

[guilly]

Originally Posted by jaraxle316

Just to add some options you can also consider non "k" version i5. You won't be able to push it far in OC terms but it will be in the middle of the best i3 and the i5 k version. For gaming it is still best to put ur $$ on videocard so unless your doing benchmarks you will see very little gain in OC your cpu. With regard to VMs 4 cores, i5, will be better than 4 threads, i3, for sure and again OC will not provide huge benefits on VM set ups. So my bet would is on i5 non k version IF your not benchmarking OC cpu. Hope that helps.

Thanks jaraxle,

I considered only getting the 3570 but for $20 more you can get the unlocked version in case I ever feel like pushing the limits. Looks like I'll be going with the quad core I think I'll be happier in the end.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by guilly

Thanks jaraxle,

I considered only getting the 3570 but for $20 more you can get the unlocked version in case I ever feel like pushing the limits. Looks like I'll be going with the quad core I think I'll be happier in the end.

If its in the budget an i5 is the way to go. If you will OC go for 3570k, and if you will not keep your eyes out for sales on 3450 or 3470 (I have seen them a few times for $170).