New PC Buid

[:FI:Sneaky_Russian]

Got a 64gb Kingston SSD and tried both options for it .
A) install OS in it machine boots fast.
B) install games on it - Il2 loads fast.

From what I hear , to get a real boost you need a few of these in a RAID array, but you would see nearly as much improvement with a RAID array of conventional (SATA) HDs

[:FI:Gadje]

Mikester (might be too late Noter for you) you might want to look at Intels new cpu's which are out.

Both are faster than the 950 for gaming, run cooler use less power and in the case of the i5 2500K are cheaper too. The i7 2600K is even faster but costs £50 more. They can be easily overclocked to 4.6 even over 5Ghz with good cooling.
But most importantly these Sandy bridge units are using a new socket ( different board than 950) and at the start of their development. Faster processors for later upgrades too come.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bes ... ,2843.html

[:FI:Mikester]

Vranac spoke about these processors lastnight. Not being an intel boy im not really up to speed with these processors but ill change to this if it's more suitable for gaming. Think the 950 is probably more suited to graphical design and rendering.

I'll have a wee look at these Sandystanes!

[:FI:Mikester]

I7-2600k OEM version £254.99 good price!(better if it was a tenner) will look at alternate coolers.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productli ... subid=1859

[:FI:Gadje]

I might be wrong in this but I would pay the extra tenner for a boxed one. It's that Overclockers sell a lot of cpu/ motherboard/ memory packages which they guarantee to overclock to a pretty high setting. To do this they pick the best cpu's and my guess is the OEM's are the ones which weren't so good.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Shop/Computer-Har ... ocket-1155

£263.00

[:FI:Falcon]

EVERY spec you EVER needed to compare GPU* cards:

http://old.cubeupload.com/files/c62400scan0003.jpg**


and

http://www.overclock.net/graphics-cards ... rning.html**

and one of the best all-'round review sites:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/

~~~

I've read that the Core i5-750 can be overclocked to perform similarly to the Core i7-975 Extreme at its stock settings when pushed a bit.


F


* and CPU's via PCGamer
** charts ~ 1 year old

[:FI:Noter]

Thanks for the tip Gadje, I have not gotten the processor yet. The i5 2500 would save me $20 and if it's faster than the i7 950 for games...works for me. The i7 2600 jumps to $280, kinda pushing it financially.

[:FI:Gadje]

Remember if you want to overclock (and why not!) you need the K version.

[:FI:Mikester]

I think the OEM's are sold without the standard cooler.

right..... so thats the processor sorted!

[:FI:Noter]

Yep, meant the K version. Overclocking scares me at the moment. Once built and comfortable I'll think about it.

Now with the i5 2500K running cooler is the liquid cooling system still worth it, or save the money?

[:FI:Falcon]

Go liquid cooling; quieter, cooler, same money, usually smaller. Go name brand, check reviews. Coot-It or Corsair are good. Older units HAVE leaked ... like mine ... double check reviews. I have found no recent problems with new coolers.

F

[102nd-YU-vranac]

Hi guys

Mikester showed me this last night, so maybe I can help a bit.

Noter, like Gadje said you can't use 2500K with that board, differen't socket.
Or maybe you returned that one ?
The advantages of Sandy bridge platform are that processors are built on
smaller production process 32 nm, they are cooler, faster and more overclockable.
Top of the i 9X0 series are arround 4 GHz with exellent ( expensive ) cooling,
while 2500K, 2600K mostly can work 4.5 GHz even with box cooler.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the- ... -tested/20

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/z ... review/28/

For the graphic card in the price range arround 250$ there is new one from nvidia GTX560.
I can't recommend anything that will work flawless before the sim will be out,
but this is the card that in my opinion should be enough on 1680x1050.

This one looks good, but any of those are ok, cool and fast )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

You have new one from AMD HD6950 1GB VRAM, caan be found for ~260$ on newegg.
Don't be concerned because of 1GB, it is tiny bit slower then 2 GB version but 30$ cheaper.
That was answer from AMD on lounch of GTX560.

About SSD, I can recommend everyone to wait a bit till end of february, start of march,
because versions with new sandforce controller will be out,
much faster and a price range for GB should be arround those today.
So that one that you picked up Mike, good choice for now, should go cheaper.

And Mikester that Corsair TX is exellent, you can put 2 of GTX580 on if you want
This is one of few places where they test PSU-s properly

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ ... view/505/8

S )

[:FI:Mikester]

Nice 1 Vranac, you've been very helpful.

Now get back to making rudder pedals from old sewing machines!

Thanks Vranac

[102nd-YU-vranac]

It will be better than crapy plastic Saitek that I have

[:FI:Noter]

Very helpful Vranac, making it faster and cheaper a perfect combination. I have not returned the MB yet, but I will, and look another one that will support the i5 2500 k.