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On March 30 2012 22:30 TheMooseHeed wrote:
So I read that the h61 mobo will be compatible with ivy bridge through a bios update. The only question I have is how do I get this update? Will I have to use another processor to start my rig up and load the new bios to make it compatible or will they come pre-loaded?
Newly produced motherboards will come with the updated BIOS. The problem is that in the supply-chain there will be older stock that has to be moved as well, so especially directly after launch, it's impossible to predict which BIOS version your motherboard gets shipped with.
Often, when a processor is not supported by the BIOS yet, it will still boot the computer, but it will run the processor at the lowest possible speed and with all special functions disabled (It can't recognize the processor, so it doesn't know how to run it, which means it'll go for the safest option). You can use this mode to flash a BIOS update to get the processor fully recognized. Note that there is no garantuee that this'll also work in the Sandy->Ivy transition.
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United States2033 Posts
@bupp4 No motherboard socket is going to give you a good upgrade option in 3-5 years. Get whatever system works best for the least money for you now, because you're just going to replace the motherboard next time you get a processor anyway.
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On March 30 2012 15:00 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 13:25 GloryOfAiur wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On March 30 2012 13:20 Myrmidon wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 12:47 GloryOfAiur wrote:
Quick question, how much more difficult is installing a Water Cooling HSF over a normal one (e.g. Gaia)? Are there any special steps I need to know? A self-contained closed-loop water cooling product like what Corsair and Antec sell (from Asetek, CoolIT), should be fairly simple to install, easier than many large air coolers. As usual, it will depend on the model. The downside is worse price/performance and noise/performance than the air coolers, small possibility of a leak, and not being able to run completely passive in an emergency if something doesn't work. The only real benefits have to do with the size, distribution of weight, and mounting. If you're talking about a custom loop, that's much more involved. I am just helping a friend set up a computer, and I have no prior experience in installing a water-based HSF. Is it the same screw it on top of the CPU with thermal paste? Yes, it's the same. There's just the addition of a radiator which you have to screw in to the top or back of the case. Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 14:06 Kovaz wrote:+ Show Spoiler +So, I'm looking to build a new computer, and am looking for a few pointers. My current build was my first foray into building computers, so it's not the most optimized build. That said, I'd like to reuse as much of it as I can, and dump the rest off into a second computer for as cheap as possible. I'm not building it until I come home from uni in about a month, so I've got time if there's a good reason to wait.
I'm aiming to spend about $600 in total. I play SC2, will likely pick up D3, and WoW off and on. Also I'd like to stream SC2 if possible. I have a bunch of old hard drives and CD/DVD drives I can use, and I don't need an OS.
Here's the current build:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 9400
GPU: Asus ENGTS 260 DK
Mobo: Some random microATX mobo
RAM: 4GB
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650W
Case: Antec 900
Here's what I'm planning so far for the new build:
CPU: Core i5-2400
GPU: eVGA GTX 460 1GB
Mobo: Asus P8H67-M LX Rev
Not entirely sure where to proceed from here.
1) Can I reuse the power supply? If so, what should I replace it with in the old build, and if not what should I get for the new one?
2) 4GB of ram should be good right?
3) I'm thinking about overclocking my GTX 460, as I've heard it's fairly easy and really improves the performance for this card. Will I need to buy any additional fans? I don't intend to push the limits of the card, but improving performance for free/cheap is nice. Also just general overclocking tips would be nice.
4) What kind of case should I get to replace my 900 on the old build? I'd ideally like it to be as small as possible, to bring to LANs and such, but I really have no idea what to get in that department. In a month, Ivybridge will be released so you will probably want to get a core i5 3450, 3470, or 3550 instead along with a H77. Not a big deal if you don't want to wait though. You can re-use your power supply since it's a good model and you've overkilled quite a bit. If you're using 4gb now and you don't see a problem than it's fine. But you are getting an mATX board so there's only two DIMM slots, might as well get 2x4gb since it's so cheap. You don't need additional fans. A Silverstone TJ08E would be one option for a small case.
how will the pricing be compared to sandy bridge? because I am buying parts one by one, got the corsair cx430 PSU and an HDD already but nothing else yet. maybe it's worth waiting instead of getting an i5-2400?
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Ivybridge will be priced very similarly, but iirc the 2600k and 2700k are being merged into one "3770k" prices at about 2700k levels.
3550k will be about as much as a 2500k.
I'm not completely sure about the others in the series but I assume they'll all be priced at about the same level as their sandybridge counterparts with an increase in performance.
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so it's a bad idea to buy a cpu right now but the i5 isn't coming til the summer I think.
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On March 31 2012 03:33 xeo1 wrote:so it's a bad idea to buy a cpu right now but the i5 isn't coming til the summer I think.
Not really. Ivy bridge is about the same performance as Sandy bridge. About 5 percent faster, with a much improved IGP. Its mostly about power consumption and profit margin for Intel.
If you have a shitbox PC there isnt really a reason to not upgrade to sandy bridge right now anyway.
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on a ~$400 budget, would you wait or buy an i3 2120 or an i5 2400 (from microcenter for $150)?
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On March 31 2012 03:42 xeo1 wrote:
on a ~$400 budget, would you wait or buy an i3 2120 or an i5 2400 (from microcenter for $150)?
Well $150 for an i5-2400 is a pretty good deal but what am I upgrading from to begin with?
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brand new pc, but my old cpu was some old intel quad core
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If I still had a quad core (Core 2 Quad I assume) I wouldn't upgrade until Haswell.
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but that's in a year TT. and my old cpu isnt too fast. plus if I'm getting brand new parts, I might as well upgrade to i5 2400.
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On March 31 2012 04:03 xeo1 wrote:
but that's in a year TT. and my old cpu isnt too fast. plus if I'm getting brand new parts, I might as well upgrade to i5 2400.
That doesnt make any sense to me. New parts can go in an old board just fine. If you just want to spend money i can't stop you of course but if you are looking for a revelation in your PC experience upgrading from a Core 2 quad to an i5-2400 you are going to be disappointed.
I would look at what i am using for a GPU long before I spent money upgrading a CPU. Games mostly are GPU intensive. SC2 is an oddball. And I happen to know that a Core 2 Quad runs that just fine.
Wait the year. In a year we will have cosmic space magic compared to now anyway.
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Core 2 quad and GTX 260 is similar to a friend of mines setup. It plays most games on max detail at a reasonable framerate.
If you are looking for an upgrade what you are looking at is the GPU with this build since 4 gigs of RAM is still fine and a Core 2 Quad is fast enough to not be a bottleneck in almost all games.
The PSU is also something I would upgrade out of a prebuilt ASAP, and it looks like you have done so, so good on you for sure.
I think going from Core 2 Quad + 260 to what you listed is going to feel like a small waste of money in the back of your mind. What I would do is use the money that you were going to spend upgrading the CPU + mobo + Ram and spend it on a better GPU. Like a 7870. Or if you want to wait one of the 6xx series cards coming out.
Then, down the road when Haswell comes out, you can move onto the next architecture.
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Considering your budget, there's really no point in waiting for the 7 series and Ivybridge. H77 isn't going to be any cheaper than H67 and a 3570 isn't going to be any cheaper than a 2500. People don't seem to remember that the 2500k launched at ~$230 and can now be found for around ~$200.
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On March 31 2012 04:32 Medrea wrote:
Core 2 quad and GTX 260 is similar to a friend of mines setup. It plays most games on max detail at a reasonable framerate.
If you are looking for an upgrade what you are looking at is the GPU with this build since 4 gigs of RAM is still fine and a Core 2 Quad is fast enough to not be a bottleneck in almost all games.
The PSU is also something I would upgrade out of a prebuilt ASAP, and it looks like you have done so, so good on you for sure.
I think going from Core 2 Quad + 260 to what you listed is going to feel like a small waste of money in the back of your mind. What I would do is use the money that you were going to spend upgrading the CPU + mobo + Ram and spend it on a better GPU. Like a 7870. Or if you want to wait one of the 6xx series cards coming out.
Then, down the road when Haswell comes out, you can move onto the next architecture.
that card is $370 xD but why do you think the pc doesn't turn on and gets graphical tear?
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I dunno I would have to see a screenshot of what you mean but it sorta sounds like the GPU is dying and/or the PSU is awful if you havent replaced it yet with what you bought.
Most likely has nothing to do with processor.
I can see why you would want to buy a new system though. But I have a feeling your current problems are solvable.
Also yeah that card is $370 but it will make a bigger gaming performance impact than the $450 you invested. See where I am coming from?
+ Show Spoiler +Plus you can mine from it and make all that money back!
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On March 31 2012 04:42 Medrea wrote:I dunno I would have to see a screenshot of what you mean but it sorta sounds like the GPU is dying and/or the PSU is awful if you havent replaced it yet with what you bought. Most likely has nothing to do with processor. I can see why you would want to buy a new system though. But I have a feeling your current problems are solvable. Also yeah that card is $370 but it will make a bigger gaming performance impact than the $450 you invested. See where I am coming from? + Show Spoiler +Plus you can mine from it and make all that money back!
I see. but the processor isn't really fast either, my friend's older amd cpu loads and works a LOT faster, and the reviews of the i5 2400 also boast about its speed.
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Loads what faster? Loading is something hard drives do. I also dont know what works faster really means but its ok.
I mean yeah of course i5-2400 is really fast. Im just trying to let you know that as far as getting a visual impact for your dollar is concerned, its going to be your GPU. Upgrading from a 260 to a 460 doesnt make a whole lot of sense, even though a 460 is not a terrible buy either.
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well right now I am forced to play on lowest resolution/settings. so going to max settings would already be a huge improvement I meant his pc boots up insanely fast and loads applications quicker, which I assume has something to do with cpu.
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EPT
