CPU for a first-time O/C build

[Nate_88]

Hello,

I am starting my first PC build and have about a million question but I will start with just a few. My plans for this build are mostly gaming with other using being skyping and watching videos. Being a project I would like to get my hands on hardware that I can eventually overclock to learn how Ocing is done. My budget for the project is right around 1,000.

What CPUs would be a good choice for these purposes?
- Dual core? Quad? 6?

When it comes to O/C what MoBo is going to be a good match?

Where do you guy like to buy your parts?

Thanks
Nate

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. Here's a complete build for $1,027. MoBo w/ B3 stepping should be back on newegg w/in a week.

Case - $60 - Antec 300 Illusion http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
PSU - $100 - XFX Black 750 W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003
MoBo - $395 - ASUS P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575884
CPU - incl above - Intel Core i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070
RAM - $40 - (2 x 2GB) Corsair CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260
GFX - $250 - Asus 560 Ti http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424
GFX - Later - Same
HD - $65 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
DVD Writer - $22 - Asus 24X DRW-24B3L w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221
OS - $100 - Win 7-64 Home Pre http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758

2. The Intel 2xxxk is the easiest CPU to overclock ..... Intel working very hard to help enthusiasts have fun w/ this.

3. The Asus P67 boards, no surprise here, are the ones topping the OC charts

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p67-motherboard-roundup-lga-1155-sandy-bridge,2837-29.html

The 3500k is $100 cheaper and just a bit slower than the 2600k flagship.

4. I buy almost everything from newegg.

5. You can hit 4.6 GHz on the stock cooler w/ a 2600k ... Here's the procedure:

The generic overclock procedure (2600k) is as follows:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-sabertooth-p67-tuf-review/10

1. Leave baseclock for what it is right now
2. If optional in the BIOS, increase the TDP limit of your processor to 200 Watts
3. With a 2600K set your base multiplier at 34
4. And now set the per core multiplier at a maximum of your liking, we applied an MP of 46 on all four cores
5. Increase CPU voltage, though setting AUTO might work fine, we applied 1.35V
6. Make sure your processor is properly cooled (we used the stock Intel cooler and forced the fan to 70% RPM)
7. Save and Exit BIOS / UEFI

In step 4, that multiplier will be a bit lower on the 2500 ....prolly 43 to 45.

 

[jb6684]

Quad Core is the way to go....

Very few programs can use 6 cores, yet....

Many argue that 2 or sometimes 3 cores will do, but, for a few buck more just why sweat it?


NewEgg.com.....

AMD Black Editions are super simple to overclock. Just get the 955 if you plan to OC. It runs at 3.2Ghz Stock but is infinitely simple to go to 3.8Ghz or 4Ghz so why buy the more expensive version?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Motherboard, ASUS or Gigabyte are my favorites....



OR, if you have more money get one of the new Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs. The K versions are unlocked and again so simple to OC.....

 

[jprahman]

^^+1. The i5-2500K is a beast at overclocking, and thanks to the unlocked multiplier overclocking is quite easy and simple. With a good aftermarket cooler you can get overclocks in the 4.25Ghz to 5Ghz range. Only suggestion I have would be to replace the Scythe SCMG with the Hyper 212+. It is slightly cheaper and will give similar performance.

 

[Nate_88]

OR, if you have more money get one of the new Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs. The K versions are unlocked and again so simple to OC.....

What is the difference between Intel's Sandy Bridge and AMD's Black Editions? Is it and architecture thing?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

^^+1. The i5-2500K is a beast at overclocking, and thanks to the unlocked multiplier overclocking is quite easy and simple. With a good aftermarket cooler you can get overclocks in the 4.25Ghz to 5Ghz range. Only suggestion I have would be to replace the Scythe SCMG with the Hyper 212+. It is slightly cheaper and will give similar performance.

4.5 Ghz is quite easy on the stock cooler w/ fans at 70 %

The 212 is cheaper, but to my mind, it belongs strictly in the "best bang for the buck" category, whereas the Mugen 2 can compete with the very best of air coolers. Here we see the Meghalems (41.1C) topping the Hyper 212 Plus (51.1C) by a full 10C on an OC'd processor .... 7.2C at idle:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15

When compared with the Megahalems in another test, we see the Scythe losing to the Mega by only 2.1C on the 920.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=371&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=11

But in a later test on the 950, The Scythe takes the Mega down beating it by 0.64C
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13

 

[jb6684]

The difference is about $100..... (yeah, its an Architecture thing.... Intel chip does more work even at the same clock frequency as the AMD)

If ya got more money ya can go faster.... so, how fast do wanta go?

 

[jprahman]

Yes, different architecture.

A Sandy Bridge CPU running at the same clock speed as a AMD Phenom Black Edition will beat the Phenom Black Edition by a large margin. Additionally Phenom Black Edition CPUs have a hard time getting past 4GHz, while Sandy Bridge CPUs can be overclocked as high as 5GHz on air, some people have even gotten them higher than that.

 

[Nate_88]

If ya got more money ya can go faster.... so, how fast do wanta go?

Not sure! I have never build a PC so I have nothing to compare to.

 

[jb6684]

Now let get down to if that "faster" really matters.

I'll build an AMD Athon II 640 ($99 CPU) at stock 3Ghz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Add a $350 video card :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127568

Total : $450 (just CPU/GPU...)


Then build an Intel 2500K Sandy Bridge, ($230 CPU), OC that bad boy to 5Ghz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Add a $250 video card :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363

Total: $480 (just CPU/GPU...)


Now play some games. Which system is faster? Which one cranks out more FPS? I think you can bet on the one with the GTX 570 wins every time.....

If not, the Intel system above is still $30 more than the Intel so pull out that Athlon and pop in a Phenom II 955 if that's not fast enough just overclock the AMD to about 4Ghz and it'll be even closer.

And with the premium price on Sandy Bridge motherboards, you'll have even more money left over on a full AMD system. Maybe enough to get a GTX 580 for the AMD system.... and, that will put a beat on for sure...


But the Intel will Photoshop, encode video, compress audio, or render wireframes faster than the AMD, IF you do that kinda stuff..........

 

[Nate_88]

But the Intel will Photoshop, encode video, compress audio, or render wireframes faster than the AMD, IF you do that kinda stuff..........

I definitely am not doing any of that stuff! The most advanced I get is gaming, outside of that all I don't is general everyday kind of stuff.

So if the most advanced things I am going to do is game then I should save the money and just overclock?

If so, what AMD's do you suggest? Mobo?

 

[jb6684]

AMD CPUs are not as fast as the top Intels like Sandy Bridge or i7-900 series, but, they can support playing games no problem. And, websurfing and basic office tasks with ease....

CPU 955 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Motherboard: (I always like to plan for supporting 2 video cards as this is generally a good upgrade path should you need it.)
For NVidia cards you need a MB that says it's SLI (two GPU ready) $99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131637

RAM: $50
I prefer G Skill, Corsair, or Crucial. DDR3 either 1333 or 1600 will do. While 4 Gb is plenty, 8Gb is a nice upgrade.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

PSU: $165
I prefer Antec or Corsair. While 650watts is rock solid on any one card. And, good on a pair of lower end cards. If ya want to plan 5 years, just do the power supply right at 850watts then you can easily move it to your next build too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

This one's on sale for $127 and would be fine up to a pair of GTX 570's....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Hard Disk: $50
I prefer Western Digital. Get a Blue 500Gb or Black are a bit better. Any larger size is fine too... (just don't get a Green...) You can also get a 3Gb/s hard drive since the MB above doesn't support 6Gb/s if you can find one, might save a few dollars. But, either will do.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

Video Card: $250
At this price point, the 560 Ti. Or, the slightly older and only a bit slower, 460 MSI Talon it is factory over clocked to the performance level of a GTX 470, and Only $200...with a FREE game...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127534

DVD: $20
Buy just about any DVD drive you wish...

Case: $100 to $200
I prefer Cooler Master HAF's, Antec, and Corsair. But its a very personal taste choice... Just stay away for just about any case that's less than $100, they just cut too many corners.

Win7 64 bit Builders edition $90...


SOOOO, $875 give or take a bit

If ya have more money, just get a better video card. AND, get a CPU cooler the 212 is highly recommended..

 

[Nate_88]

Best answer selected by Nate_88.