New Ivy Build in July

josejones

June 18, 2012 4:36:44 PM

I'm planning a new i7 3770 build for work (which also happens to be a personal PC too). Any tips or suggestions are welcome to make sure I don't screw it up. I get a bit confused with some of the new stuff out now with so many gimmicky adverts sometimes it's hard to tell which is the real deal. So, I'm reliant upon folks here with experience.

We have a small business we work at home and almost everyday we use Adobe CS, Word, Photo Shop, Office, XSite Pro (website builder) and now we have to create our own product description videos, music, power-point presentations and HD documentary DVD's and do fairly large uploads to our manufacturer. Plus, loads of multi-tasking. We watch movies and I sneak in some occasional online gaming when I can.

Our old system is from 2004 - I can't believe it's even still working at all. The new Ivy system is a bit overkill for what we need but, that's fine as we tend to keep our systems until they die so, future proofing is fine but, more importantly it's the whole "Time is Money" thing so, we need cut wait times as much as possible, which is why we're switching from AMD over to Intel. This will be our very first Intel system. What do I need to know so that there are no surprises switching from AMD to Intel?

Purchase date: sometime in July

Price range: between $1,000 to $1,500 max

We want as long a life-span as possible so, we won't be over-clocking anything. Here's what I've chosen so far:

CPU: Ivy Bridge i7 3770
RAM: Mushkin 16g DDR3 1600
HD: 1T
PSU: Seasonic X-750w
OS: Windows 7 Prof, 64-bit

I just got the Seasonic X-750w on Newegg over this last weekend for $119 with free shipping too. 750w is overkill for us but, it's Seasonic and I thought it was a killer price down from $189.

Here's what I'm undecided on:

I don't know the difference between the MX & DX version SSD's yet:

SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe DX 120g SATA III (we'll see about prices maybe 240g)

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MX 120g
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe DX 120g
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

240G DX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

MB: Gigabyte z77 UD5 or the new Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH (out at the end of June) - not sure about price yet or if this is just a gimmicky advert. I'm interested in this new board due to claims of lower mobo temps (couldn't care less about Thunderbolt). Low inside case temps are very important to us due to the fact that we don't have central air or air con. We consistently get 85F (31C) indoor temps for most of the summer months - another reason why we're not over-clocking.

Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH
http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-gigabyte-annou...

Gigabyte Ultra Durable 5
http://www.gigabyte.com/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid...

Gigabyte's Hardcore Thunderbolt Demo with GA-Z77Z-UP5 TH Motherboard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deImUH8aUHQ

Gigabyte Ultra Durable 5 at Computex, shows much lower temperatures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLggGetNR14

GPU: NVidia 660TI (when it comes out) haven't decided on a GPU yet, hoped the integrated HD4000 would carry us for awhile. We'll never use more than one GPU.

http://videocardz.com/nvidia/geforce-600

Case: Antec One Illusion

I was originally eying the Antect 302 until this one came out:

Antec One Illusion - comes with front fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec One Illusion - w/o front fans
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec One Illusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlhclcOoUu4

Any potential problems with this case?

I could use some experienced help choosing a HSF. I don't want to waste my time with the stock HSF from Intel. I have a new thread raising this question here:

Evo vs. GeminII
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/276597-29-geminii

Prices:

CPU: $313
MB: $189 ($250 ?)
SSD: $200
HD: $100
RAM: $100
PSU: $120
Case: $50
OS 7 Prof: $140
CD/DVD ROM Combo: $30
Aftermarket HSF: $35
----------
$984 - call it $1,000

I'm sure there will be adjustments in prices. The list above is w/o a GPU.

More about : ivy build july

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josejones

June 29, 2012 10:30:18 PM

I just wanted to make sure this link was here so I didn't lose it for forget about it since it explains the difference between the Mushkin SSD MX version and the DX version: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/284841-32-mushkin-int...

It's almost time! :bounce:

I wish we could wait for Haswell but, just can't wait any more.

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josejones

June 30, 2012 4:17:38 PM

According to PassMark CPU benchmarks our old system from 2004: AMD Sempron 2600+ 1.6 socket 754 scores 401

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Sempron+260...

We upgraded to a used Athlon 3200 2.0, 2 years ago, which comes in at 524

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Athlon+64+3...

The i7 3770 - 10425

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-3...

So, 3770 @ 10425/401 = 26.064 - 26 times or %2,600 faster than the Sempron

3770 @ 10425/524 = 19.895 - 20 times or %2,000 faster than the Athlon

The new i7 system will be 20 times or %2,000 faster in performance than our current AMD system.

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ggil24

June 30, 2012 4:21:27 PM

No GPU?

EDIT: Didn't notice you are going to wait for the 660 ti

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ggil24

June 30, 2012 4:27:27 PM

Are you going to overclock?

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ggil24

June 30, 2012 4:34:38 PM

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josejones

July 2, 2012 2:29:21 PM

Thanks gg. No, I was not going to overclock.

Here's where I'm at right now. Does anybody see any problems?

MB: Gigabyte z77 UD5 or Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH
CPU: Ivy Bridge i7 3770
RAM: Mushkin 8g DDR3 1600
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe - (DX) 120g
HD: 500g
PSU: Seasonic X-750w
Case: Antec One Illusion (w/4 fans)
OS: Windows 7 Prof, 64-bit

MB: $189 ($300 ?)
CPU: $313
RAM: $100
SSD: $200
HD: $100
PSU: $120
Case: $50
OS Win 7 Prof: $140
CD/DVD ROM Combo: $20
----------
$984 - call it $1,000

This is without a GPU for now.

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josejones

July 3, 2012 9:14:18 PM

So in two of the videos above discussing the new Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH they said it would be out by the end of June. I e-mailed Gigabyte and asked them a few questions and they responded today saying they have no idea when it will be out and didn't give me any prices. I also asked if there'd be a Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 version without the "TH" Thunderbolt ports - no answer.

I'm getting tired of waiting & may have to settle for the older Gigabyte z77 UD5.

Any thoughts?

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josejones

July 4, 2012 4:16:22 PM

I wonder if there will be a z78 motherboard version as an upgraded z77 similar to the 67/68 mobos? What features on a z78 might be upgraded?

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azeem40

July 4, 2012 9:21:56 PM

You're getting a non-OCable CPU with an OCable motherboard. Get a B75 or H77 motherboard, unless you plan to CF/SLI.

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josejones

July 5, 2012 2:33:47 PM

azeem40 said:

You're getting a non-OCable CPU with an OCable motherboard. Get a B75 or H77 motherboard, unless you plan to CF/SLI.

Good point, azeem40. I'm open for suggestions, I'd get an H77, B75 or Z75 if they'd give me what I need. I just haven't seen any I like yet and most seem to be mini or micro size. Plus, only they have PCIe 2.0 & only two USB 3.0 ports when I need at least four (in the rear). Another reason is that the Ivy CPU's get really hot when overclocked, so, I'm trying to avoid creating an unnecessary heat problem.

I7 3770 Heat Tests in 85F Room Temps
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/335271-28-3770-heat-t...

According to PassMark CPU benchmarks the i7 is already literally 20 times faster than our single-core AMD Athlon anyway.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Athlon+64+3...

The i7 3770 - 10425

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-3...

3770 @ 10425/524 = 19.895 - almost 20 times or %2,000 faster than the Athlon.

CPU: AMD 1.6 Sempron (upgraded to 2.1 Athlon 3200 two years ago)
GPU: onboard
Mobo: MSI RS480M
HD: WD 80g (upgraded to WD 500g last year)
RAM: 512 (upgraded to 2g two years ago)
PSU: 250w
OS: XP

I'm still open for suggestions though. As mentioned in the OP, "We have a small business we work at home and almost everyday we use Adobe CS, Word, Photo Shop, Office, XSite Pro (website builder) and now we have to create our own product description videos, music, power-point presentations and HD documentary DVD's and do fairly large uploads to our manufacturer. Plus, loads of multi-tasking."

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phunky_21

July 5, 2012 4:11:35 PM

The i7 3770 should be fine if you aren't overclocking. Overclocking will void your warranty for a reason(also note a lot of bad reviews come from people messing with stuff and screwing it up on their own). Also switching your CPU fan voids your warranty. They give a 3 year warranty so that should be fine. If you do have any problems... big deal send it back and get a new one. Very unlikely that you will though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... This is a good mobo for 130$. PCI-e 3.0 so if you plan on getting a newer graphics card your Ivy bridge and card will have the maximum bandwidth available.

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josejones

July 7, 2012 3:47:21 PM

I couldn't take it anymore so, I called Gigabyte. They said that the Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH will come out at the end of July not June (obviously) and it will cost over $300 (US) and the UP7 will probably be over $400. There will be no "UP" versions without the "TH" Thunderbolt ports either. There will be no z78 versions. This is pretty much it until Haswell comes out. So, forget it.

I could use some help with some last minute questions before I begin this build starting asap:

* Should I go with my selected Gigabyte z77 UD5 or is there a UD3 worth getting since I won't be overclocking? I know some feel the UD3's are akin to a generic version that's not worth getting (at least for gamers who overclock) but, Gigabyte said that the UD3, 5 & 7 all use the exact same chipset and that the only difference between them are the extra features such as overclocking features in the bios, other additional ports & PCI lanes for CSF/SLI etc. Any thoughts?

I do need at least 4 USB 3.0 ports in the rear (2 in front) plus, two ports for Keyb & mouse. I'll never use more than one GPU, but I'd like to be able to add a couple PCI cards in the future such as an SSD PCI card for example, so, I'd still prefer to have at least 2 or 3 PCIe 3.0 slots and I'd like an HDMI port.

What do ya think of this one: GA-Z77X-D3H
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=...

Z77X-UD5H - (are there any reviews of this board?)
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=...

Other z77 boards: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/list.aspx?s=42&jid=2&p...

* Also, on the SSD, is the DX version really that much better than the MX? - it's just soooo much more expensive.

* Do I still need the 212 EVO HSF if I'm not overclocking - even just to be on the safe-side or no?

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josejones

July 9, 2012 10:50:20 PM

Here she is:

CPU: Ivy Bridge i7 3770
HSF: CM 212 Evo
MB: Gigabyte z77 UD5
RAM: Mushkin 8g DDR3 1600
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe - DX 240g
HD: WD Black 1T 64mb cache
PSU: Seasonic X-750w
Case: Antec One Illusion (w/4 fans)
OS: Windows 7 Pro, 64-bit

GPU: I'll have to wait for the NVidia 660 TI to come out.

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