Not sure if it's good

[bubbles11]

I'm buying only the processor, motherboard and RAM's.
My current configuration is:

Msi G31M3-f
Intel E8400 @ 3 Ghz
Sapphire HD5850
4 GB of RAM @ 400 mhz
700GB HDD WD Caviar Green?
LC Power 5550 550w

Since I'm replacing only the processor, motherboard and RAM's, I came up with this:

ASRock Z68 Pro3
Intel Core i5 2500K
Corsair 8GB KIT DDR3-1600 CL9 Vengeance
+Maybe a SSD

I will use it mostly for gaming and I definetly will overclock the 2500k.

Should I also replace the Psu? I'm not sure if the 550w psu is enough for a 2500k@4.4ghz and a hd5850.
Is the difference between 2500k OC'ed and 3570k also OC'ed noticible in gaming?
Should I get another mobo for Oc-ing the 2500k? Or is the ASRock one enough?
How far will the 2500k go with the stock cooler?

Thank you for help

 

[FinneousPJ]

550W is easily enough, however I would still replace that PSU. It's a piece of junk.

Why not go for i5-3570K and Z77 though?

You don't overclock on the stock cooler. Just don't.

 

[blazorthon]

Your plan looks good, but I would replace the PSU. 550w should be enough, but PSUs degrade over time and with it being a PSU from a Core 2 computer, its probably an older PSU that has a strong focus on 5v power rather than 12v power.

The performance difference between the i5-2500K and the i5-3570K is not noticeable in-game, although the i5-2500K has an insignificant lead. The 3570K's advantage is lower power consumption and being a newer chip with more updated connectivity. Also, I'd recommend getting a newer Z77 motherboard rather than a Z68 motherboard.

Do not overclock on stock Intel coolers. That is not safe, especially with Intel's current crap coolers. Overclocking should only be done on aftermarket coolers when you go Intel. AMD's current stock coolers are pretty good, but Intel's are not.

Get something such as a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus (or 212 Evo rather than 212 Plus if you want lower noise). Cheap, very high quality, and should get you about as far as you want to go, maybe a little farther.

 

[bubbles11]

So rather than 2500k + Z68, I should go for 2500k + Z77 or 3570k + Z77?

What PSU's would you recommend? I don't have a single clue at what should I be careful of when buying it.

Yes thought so that the stock cooler isn't really good. What about the Scythe Mugen 3? I can maybe get it for about 15€...


Edit: What about the Corsair CX600? Is it good?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Yeah, it's a decent unit.

I would go for 3570K +Z77/Z75 if the price difference isn't overwhelming compared to the older units.

 

[bubbles11]

The difference between 2500k+z68 and 3570k+z77 is around 18€ so I'll probably go with the 3570k and Z77.

Now I'm just wondering whether I should choose the Asrock Z77 Pro3 or Asrock Z77 Extreme4-M? Is the overclocking better/easier on Extreme4? Will it hit higher clocks? Are there any other benefits of Extreme4?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Extreme4 can SLI/Crossfire while Pro3 can't.

 

[bubbles11]

If that's the only benefit, I'm taking the Pro3.

Now I'll be getting:

Corsair CX600
ASRock Z77 Pro3
Intel i5 3570k
Corsair 8GB KIT DDR3-1600 CL9 Vengeance

All together 400€ or around 310 pounds.

+HD5850 which I already have.

Is there any cheaper PSU that will do the job or should i go with the Corsair one?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Yes, that's basically the only benefit.

I guess the PSU would depend on where you're buying.

 

[bubbles11]

I'm buying through hoh.de which has quite cheap prices. The CX600 costs 60€, too much?

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well, there's the 500W version http://www.hoh.de/hardware/netzteile/500-700-watt/549851/corsair-cx500-v2-500w-atx-2.3-120mm-80?c=31318

It's sufficient for your system but you don't save much money :lol:

 

[bubbles11]

Ok thank you for your help

 

[blazorthon]

Get the 600w version, not the 500w for this system. The 500w should be fine, but this way it has room for time to wear it down and still have room left for an upgrade sometime in the future. If the prices are so close, then I don't think that the 500w is worth the small amount of money that you save.