New Rig Spec questions for Casual Gaming, Old Xeon.....

[Photn]

Hi All, First time posting here, long time reader so i apologise if this is somewhat dis-organised.

So basically i currently have an Alienware M17xR4, i7, 16gb Ram, 2 HDD's (1x SSD) and a GTX680M 2gb.

Im planning on building a new rig because i feel its time for a change and i want a bigger screen and better gfx card. I need some advice on weather to use some parts i have already or buy a complete new setup, its all about budget/Performance at this point.

The main tipping point is that i intend to use a Xeon X3-1245 V1 that i have at home. Now im looking to build mini-itx so ive got mself a Raijintek Case, 16gb HyperX DDR3 Ram, 2x 240gbSSD's and a 600W PSU and a GTX 1060 mini 6gb.

Question is do i use the Xeon or buy a different CPU and mobo combo. My concerns are that the XEON uses an LGA 1155 socket and most of the mobo's around that time are Sata2, usb2.0 no built in wifi etx, also worried about longevity. At the same time i cannot overlook the capabilities of the CPU compared to i3 or i5 current gen. A motherboard can be had for about $130ish,

My Other Option is to go with an i3 maybee??

 

[GraySilencer]

Hi All, First time posting here, long time reader so i apologise if this is somewhat dis-organised.

So basically i currently have an Alienware M17xR4, i7, 16gb Ram, 2 HDD's (1x SSD) and a GTX680M 2gb.

Im planning on building a new rig because i feel its time for a change and i want a bigger screen and better gfx card. I need some advice on weather to use some parts i have already or buy a complete new setup, its all about budget/Performance at this point.

The main tipping point is that i intend to use a Xeon X3-1245 V1 that i have at home. Now im looking to build mini-itx so ive got mself a Raijintek Case, 16gb HyperX DDR3 Ram, 2x 240gbSSD's and a 600W PSU and a GTX 1060 mini 6gb.

Question is do i use the Xeon or buy a different CPU and mobo combo. My concerns are that the XEON uses an LGA 1155 socket and most of the mobo's around that time are Sata2, usb2.0 no built in wifi etx, also worried about longevity. At the same time i cannot overlook the capabilities of the CPU compared to i3 or i5 current gen. A motherboard can be had for about $130ish,

My Other Option is to go with an i3 maybee??

You've got a complicated situation here. You can't use your DDR3 RAM on a current-gen skylake motherboard (even if you find one that takes DDR3, it will kill the Skylake CPU eventually) and I wouldn't buy a used Socket 1155 motherboard for the Xeon either. If you can still return the RAM, get this with DDR4:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $271.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-15 00:47 EDT-0400

If you're stuck with the DDR3 RAM, this is the best option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($117.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $234.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-15 00:52 EDT-0400

 

[Photn]

Thanks for the reply.

So you reckon skipping the Xeon completely and just going for an i3?

 

[GraySilencer]

Thanks for the reply.

So you reckon skipping the Xeon completely and just going for an i3?

Yes, I would just sell the Xeon on Ebay. Finding a new suitable 1155 ITX board for the Xeon with the features you need would be virtually impossible. And I would be scared to buy a used or refurbished one. The i3 will be good for casual gaming.

 

[Photn]

alright, would an i5 be better value/performance for money? or would the i3 with 1060 6gb run doom 4 on crazy settings alright?

 

[GraySilencer]

alright, would an i5 be better value/performance for money? or would the i3 with 1060 6gb run doom 4 on crazy settings alright?

The i3 should do the trick for medium+ settings, but you could throw in a i5 in there instead for longevity and higher settings in games. So did you decide to go for socket 1150 with DDR3 or socket 1151 with DDR4? The i5-4460 (1150) and i5-6500 (1151) are usually what I recommend for those sockets.

 

[Photn]

Currently leaning towards the LGA 1151 socket cpu line with ddr4 ram, but havent made up my mind.

Intention is to run Doom4 @ 1080p on 27" screen on insane settings as a benchmark. BF1 will run @ what ever gives good FPS @1080P.

 

[GraySilencer]

Currently leaning towards the LGA 1151 socket cpu line with ddr4 ram, but havent made up my mind.

Intention is to run Doom4 @ 1080p on 27" screen on insane settings as a benchmark. BF1 will run @ what ever gives good FPS @1080P.

Yeah, it's what I would do. I often recommend the i5-6500, but the i5-6600 is only $213.99 at Superbiiz right now, I would grab it for that price. Usually it's around $230-$235. The Max Turbo Frequency is 3.9GHz so that will help in certain scenarios.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($213.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B150I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $374.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-15 23:22 EDT-0400

 

[Photn]

Thanks, only issue with buying that cpu for me is in AUS its about $350 where as the i3 is only $139. freaking crazy!!!

 

[GraySilencer]

Thanks, only issue with buying that cpu for me is in AUS its about $350 where as the i3 is only $139. freaking crazy!!!

Wow that does sound crazy. Looks like you might have to get the i3 after all. Or the i5-6400. It is hard to recommend the i5-6400 due to it's slower clock speed, but the turbo boost can go up to 3.1GHz with all four cores under the right conditions.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core%20i5-6400.html

 

[Photn]

yeah im looking at it now, its hard to justify the expense atm for that CPU. at least if i go the i3 then maybee if/when the time comes and the new Intels are released on a different Socket i might/should get a good deal on the skylake ones, can then upgrade to an i5 or if funds then allow an i7.

Looking at it now, the i3 6100 will get me over 100FPS on ultra @1080P for Doom 4 and over 60 FPS on Star Wars BattleFront @ 1080P maxxed out, which is absolutely fine for me at this stage.

Not sure what new games apart from BF1 are comming out that ill get or look interesting, so now i suppose its just a matter of returning the RAM and getting the I3 and Mobo.