Work+Gaming setup suggestions

S

Spy king

Adept
Greetings! Decided to start a dedicated thread as I need some inputs!

I have decided to go for a desktop over a laptop for my needs and budget.
  • Q: What is your budget?
    • 20K
  • Q: What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
    • CPU - Intel E5200
    • Motherboard - Gigabyte G41
    • GPU - nil
    • WD Blue 500Gb
    • WD Green 1Tb
    • RAM - Transcend 1GB
    • Monitor - Dell 2409
    • SMPS - Generic
  • Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
    • Monitor - Dell 2409
    • WD Green 1Tb
  • Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
    • CPU - Intel
    • Motherboard - z68/p67 chip set
    • RAM
    • PSU
    • Cabby
    • DVD drive
    • Keyboard/Mouse
    • GPU - Later
  • Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
    • Yes, will upgrade the following within 6 months
    • GFX card -
    • SSD
  • Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)
    • Chennai/Bangalore
    • Open to online purchase
  • Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market
    • Yes/No
  • Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
    • CATIA/Solidworks, ANSYS, FLUENT and other CAD and FEA tools
    • Desktop Processing
    • Gaming - Have a LOT of catching up to do.
    • Watching HD movies
  • Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
    • Nil
  • Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
    • I have not been gaming in a long long time(6-7yrs) and am looking to get back.
  • Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
    • Gaming - 1920x1080
    • Desktop - 1920X1080
  • Q: Are you looking to overclock?
    • Yes In the future may be.
  • Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
    • Windows 7 64 bit

Because of budget constraints, I'd like to go for the best Mobo/PSU that I can get for my current budget, and upgrade the procy to i5 2500k later along with the gfx card! Kindly do give me your suggestions for this approach!
 
CPU- i5 2320-9.5k OR i5 2400-10.5k

Mobo-Intel DH67BL-B3-5.6k

Ram-Corsair Value Ram 4gb-1.2k

PSU-Fsp saga ii 400W-1.8k OR Corsair CX430V2-2.2k[While adding gpu do change the psu equivalent to the gpu]

CASE-Nzxt gamma-2.1k

DVD drive-Samsung OR Asus DVD R/W-1k

Keyboard/Mouse-Logitech K200 Kit-0.7k

Hope this helps.
 
Jakob said:
CPU- i5 2320-9.5k OR i5 2400-10.5k

Mobo-Intel DH67BL-B3-5.6k

Ram-Corsair Value Ram 4gb-1.2k

PSU-Fsp saga ii 400W-1.8k OR Corsair CX430V2-2.2k[While adding gpu do change the psu equivalent to the gpu]

CASE-Nzxt gamma-2.1k

DVD drive-Samsung OR Asus DVD R/W-1k

Keyboard/Mouse-Logitech K200 Kit-0.7k

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Hey,

To continue further from the main thread,

I realize I don't really need the 2500k for the current setup, I can't help but eye it!

What would your views be on the following upgrade path.

-Cpu - i3 2100 ->( Will change to 2500k in a month or so)

-Mobo - z68 based mobo keeping in view the coming i5 - ~10k ?

EDIT: Shortlisted a few!

MSI Z68A-GD55

Asus P8P67-M-Pro - 10,045

Asus P8Z68-M-Pro - 9984

Asus P8Z67-V-LE - 10505

Giga GAZ68AP-D3 - 9256

Giga GAZ68XP-UD3R - 11725

-Ram - Corsair Value RAM 4Gb - 1.2k

-PSU - Would like to go in for a higher watt psu right away, rather than upgrade later, do suggest! (30amps on 12V rail)

-Case - CoolMaster 311/Nzxt gamma

Rest same.
 
Mobo-Asus P8P67-M-Pro-9.5k

Case-Nzxt gamma-2.1k

Psu-Seasonic S12ii 520W-3.6k OR Corsair VX550W-4.5k

Hope this helps.
 
Z68 chipsets are little high in price that's why suggested a p67 mobo,if you want z68 then Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z-13k

is a great option.
 
rakesh_ic said:
how about Asus P8Z68 - M Pro ?? i think it fits in 10K and a Z68 board too..
Click to expand...

I have been unable to find reviews for that board.. I tight it would make sense to go in for a z68 board that supports ivy when it comes out.

Even the P8Z68-V-LE looks good.. Has two more USB III headers.

Between Gigabyte and Asus, which is more overclock friendly?

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk
 
Spy king said:
Between Gigabyte and Asus, which is more overclock friendly?
Click to expand...

Between Gigabyte and ASUS, I would recommend ASUS for over-clocking and ease of use [due to its UEFI setup -- http://en.wikipedia....mware_Interface / http://www.neoseeker...asus_uefi_bios/], for reliability and after sales support I will recommend Gigabyte.

Also I find build quality of both the companies is at par, so purchase of the motherboard is subject to your discretion, availability in your area et al.

If you plan to buy the graphics card and requisite CPU later down the line, I will recommend you overhaul your whole set-up around mid-April, the AMD HD 78** series will be out and that will figure in your budget and will need a lot of accommodating, for that I'll give you a final configuration for purchase then --

Intel Core i5 2500k ~13500/- + Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO ~2400/- http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/coolermaster-hyper-212-evo.html

ASUS P8Z68M-PRO [OR equivalent motherboard] http://www.flipkart.com/asus-p8z68-m-pro-motherboard/p/itmd4g9hebzaj7z5?pid=MBDD4G9GQ6ZPJDRR&_l=sQAdpMbziS0EZ_yHohYGtg--&_r=4i2sGH4JnPfN3hq4fLvWpw--&ref=3861f5be-7e69-4726-b6c1-d615b34fac27 ~9500/-

G.Skill RIPJAWS 4GB x 2 1600MHz ~3400/-

AMD HD 78** ~ pricing is not sure but expect around $250 --> $300 mark

Seasonic S12II 520W ~3500/- http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=185

Corsair Carbide 400R ~5500/- http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Corsair/Carbide_400R/ OR NZXT Tempest EVO ~5600/- http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Tempest_EVO/ OR NZXT Gamma ~2600/- http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nzxt_gamma/

APC BR1.1 KVA-IN ~4800/-

Don't go for Corsair Value RAM because of the following reason -- http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I think we confirmed what we pretty much knew all along: Sandy Bridge's improved memory controller has all but eliminated the need for extreme memory bandwidth, at least for this architecture. It's only when you get down to DDR3-1333 that you see a minor performance penalty. The sweet spot appears to be at DDR3-1600, where you will see a minor performance increase over DDR3-1333 with only a slight increase in cost. The performance increase gained by going up to DDR3-1866 or DDR3-2133 isn't nearly as pronounced.[/font]
Click to expand...

Hope this helps, Cheers!!
 
Hey!

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the opportunity to get RAM from the US. How is Gskill Sniper RAM 1866 or if you could suggest some Corsair RAM, newegg has 10% off on Corsair..

Also, any cons in getting the processor also from newegg or such?
 
Spy king said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have the opportunity to get RAM from the US. How is Gskill Sniper RAM 1866 or if you could suggest some Corsair RAM, newegg has 10% off on Corsair..

Also, any cons in getting the processor also from newegg or such?
Click to expand...

No real need to invest in RAM above 1600MHz as you are going to over-clock the PC so will push it as far as it goes. Also here is another reason why 1600MHz kits are the best value for money --> http://www.xbitlabs....ridge-ddr3.html / http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3.

If you are going for Corsair RAM modules, go for the Corsair Vengeance [low height heat-spreaders edition] 1600MHz OR Corsair XMS3 1600MHz.

I don't have any experience with newegg, so let the others pour in their opinion.

Getting the processor from newegg is fine as AMD and Intel both carry International warranty [based on S/N on the PiB].

Hope this clarifies your doubts, Cheers!!
 
Shall look at 1600MHz Ram..

Which would be a better bet for finding good prices? Chennai or Bangalore? I know a couple of shops in Chennai.

Also. where can I get the Seasonic Bronze 520 @ 3500?

IF I can stretch till 13k for the board, what should I get?

Any reason not to get MSI if available?

Sorry, been a while, want a super vfm upgrade
<


Thanks!
 
Spy king said:
Shall look at 1600MHz Ram..

Which would be a better bet for finding good prices? Chennai or Bangalore? I know a couple of shops in Chennai.

Also. where can I get the Seasonic Bronze 520 @ 3500?

IF I can stretch till 13k for the board, what should I get?

Any reason not to get MSI if available?

Sorry, been a while, want a super vfm upgrade
<
Click to expand...

I think in Bangalore you will get all the components I mentioned at reasonable rates [more OR less what I have mentioned].

You might get the Seasonic S12II 520W ~3700/- in Bangalore.

ALPHA17 said:
No Intel Sandy-Bridge chipset supports 1600MHz and above RAM modules, you will have to adjust this manually in the BIOS options for RAM.

Here is a flow-chart for Intel Sandy-Bridge P67 / H67 chipsets + Core i7 2600k specifications chart --

P67_block-diagram_450x408.jpg


H67_block-diagram_450x408.jpg


Intel Core i7 2600k Product Brief .
Click to expand...

Nothing against MSi, but the build quality is not as good as ASUS / Gigabyte OR Intel. Speaking from personal experience.

Hope this helps, Cheers!!
 
Hey!

I was just about to go ahead and purchase the stuff, and now the z77 has come out.

Is it worth going for a z77 board over the z68 and in the coming months upgrade to ivy?

IF so, anyone got suggestions for which board to go for?

Thanks!
 
You will need to wait till June in that case to see how it plays out then.

If you want to want native support for USB 3.0 and SATA III ports, then I urge you wait for the Ivy-Bridge family to release. There are currently no motherboard that are out [H77 / Z77 et al] so making a recommendation is like shooting at jets with a 9mm Tokarev hoping to bring the jet down, which is pointless.

Hope this helps, Cheers!!
 
Back
Top