Buying New PC - Advice Needed About CPU and Motherboard and Videocard

[pixela]

Hi,
Finally I will have a new pc.
It will be a no-name, built pc and I have 2 proposals from 2 different computer shops.
I am really bad about hardware knowledge and all the details so I would like to ask your opinions, your recommendations about parts or whole or any notice about anything.

Here are the 2 proposals:
__________________________________________________ ___________________
PC1
Intel Core i7 960 3.20DC 4.8GT/Sec 1366Pin 8Mb Box
ASUS RAMPAGE III FORMULA DDR3 2xPCI-Ex16 GLan
4GB DDR3 1333MHz CL9 Kingston (Single Modül) x 6
Asus ENGTX460 DirectCU (256Bit)1GB GDDR5 2DVI HDMI
1 TB SEAGATE 7200rpm 32MB NCQ SATA3 6Gb/s Hdd
Raidmax MONSTER ATX WB BLACK 1.0mm Alumi. NO PSU
PowerSupply FSP-700W Epsilon Active PFC

1560 USD+ 18% VAT
__________________________________________________ ______________

PC2

CPU	BX80623I72600	INTEL LGA1155,Core i7-2600,3.40GHz,8MB Cache
MAINBOARD	P8P67-M-PRO	ASUS SC-1155, HP67,SES,LAN,SATA,DDR3,USB 3.0
RAM	KHX1333C7AD3K2/8G	Kingston HyperX 8 GB (2x4GB) 1333 MHz DDR3 Kit CL7 Memory CAS Delay Süresi CL 7-7-7-20
HDD	ST31000524AS	SEAGATE 1 TB (1000GB), 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache,SATA3,6 GB/sNCQ,
VGA	GV-N460OC-1GI	GIGABYTE VGA 1GB FERMI GF GTX 460 GDDR5 3D 256BIT
BOX	AE-VXR-LE	AEROCOOL VX-R LE Mid-Tower 3 Fan 14+2x12cm Fan Control 730W Box,

1168 USD + 18% VAT
__________________________________________________ __________________


VIDEOCARD:
I am planning to buy :

Gigabyte Nvidia GTX460 1GB 256Bit GDDR5 (DirectX 11) PCI-E 2.0 Video Card GV-N460OC-1G
224 USD + 18% VAT

What do you think?
__________________________________________________ __________________________

Is it better to have a motherboard
- with 6 RAM slots- supporting 24 GB max
- or 4 RAM Slots - supporting 32 GB max ?

But I hear that there are not any 8gb memory modules at the moment. And it make take 1-2 years for they arrive to my country.
I am confused which one to choose.
I will be very thankful for comments.

Cheers everyone

[MoonDoggie]

Pixela,

Some thoughts, not having investigated the specific hardware.

Top down, most important components to least:

CPU:
I'd go with the 2600K, which seems to be outperforming almost everything. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/1
It has hyperthreading and allows for very modest (and it mentions easy) overclocks at 4.4ghz all on air cooling.

MB:
Love Asus, no suggestions there. If you're planning on doing a multi-gpu setup, get a motherboard with multiple x16 lanes for the cards, note: I have 2x GTX 460s and they make my case EXTREMELY hot because of the configuration and how close they are to touching, all newer Nvidia cards run much cooler than the GTX 460s, if I could suggest a newer one .

Is it better to have a motherboard
- with 6 RAM slots- supporting 24 GB max
- or 4 RAM Slots - supporting 32 GB max ?

Depends on how much ram you'll be putting in it . Some MBs have different configurations (dual channel/triple channel RAM), which is why some have 6 slots (triple channel), 4 slots (double), but I believe there isn't a performance difference, just a maximum amount of RAM.

But I hear that there are not any 8gb memory modules at the moment. And it make take 1-2 years for they arrive to my country.

How much RAM do you need!?! 24GB is fine for 95% of (3d) users imho.

Be well!
-Colin

[lukx]

My dream machine specs are:

Asus MAXIMUS IV EXTREME REV 3.0 mobo
p2600k cpu
crucial ram
seasonic x-850 PSU
EVGA Geforce 590 GTX

[pixela]

Thanks for replies These are very helpful feedback for me!

Pixela,

all newer Nvidia cards run much cooler than the GTX 460s, if I could suggest a newer one .

Yes please suggest newer ones as well and I can check if it is sold in my country or I can check the price.


About RAM: Yes at the moment I have 8GB RAM and feel that 16GB (4x4GB) will be great at the moment. More RAM means that I can put more detail (more poly's , objects, textures etc) in my scenes. Few years ago when I had my pc, I thought 8GB will be adequate and it was for long time. But every year my scenes get more detailed and eating RAM. I can't upgrade my pc frequently so I must use this one few years. So who knows 16 GB will be adequate in few years? If the 8GB ones are in the market in a reasonable price in few years, then I can have 4x8GB or I must choose the 6 slot Motherboard and have 24GB now.

[lukx]

hmm...I'm still using 8GB. But most ram sticks are 4GB so on 4 slots max you can have nowadays is 16GB. But also the mainboards are ready for 32 so it's just matter of time when 8GB sticks show up. SO I think for now 16 is enough and when 8GB sticks show up you can just swap it.

[pixela]

Yes I thought the same. Now 16 GB will be great. And in few years, I can make it 32 GB.
Because the CPU in the 4slot Mainboard seems to be better than the other one.

[lukx]

And cheaper !!!

[ior=0]

The Kingston HyperX RAM have a great CL7-7-7-7 which means it's fast. You should also make sure they are matched kit (which they probably will be).
Don't forget your CPU aircooling, make sure that is a quality fan that is quiet.
Same goes for the case, I have x2 of these:
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=48
they are very quiet, even if you had a couple of their fans on the front intake, which will give you more than enough cooling for a bit of overclocking. They are also cheaper that some of the more branded boxed, honestly they great some great reviews too.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/rv02-e...w-32201-4.html

[lukx]

Yeah for CPU cooling in my opinion the best thing is: Thermalright Venomus
http://www.thermalright.com/products...t_id=27&id=177

regarding cases anything form here: http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...tower&area=usa

[pixela]

Thanks for all these tips guys.

So do you think the i7 2600 cpu is the best one in that price range?

[lukx]

thanks for all these tips guys.

So do you think the i7 2600 cpu is the best one in that price range?

no question about it !!!
the best thing since sliced bread
But if you buy it and you won't be happy , you can always give it to me

[pixela]

no question about it !!!
the best thing since sliced bread
But if you buy it and you won't be happy , you can always give it to me

Very glad to hear this!
And as clear as it can be for a hardware dumb like me!

[pixela]

Guys one more question:

RAM:
CL7 1333 mHz
or
CL9 1600 mHz?

Which one should I choose?
I heard that they are better when CL value is low and mHz value is high but can't find anything that has both specifications. These are the ones I can find on the market.

[Morne]

The difference between them is so small that I dont think you will notice it much. Maybe couple of seconds on a large render.

[pixela]

Thanks DVP3D.

Now another question:

My current PSU is Silverstone SST-ST75ZF 750 Watt.

New one will be Absolute 1000W 80+Certified.
Is this ok?