CPU/Mobo upgrade suggestions

**Nanny de Bodemloze** · February 02, 2011, 01:21 AM

Hi everyone

My wife wants an upgrade in anticipation of Sims2 Medieval

, which means she will get my current CPU and mobo (i7 930/Asus P6T) + my RAM and PS, and I'll get the real upgrade to run Shogun2 and do my vid thing.

What I am looking for is a CPU/mobo combo that takes advantage of the opportunity for an upgrade but won't blast my budget. My needs:
- modest OC'ing ability (using either quality air or water) but nothing hardcore
- reliable Raid0 capability
- USB3
- Intel (not AMD)...I've found them reliable, personal preference
- size doesn't matter...I'll get a large case

I'm not against getting another i7 930, if that is the best value for money at the moment...but I will definitely make a mobo change from the P6T I've been used to (it doesn't meet my above needs). I'm not sure which socket I should be looking at...I'm looking for a smart upgrade that meets the above needs, but nothing outrageous. Plus, the Sandy Bridge news looks a little alarming and I'm not sure how to factor that into my options.

Sooooooo...given all that, what cpu/mobo combo would you guys suggest?

cheers and thanks in advance!

Nanny

**mrcrusty** · February 02, 2011, 01:37 AM

Get back to us in a couple months. I'd suggest a Sandy Bridge system but Intel are trying to fix a problem with the chipset. Until they do, many people are returning their motherboards and online retailers have pulled stock of the current motherboards.

Your other choices are another x58 based system, a P55 based system or an AM3 based system.

AMD

Intel X58

Intel P55

I'd go with the X58 system. No mere mortal can afford the Intel Hex Core CPUs and LGA 1155 Sandy Bridge is out so the i7 950 and Sabertooh is the most powerful and familiar combination for you.

Oh and don't ratbag on Sims Medieval, it looks quite interesting.

**ROFL Copter** · February 02, 2011, 03:22 AM

Go AMD. You wont regret it. Mostly. As long as you don't think about how much better Intel is you won't regret it...

**mrcrusty** · February 02, 2011, 04:53 AM

Come to think of it, AMD may be better period. The Hex Core Phenom IIs really shine when it comes to things like video encoding.

**Freddie** · February 02, 2011, 07:12 AM

I would wait until Intel fixes this issue with Sandy Bridge I can't see this takeing a long time. When do you need this new system?

**Devilmaypoop** · February 02, 2011, 08:09 AM

Or wait for Bulldozer and get one if all the hype is true.

**Nanny de Bodemloze** · February 02, 2011, 10:57 AM

OK thanks everyone - I've learned alot here researching your suggestions

I need this by early March (my wife wants this all yesterday, but I tried explaining the SandyBridge problem)

I think I've settled on the cpu that suits my needs:

Intel Core I7 2600K 3.4Ghz 8MB LGA1155 (SandyBridge)

My computer store around the corner has one for $344 (Cdn) which is about my price range.

By March, according to the literature, the fixed LGA1155 socket mobos should be shipped out...we'll see.

So, if I go with that cpu, is there any particular mobo that anybody would recommend, or one that you know of that has a bad name?

Again, thanks everyone for your help here

**Big Boss** · February 02, 2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Nanny de Bodemloze

OK thanks everyone - I've learned alot here researching your suggestions

I need this by early March (my wife wants this all yesterday, but I tried explaining the SandyBridge problem)

I think I've settled on the cpu that suits my needs:

Intel Core I7 2600K 3.4Ghz 8MB LGA1155 (SandyBridge)

My computer store around the corner has one for $344 (Cdn) which is about my price range.

By March, according to the literature, the fixed LGA1155 socket mobos should be shipped out...we'll see.

So, if I go with that cpu, is there any particular mobo that anybody would recommend, or one that you know of that has a bad name?

Again, thanks everyone for your help here

Going from X58 to P67 is mostly a sidestep. If money isn't an issue, then yes by all means do it up, because there is a slight boost in performance, even if the monetary investment isn't worth the small boost.

If you want to save money I'd consider getting her an AM3 chip, a P55, or a low-mid range P67, such as the i5 2400. Any of those would be plenty for Sims Medieval.

**Nanny de Bodemloze** · February 02, 2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Big Boss

Going from X58 to P67 is mostly a sidestep. If money isn't an issue, then yes by all means do it up, because there is a slight boost in performance, even if the monetary investment isn't worth the small boost.

If you want to save money I'd consider getting her an AM3 chip, a P55, or a low-mid range P67, such as the i5 2400. Any of those would be plenty for Sims Medieval.

oh no sorry, I should have re-iterated...I am giving her my P6T mobo, and I thought I'd just give her my i7 930, and then buy a new cpu/mobo for myself. She likes Sims and Civ5 so that setup should do her nicely.

However, my needs are a bit more extreme

Plus, when the wife says "I'll take your stuff, you go out and buy new stuff for yourself" that's a friggin 00 licence to kill in my book

**Big Boss** · February 02, 2011, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Nanny de Bodemloze

oh no sorry, I should have re-iterated...I am giving her my P6T mobo, and I thought I'd just give her my i7 930, and then buy a new cpu/mobo for myself. She likes Sims and Civ5 so that setup should do her nicely.

No, no, I got it. I was just trying to say that a 930 is overkill for either of those games. If you got her an AM3 and 955 BE for instance, you could put the money you saved from getting the 2600k and get a better GPU. That will do faar more than a CPU upgrade.

However, my needs are a bit more extreme

Plus, when the wife says "I'll take your stuff, you go out and buy new stuff for yourself" that's a friggin 00 licence to kill in my book

**Nanny de Bodemloze** · February 02, 2011, 01:51 PM

OK ok...well, gpu's aren't a problem...I run a 5970 2gig, and she'll be crossfiring a couple of older ATI cards.

But you've got me thinking

**ROFL Copter** · February 02, 2011, 08:45 PM

Why in the holy hell does she need an i7 for Sims 3?
DOES NOT COMPUTE

Keep your system for yourself, its amazing. It will kill any Total War game. Honestly, Total War could run on a GPU made from duct tape and used tampons, its all CPU. Buy her a cheap system for her basic gaming. Your being ridiculous.

**Nanny de Bodemloze** · February 02, 2011, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by ROFL Copter

Why in the holy hell does she need an i7 for Sims 3?
DOES NOT COMPUTE

Keep your system for yourself, its amazing. It will kill any Total War game. Honestly, Total War could run on a GPU made from duct tape and used tampons, its all CPU. Buy her a cheap system for her basic gaming. Your being ridiculous.

Well, I do other stuff than just TW, but point taken...I'm going to quote you in my email to her

Good idea though