Hardware Compatibility

I'm heading off to college next fall, and I would to build a new computer by the time classes my start. I've already prepared a list of some hardware that might be suitable for this particular build. Keep in mind that it's mostly going to be used for gaming. I want your opinions, about the hardware I chose and if it's compatible with everything. Things become outdated quickly in the computer world, so would it be a better idea to hold off until it's July or August? If you have any suggestions, please feel free to post!

Some of the titles I'll be playing:

• Diablo III
• World of Warcraft
• Battlefield 3
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

What I've chosen thus far:
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131735

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150588

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

 

Well, I would go with the Intel set up over an AMD setup.

CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701

Go with the i5 or if you have a big budget you can go i7 but the i5 has all that you need. Also the p8p67 mobo is what I recommend to everyone. Overclocking and managing in the BIOS is beautiful and so user friendly. If you are concerned about pricing or want something even better, the Ivy Bridge chips are set to be released next month and even if you do not want it, Im sure it will lower prices on sandy bridged chips slightly.

Also keep in mind the Vengeance RAM is very large. If you plan on using a non stock cooler and over clocking you will need either a H-80 or 60 water cooler or low profile ram to be safe with spacing.

 

I don't understand why you wouldn't rather have the AMD eight-core processor. Would installing a water cooling system be difficult for someone who's never actually assembled a computer before? I'll probably wait and use an Ivy Bridge chip. And how's the GPU, would it be worthwhile to invest in a better card now?

 

Well, as of now it can not compete with the Sandy Bridged chips. Majority of the time, things such as games do not use over 4 cores. AMD has really had a falling out in my opinion, I would have taken their older chips like the Phenom II over any intel chip but that are now lagging behind. Of course I do not know if you will need all of those cores but even if you do, I would still go with the i5 or i7. The h60 and h80 water cooling systems are self contained meaning that all you have to do is open the box, mount it to the motherboard and secure it to the back, then mount the fan and radiator. Incredibly easy and the smaller H60 is keeping my 4.5 clock at 50c and idles at about 26c. Your Gpu is nice and actually the exact one I am looking at for my next build.

 

Go with a 2500k build.. The fact is that Intel has superior architecture to AMD. Sure, the AMD has 8 cores, but it's meaningless when a quad core sandy bridge practically ties with it on many if not all benchmarks.

 

Okay, that's actually really good to know about the 8-core processors. I'm glad I waited and looked for advice before making any purchases. As for the water cooling systems, I hope it makes a big difference in the life of the hardware. This thing has to be last a long time and be able to handle the games that will be released over the next few years. I'm going to an out-of-state school and the tuition is high, so I won't have much money for upgrading the hardware.

I'm probably going to end up getting the i7-2600k.


To both of you:
Thanks for your advice in choosing out the parts for my upcoming build. I'm not quite ready for it yet, but I feel like I've come out knowing much more and am better prepared to assemble the computer once I get to that point. You two seem very knowledgeable in this area.

 

Excellent choice

 

the ram is a bit overkill

 

Yeah the RAM is kinda overkill for gaming, 8GB is the max you need for gaming. Anything more than that is just bragging rights unless you run a lot of RS bots or something like that.

 

Maybe for some. It all depends on how he uses his computer.. I sometimes find myself with so many tabs open I'm occupying like 7 GB of ram. Virtual machines can use a lot too if you're into that sort of thing.

 

As suggested AMD set-up would be the better option. AMD machines tend to be cheaper to build but can still rival any Intel Machine! they do good quality products, just look around for the best prices.

 

Not anymore. Bulldozer is shit. If the 1055T was still available and SB + SB-E weren't released and we weren't months away from IB, I'd say alright. But recommending anyone and AMD setup now is a bit ridiculous.

 

No way. Cheaper? Yes. Rival intel machine? No. I have a friend that works for AMD, he said the new chips were rushed out into production. I do have a feeling that the next chips they send out are going to be pretty good though.

 

Please explain how it would be a better option. Also, name one AMD processor that compares to even the i5 2500k? I don't think you understand what the word rival means, otherwise you wouldn't have made that an exclamatory sentence. Don't say something against everyone else in the thread in a situation like this without backing it up.

Exactly what AMD wants their fans to think.

 

That was not meant as from a fans perspective, I do feel like they will be better because they HAVE to make a solid chip to have any kind of a chance to compete with Intel.

 

I'd be very surprised if it were the case he needed to have an extra 8GB of RAM solely because he wants to have like 400 Chrome tabs open lol. I'm not saying 16GB is useless, definitely not, it's just not necessary for what he outlined in the OP.