Time for a change - Ongoing project log

[BigIan88]

So, I've been through what some may consider 'alot' of hardware in 2012 ranging from a change from AMD to Intel, at least 3 cases, 3 motherboards, 4 different kits of memory, 4 different cpu coolers, 5 GPU configurations, custom water cooling, 2 sound cards, 3 PSU's, 2 mice, 3 keyboards, 5 monitors, 2 headsets & 2 speaker systems.

To put an end to all of this change (which has been fun but quite an expensive venture!) i'm looking to put together one build, that im totally happy with to see me through the duration of 2013 with very little change - this is where you guys come in.

I have an idea in mind, which I now realise isnt exactly unique but im hoping the way I execute it and make some subtle customisation options - set it aside from similar builds.

To achieve the build I want, I need to spec a system that not only looks the part but has the horsepower to achieve the high performance I expect from investing such money in a PC.


My set up is currently:

CPU - i5 2500k
Motherboard - Asus Maximus Extreme IV P67
Memory - 16GB Custom Mushkin Ridgeback 2133Mhz
Storage - 256GB Crucial M4 SSD , 2x 2TB WD Green
GPU - HIS 3GB 7950
PSU - 1200W Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold
CPU Cooling - Antec Kuhler 620
Case - Corsair Vengeance C70
Monitor - 27" Asus VE278 LED
Mouse - Logitech G9x
Keyboard - Steelseries 6Gv2


The idea I have in mind, is as follows:

CPU - i5 3570K
Motherboard - MSI Mpower Z77
Memory - 16GB Mushkin Radioactive 1600mhz or 16GB Geil EVO Corsa 2400mhz
Storage - 256GB Crucial M4 SSD, 4x 2TB WD Green
GPU - MSI 7970 Lightning
PSU - 1200W Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold
CPU cooling - H100i or custom water cooling (again)
Case - Corsair Carbide 500R (Acrylic painted to match the yellow memory & with black racing stripes down each side panel, diagonally)
Monitor - 27" Asus VE278 LED
Mouse – Recommendation required – must have a little yellow in its colour
Keyboard - Recommendation required – must be mechanical and not have macro keys to the left.

Codename: Bumblebee

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I have already bought the case and some Corsair SP 120mm fans (I will spray the removable inlet yellow). After xmas I will be looking to sell off most of my current build and sourcing the new parts ready for this project. I anticipate this will take until the end of February to complete due to xmas and January bills so I will be visiting this thread quite frequently.

Is there any advice, recommendations or changes you can offer?

 

[jamesriley94]

Tbh, that isn't really an upgrade much. In gaming I doubt you'll even see a difference since your current set up will max out pretty much every game at 1920x1080.

I'd stick with what you have for a few more months, maybe get the H100i and overclock a little more. But you really aren't gunna see much in terms of performance change in doing this. Wait for Haswell and the 8XXX series of AMD gpus.

 

[BigIan88]

The GPU is always interchangeable - more so if im watercooling everything as the cooling shroud colour is then irrelevant as the GPU block would take care of that.

Im not looking for a massive performance update as the build I have now easily handles most things I throw at it - this is more of a personal touch, something that looks nice aswell as performs well.

I've had a few B&W builds which have been great and I made the mistake to sell my case and temporarily use another - which ive been stuck with and really dislike.

 

[jamesriley94]

The GPU is always interchangeable - more so if im watercooling everything as the cooling shroud colour is then irrelevant as the GPU block would take care of that.

Im not looking for a massive performance update as the build I have now easily handles most things I throw at it - this is more of a personal touch, something that looks nice aswell as performs well.

I've had a few B&W builds which have been great and I made the mistake to sell my case and temporarily use another - which ive been stuck with and really dislike.

Well regardless, maybe make the aesthetic changes like the case, cables etc..

But I'd save the big parts for the next gen stuff so you can at least benefit from an upgrade. You're spending a lot of money there for just a change in aesthetics.

If you waited like 3/4 months, you could spend the same kind of money and get the next generation kit.

Obviously up to you - but I just see it as a bit of a waste of money tbh.

 

[Roooker]

If you are already using a 2500k and you wanna upgrade, i would go with an 3770k because the difference between 2500k and 3570k is not that significant. Maybe 10-15 percent. The 3770k however will perform much much bettter then an 2500k and even a 3570k

 

[jamesriley94]

If you are already using a 2500k and you wanna upgrade, i would go with an 3770k because the difference between 2500k and 3570k is not that significant. Maybe 10-15 percent. The 3770k however will perform much much bettter then an 2500k and even a 3570k

Not true...
The only difference between the 3570k and 3770k is hyperthreading, which no games at the moment can take advantage of.
You'd see no difference whatsoever in gaming between the 3570k and 3770k.
The only time hyperthreading is actually used is in video rendering and CPU intensive apps like that, where they are coded to use all possible cores/threads of the processor.

As for the 2500k vs 3570k, 10-15% is incredibly optimistic. You'd be pretty lucky to see 5%, and overclocks would probably negate that anyway.

 

[Feronix]

^Exactly what James said.

I also agree that you're spending a lot of money for components that are barely even an upgrade :\

 

[Roooker]

He didnt mention what he was going to do with his rig. Your right the 3770k only performs better when it comes to audio/video encoding and rendering simply because there are more cores that can calculate simultaneously.

 

[BigIan88]

Time for a small update!

Been playing around with Sketchup over the weekend and came up with this so far (Still a WIP - not to scale)

To do:

Add stripes to window side.
Find a way to convex the side panels to accurately represent the side panels of the 500R.
Add Autobots badges to exterior of case (1 solid black logo painted on each side panel and yellow LED backlit logo featured behind front intake fan mesh)
Texture the paint to the exact colour I will be using (Sunrise Pearl PBC30)


For now - I`ll be concentrating mostly on the case which will take a few weeks for me to source materials, equipment, paints and of course, finding the time to practice on cheap used cases I have laying around (I dont want to rush into it ).

The internal components are unimportant at this stage

 

[BigIan88]

A few small updates - I`ll be making a start on the case next weekend

Black and Yellow extension cables

Slightly tinted Acrylic window (3mm) with U-bend test fitted - Edges will be rounded off and the U-bend will be fitted properly when I get going.

All black 90cm round sata cables, no more inconsistency or right angled Sata cables (Words cannot explain how much I dislike them!)

More to come over the next few days

 

[yassarikhan786]

The black and yellow cables do look the danglies

 

[seumasbeathan]

So did you listen to what James said, He is right you know, no point in any of the upgrades really, especially the cpu