Frank_Rizzo - 5:53 pm on Mar 2, 2011 (gmt 0)

You will notice a distinct speed difference with that rig compared to what you have now. Here are a few more observations:

1. Can you wait 2/3 weeks?

The new AMD Bulldozer cores will be announced / released and this will have the effect of lowering the prices of the existing AMD line.

2. RAM is dirt cheap now. You could upgrade to 8Gb but make sure you have Windows 7 as Vista / XP won't see more than ~3.5Gb.

3. If you split the disks do not bother with RAID as you won't need the speed. Use the SSD for the O/S and the HDs for your data and apps (although you would probably be able to fit the O/S and all your apps on the SSD).

4. GFX does seem over the top if you are not a hardcore gamer. Go for something which runs cooler / has a quiet fan, say 5#*$! series.

5. PSU seems over the top. You could get away with 500W. Look on the AMD site. I think there is a page which you can use to determine best power usage for CPU, Mobo, Ram, GFX. Again go for one which is quiet.

6. The stock cooler would be fine but I would go for a third party cooler. Order the OEM chip. This would be cheaper and not come with the stock cooler. You can then choose something which is quieter.

Water cooling is so much easier now as you can buy complete sealed units for the CPU. Something like the Corsair H50 would do well but make sure it would fit in your case.


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Sandybridge rig.

I presume you are aware of the sandubridge (cougar town) motherboard recall?

New motherboards without the flaw are now being shipped so if you are going that route make sure the mobo is revision 3 else you will have to swap it out within the next 3 months.

I have been with AMD for the past 10 years but jumped ship back to Intel purely for the overclockability of Sandybridge. It really is an amazing overclocker and excellent value for money. I was tempted to wait for Bulldozer but seeing how well the 2500K clocked I had to get one.