Upgrade to Ivy Bridge?

[StockDC2]

Hello, I am currently using an AMD Phenom II X4 945 paired with a Gigabyte GA-770-UD3 motherboard. An opportunity has fallen onto me where I can purchase an i5 3570K and ASRock Z77 Extreme 6 for $185. I figure I can sell my current CPU and motherboard for $85 which will make my upgrade $100.

The AMD is "enough" but has started choking when it comes to big files in PS. Will the i5 run noticeably better?

PS aside, what do you guys think about the deal?

I've been out of the loop (as you can tell by my CPU ) so any input is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[lehtv]

Grab it. $185 for 3570K and Extreme6 is dirt cheap.

The i5 should run hotter because Intels just do that, but they're designed that way so it's completely fine. With stock cooling you should expect about 80C at 100% load.

What are the rest of your PC's specs?

 

[Essence_of_War]

That sounds like a sick deal, I'd take it!

 

[StockDC2]

Hello, thanks so much for the prompt responses.

The rest of the PC specs are as follows:

Memory: 8GB of Patriot Viper Xtreme Series Division 2 Edition
SSD : Intel 320 256GB
GPU1: eVGA GTX 560 2GB Superclocked
GPU2: eVGA GTX 560 2GB Superclocked
PSU: eVGA 600B
Case: Corsair 200R

I'm not into gaming anymore but I'm tempted to upgrade my video cards anyway. I was thinking something along the lines of a single 7870 or 7950? I will be using 2 Dell S2340M monitors.

 

[lehtv]

When you upgrade to Ivy Bridge, make sure to set your RAM to 1.5V. It's specced for 1600 MHz @ 1.65V by default so you will probably have to downclock it to 1333 MHz to get it stable at 1.5V.

You must be using two molex to PCIe adapters to run those cards with just a 600W PSU. The cards require 2x6-pin each, and the PSU only provides 2x8-pin, correct? I'd be a little concerned to run that, given that the unit is manufactured by HEC. However, JonnyGuru gave the EVGA 500B a fairly good score, so by conjecture the 600B is similarly well performing. And the unit does have 588W on the +12V... I'm just mainly concerned about the mediocre capacitors - how long is it gonna last until the capacitors start to choke under that dual GPU load?

So yes I think an upgrade to a single powerful GPU is a good idea. If located in the US: Sapphire 7950 $200 AR. Performance should equal, or with overclocking, surpass, that of 560 SLI.

BTW connect the secondary monitor to your Ivy Bridge iGPU.

 

[StockDC2]

Hello, I believe that the i5 3570K is an Ivy Bridge no?

I haven't used the 2nd graphics card yet. I also just received the case and PSU today from Newegg. I'll keep that in mind about the graphics card though. I'll most likely just run 1 if I have to use the molex adapters.

Thanks so much for the advice on the memory. I'll be sure to downclock it and set it to the proper timings/speed/voltage.

 

[lehtv]

Sorry yes, Ivy Bridge . Edited my post.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Sweet deal as long as the mobo works well. Hope you jumped on it.

 

[StockDC2]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up purchasing the components yesterday and finished the build last night. Currently using my old monitor (1440x900 :O). All I need are my IPS monitors to come in so I can see this thing in action!

 

[isawthedevil]

nice

 

[StockDC2]

When you upgrade to Ivy Bridge, make sure to set your RAM to 1.5V. It's specced for 1600 MHz @ 1.65V by default so you will probably have to downclock it to 1333 MHz to get it stable at 1.5V.

You must be using two molex to PCIe adapters to run those cards with just a 600W PSU. The cards require 2x6-pin each, and the PSU only provides 2x8-pin, correct? I'd be a little concerned to run that, given that the unit is manufactured by HEC. However, JonnyGuru gave the EVGA 500B a fairly good score, so by conjecture the 600B is similarly well performing. And the unit does have 588W on the +12V... I'm just mainly concerned about the mediocre capacitors - how long is it gonna last until the capacitors start to choke under that dual GPU load?

So yes I think an upgrade to a single powerful GPU is a good idea. If located in the US: Sapphire 7950 $200 AR. Performance should equal, or with overclocking, surpass, that of 560 SLI.

BTW connect the secondary monitor to your Ivy Bridge iGPU.

Hi lehtv,

I was just wondering if reducing the memory speed and voltage is necessary. The computer is running fine at the default memory settings but I don't want to keep doing so if something is being harmed.

Please let me know ASAP.

Thanks!

 

[lehtv]

Having it run at 1.65V doesn't automatically mean it will damage something, but I would still run it at 1.5V just to be on the safe side. The memory controller (located on the CPU die) is designed for 1.5V, and running it at 1.65V essentially voids your CPU's warranty, so it's plausible to think there's some risk involved in doing it. Running the RAM at a few hundred MHz higher isn't worth that risk.

I'm actually running 1333Mhz RAM in my Ivy Bridge setup, no complaints here

 

[StockDC2]

Having it run at 1.65V doesn't automatically mean it will damage something, but I would still run it at 1.5V just to be on the safe side. The memory controller (located on the CPU die) is designed for 1.5V, and running it at 1.65V essentially voids your CPU's warranty, so it's plausible to think there's some risk involved in doing it. Running the RAM at a few hundred MHz higher isn't worth that risk.

I'm actually running 1333Mhz RAM in my Ivy Bridge setup, no complaints here

Awesome, thanks so much for the simple and brief explanation. The settings have been changed .

I was taking a look at CPU-Z to make sure that all the changes went as expected and noticed this:

Is there a possibility of the memory running at 1600 @ 1.5 volts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lehtv]

You can always try. Set to 1600MHz at 9-9-9-24 timings at 1.5V, then test stability with HCI Memtest. If it's not stable, maybe it will be at 11-11-11-30 timings.

The practical benefit from running 1600Mhz memory as opposed to 1333Mhz is zero, so only do this if you're purely curious to find out if it will work.

 

[StockDC2]

You can always try. Set to 1600MHz at 9-9-9-24 timings at 1.5V, then test stability with HCI Memtest. If it's not stable, maybe it will be at 11-11-11-30 timings.

The practical benefit from running 1600Mhz memory as opposed to 1333Mhz is zero, so only do this if you're purely curious to find out if it will work.

Thanks so much for your help. I'll just leave it at 1333Mhz and call it good :thumbsup:.