[Help] Mobo / rig specs recommendations.

[achui]

Hi all,

It's been 6 years since the last time I'd posted and set up a rig. Hence I'm a bit rusty. Need your opinion.

My current rig (specs on right) has died. Powered on, fan spinning, no POST, and neither monitors (dual-monitor) do not wake up from standby.

I'll will probably keep my casing, my HDs (win7x64) and my PSU?

I've been shortlisting the following:

-i7-4770k. I'm thinking of i7 over i5 because I do a lot of virtualization work. Or is there a better CPU in the sweet-spot?
Gen 5 seems to be overpriced now?

- CPU Cooler/fan. Can i make use of the stock, or is there one to recommend? Prefer quiet ones...

-MSI GTX 970. I game BF4, WoT, WoW, WoP. Which would be the better/recommended/preferred brand? I have a dual monitor set up.

-16 or 32 GB Ram. Corsair?

- Mobo. This is the biggest headache, which lead me to posting this. I was doing research reading through the various recommendations... And I was also trying to find my own...but I found it almost impossible to shortlist any mobos.... Each brand has so many different models.... and there's no possible way to do advance filtering/searching of features.. Could you help me to shortlist a few brands.models? I'm looking at built in audio, 2 GE ports if possible, min 6x USB2/3, min 5x HDs/SSDs

- Casing. Thinking of reusing.

- PSU. Thinking of reusing. Is my current PSU sufficient? If not what would you recommend?

I'm thinking this would not break 1.5k ... What do you think?

Which would be the better shop to walk in, pick and assemble for me? PM me if you need to...

Hope you can point me in the right direction... Many thanks in advance.

Cheers,

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Are you open to the idea of purchasing a E3-1231v3 Intel Processor from Taobao to save money?
It is essentially a i7-4770 without Intel graphics core.
It will help you save money if budget is not really that much of an issue and you don't trust online shopping then you should stick to purchasing i7 processor from brick and mortar stores.

 

[achui]

You upz for Tiong E3-1231v3 to save money?
Essentially a i7-4770 minus graphics.

Paiseh 'Tiong' meaning.. ?

This is a xeon?..meaning i need a xeon capable mobo? meaning more expensive too?

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Paiseh 'Tiong' meaning.. ?

This is a xeon?..meaning i need a xeon capable mobo? meaning more expensive too?

Tiong means buy from Taobao.
Sorry in hardware clinic I should use proper English.
There is no special Motherboard required, E3 uses socket 1150 similar to standard Desktop motherboard

 

[achui]

No apologies necessary . I'm just rusty myself

I will probably skip that.. I'm not a big fan of buying online for core components... especially right now, when my patience is a bit low for a replacement system.

 

[kingtiger2014]

Why don't you get 4790K instead of 4770K?

 

[kingtiger2014]

Graphics card avoid GTX970.... Its only 3.5GB RAM. Read up on the lawsuit.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

No apologies necessary . I'm just rusty myself

I will probably skip that.. I'm not a big fan of buying online for core components... especially right now, when my patience is a bit low for a replacement system.

By the way, the key for Virtualization is not lots of core/threads it is lots of RAM.
Hypervisors nowadays have intelligent scheduling so CPU will not cause a huge performance hit unless your guests are very processor intensive.

 

[rubbadubbaducky!]

Graphics card avoid GTX970.... Its only 3.5GB RAM. Read up on the lawsuit.

still a good card though

 

[koroshiya8]

PSU 6 years liao may want to consider to change also ..

 

[MoneyFace =p]

1. Did you overclock your current Core i7-920 CPU? Are you looking to overclock new CPU again?

2. Are you using any 3rd-party cooler for your Core i7-920 CPU?

 

[achui]

Why don't you get 4790K instead of 4770K?

Very good suggestion. I will reconsider that. Thank you.

 

[achui]

Graphics card avoid GTX970.... Its only 3.5GB RAM. Read up on the lawsuit.

What would be a better alternative? I tend to shy away from Rad, a lot of incompatibility..no?

 

[achui]

By the way, the key for Virtualization is not lots of core/threads it is lots of RAM.
Hypervisors nowadays have intelligent scheduling so CPU will not cause a huge performance hit unless your guests are very processor intensive.

I will be setting up virtual networks for testing/dev with NFV/SDNs .. I think that would be pretty cpu intensive .

 

[achui]

PSU 6 years liao may want to consider to change also ..

very good point. I just came to realized that PSU can deteriorate... I will look into it. Any recommendations?

 

[achui]

1. Did you overclock your current Core i7-920 CPU? Are you looking to overclock new CPU again?

2. Are you using any 3rd-party cooler for your Core i7-920 CPU?

I was overclocking (though not pushing it) ...earlier when I'd just bought it..then I realized I was hitting close to 100 deg on some stress tests...because of the flaw in IOH design. I've since stopped overclocking.


i was using the stock.


If the new system is overclockable..in terms of stability..why not? More bang for the buck

 

[MoneyFace =p]

I was overclocking (though not pushing it) ...earlier when I'd just bought it..then I realized I was hitting close to 100 deg on some stress tests...because of the flaw in IOH design. I've since stopped overclocking.


i was using the stock.


If the new system is overclockable..in terms of stability..why not? More bang for the buck

CPU+MB: Intel Core i7-4790K + ASRock Z97 Extreme6 @ $685
This Devil's Canyon Core i7-4790K already default clocked to 4.0 GHz, which is relatively high enough to eliminate the need for overclocking, or rather say already left little potential to overclock anyway since they are similar to normal Haswell Core i7-4770K in terms of overclocking potential.
Motherboard also comes with Realtek's highest end ALC1150 audio codec, dual Gigabit LAN (Intel & Realtek), 6x USB 3.0 rear ports and 10 SATA 6 Gbps ports ideal for your needs.
RAM: Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB X2 @ $134
Try out with 16GB first. Consider adding more only if needed.
No need high performance RAM, these will do fine.
GPU: PowerColor R9-290 4GB TurboDuo @ $398
SSD+PSU: Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB + Super Flower Leadex Gold 650W [80 Plus Gold] @ $264* (Lazada Singapore)

Total: $1481

Optional:
CPU+MB: Intel Core i7-4790K + ASRock Z87 Extreme6 @ $697 (PC Themes)
If Tradepac quote much higher price than this.
Almost the same as Z97 variant just without support for M.2. This could be slightly better for you with dual Intel Gigabit LAN for best throughput rather than having one of them being Realtek.
This will be more befitting to your chassis colour with black theme.

Buy others from Tradepac, #05-18.

*Price after Lazada MCUNLOCKED 18% MasterCard discount coupon (Capped at $50)

 

[shadow84]

This is better, dunnoe why cant see it when searching for 850 evo.

http://www.lazada.sg/samsung-ssd-850-evo-series-250gb-367098.html?mp=1

 

[achui]

Thanks guys for all the comments... I've updated some requirements/specs after walking SL a bit today. Need your opinion.

I've confirmed to get the following:

- ASROCK Z97 Extreme 6 . (Would have liked the ASUS Deluxe/USB3.1, but it's too pricey)
- i7-4790K
- MSI GTX 970 4G
- 4x Crucial DDR3-1600 CL11 8GB
- Cosair RM850


I've decided not to get the Zotac...been reading a couple of not so perfect reviews..plus it's hot... Apparently MSI's the coolest?
Should i be getting the Twin Frozr ?


I'm now intending to get a casing too... I have a CM Storm Scout and I have a feeling that the new video card will not fit. Do you have any recommendations for a compact quiet good airflow casing...? I will most likely place in on the floor.

I happened to come across (in other threads) ..any idea how much they costs?
-NZXT H230
-Fractal Design Define R5

...any other suggestions?

Many thanks for the help so far...

 

[achui]

Just wanted to update that I've gotten my new rig up and running. Thank you all for your recommendations and help. Much appreciated.

New rig ------->