CPU and GPU for new PC build

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FarligOpptreden

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Good day MyBB world

Following on an earlier thread of mine, I'm busy compiling a list of specs for my new gaming PC. In broad terms I'm looking at the following specs:
  • i5-3570 (non-K)
  • Nvidia GTX660
  • 8GB RAM, DDR3-1600
  • 450W - 500W PSU
  • 1TB 7200RPM HDD
Now, I'm not interested in overclocking ANYTHING in this PC, so I'm shaving off a couple of bucks by opting for the normal 3570 above the 3570K. Only real difference I could find between the 2 is the K's stronger integrated GPU and the ability to overclock. Am I correct in assuming that? If so, I'm sticking with the standard 3570.

I've read up that the Corsair CX range of PSUs is decent and see that Rebeltech has a decent price on the CX430. Will 430W be enough to power this machine, seeing that the Kepler range of GTXs is more power efficient?

Now, the big question comes in at the GPU. Rebeltech also stock the Gigabyte and KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] 2GB / 3GB versions of the GTX660. The KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] 3GB is still a couple of hundred bucks cheaper than the Gigabyte, even thought the Gigabyte (1032/1111mhz) is clocked slightly higher than the KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] (1006/1084mhz). The difference is the KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] has 3GB memory, whilst the Gigabyte only has 2GB. How will this difference in clock / memory speed and amount of memory amount to gaming performance? Seeing that the KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] is around R200 cheaper, I'm leaning towards that and rather pushing the money into getting a slightly better motherboard... I can save another R400 odd if I opt for the KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] 2GB if the 3GB version won't offer me enough of a performance benefit to warrant the extra money.

I'm currently leaning towards the MSI Z77A-G45 motherboard. Will it be able to last me at least 3 years with the i5-3570 CPU, with only memory and GPU upgrades being necessary around 18 months in?

Thanks for the help - it's been YEARS since I've been in the PC gaming scene.
 
I'd opt for the 2GB model, not sure if the narrow memory bus on the GTX660 will benefit much from another GB of RAM. If definately wont get you another R400 worth of performance, thats for sure.
You're good on the CPU, given you do not want to overclock
 
You're right about the non-K model CPU.

Why not just spend slightly less on the motherboard and use that difference to upgrade your CPU to the K model and getting a better PSU?
eg. ASRock Z77 Pro4-M motherboard ~ R1200
i5 3570k CPU ~ R2300
XFX 550W PSU (5 year warranty) ~ R700

This way when your CPU is getting slow in 2-3 years' time, you simply add an aftermarket cooler for like R300-R400 and overclock it 20-40% !

Unfortunately I can't comment on the graphics card yet.
 
Pada said:
XFX 550W PSU (5 year warranty) ~ R700
Click to expand...

Just to add that the innards of that PSU is Seasonic, same as used in Corsair & Antec, just in case the op is worried about quality.
 
Archer said:
I'd opt for the 2GB model, not sure if the narrow memory bus on the GTX660 will benefit much from another GB of RAM. If definately wont get you another R400 worth of performance, thats for sure.
Click to expand...

Confirmation,
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/08/16/galaxy_geforce_gtx_660_ti_gc_3gb_video_card_review/14
The GALAXY 660 Ti GC also offers 3GB of video RAM versus 2GB on standard models. While this doesn't have any impact on performance in a single-card solution in our testing, it should help with SLI. The GTX 660 Ti supports SLI and 3-Way SLI, so you can actually run three GTX 660 Ti's in your system. In that kind of configuration, 3GB will have its advantages, especially in NV Surround resolutions. The GALAXY GTX 660 Ti GC is very forward looking in terms of performance down the upgrade path should you be keeping your SLI options open.
Click to expand...
 
Archer said:
not sure if the narrow memory bus on the GTX660 will benefit much from another GB of RAM. If definately wont get you another R400 worth of performance, thats for sure.
Click to expand...

The way Nvidia implements interleaving on the GTX660 Ti has changed. Like the GTX550Ti, there's no performance drops when they add in extra memory on the channels with open slots.
 
NAG - Wesley said:
The way Nvidia implements interleaving on the GTX660 Ti has changed. Like the GTX550Ti, there's no performance drops when they add in extra memory on the channels with open slots.
Click to expand...

I was talking about performance gains, not drops... :confused: OP would not get R400 more performance (ie ±12% more fps) by going for 3GB over 2GB. Hence, its not worth it
 
Awesome responses so far, thanks people.

So, feedback so far is that I can save a good chunk of money and opt for the KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] 2GB over my initial choice of the Gigabyte. I'm really not the overclocking type, so I know the extra features (and money) of the K would be wasted on me. I'd rather want a motherboard that is SLI-capable so that I can just pop in another GTX660 in a year's time for some increased graphics-processing power. Would a 500W - 550W PSU be enough for that? My guess is "no", so what would be a decent PSU without breaking the bank? Seeing as I have a couple of hundred to add to a better PSU and motherboard (and possibly chassis?) I'd prefer to rather go that route than wasting money on a GPU and CPU who's benefits I'd in all likelihood never see.
 
The XFX 550W PSU that I suggested would be able to run any single GPU high end graphics card (eg GTX680) as well as allow you to overclock both the GPU & CPU to their limits.
 
Pada said:
The XFX 550W PSU that I suggested would be able to run any single GPU high end graphics card (eg GTX680) as well as allow you to overclock both the GPU & CPU to their limits.
Click to expand...
Rebeltech doesn't seem to stock it. I've got just about everything I need on their site at the moment, so if you can suggest a good PSU from their site I'll take it. So far I'm looking at the following:

Chassis: Zalman Z9 Plus
PSU: Antec VP550 (500W)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570
GPU: KFA[SUP]2[/SUP] GTX660 Ti EX OC 2GB
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM, 64MB cache
Optical Drive: Doesn't matter, just chose something random...

My budget is R10k and this build works out to R9978, including VAT.
 
Although you have received good advice so far.

I noticed in your initial build, something you not aware of.
Graphics card like the GTX 660ti and such, even as low as the GTX 560 require 2 x 6 pin PCI-e power connectors.
So if you plan of going sli later on, make sure the PSU you choose has 4 of these connectors.

The CX430 only has 1, same with the Antec VP550P.
The lowest I'd recommend if you want the option of going sli later on, is this:
COOLER MASTER GX, 750W

Edit:
If you only want one GPU then the XFX would be a better bet.
But you could also go with the SILVERSTONE ST60F-ES, 600W
or better yet the ANTEC HCG (HIGH CURRENT GAMER), 520W
 
Last edited:
nakedpeanut said:
Although you have received good advice so far.

I noticed in your initial build, something you not aware of.
Graphics card like the GTX 660ti and such, even as low as the GTX 560 require 2 x 6 pin PCI-e power connectors.
So if you plan of going sli later on, make sure the PSU you choose has 4 of these connectors.

The CX430 only has 1, same with the Antec VP550P.
The lowest I'd recommend if you want the option of going sli later on, is this:
COOLER MASTER GX, 750W

Edit:
If you only want one GPU then the XFX would be a better bet.
But you could also go with the SILVERSTONE ST60F-ES, 600W
or better yet the ANTEC HCG (HIGH CURRENT GAMER), 520W
Click to expand...
Thanks! Good advice regarding the connectors, I wasn't aware of it. So would the Antec HCG cut the mustard?

doobyscoo said:
Overclock. Seriously its the most cost effective way of getting performance.
Click to expand...
Don't wanna, not gonna.
 
FarligOpptreden said:
It's not my scene. I prefer keeping this stock like I bought them. Same goes for just about anything I buy, including my cars and PCs.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying do it straight out the box but a few years down the line it can be a welcomed performance boost... and if you research properly it poses no harm to your hardware at all.
 
doobyscoo said:
I'm not saying do it straight out the box but a few years down the line it can be a welcomed performance boost... and if you research properly it poses no harm to your hardware at all.
Click to expand...

I'm the type of person that will rather buy new hardware when my old hardware has reached end-of-life status. :p So I'll save the couple of hundred now and rather buy a new processor in 2-3 year's time.
 
FarligOpptreden said:
I'm the type of person that will rather buy new hardware when my old hardware has reached end-of-life status. :p So I'll save the couple of hundred now and rather buy a new processor in 2-3 year's time.
Click to expand...

But if it only needs to last 2-3 years then why not overclock the hell out of it.
 
Wait until he finds out the cpu also adjusts it's clock speed up & down without his intervention :D
 
*sigh* This is going nowhere. I know the CPU adjusts itself. I just don't want to pay the premium for overclocking if I'm not going to do it. I'd rather spend the extra cash on a better motherboard or PSU.
 
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