Sandy Bridge Upgrade

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Ryan619

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Hi guys

Been toying with the idea of an upgrade to Sandy Bridge for a while now. Being a student always end of having the cash but spending it on other things etc.

So yesterday Wootware had their Fire Sale and I scooped some Corsair 3x2Gb 1600 DDR3 RAM (Link: http://www.wootware.co.za/corsair-cmz6gx3m3a1600c8-vengeance-3x2gb-ddr-1600-desktop-memory.html), which kinda is spurring me on to upgrade my mobo and CPU now.

CPU wise I'm going for the i5-2500k, no brainer really! Have a friend who works in the industry so can get the i5 for R1800 inc. VAT.

MOBO wise I'm looking at the MSI P67A-GD65. Performance the board is solid with a very decent feature set etc. Easily OC's i5 to 4.7Ghz, which I'm happy with. Paying R1450 inc. VAT

So my question is this, I know the GD65 runs dual channel on the memory, but I will be running 3 DIMMS...will this setup run in flex mode ie 2 DIMMS in dual channel and 1 in single channel, or all in single channel mode? If so, what will the difference realistically be?

I've tried to read up on the above topic but there isn't really that much info concerning SB and dual channel.

Anyway I appreciate any feedback.

Oh on a side note, currently running a Q9550 (2.8Ghz), 4Gb DDR2, MSI G31M3 mobo, VTX3D 6950 (flashed to 6970), Antec Kuhler 620. What will the performance diff be? For those who have moved from similar setups?

Thanks!

Ryan
 
3 dimms you will be running single channel, also why im not using 3 atm, waiting for my ripjaws from overseas :P
 
Depends what you do?

Gaming/multitasking won't improve much IMO. You could get a lot more life out of your Q9550 if you OC it.

I upgraded from Q6600 to Q9550 this year. :p :D
 
I've got a really **** mobo. G31M3 does not handle overclocking at all!
And will have a really future proof system if I get a SB setup.
Will used almost exlusively for gaming.
 
Dude in all honesty you are wasting money upgrading. I run a q9550 and an i7 920 i doubt that sandy bridge will be that much better.

Rather wait for intel's 8 core 3d technology coming sometimes next year.
 
Ryan619 said:
I've got a really **** mobo. G31M3 does not handle overclocking at all!
And will have a really future proof system if I get a SB setup.
Will used almost exlusively for gaming.
Click to expand...

True, G31 are **** for OC, although some of them aren't bad. Can you not increase FSB at all? Should be able to at least hit ±3.2GHz?

Is this more of a want now that you have the RAM, or a need? Are you noticing a lack of performance in games? I would struggle to understand this, seeing as I max all games with my 3.6GHz Q9550 and HD6970.

But by all means, splash if you have the cash...

I would wait until the new Intel platform is released, and then buy SB. Will be cheaper.
 
It's an MSI G31 and its awful...locks up at the slightest increase in FSB.

A lil bit of both right now...
 
The other option in the mean time would be to get a decent 775 mobo second hand. Anything P35, P45, X38 or X48 will do. R400 - R500 should be able to get you a P35/P45.

Then you can OC your Q9550 to 3.6GHz+.

And I'll take that MSI G31 off your hands, need one. ;)
 
I've been looking for a board like that for a while. No luck so far with a suitable board.

On watercooling I think I can get some decent OC's...

I would be happy to sell you the board buddy...I've already got a buyer for the RAM and CPU so would only pay like 2 grand for the upgrade...
 
Ok you def need to upgrade... :D

Jokes. Have you trawled Carbonite classifieds? Plenty 775 stuff there.

Otherwise let me know about the mobo, you can PM me.
 
I would just get another MB, OC the 9550 and save yourself a bundle of cash in the process.
 
UPDATE: Got a call from Enzio who works at Wootware (where I ordered the RAM) and he was aware of my problem and recommended a number of solutions.

Finally I decided to get refunded for the RAM (as it was quite an impulse buy), and will look for a good 4x2Gb kit when I get my mobo and CPU.

In the mean time will look for a good atx 775 mobo and might help out PostmanPot with the G31 if it becomes available.

For anyone that has not dealt with Wootware, I would highly recommend them to anyone, their pricing and service are second to none!!
 
Rather go for 2x 4GB than 4x 2GB !
If you do decide on getting a new set of RAM, make sure that it is 1.5V, so that you can use it with a Sandy Bridge setup if it would ever come to that.

The i5 2500 beats the Q9550 hands down in everything, but I'm not sure if it is worth while on a student budget to upgrade now, seeing that you'll have to spend at least R3700 on a new motherboard, CPU and RAM vs. ~R500 on a nice 2nd hand X48/P45 motherboard that would allow you to OC your CPU to like 3.6GHz at least.

Upgrading to Sandy Bridge just for gaming purposes is a bad idea, because the performance difference with games on an i5 2500k vs an Q9550 isn't as big as with like video encoding.
 
Pada said:
Upgrading to Sandy Bridge just for gaming purposes is a bad idea, because the performance difference with games on an i5 2500k vs an Q9550 isn't as big as with like video encoding.
Click to expand...

Wants and needs are different things, I think he just wants an i5. At the end of the day it's his money which I suspect he is going to blow :D
 
Look I think its more of a want than a need! Just want to be able to play everything for the next long while on high. The deals I'm getting with regard to mobo and CPU are good wouldn't you agree?
 
Ryan619 said:
Look I think its more of a want than a need! Just want to be able to play everything for the next long while on high. The deals I'm getting with regard to mobo and CPU are good wouldn't you agree?
Click to expand...

For gaming OC'ed Q9550 will still suite you fine for some time to come. Rather save the money and upgrade next year some time as prices would have dropped as well. I agree that it's nice to have new hardware but financially it does not always make sense.
 
dont listen to these okes, buy the i5-2600k :twisted: doooo iiittttttt!!!

runs standard 3.3ghz but we all know they OC like something ridiculous. Im running 4.5ghz without changing anything else except my multiplier.

you dont need to spend crazy money on a mobo, its just not worth it anymore unless you really into like 10 SATA ports and 20 USB ports :wtf:

If you dont need all the extras, and the slots then go micro-atx. The days where those were the "slower" board are long gone. I can post links on my board if you want. Was a bargain!
 
Last edited:
Don't listen to HTC_Guy, because he doesn't even know that the Core i5 2600k doesn't even exist :p

Just kidding...

If you're considering going for the i5 2500k route, then consider getting an MSI P67A-C43 motherboard for around ~R1100, unless you want to go for a SLI setup, in which case I would suggest the MSI-P67A-GD65.
Make 1000% sure that the RAM that you're getting for the Sandy Bridge setup is rated for 1.5V !
 
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