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"I Need a New PC!" 2015 Part 2. Read the OP. Rocking 2500K's until HBM2 and beyond.
- Thread starter Hazaro
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ISee
Member
So I swallowed the pill and decided to upgrade my old z77/i5 3570k combo and bought an i7 6700k, the asus z170-a motherboard and 16gb of ddr4 3000 ram (should arrive tomorrow, hopefully).
In general what can I expect overclocking wise without having to increase core voltage? And what are reasonable temperatures ?
In general what can I expect overclocking wise without having to increase core voltage? And what are reasonable temperatures ?
Cute Dragon Here
Member
Your motherboard is probably setting the voltage automatically, not fixing it to stock voltage.
Think if you want to leave it on auto, set a fixed voltage, or use adaptive/offset voltages. If possible, use adaptive voltages - it'll only apply raised voltages when your CPU is running beyond stock speeds.
Make sure your CPU doesn't hit over 85C on any core when your CPU fans are at full tilt (100%) - that's where I'd consider the CPU to be at a "Stupid High" temperature - something where stability is no longer guaranteed. Even though there's still some room before throttling occurs, I've seen CPUs that were running at stock speeds fail testing at such high temps.
Want something with more than enough fan headers to handle any AIO cooler setup? This Gigabyte m-ATX board will do!
Pick your Micro-ATX motherboard from either of these if you're not a fan of Gigabyte. They have only two case fan headers, though, so if you do opt for a 240mm radiator AIO or custom loop, make sure you can somehow power all the fans, and the pump, and any case fans you need to use.
This should be more than good enough if you want an AIO cooler. Do note that the thermal paste is pre-applied; if you think you might need to reinstall it, get another tube of thermal paste that's not Arctic Silver 5.
Cute Dragon Here
Member
The 4GB version prevents the video card from having its frame times suffer in certain VRAM-heavy games, and indeed does let you use much better texturing settings than normally can be done on the 2GB version.
How much more expensive is the 4GB card over the 2GB?
Cute Dragon Here
Member
If there's an unusual amount of RMAs, it might be a good idea to exchange it.
I think you might be forced to go ATX at the moment, since it does seem like Z170 motherboards with enough fan headers are rare.
After finishing Windows installation, drop in your motherboard's driver DVD, and install everything that is a driver or your motherboard's utility software. (There's usually an "install everything" button, but they usually also install bundle-ware.) Do that first before anything else. (Usually, I'd use the provided drivers in the DVD before relying on downloaded versions.)
Then install video card drivers and utilities (from this point on it's perfectly OK to use downloaded drivers instead).
Then, well, everything else. Remember to defrag once everything is done and you've updated Windows to the latest it can if you have HDDs.
Lashley
Why does he wear the mask!?
Any reason I should avoid buying components through flubit? If something goes wrong I still have the manufacturers warranty right?
Also, was thinking of getting a Noctua D15 which seems pretty massive, but my Fractal Define R4 case is pretty big too, planning to pair it with an Asus Z170A, I'm assuming there will be enough room for the fan? Just want to make sure.
Also, was thinking of getting a Noctua D15 which seems pretty massive, but my Fractal Define R4 case is pretty big too, planning to pair it with an Asus Z170A, I'm assuming there will be enough room for the fan? Just want to make sure.
I am not familiar with that retailer, but I've not had great luck with PC component RMA's. The last time I had an Asus board break, they wore me out and I just recycled it and bought a new one. Had a Sandisk 960GB Extreme Pro go sideways and they basically did the same thing to me. Unless you have extra components laying around and are willing to work for it, you can be down a month or something if things don't go well. Obviously some manufacturers will be better than others, and everyone won't have the shit experience I did, but the potential is there.
Cute Dragon Here
Member
Also, best way to clean it and keep it dust free?
Edit: thanks Noivern
Cases with air filters (any decent case worth their salt will have them in all intakes, minimum), maintaining positive pressure (more intakes than exhaust, but with the stipulation of minimum one exhaust), don't put the computer on the floor, making sure top vents are always filled with exhaust fans if possible...
Need to blow out existing dust? Unplug everything and blow at it with something that can produce large streams of air. I think compressed air works, as are powered air blowers. Don't use a vacuum cleaner! Some hair dryers that can have the heating element disabled and have a strong fan for blowing might work too...
Just remember to use splitters for only same model fans on the same row for best results, and don't let the combined load exceed what your motherboard header can provide.
That board? Nice! You'll be set for the life of the system.
Seems like Asus really has bad RMA service on the USA, a completely different experience to what I have had here in Singapore and Malaysia. Eep.
Yeah, just preparation for a GTX 1080
Got a mate to 3D print me a Skylake delid tool, so that'll be the next adventure.
I bought a 1tb samsung evo a month ago and it has been working good.
Elitist1945
Member
Holy shit thats cool. I'd get that if I didn't already have a case I like. Next build, for sure!
ethomaz
Banned
Really I just finished my purchases
Edit - Are you talking about GA-Z170X-GAMING 5 or GA-Z170MX-GAMING 5??? I got the first.
ethomaz
Banned
They already posted my mobo with prevision to delivery on Monday... I will test it.
I checked NewEgg... 3 RMAs vs 9 good reviews... mine is the ATX version (Z170X).
nicoga3000
Saint Nic
Thanks for this. I'll start tinkering this evening.
ethomaz
Banned
New PC build finally finished... all parts purchased... starting to mount next week.
PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor (Purchased For R$688.00)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (Purchased For R$1020.00)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (Purchased For R$567.00)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For R$519.43)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For R$439.90)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For R$719.90)
Total: R$3954.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-29 14:37 EDT-0400
Forecast
Late 2016: New NVidia/AMD GPU
2017/2018: 4-core Intel CPU K (Skylake successor)
PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor (Purchased For R$688.00)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (Purchased For R$1020.00)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory (Purchased For R$567.00)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For R$519.43)
Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For R$439.90)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For R$719.90)
Total: R$3954.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-29 14:37 EDT-0400
Forecast
Late 2016: New NVidia/AMD GPU
2017/2018: 4-core Intel CPU K (Skylake successor)
Any reason you didn't go ITX or mATX? Most of that case will be empty space.
ISee
Member
Great thx for the info.
Alright.
Parts purchased:
Asus Maximus VIII Gene Micro ATX motherboard
Intel Core i7 6700K
G.Skill 2x8GB DDR4-3200 (I know I didn't need to spend that much, but it was $25 more for a color scheme I liked :s)
Mushkin Reactor 1TB SSD
Corsair H100i v2
Reusing:
2x2TB Samsung HDDs
Lian-Li V700B
NVidia GTX 680 (waiting on Pascal)
Corsair AX850
I'm thinking of picking up a Micro ATX case, since I can essentially keep my 2500K system as a second PC.
Any suggestions for a Micro ATX case? I'm looking for the following criteria:
- Support for a 240mm rad (Corsair H100)
- Side window
- Optimal setup with positive airflow with the Corsair H100
- Air filters over intakes with a positive airflow setup
- Quiet is a bonus
- Smaller is a bonus.
- No CD drive necessary
- Easy cable management
- Toolless is a bonus, but not necessary.
Parts purchased:
Asus Maximus VIII Gene Micro ATX motherboard
Intel Core i7 6700K
G.Skill 2x8GB DDR4-3200 (I know I didn't need to spend that much, but it was $25 more for a color scheme I liked :s)
Mushkin Reactor 1TB SSD
Corsair H100i v2
Reusing:
2x2TB Samsung HDDs
Lian-Li V700B
NVidia GTX 680 (waiting on Pascal)
Corsair AX850
I'm thinking of picking up a Micro ATX case, since I can essentially keep my 2500K system as a second PC.
Any suggestions for a Micro ATX case? I'm looking for the following criteria:
- Support for a 240mm rad (Corsair H100)
- Side window
- Optimal setup with positive airflow with the Corsair H100
- Air filters over intakes with a positive airflow setup
- Quiet is a bonus
- Smaller is a bonus.
- No CD drive necessary
- Easy cable management
- Toolless is a bonus, but not necessary.
Going by my own criteria the Fractal Arc Mini R2 is a solid choice, but I'm looking to see if there are any more refined options I may have missed.
Also the 5.25" drive bays are a waste of space. It would be nice if I could mount the H100 in the front of the case and still have space for 1-2 HDDs as well as my SSD. Is this possible? Then I could intake from the back and top directly onto the VRMs which could help overclocking.
Or maybe the H100 on top would be just fine. Then I could remove 1 HDD cage and get good airflow over my GPU. Yeah, that's probably the more sensible choice.
My main issue with the Arc Mini is that it just doesn't look very nice.
The Corsair 350D is on sale. Hmmm, could do that.
Also the 5.25" drive bays are a waste of space. It would be nice if I could mount the H100 in the front of the case and still have space for 1-2 HDDs as well as my SSD. Is this possible? Then I could intake from the back and top directly onto the VRMs which could help overclocking.
Or maybe the H100 on top would be just fine. Then I could remove 1 HDD cage and get good airflow over my GPU. Yeah, that's probably the more sensible choice.
My main issue with the Arc Mini is that it just doesn't look very nice.
The Corsair 350D is on sale. Hmmm, could do that.
ethomaz
Banned
Well It is my first time mounting a PC so I guessed it will be easy with more space and I really liked the case.
I have a HDD 3.5" and a DVD-Player 3.5" to add (from my old PC) and until late 2016 I will put a big GPU.
To tell you I didn't have ideia how much free space I have... I never did that before
Alright, RMA'd 970 came back unexpected today and the new case came in as well (Corsair 400C) so I decided to move the build over from my old-ass case. I think I'm already regretting the window, what a dust magnet :s But it looks pretty with the decent white LED strip (first time I use one), nice showcase.
What's the best way to fixate these strips? I haven't had any double-sided tape around so I just put it in the case loosely for now. Also, any tips how to quickly clean the window or keep it somewhat dust free in the first place?
Anyway, building was harder than expected mainly because of the hard drive bay cover they've got going on but also because space at the rear gets really tight if you decide to use all SSD slots (3) and HDD slots (2)... I could barely make the lid close and should really look into getting rid of at least one SATA power cable soon so I don't bend the back cover.
I assume it's fine to use SATA power extensions for HDD/SSD? Should suffice so I can pull the third SATA branch from my PSU.
Also can't wait to buy an AIO water cooling solution for my CPU, whilst super effective, the Noctua fans are just super ugly.
What's the best way to fixate these strips? I haven't had any double-sided tape around so I just put it in the case loosely for now. Also, any tips how to quickly clean the window or keep it somewhat dust free in the first place?
Anyway, building was harder than expected mainly because of the hard drive bay cover they've got going on but also because space at the rear gets really tight if you decide to use all SSD slots (3) and HDD slots (2)... I could barely make the lid close and should really look into getting rid of at least one SATA power cable soon so I don't bend the back cover.
I assume it's fine to use SATA power extensions for HDD/SSD? Should suffice so I can pull the third SATA branch from my PSU.
Also can't wait to buy an AIO water cooling solution for my CPU, whilst super effective, the Noctua fans are just super ugly.
opticalmace
Member
I like the Noctua fan designs personally. They look classy and handsome.
I'm not familiar with that case -- can you rotate the SSDs (and their mounts) 180 degrees so you can hook them up from the bottom?
I'm not familiar with that case -- can you rotate the SSDs (and their mounts) 180 degrees so you can hook them up from the bottom?
I wish Intel and NVIDIA would hurry the hell up with these new processors
I'm still torn as to building or having someone else build it. I want a hard line loop and don't really want to do it myself, but at the same time I don't want to pay a 50% mark up.
If I do buy a pre-built? So far I've looked at Falcon, Origin, and Digital Storm. Any other boutiques I should look at?
I'm still torn as to building or having someone else build it. I want a hard line loop and don't really want to do it myself, but at the same time I don't want to pay a 50% mark up.
If I do buy a pre-built? So far I've looked at Falcon, Origin, and Digital Storm. Any other boutiques I should look at?
lordfuzzybutt
Member
You do have an aftermarket cooler yes? Because a stock one won't handle the heat.
A cheap EVO 212 is fine if you haven't one.
dealer-
Member
Just the 2TB will be fine for now, I might add a SSD in over the summer. I'm just going to leave out the video card for now and see how things stand in two/three months. Thanks for the help.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
Ugh, motherboard is back and working great and then the power supply bit the dust. Just waiting for the next RMA.
Celcius
°Temp. member
I know that feeling
appaws
Banned
Ah. Yeah, DDC pumps have that certain higher pitch that is more audible. D5's have a lower sort of hum that I think blends in better with background/fan noises.
appaws
Banned
Cougar makes nice LED fans in a bunch of colors.
http://cougargaming.com/us/products/fans/cfd_blue_led_fan.html
Any idea if these perform better than the corsair LED fans?
that would be my first choice for a cube design. you can also look at the Corsair Air240. both similar twin chamber design.
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