What do you guys think of Intel's 2600k i7 ? Anyone built a rig using 2600 i7 recently?? The 2600k is the unlocked one but gives the option of overclocking later on if needed-all for around $225 right now. Socket 1155. I am deciding between building my own rig or buying one and so far building seems to be going for me. Havent built one in almost 6 years since it wasnt that much cost effective back then-only 200-400$ difference but seems now its much more plus the flexibility 'cause of so many options in PCI-e x16, intel's processors ( its mind boggling between the various i5 and i7 and AMD's x6). The price difference now seems more like in 500-1000$ range between building your own and buying one.
Actually, the price differential is even LESS than before. Use the configurator at ibuypower.com as a reference. The new iX's have a chipset issue which is scheduled to be resolved some time in April. Should postpone such purchases until at least then. However, a strong, i7-960 rig can be had for about $1000-1100 right now.
I recently built a 2500k. Crappy heat sink fan. can't be used for overclocking. I think the 2600k has a better one. Got one of those messed up sandy bridge boards too. All kind of annoying issues with the new board(Asrock extreme 4) Serves me right for dropping rock solid AMD and going early adoption at a premium for Intel. Haven't notice any difference from amd 5600+ to i5 2500k but that's just me I guess.
The fixed chipsets have begun shipping: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2011/02/18/fixed-sandy-bridge-chipset-begins-shipping/1 But a workaround for the flawed chipsets is to only use the SATA 6Gb/s ports and/or add an expansion card.
you do know that you can exchange yr old board for a new one cause of recall Right now mono and CPU combo for 2600k is running around $550- pretty good deal IMHO- will check the ibuypower configurator to see what could be total cost for such a rig My current one is also AMD but I am leaning towards intel now- this is first one I am building/buying in last 4+ years- upgraded the old one a lot to the point where it's really no use upgrading anymore- my cost for building will be lower than buying a brand new cause lots of components are still usable like 750w ps, graphics card, HD etc I can't really beleive that you don't notice much difference between 5600+ and a 2500 intel i5 - but I ll take your word for it what kind of graphics card and power supply you got? And what motherboard ? Are you overclocking it? As for the heat sink I almost never go with the stock one- plenty of good ones under$50 available on newegg or tigerdirect- it's a critical cponent
2600K i7, Asus workstation WS Revolution motherboard. After screwing around with the sandybridge issues and a new mobo they replaced and after a bios update.............. ran the TURBO, NOT the Extreme overclock and it went to 4428 and has not skipped a beat since. I was a chicken to try the Extreme overclock because i need reliability also, it runs all day from about 0800 Est to ES close, 1620...........shut it down until next day. I actually forgot i overclocked it to that speed. just a single duel NVS vid card, 2 19 inch square screens, gets the job done. On another box i also run 1 or 2 screens, also 19 inch square jobs. that box is about 3 years old, water cooled.......runs like a charm........... Simply ROCKS!!!!