I7 6 core

[jstanthr]

Funnily enough, I'm less worried about the aftermarket cooler - that wasn't so difficult to install once I knew how (and with thermal paste the second time!), but the pins for the CPU? That scares me ...

The pins aren't on the CPU anymore for intel and most amd, the pins are actually on the motherboard, as long as you dont cram your finger in the socket or something dumb like that, you won't have any issues. you just align the orientation pins, or knockouts whatever you want to call them, and the retention mechanism does the rest for you, on most newer boards, the clip is super tight, it might even feel like it's gonna break, it won't, unless you have the chip turned wrong, but you'll know pretty quick if the chip isn't seated properly.

[thefunk]

Right. I've just upgraded my system (~£800). Here are my amateur learnings

Old
Core2Duo
8meg ram
8500 Nvidia 250meg

New
I7 2600k
Z68 motherboard
16gig RAM
880 PSU
560TI overclocked EVGA

First, make sure your DVD drive is compatible with the new motherboard, otherwise you'll suddenly realise after 2 hours of installation that your lovely drivers on the lovely boxed DVD's are completely useless. Not only that, but Windows won't recognise your ethernet controller. This is where work laptops + usb stick + internet are handy.

Second, if you bought a fancy CPU cooler, don't install motherboard/graphics card/everything else, and then realise you need to take it all apart because you need to screw something on the back of the motherboard.

If there is a large thud as you install the stock CPU cooler, sweat and drink a shot of vodka.
If you get a headache, lie down for 30 minutes (it helped me)
If the children start screaming, close all doors
If the wife starts screaming, send her to bed
Don't sneeze over the brand new motherboard
Be organised, so you know which wire goes with which component. If said component doesn't fit, don't force it in and panic.
Be really glad that the new graphics card comes with an adapter for VGA/HDMI.

And finally, when you receive all these lovely components and freed up an evening of getting it ready, be glad you ordered a PSU with them and you didn't have to find a shop near work the next day to buy it overpriced.

By the way, I can't believe I managed to 5 box on my old system. Clean 60FPS makes WoW look absolutely great (bear in mind what i'm used to)

And thanks to everyone who helped and contributed to this site!

[thefunk]

The pins aren't on the CPU anymore for intel and most amd, the pins are actually on the motherboard, as long as you dont cram your finger in the socket or something dumb like that, you won't have any issues. you just align the orientation pins, or knockouts whatever you want to call them, and the retention mechanism does the rest for you, on most newer boards, the clip is super tight, it might even feel like it's gonna break, it won't, unless you have the chip turned wrong, but you'll know pretty quick if the chip isn't seated properly.

And thanks, I realised this when I nervously opened the box. It's not the most comforting thing to prize down the CPU metal handle...

[MiRai]

By the way, I can't believe I managed to 5 box on my old system. Clean 60FPS makes WoW look absolutely great (bear in mind what i'm used to)

That's exactly how I felt when I moved from a Q9550 system to an overclocked 2600K.

First, make sure your DVD drive is compatible with the new motherboard, otherwise you'll suddenly realise after 2 hours of installation that your lovely drivers on the lovely boxed DVD's are completely useless. Not only that, but Windows won't recognise your ethernet controller. This is where work laptops + usb stick + internet are handy.

What was wrong with the DVD drive? And the Ethernet issue happens depending on which LAN chip the
motherboard uses onboard. Sometimes Windows 7 can use it's generic driver and sometimes it can't. /shrug

[Bollwerk]

RE: the DVD drive - Maybe he's talking about SATA vs IDE? Otherwise I can't see how a DVD drive wouldn't be compatible. As long as your motherboard has the correct connectors (everything is SATA now).

[thefunk]

That's exactly how I felt when I moved from a Q9550 system to an overclocked 2600K.


What was wrong with the DVD drive? And the Ethernet issue happens depending on which LAN chip the
motherboard uses onboard. Sometimes Windows 7 can use it's generic driver and sometimes it can't. /shrug

Exactly that bollwerk, no IDE connectors on the z68 motherboard. I also got an m4 ssd but the case doesn't have a slot for it... it will have to hang loose somewhere. At least I saved some cash

The Windows drivers were not helpful which is why the usb stick came in handy

[Sajuuk]

Exactly that bollwerk, no IDE connectors on the z68 motherboard. I also got an m4 ssd but the case doesn't have a slot for it... it will have to hang loose somewhere.

You can always tape the drive down if it worries you. (Or velcro/glue/RUBBABANDS)

[lans83]

You can always tape the drive down if it worries you. (Or velcro/glue/RUBBABANDS)

Or he can order one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817997010

I've got two of them with SSDs on them in my case. But if you go with the method Sajuuk suggested, go with the rubber bands. The case I got has HDD mounts connected to rubber tubes to absorb vibrations, sadly these are not compatible with SSDs, so I had to buy these mounts. I didn't want to mount it to the bottom of the case where they designated SSD mounting, cause I wanted them closer to the intake fans for better cooling.

[thefunk]

Thanks some good ideas. It also helps if you actually plug a power lead into the SSD. As I've discovered after much "Why isn't it SHOWING the drive?!?!?!?"

Seriously it's like the epic Izzard sketch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6C_HjWr3Nk

I'm almost disappointed I'm not getting 60 fps on 5 instances on ultra. From a price point of view. But from a playability it's AWESOME. Even spider solitaire is faster. I can't wait to try Morrowind on it

[thefunk]

One more question - what's your average CPU temp when running 5 instances at good grafiks? I'm on 47 with the case open, which suggests I may need some better fans...