xeks

Cpu intensive applications always do better with more cores, don't really need graphs for that.

Welcome to the forums.

I assume the first list of parts you already own? I wasn't in clear understanding of that.

Personally I would... 1. Upgrade to a 3770K 2 - 5. Looks fine. 6. If you plan on running more than 2 GPUs maybe think about getting a bit larger of a PSU. 7. GPUs are preferential and my GTX 470 has lasted me this long and I got that second hand after my old Radeon something died. 8. Would get a full tower case if you think you'd plan on upgrading anything such as custom water cooling, etc. 9-13. Looks fine. 14-15. Preferential 2cents.

Your GPU is fine. I'm still rocking my 470 GTX and play all my games on Ultra (BF3 and some other crap). The case looks cool but paying for branding is meh to me, though you have "contacts" so idk. Just keep in mind your motherboard is only dual channel for RAM so make sure you have multiples of 2 in there (2, 4, yadda yadda). Best money spent also would be some HDD upgrades and maybe a sound card if you're into that kind of thing. Good luck!

Forgetting to flip the power switch on the PSU.

Games and homework got me into computers. More specifically, playing games and doing homework. I built my first computer in college like 7 years ago, before that I got my cousin's old hand-me-downs.

According to HardOCP's review of the MSI Big Bang Z77 M-Power, which I think you're asking about:

I believe the percentage is the same for RNG, it just does more calculations ergo being faster.

You made one? Nice, post some pictures. Seems interesting.

Similar post here: http://linustechtips.com/main/forum/computer-hardware/operating-systems-and-software/15247-merged-what-os-do-you-run-and-why

I too think it's a memory leak.

I love Ultramon

Sabertooth fanboy so Sabertooth Z77! Can't go wrong with any RoG products either.

I personally would just wait 2 years or whatever it is until your warranty expires, then do it. Then if you fail...time for a new CPU! lol Plenty of people have and with good success with getting the temps down.

It's your chip. I also have the bad draw on my CPU, running at 4.5 GHz @ 1.305v. If your heat is that high, I personally would turn your overclock down to keep the heat down as well.

+1 to the guy above.

Teas: Jasmine, Green, Oolong, Chrysanthemum, Genmaicha, Thai Iced Tea, Sweet Tea (the real southern kind) and a few other kinds that I've had but can't remember their real names. No lemon, sugar, honey, etc; just straight up from the tea leaves in my pot of hot water. Coffee: Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Thai Iced Coffee, and all coffee in general; if I don't like the brew then I'll add suger/creamer. All the above served scalding hot unless it's iced...but then too I like it scalding hot...then add ice? Lol

Already posted in the PC Games section: http://linustechtips.com/main/forum/video-games/pc-gaming/2311-list-of-steam-and-origin-id-s

The Personal Computer will never go away, it's form may change but it'll always be around.

==================================== Just want to start off by saying... If the mods deem this post as unwanted, feel free to lock and/or delete this. or If the mods deem this post as wanted, feel free to sticky, move, do what you want with this. I am just providing links to information already available. ==================================== Now with that out of the way: I wanted to compile a list of overclocking guides that I've read and found helpful in the past and present. I've noticed a lot of people posting about getting help with overclocking. Hopefully this will help shed some light so that we don't all have a million posts on sort of the same topic but instead people can post here for help and we can all respond and stack answers in one easy spot. If you have other guides you think are good for other CPUs that aren't listed below, feel free to comment on this post and I'll add them. I don't have any guides on AMD CPUs since I don't use them. DISCLAIMER: You're messing with the stock settings so if you break it, I'm not liable nor is the internet. Your mileage may vary depending chip to chip and how lucky you were in the silicon lottery. Good luck and have fun. Guides: Ivy Bridge Overclocking Guide (Asus Motherboards) by Swag @ OCN This has all the basic and advanced information on overclocking using the Asus UEFI Bios, the screens used to be from a Maximus but now changed to the Sabertooth. Additional screens for a 4.5 Stable Overclock by Totally Dubbed @ OCN can be found here . Complete Overclocking Guide: Sandy Bridge & Ivy Bridge ASRock Edition by kennyparker1337 @ OCN I personally haven't used this one but I assume it's just more details on the Bios from ASRock. ---- Personally I use Prime95 to stress test the CPU/Memory, CPU-Z to verify my overclocks and voltages, Task Manager to check my available memory, and RealTemp to monitor my min/max temperatures. Some people use OCCT and what not. There are many programs out there that people are preferential to. Overclocking-wise, I roughly follow this: 1 Start my multiplier at 42 (4.2 GHz) and my voltage at 1.200 2 Run Prime95 for 10 minutes on the custom setting and using 90% of my available memory; which I check via Task Manager. 3.1 If Prime95 is stable for those 10 minutes, no BSOD or worker errors I can either.. A. Increase my multiplier for a higher overclock. B. Decrease my voltage for less heat and wear on the CPU 3.2 If Prime 95 is NOT stable for those 10 minutes, I get a BSOD or worker errors... A. Increase my voltage by 1 bump ie on my Sabertooth it goes by 0.005 so from 1.200 to 1.205 then run B. Decrease my multiplier by 1 4 If happy with the settings after 10 minutes of Stable Prime95, I'll re-run Prime95 on custom, 90% of available memories, and FFT set to 10, for 8-12 hours. I usually stop around 8 hours but you should do it for 12 so the entire cycle completes. If you are unhappy, then keep pushing the multiplier and voltage until you are in a happy medium with your overclock and the maximum temperature you're comfortable with getting near. I try to keep my max around 85c but definitely under 90c. 5 If overclock is stable for the 8-12 hours, then you should be completely stable, enjoy and spam your CPU-Z validation in your friends' face. ============= Quick Legend for BSOD codes _______________ 0x101 = increase vcore 0x124 = increase/decrease vcore 0x0A = unstable RAM/IMC 0x1E = increase vcore 0x3B = increase vcore 0x3D = increase vcore 0x50 = RAM timings/Frequency unstable 0x109 = Not enough or too Much memory voltage 0x116 = Low IOH (NB) voltage, GPU issue 0x7E = Corrupted OS file =============

What Ezekiel_Enus said.

Asus Sabertooth Z77.

Don't know anything about AMD chipsets at the moment, but games only usually use 1-2 cores but if you're going to render and things like that then more cores the better. GL

Still rocking my O-G Epic 4G but I'm due for an upgrade now so it'll be either the S III or something with Windows Phone 8. Once I upgrade I'll keep my Epic 4G as a emulator and music device.