New Nahalem to x-Lake replacement kit. (Urgent)

[Pyrii]

So after pulling out my PC last night wondering why my i7 920 was refusing to idle at any temp below 60c, even after lowering voltages, turning on C-STATE tech, turning up fans on my TD03 Silverstone closed loop cooler. As far as I can tell, the chip must be dying which is why it's running hot, and playing Yooka-Laylee was the final straw. I tried pulling it all out, cleaning the rad and re-applying the thermal paste, but to no avail.

 

I've been meaning to upgrade for awhile, and a couple of years ago even spent £200 in a 24Gb triple-channel DDR3 kit for my PC. The problem is that I'd need to do a complete refit, Mobo/CPU/RAM.

 

So here's what I'm using at the moment:

• i7 920 @ 2.6Ghz (I had it overclocked to 2.8Ghz for most of the time since I bought it in 2009)
• Silverstone TD03 Closed loop CPU cooler. (Yes I did clean it after taking that pic)
• Asus P6T SE (X58 Chipset)
• Corsair Vengeance 6x4Gb 1600Mhz CAS9 DDR3 RAM (running at 666Mhz, board doesn't like running it above this)
• Asus Strix ROG GTX 1070 8G
• Corsair RM1000 PSU
• Samsung 840 Pro(Games)/850 EVO(OS) 512Gb SSDs
• Toshiba HDWD130 3Tb Desktop drive
• Fractal R5 case (White/No Window)
• VIA-chipset 4-port (2in/2out) based USB3 card
• Windows 7 x64 (I do have and have used Win10, but it was driving me bonkers and is horrible for gaming+streaming, so reverted)

 

So I want to go to Skylake, while Kaby lake seems to be almost the same price, but since I use Win7 I can't get updates if I go Kaby Lake. (I don't have a key for Win8/8.1 and the same problem applies).

 

So here's my shopping list so far:

• Intel Skylake i7 6700K (£290-£310 on Amazon)
• Asus ROG Z270F Motherboard (Has lots of USB3 I/O for all my capture boxes/memory sticks, 2x M2 slots and will support Kaby lake if I decide to switch later).
• Corsair Vengeance DDR4 16Gb+ memory (Up in the air which kit to use right now, fast is good)
• Some Noctua NH-H1 thermal paste (as my old tube of CM paste is looking a bit grody, it's coming out rather lumpy)

Would be nice to have:

• New cooler? the TD03 isn't the best cooler, my current one is a replacement after the last failed. My Server is currently using my Noctua cooler.
• M2 SSD for new OS, 256Gb Max as I've never really used the full 512Gb of my current OS SSD
• Cheap small SSD for Pagefiles? (Currently on the 3Tb drive as a partition at the start of the disk)

Most of this is going with what I'm used to and tend to know are good brands (Never gone wrong with Corsair vengeance mem kits). but really I'd like some advice on whether I'm looking at a good set up that will last me a long time to come. I've been putting this off for years really, so I've had enough money set aside for this that budget isn't the issue, but now that my CPU is failing so bad I can't even game any more, I can't wait around for prices to drop or sales (Unless there are drops right around the corner).

 

Amazon UK seems to be the best for Cheap and fast (as I have prime). Amazon have always had better support than SCAN who have sometimes flat-out lied to refuse RMAs in the past and then tried to charge me money to get my stuff back. Aria tend to have cheaper stuff, but shipping bumps the price back up. So some advice on best places to shop from UK boarders would also be appreciated.

 

So while it seems like I have my stuff together, I'm posting here because I'm really unsure and would like some advice or confirmation. Halp 

[LienusLateTips]

What do you do on this computer? You may want to consider Ryzen 7.

[Ashiella]

I wouldn't recommend the 6700k anymore. I'd go 7700k if I needed Intel.

i would probably use the r7 1700, along with the Msi tomahawk motherboard and some corsair vengeance 3000mhz ram. The stock cooler would be fine as well, it has pretty rgb LEDs. Also, Windows 10 has improved, I remember when  win10 was trash and couldn't stream, would go black screen in some games and had noticeably worse frames, but now that has changed, you should notice at least 1-2 fps higher, and there are no more issues, Ubisoft is also dropping 7 support soon.

[Pyrii]

5 minutes ago, JDE said:

What do you do on this computer? You may want to consider Ryzen 7.

I use it for most gaming with occasional streaming+recording. Sadly while Kaby lake is just locked out of WIn7 updates, AMD aren't even making Win7 drivers for Ryzen. I really hate the idea of being forced back to windows 10 after spending over half a year with it and pulling my hair out with it. When Win10 allows me to use MY computer MY way, then I'll go back.

 

If Ryzen was more stable and less buggy then maybe, but right now it needs to get some fixes out and I can't wait. I haven't gone AMD since the old 486 days

[Ashiella]

Also, I'd be happy to take that old hardware off ye. Especially the i7 920, maybe I can fix it up, make it like an htpc, or just bin it. Still more money in your pocket.

[Ashiella]

Just now, Pyrii said:

I use it for most gaming with occasional streaming+recording. Sadly while Kaby lake is just locked out of WIn7 updates, AMD aren't even making Win7 drivers for Ryzen. I really hate the idea of being forced back to windows 10 after spending over half a year with it and pulling my hair out with it.

 

If Ryzen was more stable and less buggy then maybe, but right now it needs to get some fixes out and I can't wait. I haven't gone AMD since the old 486 days

It actually isn't that buggy, and since launch updates have come out every single week fixing any small issue it might have.

[Pyrii]

1 minute ago, Ashiella said:

Also, I'd be happy to take that old hardware off ye. Especially the i7 920, maybe I can fix it up, make it like an htpc, or just bin it. Still more money in your pocket.

Certainly, the CPU may be kaput, but the memory is worth a fair whack and the Mobo is fine, as long as you don't mind replacing the CMOS battery every year or face losing CMOS settings when fully unplugging the system. (Still works though as the kitchen refit has not made me lose my settings while the power was out/new fuse box fitted)

[Pyrii]

Intel and AMD are like annoying friends who are like "We'll totally help you out, but only if you're back with your abusive ex-girlfriend, Windows 10". Why can't you like me Intel and AMD-senpai for being with the OS that's always treated me right and always been there for me?

 

Err, this metaphor got out of hand.

[Technomancer__]

here you can get win 10 free if you have win 7 or 8

its legit from Microsoft website did it myself

also consider ryzen 5 or 7

[Pyrii]

Ryzen 7 prices are pretty sporting, 1800X is about £470 and 1700X is £350 (Unless you go to SCAN then it's £490 and £360 respectively). And I haven't even looked at boards yet. Question, does Ryzen support memory speeds over 2666 yet?

 

@Ethocreeper I've already upgraded to WIn10 before. I assume that since I've already redeemed the free upgrade that I can install it any time now.

[Technomancer__]

3 hours ago, Pyrii said:

Ryzen 7 prices are pretty sporting, 1800X is about £470 and 1700X is £350 (Unless you go to SCAN then it's £490 and £360 respectively). And I haven't even looked at boards yet. Question, does Ryzen support memory speeds over 2666 yet?

 

@Ethocreeper I've already upgraded to WIn10 before. I assume that since I've already redeemed the free upgrade that I can install it any time now.

i will go with the 1700x oc it to get very similar to 1800x (even 1700 can go but 1700x closer) and for mobo asus prime x370

[Ashiella]

46 minutes ago, Pyrii said:

Ryzen 7 prices are pretty sporting, 1800X is about £470 and 1700X is £350 (Unless you go to SCAN then it's £490 and £360 respectively). And I haven't even looked at boards yet. Question, does Ryzen support memory speeds over 2666 yet?

 

@Ethocreeper I've already upgraded to WIn10 before. I assume that since I've already redeemed the free upgrade that I can install it any time now.

Ryzen supports up to 4200mhz ram if I remember correctly, the faster the ram the better for ryzen.

[Pyrii]

56 minutes ago, Ashiella said:

Ryzen supports up to 4200mhz ram if I remember correctly, the faster the ram the better for ryzen.

It may do but the boards sure don't. And board choice is non-existent at the moment it feels like, most of them only have 1 M.2 slot and 8 SATA slots which is useless for me. They all only support 2666/3000 memory speeds with anything above that being "(O.C)".

 

I want a PC I can build on, not another one where I'm stuck from the offset and will have to do this all over again when I want to upgrade again. But it looks like *lake-x is going to be a different socket. But AMD claim that Socket AM4 will be here for a while to come.

So if this is the case, then maybe just buy the best and make sure it's stuff that will last me a long time. I really hate that I'm forced to do this now and have to essentially make a bet on what will be suitable for the future.

 

I'm having trouble finding reliable proof that the memory troubles with Ryzen are fixed. As far as I know, Ryzen still has trouble going above 2666 speeds and even in many cases needs memory that supports Ryzen rather than standard DDR4. Many of the boards I've seen can't go above 3200/3300. All the AM4 X370 motherboards I've seen are terrible for the price compared to Z270 offerings. I can't even buy a cheap one while I wait for better boards to come out because they're all £150+

[Ashiella]

23 minutes ago, Pyrii said:

It may do but the boards sure don't. And board choice is non-existent at the moment it feels like, most of them only have 1 M.2 slot and 8 SATA slots which is useless for me. They all only support 2666/3000 memory speeds with anything above that being "(O.C)".

 

I want a PC I can build on, not another one where I'm stuck from the offset and will have to do this all over again when I want to upgrade again. But it looks like *lake-x is going to be a different socket. But AMD claim that Socket AM4 will be here for a while to come.

So if this is the case, then maybe just buy the best and make sure it's stuff that will last me a long time. I really hate that I'm forced to do this now and have to essentially make a bet on what will be suitable for the future.

 

I'm having trouble finding reliable proof that the memory troubles with Ryzen are fixed. As far as I know, Ryzen still has trouble going above 2666 speeds and even in many cases needs memory that supports Ryzen rather than standard DDR4. Many of the boards I've seen can't go above 3200/3300. All the AM4 X370 motherboards I've seen are terrible for the price compared to Z270 offerings. I can't even buy a cheap one while I wait for better boards to come out because they're all £150+

Just as a note, quad cores are already going outta date IMO. And HT quad ores are up next. With games optimization and dx12 the more cores will help in the long run, it was like buying a q6600 when they first came out, they still performs decent to this day.

[Pyrii]

1 minute ago, Ashiella said:

Just as a note, quad cores are already going outta date IMO. And HT quad ores are up next. With games optimization and dx12 the more cores will help in the long run, it was like buying a q6600 when they first came out, they still performs decent to this day.

Yeah, it's that horrible balance between Intel, where it's a dead end, but you know what you're getting because it's a mature platform. And Ryzen, where motherboard support is terrible because it's fresh out. Plus prices are high So intel's prices haven't shifted here. Hmmm, maybe a cheap B350 board instead. *starts looking*

[LienusLateTips]

6 hours ago, Ashiella said:

Also, I'd be happy to take that old hardware off ye. Especially the i7 920, maybe I can fix it up, make it like an htpc, or just bin it. Still more money in your pocket.

See if your motherboard supports the high end Xeon X5000 series chips.

[Pyrii]

3 minutes ago, JDE said:

See if your motherboard supports the high end Xeon X5000 series chips.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P6T_SE/HelpDesk_CPU/
Core i7s only, I was checking since I figured a plan-B would be to throw in an replacement off eBay to buy myself some time for Ryzen prices to settle down and decent boards to come out.

 

That i7 960 for £38 looks tempting 

[LienusLateTips]

48 minutes ago, Pyrii said:

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P6T_SE/HelpDesk_CPU/
Core i7s only, I was checking since I figured a plan-B would be to throw in an replacement off eBay to buy myself some time for Ryzen prices to settle down and decent boards to come out.

 

That i7 960 for £38 looks tempting 

If your motherboard had supported the Xeon chips, you could get the W3520 (980X) for $20

[Pyrii]

1 minute ago, JDE said:

If your motherboard had supported the Xeon chips, you could get the W3520 (980X) for $20

Yeah, Xeon chips are pretty cheap on eBay, which is annoying.

[LienusLateTips]

1 minute ago, Pyrii said:

Yeah, Xeon chips are pretty cheap on eBay, which is annoying.

I was mistaken, the W3520 is the i7 920. It also goes for 5 pounds. Anyways if it WOULD work I would go for a X5650. But there is no point investing in a dead socket. Go for at least LGA1155.

 

[Pyrii]

2 minutes ago, JDE said:

I was mistaken, the W3520 is the i7 920. It also goes for 5 pounds. Anyways if it WOULD work I would go for a X5650. But there is no point investing in a dead socket. Go for at least LGA1155.

 

Well the idea is to extend the life of my existing PC a few months. So LGA1366 chips are what I was looking at.

[LienusLateTips]

1 minute ago, Pyrii said:

Well the idea is to extend the life of my existing PC a few months. So LGA1366 chips are what I was looking at.

Well here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-Core-i7-920-SLBCH-Quad-Core-2-66GHz-8M-4-80-Socket-LGA1366-Processor-CPU-/152437959143?hash=item237e02a9e7:g:SogAAOSwTuJYpEpN

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-Core-i7-920-2-66GHz-Quad-Core-LGA-1366-Processor-/371834533854?hash=item569310b7de:g:BmQAAOSwa~BYcjsP

 

 

[Pyrii]

I went ahead and got the 960. I also have some Noctua NH-H1 paste coming and some isopropyl alcohol. Sadly it's bank holiday here so it won't arrive till next week x_x

[Ashiella]

On April 13, 2017 at 7:03 PM, Pyrii said:

I went ahead and got the 960. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112365912151?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I also have some Noctua NH-H1 paste coming and some isopropyl alcohol. Sadly it's bank holiday here so it won't arrive till next week x_x

You cannot post eBay links it is against the ToS

[Pyrii]

On 17/04/2017 at 2:23 PM, Ashiella said:

You cannot post eBay links it is against the ToS

Whoops, fixed. Might want to adjust your own post tho.

 

In the end the overheating issue turned out to be my POS SilverStoneTek cooler. It was already a replacement after the first failed. So I had to spend £65 for a Noctua D14P. Temps are great now, under 40C at idle