First post, by victormun
Hey all!
Due to a series of random events, I've got into my hands a working GA-Z77M-D3H board with 8GB of DDR3@1600 RAM installed and a low-end mATX case (Tacens Anima AC016). However, it has no CPU on it. Considering that I've already got a Win98SE build and a 2004 AMD64-AGP WinXP build, I thought it'd be great to use these new pieces to build a great (or maybe even the ultimate) Windows XP machine (with official drivers, it is). After checking Gigabyte's website, that board seems to be completely compatible with Windows XP and it supports both Ivy and Sandy Bridge CPU's.
I've spent the last couple of weeks reading through the forums and I've narrowed my search to two (maybe 3) potential CPUs that I could use: i7 2700k and i7 3770k. Some people also suggested the 2600k but where I live there is basically no price difference between the 2600k and the 2700k. That's why I've reduced it to those 2 contestants. Some benefits for the 2700k would be that it's soldered and that it's a bit cheaper. Meanwhile, the 3770k draws less power.
Regarding the CPU, I've got a 970 lying around the house unused. From what I've read around here, there is some sort of official driver. My approach would be to use that 970 an, in case some issues occur, look for something else like a 780ti or a 680.
So, gathering used parts that I've around the house (excluding the GPU, that I would need to buy), the build would look something like this:
- CPU: Intel i7 2700K or Intel i7 3770K
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H
- RAM: 8GB G.Skill TridentX DDR3 1600
- GPU: MSI Nvidia Geforce GTX970
- Storage: 500Gb Samsung 850 EVO SATA3 SSD
- PSU: Corsair AX760 80Plus Platinum
- Case: Tacens Anima AC016
What CPU would you guys go for and why? Also, in case that the GPU would fail, the 780ti would be a fair replacement?
Thanks a lot!