Gaming CPU check- will it do the job?

[Jack-]

Well, my current spec is as follows:

CPU: Pentium G620 Dual Core @ 2.6GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 570
PSU: Coolermaster GX RS650-ACAAE3-UK (650W)
Memory: Corsair 2x4GB DDR3 (1333)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D2V GEN3 Intel H61
HDD: 500GB WD Green
CASE: Coolermaster Elite 430 Black Mid Tower
COOLER: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler

How does this stack up for running Skyrim at max settings with a comfortable margin for graphics mods etc. ???

 

[liamnic2]

Dont think a 570 can max skyrim on normal res. You might be able to get it near max with lower res. SLI 570's would do fine but 1 on its own is going to struggle. Not sure about that duall core CPU either.

 

[dangro474]

Judging by the fact that the Pentium G620 barely outperforms my old E6600 which bottlenecked my 280 GTX in 2009 releases, the G620 is more than likely to bottleneck your 570.

I would recommend an i5 CPU (3470+), or a high end i3 (2130+) at as a minimum for a gaming rig.

 

[keynes]

The GTX 570 would be fine but, as Dangro474 suggested, your CPU may bottleneck the GPU. You need at least an i3 to get a minimum of 30fps at high settings but an i5 would be ideal.

 

[Jack-]

Okay, in that case-

If i swap the CPU for an Intel i5 3570 Quad Core 3.4GHz but then downgrade my gpu to an AMD Radeon HD 6870, that should avoid any CPU bottlenecking, whilst sacrificing the GPU, which will hopefully only be a temporary measure. It would be easier to just swap out the GPU for a 570 or even 670 further down the line than change CPUs wouldn't it?

Also, this is the mobo I've currently got in mind-

Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D2V Gen 3, Intel H61, 1155, DDR3, SATA II 3Gb/s, PCIe 3.0 (x16), D-Sub/DVI-D, Micro ATX

The 1155 socket should mean its compatible with the i5 3570 shouldn't it? But I think i read somewhere that I would need a BIOS update for the Ivy Bridge gen. Is that correct? And finally, its expansion slots consist of 3x PCIe 2.0 (x1) and 1x PCIe 3.0 (x16) : The 6870's spec refers to PCIe 2.1 (x16) - so will the mobo's 3.0 slot accommodate it?

 

[keynes]

It would be easier to just swap out the GPU for a 570 or even 670 further down the line than change CPUs wouldn't it?

Depends on the power supply.

The 1155 socket should mean its compatible with the i5 3570 shouldn't it?

The manufacture's website indicates: GIGABYTE motherboards support Intel 22nm processors , so it should be.

But I think i read somewhere that I would need a BIOS update for the Ivy Bridge gen. Is that correct?

Not sure, if you are building the computer on your own I'd advice doing more research or contacting the manufacturer for peace of mind.

so will the mobo's 3.0 slot accommodate it?

Yes

 

[ThomasM]

Dont think a 570 can max skyrim on normal res. You might be able to get it near max with lower res. SLI 570's would do fine but 1 on its own is going to struggle. Not sure about that duall core CPU either.

My card in sig maxes Skyrim at 1080p...

 

[Jack-]

Cool, thanks guys for the answers- Very helpful responses

 

[Jack-]

Hey guys, I've got my spec sorted now. Just one final hurdle: case!! If I say I don't plan on opting for SLI or OC'ing, will this case provide sufficient cooling and ventilation for the spec below:

CASE: InWin MaNA 136 Black Gaming Case

CPU: i5 3570 Quad 3.4GHz
GPU: GTX 670
PSU: Corsair 650W Enthusiast Series
RAM: 8GB Corsair (2x4GB)
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-M
HDD: 500GB WD Green
Cooler: Freezer 7 v2

 

[keynes]

500GB WD Green

Any reason for the caviar green? As a primary drive I'd chose the caviar black.

will this case provide sufficient cooling and ventilation for the spec below

I don't think you will have any issues with cooling, try spending sometime with the cable management in your system. You could also add 2 fans on the side panel.

 

[Jack-]

Ah, good. Will do- cables are the most daunting part of the build as far as I can see..

Does the black have any significant advantage over the green then?

500GB, 64MB Cache, SATAIII (Green) - £50
500GB, 64MB Cache, SATAIII, 7200rpm (Black) - £90

 

[keynes]

Green are more energy efficient and more suited for storage, caviar black would be faster.