New "emergency" build

[ScrewySqrl]

I just ordered parts from newegg to replace my old PC, which died , It was sooner than I expected (I had been planning a ~$700 build around a bulldozer, but I got a $600 build around a locked Sandy Bridge chip.

My parts:

Windows 7 Home Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

i5-2400 3.1 Ghz Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

AS Rock H61M-VS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

Muskhkin 4GB DDR-1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

500 GB Seagate SATA 2 Hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

LG DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216

Corsair CX430W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

HIS HD 6850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

Roswill R-102 Micro ATX Minitower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

Blue 120MM Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200049

generic 80mm fan to replace shroud, if necessary (not purchased, just lying around, I have at least 4 that can be cannibalized from hulks of old builds)
---
A generic usb keyboard & mouse I already have will be used with this computer

My existing monitor is a 21.5" Acer 1680x1050 model, and I'll use that for now, Might occasionally hook it up to the 42" 1080p TV.

I know the 2400 is limited in overclocking, but here's my questions:
Can I still up the +4 Bins on an H61 barebones mobo?

the Extreme PSU calculator, with 100% TDP, 90% System Load and 20% Capacitor aging suggests 380W for a 3.5 GHz Overclock, and 393W for 3.6 overclock, so my 430W PSU seems like it should be good to handle this, assuming its a solid and stable OC, for at least 2 years of regular use.

Many will wonder if the 6850 will fit in this small case. the 6850 is 9.1 inches long, which is shorter than the 9.6" motherboard. It should fit, but might block one of the internal hard drive slots. Not serious, as I only plan to use at most 2 of the 4 spaces anyway (eventually add an SSD)

the RAM and Video card I'll be mostly leaving alone, though can anyone suggest timing changes for that mushkin ram?

Anyone have any other suggestions? Parts have already shipped

 

[EarthDog]

You wont be overclocking at all with that setup. Its a locked processor.

PSU capacity is fine.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

then why have I read about people doing some limited OC's with the locked processors of up to +4 bins?



of the middle paragraphs of this review:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/14
which states by OC'ing the base clock to 105 MHzand then upping bins to 38x, they got 3.78 to 3.99 out of a 2400.

 

[EarthDog]

Thats called Turbo. The H67 chipset has VERY limited o/c capabilities. H61, I have never heard of and is likely a budget model which tends to have even less features for overclocking.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

welp, worst I can do is try it, and see what happens.

 

[pbcranium202]

My only question is if you were going to spend ~$700 and this is ~$600 why not spend the extra ~$50 to get the 2500k?

 

[Theocnoob]

My only question is if you were going to spend ~$700 and this is ~$600 why not spend the extra ~$50 to get the 2500k?

$50 for the CPU and at least $50 to get into a proper P67 board that will hold 5Ghz potentially over the next four or five years is the thing. The H boards can be had very cheap.

*BUT*

Usually, an entire PC does not die (I assume this was like a power surge thing?). Is your GPU still good? You can re-use it for now, buy a 2500K and quality P67 board, then grab the current GPU when you have that cash.

 

[ChanceCoats123]

+1. If you can, reuse just about as much as you can. Then take the parts that aren't new, and put them on the waiting list in order of priority. Just upgrade as you get enough money.