Building a PC for Diablo III – Intel i7 Core Sandy Bridge CPU

Deciding which CPU to purchase for your new gaming rig to play Diablo III is no easy feat. There are so many options and variety of CPUs with odd names and lots of numbers that it goes to the point it reads as a incomprehensible foreign language or plain Klingon.

That’s not a cool thing, because people who don’t know the differences between each CPU might end up buying a mobile CPU for their Desktop computer by mistake, or an older version of the Desktop CPU.

Following up on the previous article titled Building a PC for Diablo III – EVGA Z68 SLI Motherboard, the EVGA Intel Z68 SLI Mobo supports the Intel i5 Core (mid-end CPU) and the Intel i7 Core (high-end CPU). However, gamers that play intensive video games like StarCraft II, Diablo III, Crysis 2, and other video games should definitely look out for the high-end CPUs: Intel i7 Core for maximum processing power.

Another factor to clock in on when deciding which Intel i7 Core CPU to buy is its code-name.

The Intel i7 Core (codename: Bloomfield, Lynnfield, Clarksfield, Arrandale, and Gulftown) were the first-generation released late 2008 and mid-2010.

Don’t even look at those when building a new gaming rig. Those are outdated in comparison with what’s available today for the same price.

The latest CPUs are codenamed Sandy Bridge, known also as the Intel i7 Core (Second Generation).

The Build-it-Yourself beginners are going to ask — what gives? What’s the difference? The first generation Intel i7 Core CPUs uses the LGA 1366 socket and LGA 1156.

The second generation Intel i7 Core Sandy Bridge CPUs use the LGA 1155 socket. It also features Intel® HD Graphics 3000.

Imagine trying to fit a circle box into a square hole. The CPU pins just don’t fit into the motherboard CPU socket. You would have a paperweight so to speak if you buy a Z68 motherboard which only supports the LGA 1155 CPUs and mistakenly you choose a first generation Intel i7 Core CPU.

There is another factor to look at when looking at the name of a CPU. The Intel i7 Core (Sandy Bridge) comes in three flavors: Core i7-2600, 2600K and 2600S. Some might have a 26XX variable. So, err, which should I get?

The suffix after the 2600 model number designates the function of each particular CPU. For example, the 2600K has an unlocked multiplier, and the 2600S is designed for low-power consumption. What would happen to a gamer who goes with 2600S? No-brainer.

The Intel i7-2600 (3.4GHz) and the i7-2600S (2.8GHz) cost the same: $ 295.99. The Intel i7 2600K (3.4GHz) costs $314.99 — merely $19 bucks more for a unlocked CPU. In short:

1. don’t get the “17-2600S” version for gaming – (low-power is teh sux)
2. you can overclock the i7-2600K (3.4GHz) up to (zomg!) 4.5GHz (unlocked CPU).
3. Get the 2600 (3.4GHz) — with no suffix — if you don’t care about overclocking.

Building your own gaming rig can be expensive in comparison to what DELL, HP, Acer, Gateway and other companies ship. Or what you might find in Best Buy and other national retailers.

The key is that you are in full control of every aspect and quality of your computer parts when you build it yourself — including the RAM, CPU, Motherboard, and Graphic Card.

Some of them provide options to build your rig, but you have a narrow choice window limited to what they offer versus what you wish as a gamer.

Thus, be prepared to see eye-popping prices when it comes to buying a CPU fit for Gamers.

The Intel i7 Core is a high-end CPU, and gaming fits the bill. I hand-picked two of the three available CPU flavors. You can read the full specs at the bottom of this page. Choose your poison of Intel i7 Core Sandy Bridge (Second Generation) CPUs:

• Intel Core i7-2600 3.4GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA1155 (non-overclock)
• Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA1155 (for Overclockers, up to 4.5GHz)

As commentcava suggested, in the comments section, gamers have another CPU option: the Intel Core i5. It’s a mid-range CPU for video and app performance. It’s nigh a $100 cheaper than the Intel Core i7. There are several Intel Core i5 flavors with a variety of suffixes, but I’d rather recommend the suffix “K” which means an unlocked CPU for overclockers. The unlocked version costs merely $4 more than the non-suffix version, no biggie in recommending it. CPU specs at the bottom of the page.

• Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz (6 MB Cache Socket LGA1155) — $209.95

Technology keeps evolving and enhancing computing processes. It’s up to you to upgrade into the EVGA Z68 SLI motherboard and the Intel i7 Core (Sandy Bridge quad-core) now, or wait until the next wave of upgrades.

CPU Cooler

Many gamers buy cookie-cutter computers and forget to replace the stock CPU fan and to use a thermal paste.

I learned this the hard way a couple years ago when I built my rig. The motherboard would auto-shutdown at boot. EVGA motherboards have a built-in temperature LCD display, so it wasn’t hard to figure out what the problem was. Once the CPU reaches 86F degrees, the motherboard auto-shutdown to protect the mobo and CPU. When booting, the CPU works hard to load up the operating system and its processes spiking temperature up to 86F.

Now that you have your favorite flavor of the second generation Sandy Bridge Intel i7 Core, there are two important things to add to your gaming rig wishlist.

First rule when building your own gaming rig: Get a thermal grease and replace the stock CPU fan.

There are many options to look up out there when it comes to CPU fans. If you prefer air CPU coolers, EVGA recently released their own version. Considering EVGA builds motherboards and graphic cards for overclockers — I lean to think EVGA engineers know what to look for in a CPU fan.

The EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler is compatible with the Socket 775, 1156, 1366 and what we care about here: the 1155 (Sandy Bridge second-generation). It costs $49.99.

The EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler has Aluminum fins to absorb and distribute cool air. Just looking at the design tells you this fan is unique compared to other stock fans and professional fans.

The blades are thinner, longer and narrower than anything you see out there in the market. It has seven blades. Airflow speeds can be controlled through BIOS settings. It does 750-2500RPM / 26-84CFM to keep your Intel i7 Core CPU cool. EVGA guarantees this cooler keeps your computer 20 degrees lower than any stock fan cooler.

The second most important thing for a CPU is the thermal grease you must place on the CPU itself before you place the EVGA Superclock CPU cooler or other choice of fan.

Model: EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler
Part No.: M020-00-000234
Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.0×5.3×3.6 inches (152x135x91mm)
Weight: 1.14lbs (0.51kg)
Socket Support:
Intel: LGA 775/1155/1156/1366
AMD: 754/939/F/AM2/AM3
Fin Material: Aluminum
Heatpipes: 8mm Copper
Fan:

• Size: 120x120x25mm
• Control: via motherboard PWM
• Voltage: 12v Max
• Current: 0.32A
• Noise Range: 13.2-41.5dBA
• Speed Range: 750-2500 RPM
• Airflow Range: 26-84 CFM
• Life: 30,000 Hours
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

The EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler costs $49.99, but take in mind the fan comes conveniently with a thermal grease paste compound in its packaging box. It usually costs an extra $ 8.00 to $19.00 when you buy the thermal paste separately.

The EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler performs as good as other professional fan coolers which cost $20 – $70 more, making its $49.99 price tag valuable. Under load on a 3.5GHz computer you get approximately 60.50 degrees Celsius, and 32.25 degrees Celsius while idle.

In the liquid cooling department, the Antec Kühler H20 920 Liquid CPU Cooling System costs twice what you would pay for the EVGA Superclock CPU cooler and cools your CPU one degree lower according to LegitReviews.

Intel i7 Core Sandy-Bridge Specs Comparison

Highlight rows with differences	Intel® Core™ i7-2600 Processor (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz)	Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz)
Code Name	Sandy Bridge	Sandy Bridge
Essentials
Status	Launched	Launched
Launch Date	Q1’11	Q1’11
Processor Number	i7-2600	i7-2600K
# of Cores	4	4
# of Threads	8	8
Clock Speed	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Bus/Core Ratio	34	34
Bus Type	DMI	DMI
System Bus	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
Instruction Set	64-bit	64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions	SSE4.1/4.2, AVX	SSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available	Yes	No
Lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Max TDP	95 W	95 W
Recommended Channel Price	$294.00	$317.00
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)	32 GB	32 GB
Memory Types	DDR3-1066/1333	DDR3-1066/1333
# of Memory Channels	2	2
Max Memory Bandwidth	21 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported	No	No
Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics	Yes	Yes
Graphics Model	Intel® HD Graphics 2000	Intel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency	850 MHz	850 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.35 GHz	1.35 GHz
Intel® Quick Sync Video	Yes	Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Insider™	Yes	Yes
Intel® Wireless Display	No	No
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology	Yes	Yes
Dual Display Capable	Yes	Yes
Expansion Options
PCI Express Revision	2.0	2.0
# of PCI Express Ports	1	1
Package Specifications
Max CPU Configuration	1	1
TCASE	72.6°C	72.6°C
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets Supported	LGA1155	LGA1155
Low Halogen Options Available	Yes	Yes
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Intel® vPro Technology	Yes	No
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)	Yes	No
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology	Yes	No
AES New Instructions	Yes	Yes
Intel® 64	Yes	Yes
Idle States	Yes	Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology	Yes	Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies	Yes	Yes
Intel® Fast Memory Access	Yes	Yes
Intel® Flex Memory Access	Yes	Yes
Execute Disable Bit	Yes	Yes

Intel Core i5 (Sandy Bridge) Specs

Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)	32 GB
Memory Types	DDR3-1066/1333
# of Memory Channels	2
Max Memory Bandwidth	21 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported	No

Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics	Intel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency	850 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.1 GHz
Intel® Quick Sync Video	Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology	Yes
Intel® Insider™	Yes
Intel® Wireless Display	No
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)	Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology	Yes
Dual Display Capable	Yes