help with build please

Rick1568

here is what I have right now

I5 6600k unlocked (Skylake version)

EVO 212 Cooling

MSI Z170A Gaming M5 MB

16 GB 2100 DDR4

EVGA 980TI

Fractal Design R5 Case

750 Watt PSU

i plan on using my Case, PSU, and GPU (for now).

I have a $600 budget to upgrade my machine. I game some, mainly a racing simulation called iRacing. It is more CPU demanding that GPU. Also, it is a game that doesn't use

many cores, so I don't know for sure if I can get something cheaper. 

Here is what I am looking at going with. It comes in at $604. If anyone has any suggestions that know what to do, please advise. Can I go cheaper and still have a nice up grade. Also, I do plan on upgrading the GPU someday....

Intel-core-i5-12600k

Asus Z690 Prime DDR4 LGA 1700 MB

Gskill ripjaws V 16gb 3600 (8x2gb)

Cooler master hayper 212 Black edition

Aodhan_Gorman

I'd say that is a solid upgrade plan, the 12600k is definitely a sweet spot right now for performance. If you already have the 212 Evo it might be worth reusing that if you have a compatible mounting bracket and pick up a liquid cooler or bigger air cooler down the line, otherwise the 212 Black should be fine! The biggest thing to be aware of is 12th Gen K series processor's massive power requirements that may also turn into thermal woes. Be sure to check your temps and if you see them getting too hot try to either improve your cooling solution or downclock the CPU until you can invest in better cooling. Hope this helps!

Ian

I agree, the 12600K would be a good upgrade plan in your budget range. Single core performance is very solid on that processor. Then once you make these changes, down the line if needed - you can easily pair a new video card with your parts.

Rick1568

Having trouble confirming that the MB and RAM are compatible. :(

and what does this mean on partspicker.com?

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/42534#Comment_42534

It should be compatible, the only message I see there is letting you know you may need to perform a BIOS update, if you are buying from Micro Center, a salesperson in-store would be able to verify with you if that would need to be done or not.

Rick1568

I would think that it may not boot because bios needs updating? How will that work? Can someone explain<. This will be my 3rd build and never had this issue so not sure how it works.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@Rick1568

Looks like a generic warning. I don't believe this will be an issue, I didn't have any issue on the older BIOS versions with the 12600K/KF or 12900KS even though they're not listed as compatible. Even if it is a problem, with that board you can flash the BIOS and update without the CPU installed with the flashback feature.

magarity

You just need to get the bracket for the 1700 socket, it's just $15, then you dont need to re-buy the entire cooler.

Wasn't the 12600K available at launch for the 1700 socket?? That means, no, it won't need a BIOS update. That's a totally generic warning. Says that for every motherboard / CPU combination.

Rick1568

Sorry for the dumb questions, but I can't afford to get the wrong shit, as I had to SAVE my ass off for this as I live paycheck to paycheck. :(

Anyway. Am I correct that the only difference between the 12600K and the KF is that the KF does not have wireless. I don't use wireless connection.

magarity

No, intel CPUs that are K are unlocked for overclocking. F means there is no integrated graphics, so you'd have to have a graphics card.

whether there is wifi or not is something built into the motherboard, not the cpu.

if money is tight consider just get the 12600 without K or else the KF. The K is the most expensive.

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/42628#Comment_42628

Magarity above has the answer for you on the processor. Wireless is going to be mentioned in the name or specs of the motherboard, doesn't relate to the processor. If you aren't using it, not a big concern but the motherboard would say like "Z690 Prime Wi-Fi" if it is a Wi-Fi ready motherboard.

Rick1568

Was just reading up some more. I turns out that the MB I have selected does not accept DDR4-3600 RAM. Because of a clearance issue? Can someone who knows confirm this for me please?

If that is true, my question would be.

Change MB to something compatible with 3600 RAM?

or

Change RAM to DDR4-3200 and use the chosen MB?

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/42677#Comment_42677

Don't see why there would be a clearance issue. It will support that RAM at that speed, you just have to set an XMP profile for it in BIOS. Guide from ASUS on how to do that: https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042256/

magarity

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/42677#Comment_42677

DDR4 is very confusing. It comes down to the fact that 3200 speed is the fastest official speed of DDR4. Anything over that is considered overclocking. Which is fine, they just aren't allowed to list 3600 as an official speed for the motherboard. But 3600 will work just fine. Millions of PCs have DDR4 running at 3600 perfectly. Don't stress it. If the 3600 is a good price, get it.

Note that when you do get it, it will run at 2133 until you go in the BIOS and set it up to run at 3600, Do not forget this step.

Rick1568

Have set the memory speed to 3600 in bios and clock and all that. Still boots right into bios home. It doesn't say anything is wrong it appears. Any suggestions?

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/42833#Comment_42833

If you turn the XMP profile off, does it boot into Windows?

Rick1568

That's exactly what it was!  Thanks!