Final Build Check In - Please Hammer Away!

[Guinness74]

First time building a rig so could use some final nod of approval and/or comments before I pull the trigger on the purchase this week. Budget $1800.

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
Heatsink: Antec Kuhler H2O 620
TIM: MASSCOOL G751 Shin-Etsu
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X
MEM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB
Case: NZXT Phantom Black Steel
PS: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX 650W
HDD : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM
SSD : Crucial M4 128GB
DVD R/W: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R
Monitor: Dell Ultrasharp U2311H
Keyboard: RAZER Arctosa Silver Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: RAZER DeathAdder Gaming Mouse

TOTAL: $1782.68 (Incl combo discounts, promo codes, shipping, excl. rebates)

Thanks in advance! Also, if anyone has any guides on how to build the PC as well as things I should look for when setting up the BIOS for the first time (I understand that the MB manual will do most of the guiding, I'm just looking for broader things to be aware of), it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kukag]

Build looks really strong, as far as guide just look at Newegg's Youtube Channel has a very nice indepth high def video on doing everything!

Best of luck sir and congrats on the new build, im build one but yours blows mine outta the water =D

Enjoy!
Kukag

 

[Morg.]

MAy I suggest an OC'd /Unlocked 6950 instead ?
Also, I do not believe the Antec is the best all-in-one WC at this point in time
You somehow manage to spend 1800 bucks and still live on one gfx / one screen, might wanna take a look at that

You could have 3 full hd led screens and a CFX of 6950/6970 .. or more .. for the same price

 

[Guinness74]

Thanks for the advice/feedback.

@Morg, I would prefer to keep my rig to a single screen/single GPU configuration, so I tried to go with the best performance for the least amount of money. I thought that 6950's that were unlocked are tough to come by now? How can I even tell if they are "unlocked" when buying one?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

if youre gonna spend 1800 why wouldnt you just go ahead and get the 2600k

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the advice/feedback.

@Morg, I would prefer to keep my rig to a single screen/single GPU configuration, so I tried to go with the best performance for the least amount of money. I thought that 6950's that were unlocked are tough to come by now? How can I even tell if they are "unlocked" when buying one?

A 6950 has to be the reference model (look like this save the sticker) in order to be unlockable. It was a good option 3 months ago, but stocks have dried up or are at a large premium.

As for your build, here's my comments:
- HSF: Self-contained water coolers aren't really very good because their radiator is inside the case, negating most of the benefits. Get the Corsair CAFA50 (Hyper 212+ clone) instead.
- TIM: Unnecessary, the stuff than comes with the cooler is fine.
- Mobo: Overpriced. The i5 2500K + GA-Z68MA-D3H combo has most of the same features and is cheaper.
- RAM: Overpriced and has heatspreaders that are too tall. This G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB kit is on special right now for $60.
- PSU: Overpriced. This XFX 650W is the same Seasonic build in a different enclosure.

 

[Guinness74]

As always, great advice mfenn. I'm all for saving some more cash. Will make those modifications and make the purchase this weekend!

 

[mfenn]

As always, great advice mfenn. I'm all for saving some more cash. Will make those modifications and make the purchase this weekend!

Sounds good!