Mid-High end gaming PC (part 3!)

[Beev]

Since search is broken and I couldn't find my old thread I have to make a new one. I apologize for this.

After getting a lot of feedback from here, a few other sites, and some irl friends I think I have a good system pieced together. No one told me specifically which parts to buy, and I'm a bit rusty, so if anyone sees anything... odd or off about this list let me know. Up until last week I was very convinced I was going to use the AMD build someone on here linked to me, but after more discussions and considerations I'm choosing an Intel system. SO! Here are my specs:

CPU: Intel i7 2600k
CPU Fan and Heatsink
16GB RAM
EVGA GTX 560 Video Card
Crucial 128GB SSD
750w PSU (too much?)

And then I have a generic DVD drive and monitor, and I'm keeping my current keyboard and mouse. The main thing I'm missing is a motherboard; I just don't know anything about them anymore... I also need to pick out a nice, cheap, low-key case. How does it look other than that?

 

[DesiPower]

i donno ... dont know you budget but you asked for cheap mobo so...

CPU seems to be over kill 2500k should be enough
Do you really need 16 GB ram, go with 8 now and get 8 later, prices will fall more...
The m4 is perfect
I personally would prefer a 6950
I would rather go with this PSU if not going SLI


This should be a good mobo

 

[Beev]

My budget is roughly ~$1500, but I don't mind going over by a couple hundred dollars if it's worth it. My current total sans motherboard is ~$1300. I'm pretty set on 16gb of RAM because it's not that costly at this point anyway.

Is the CPU overkill in a bad way? It was only $100 more than the 2500k, so I figured why not.

Thanks for the mobo suggestion, I like it a lot actually.

 

[DesiPower]

For you budget, no, its great, go for 2600k with 16GB, even the 750W PSU looks good. if you have room, maybe get another 128GM M4!!! better even, get one 60GB for OS and a 256GB for games!!

 

[Beev]

Lol, I have a spare terabyte hard drive I will use for overall storage. I switched PSU's to the one you linked as well, so thanks for that suggestion too.

 

[Zap]

2500K instead of 2600K. Overclocks the same plus performs the same in games. Save $100.

CPU cooler sounds fine. Alternately get the newer "Evo" version of the same cooler.

Get a nice 8GB dual channel DDR3-1600 1.5v kit. Save $45 for EXACT SAME GAMING PERFORMANCE. Srsly, games don't (at this time and forseeable future) require over 2GB for themselves, so unless you are multi-boxing some MMO, you really don't need more than 4GB RAM. However, 8GB RAM is at the best bang/buck right now.

750W is perfect... if you are running dual graphics cards in SLI/Crossfire. That TX750 is an older model. Check out this thread on some hot deals on Corsair PSUs. Your best bet (assuming not going SLI/Crossfire) would be the TX650M for $62. It is one of their newest models with 80Plus Bronze and modular cables.

For motherboard look for something that uses the Z68 chipset in your price range.

For case how about this one? It is $35 after coupon and rebate. Not the best case in the world, but it is cheap and will work.

 

[lehtv]

^ Agree, except

CPU cooler sounds fine. Alternately get the newer "Evo" version of the same cooler.

The EVO isn't $15 better than 212+. But Mugen 3 might be $20 better.

and

For case how about this one? It is $35 after coupon and rebate. Not the best case in the world, but it is cheap and will work.

On a $1500 budget you don't really want to cheap out on the case. At least a HAF 912 or Antec 300 Illusion, more likely something like Corsair 400R, Fractal Define Arc Midi or Antec 1100.

 

[DaveSimmons]

2500K + GTX 570 is better for gaming than 2600K + 560. Spend the $100 on the GPU instead. Or keep the $100 for games.

 

[jacktesterson]

2500K + GTX 570 is better for gaming than 2600K + 560. Spend the $100 on the GPU instead. Or keep the $100 for games.

Beat me to it

 

[Kinesis]

For you budget, no, its great, go for 2600k with 16GB, even the 750W PSU looks good. if you have room, maybe get another 128GM M4!!! better even, get one 60GB for OS and a 256GB for games!!

Would there be a performance gain with the SSD for Games?

 

[Zap]

Would there be a performance gain with the SSD for Games?

No, but an SSD just makes your computer FEEL like it is super fast. After using one, going back to a HDD feels like going back to a moped after riding a 1000cc supersports. For most games it adds absolutely nothing for performance, but I know I would not ever want to go back to HDD just for the general snappy feeling around Windows.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

the Kingwin Lazer Platinum 550w is a nice little pipsqueak but costly due to it's unparallelled performance

 

[mfenn]

My budget is roughly ~$1500, but I don't mind going over by a couple hundred dollars if it's worth it. My current total sans motherboard is ~$1300. I'm pretty set on 16gb of RAM because it's not that costly at this point anyway.

Is the CPU overkill in a bad way? It was only $100 more than the 2500k, so I figured why not.

Thanks for the mobo suggestion, I like it a lot actually.

Why not? Because for a gaming PC, you'd be better off spending that $150 (CPU and RAM) on the GPU. Here's what you can build for ~$1500 (I think your budget is including monitor but not HDD?):

i5 2500K $220
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $122
Patriot DDR3 1600 8GB $36
6950 2GB (unlockable to 6970) x2 $520 AR
Crucial M4 128GB $180
Lite-ON DVD Burner $20
TX750V2 $70 AR AP
HAF 922 $80 AR AP
ASUS VG236HE 120 Hz monitor $290 AR
Total: $1538

You can drop the monitor to a normal 60Hz and/or drop the second 6950 2GB to reduce the cost if you want. This will absolutely dominate the build originally suggested in games.

 

[DesiPower]

No, but an SSD just makes your computer FEEL like it is super fast. After using one, going back to a HDD feels like going back to a moped after riding a 1000cc supersports. For most games it adds absolutely nothing for performance, but I know I would not ever want to go back to HDD just for the general snappy feeling around Windows.

I see some difference, recently moved BF3 from Caviar Blue to M4, it does load faster now... on the HDD it was testing my patience...

 

[lehtv]

Agree with mfenn, superb gaming build really.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you really want a gaming monitor, go look on Craigslist for a CRT, just be careful of the crazies.

 

[Beev]

Thanks, guys. I haven't ordered anything yet, but this thread proves I have a lot to decide on.

This is what I get for being out of the hardware loop for half a decade

 

[Beev]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here... Why Crossfired Radeons? Why not SLI'd GeForces of equal value and power?

I have two opposing sides telling me to go with opposite cards . I personally have no preference, I've just heard that nVidia is "better" these days, though no one can tell me why -_-. If this is a question for the video forum let me know and I will post it there instead.

Thanks a ton for all of your help, guys. This machine would suck if I were doing it all alone.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here... Why Crossfired Radeons? Why not SLI'd GeForces of equal value and power?

I have two opposing sides telling me to go with opposite cards . I personally have no preference, I've just heard that nVidia is "better" these days, though no one can tell me why -_-. If this is a question for the video forum let me know and I will post it there instead.

Thanks a ton for all of your help, guys. This machine would suck if I were doing it all alone.

Some gpus do better in some games. Its just fan boys telling you some crap. They are not equally good companies.

 

[mfenn]

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here... Why Crossfired Radeons? Why not SLI'd GeForces of equal value and power?

I have two opposing sides telling me to go with opposite cards . I personally have no preference, I've just heard that nVidia is "better" these days, though no one can tell me why -_-. If this is a question for the video forum let me know and I will post it there instead.

Thanks a ton for all of your help, guys. This machine would suck if I were doing it all alone.

Because there are no GeForces of equal value and power? :awe:

Seriously though, neither company is overall better than another at this point. Nvidia is a better value at some prices, AMD at others. It just so happens that right now the 6950 2GB is the best value in the $250 upper-midrange sweet spot.

 

[Beev]

Ordering everything in a week! Here is what I believe I will settle on, assuming no one points anything terrible out to me

i7 2600k
16GB RAM
2x Radeon 6950
128GB SSD
750w PSU
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3

I can list the other, less important parts if you guys want. I'm pretty excited. Thanks for all of the help.

 

[mfenn]

A few comments:
- Your PSU link is broken, so I'm not sure which 750W you are referring to.
- The RAM is $90 for 16GB, which is not that great of a deal when compared to getting two 8GB kits for $38.
- The non-Dirt3 version of that card is $20 less expensive.
- What's the motivation behind getting an i7 2600K? It doesn't perform anywhere near 33% faster in games.

 

[Beev]

A few comments:
- Your PSU link is broken, so I'm not sure which 750W you are referring to.
- The RAM is $90 for 16GB, which is not that great of a deal when compared to getting two 8GB kits for $38.
- The non-Dirt3 version of that card is $20 less expensive.
- What's the motivation behind getting an i7 2600K? It doesn't perform anywhere near 33% faster in games.

PSU link is fixed. Will it be good enough to Crossfire two 6950's?

I have a friend who works for a computer shop locally that sold me the exact RAM package I linked, but for $70. I thought it was worth it.

Thanks for the card recommendation. I didn't even notice.

Microcenter has the 2600k for $280, and there's one pretty close to me. It may not be a drastic upgrade, but it seems worth it from what I can tell. Plus I can always OC the 2600k, right?

 

[Topweasel]

I would recommend the 128GB for the OS. But one thing you might want to look at is a 64GB or smaller SSD for RST cache, so that if you have to keep going to the 1TB HDD you can still see SSD like performance.

 

[lehtv]

PSU link is fixed. Will it be good enough to Crossfire two 6950's?

Yeah, Corsair TX750 can power 6950 crossfire, no problem there. $80 AR AP for that PSU is a good price too :thumbsup:. From NCIX, you could get XFX 750 XXX for $10 more. Semi-modular, a bit more efficient + free dirt 3.

Microcenter has the 2600k for $280, and there's one pretty close to me.

So what is the motivation for 2600K over 2500K? That it costs $100 more but doesn't benefit you?

It may not be a drastic upgrade, but it seems worth it from what I can tell.

Please elaborate

Plus I can always OC the 2600k, right?

2500K can be overclocked just the same.