My build - any comments/concerns/compliments?

[shwick]

gaming pc

cpu: i5-2500k
gpu: asus 6970
ram: 8GB DDR3-1600 GSKill
mobo: MSI P67A-C43
ssd: 128GB crucial m4
hd: 1TB WD
psu: corsair hx650
monitors: Asus VH238H (x2)
case: storm scout
hsf: Hyper 212+
mouse: logitech g500
mouse feet: XTRAC PADS Mad Dotz, logitech replacement feet
pad: XTRAC PADS Ripper (x2)
keyboard: Logitech 920-000914 Black
sound card: asus xonar dg
headset: sennheiser pc161
dvdrw: ASUS
fan controller: nzxt 5 port mesh front
fans: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm
fan filters: 2 for side intake

-is there some ssd to hd fitting adapter i need to fit the 2.5" m4

price comes out to ~$2300

 

[mfenn]

Looks pretty good, but you can save some money on the core system. Here's what I would do:
- Change the GPU to a 6950 2Gb Twin Frozer III and unlock it.
- Change the RAM to DDR3 1333
- Change the Mobo to a P8Z68-V LE
- Change the HDD to an F3 1TB
- Change the PSU to an XFX 650W
- Change the HSF to a Hyper 212 EVO

Your case come with an adapter for the 2.5" drive.

 

[shwick]

- Change the GPU to a 6950 2Gb Twin Frozer III and unlock it.
I'm in Canada and couldn't find a 2GB version of that card at either directcanada.com or newegg.ca. Interesting that that is a card that can consistently unluck, I've heard the new 6950's are hit or miss with the laser cutting.
- Change the RAM to DDR3 1333
done - I`m ocing to 4.4GHZ is this still ok
- Change the Mobo to a P8Z68-V LE
no thats not what i want
- Change the HDD to an F3 1TB
if i do that newegg will charge for a second shipment, I already have WD caviar black picekd out from directcanada and they don't have a F3
- Change the PSU to an XFX 650W
i don't like xfx, i believe they have subpar build quality on their products
- Change the HSF to a Hyper 212 EVO
sorry but I can't trust you on this one, newegg reviews show 1901 reviews for the plus and 2 reviews for the evo

thanks for recommendations

 

[lehtv]

my $0.02:

done - I`m ocing to 4.4GHZ is this still ok

Doesn't matter, OC'ing SB is multiplier-only

no thats not what i want

For just $15 more you get SSD caching, sandy bridge graphics (backup GPU, or second monitor) and front panel USB3.

i don't like xfx, i believe they have subpar build quality on their products

You believe, based on what? The fact is that XFX power supplies are manufactured by Seasonic which makes XFX's unit just as good as Corsair's, or Seasonic's own. JonnyGuru gave this unit very good marks, most notably 9.5/10 in performance.

I would also say that it's more likely their build quality in the graphics front is above average, as they offer lifetime warranty on their radeons.

sorry but I can't trust you on this one, newegg reviews show 1901 reviews for the plus and 2 reviews for the evo

The EVO is a new arrival, that's why it doesn't have many reviews yet. It's been out for a few days. It's an improved version of Hyper 212+, and while EVO costs a bit more, it performs slightly better (here) and is quieter too (lower fan RPM). The improved base is a likely cause for the better performance.

Also, you can get the Twin Frozr II 6950 for $250 after rebate: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=64181&vpn=R6950%20Twin Frozr II OC&manufacture=MSI/MicroStar

 

[shwick]

my $0.02:

Doesn't matter, OC'ing SB is multiplier-only

For just $15 more you get SSD caching, sandy bridge graphics (backup GPU, or second monitor) and front panel USB3.

You believe, based on what? The fact is that XFX power supplies are manufactured by Seasonic which makes XFX's unit just as good as Corsair's, or Seasonic's own. JonnyGuru gave this unit very good marks, most notably 9.5/10 in performance.

I would also say that it's more likely their build quality in the graphics front is above average, as they offer lifetime warranty on their radeons.

The EVO is a new arrival, that's why it doesn't have many reviews yet. It's been out for a few days. It's an improved version of Hyper 212+, and while EVO costs a bit more, it performs slightly better (here) and is quieter too (lower fan RPM). The improved base is a likely cause for the better performance.

Also, you can get the Twin Frozr II 6950 for $250 after rebate: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=64181&...SI%2FMicroStar

the xfx5770 greylined on me and i rma`d it for a 4870, which didn`t come with ramsinks

now the 4870 is starting to fail 1.5 years later

you wonder why their prices are cheaper, its bc they skimp on the cooling and build quality, I would rather the card not fail than having to rma it to get the life of a properly build asus card

as for the mobo, good recommendation but i`m happy with my first pick

switched to hyper evo cooler

i don`t do rebates, so the frozr II (not III) from ncix is $314 to me, for $66 more I get a properly binned 6970 with asus build quality

 

[lehtv]

OK. do it your way then

 

[mfenn]

OK. do it your way then

Some people are just stubborn (and don't fill out the sticky so that we don't know that they are in Canuckistan before going to the trouble of making a lot of links).

OP, you are pretty much dead wrong on all your reasoning about parts, as lehtv has so helpfully explained but was too nice to point out.

 

[lehtv]

^ To be fair, he did switch to the Evo cooler .

Also the Twin Frozr II price has gone up by quite a bit. $300 AR now :E Maybe it never was $250 AR, I may have looked up the price a bit hastily. I still wouldn't recommend a 6970 though, pretty bad value for money

 

[shwick]

Some people are just stubborn (and don't fill out the sticky so that we don't know that they are in Canuckistan before going to the trouble of making a lot of links).

OP, you are pretty much dead wrong on all your reasoning about parts, as lehtv has so helpfully explained but was too nice to point out.

me wrong? that's unpossible

what card if not 6970 that's a bold statement, the card with the best technology, smaller profile than gtx580, less power and equal performance is bad value for money?

what magical card do you have in your rig?

please tell me the spell I have to chant to conjure one

 

[mfenn]

Sure, you should get a 6950 2GB. Even if you don't unlock it, it is much better value for the money.

 

[shwick]

Sure, you should get a 6950 2GB. Even if you don't unlock it, it is much better value for the money.

no

 

[lehtv]

Yes, it is better value for money. That's a fact.

Whether you're willing to pay a premium for a faster card is another thing entirely. Personally I'd get a GTX 570 instead of a 6970 if going that route

 

[shwick]

Yes, it is better value for money. That's a fact.

Whether you're willing to pay a premium for a faster card is another thing entirely. Personally I'd get a GTX 570 instead of a 6970 if going that route

no

 

[mfenn]

no

no

Why the hell did you post this thread if you weren't willing to take advice?

 

[shwick]

anyone else want some?

you know whats not a good way to change my mind? Simply telling me I'm wrong without providing any evidence.

Hey mfenn you're wrong.

 

[mfenn]

anyone else want some?

you know whats not a good way to change my mind? Simply telling me I'm wrong without providing any evidence.

Hey mfenn you're wrong.

Son, you aren't exactly encouraging people to help you with responses like "no thats not what i want" and "no". You also failed to provide links or what your prices for various components are, so people can't know how much you're paying for something or even what country you're buying it from without extracting that information from you with a pair of pliers. If you just wanted somebody to pat you on the ass and tell you how wonderful your build is, you came to the wrong board. It doesn't bother me if you think that I'm "wrong", you're the one pissing away your own money.

You've been given all the information that you need to see that the 6950 2GB is a better value, but if you really need somebody to spell it out for you: the ASUS 6970 is 50% more expensive than the best-priced 6950 2GB but is only about 10% faster on average.

 

[shwick]

wow my friend is telling me to get a 6950 because it's 10% slower and $100 cheaper...

switched mobo to Asrock Extreme3 Gen3, switched graphics card to sapphire 6950

any comments on my most recent changes?

I know you two are dying to comment on it.