Need advice on new build for BF3

[SweetGerald]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming (BF3, MW3, Elder Scrolls 5). Music production (Ableton Live, VSTs)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

I'd like to not go over 1K. Not a huge deal if i do, and wouldn't mind if i only spend 800 to get what i need.


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
U.S.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

None


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Antec P-180 case
Corsair HX520 PSU (would like to use this if i can)
1TB WD Black
(possibly 76gb WD raptor but would like to upgrade to a SSD)
X-fi Fatal1ty
Samsung DVD burner




6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Might overclock

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1200


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Sometime within the next 2-4 weeks.


10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

 

[Ken g6]

New build:
i5 2500K $220
ASRock Z68 Pro3 $105
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $42
6950 2GB $245 AR
Crucial M4 128GB $198
Hitachi 7K1000.D $65
Samsung DVD Burner $18
XFX Core 650W $60 AR
HAF 922 $90
Total: $1043 AR

Total after subtractions: $810 AR!

 

[mfenn]

Total after subtractions: $810 AR!

*bows* OP, the only thing I am a little iffy on is the PSU. 520W should be enough, but the HX520 was the original Corsair PSU and is kind of old at this point.

 

[SweetGerald]

I'm kind of thinking of going bigger on the GPU like maybe a GTX 570 or a 6970. Are those significantly better than the 6950, and is the 520W PSU enough for those?

 

[Ken g6]

520W might work for the 6970. If, like mfenn said, it's not too old. For anything nVIDIA, you need a bigger PSU. And it's not like that 650W I scratched out blows your budget.

 

[Googer]

Wait for Bulldozer to come out, then consider buying the mid priced processor.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wait for Bulldozer to come out, then consider buying the mid priced processor.

BullDozer is out, it's not worth waiting for.

 

[lehtv]

BullDozer is out, it's not worth waiting for.

Hahaha, epic. 😀

I'm kind of thinking of going bigger on the GPU like maybe a GTX 570 or a 6970. Are those significantly better than the 6950, and is the 520W PSU enough for those?

480W on the +12V... System at full load: 200W for GPU (stock), 150W for CPU (OC@4.5). 73% of the 12v rating. When gaming, your CPU won't use half that, probably less than 75W, so 57%. I say you'll be just fine. For as long as there's warranty on that PSU left, you should be able to use it at ~80% of rated wattage without any problems. If for some reason the PSU is not up to the task (which I highly doubt; 5 yr warranty and 105C japanese caps, incredible voltage regulation even at 100% load), you can RMA it 😉

That said though I'd recommend a 6950 2GB. 6970 isn't worth the money... lots of 6950's are unlockable (6970 bios) and overclockable to 6970 speeds.

 

[SweetGerald]

Can i ask why you'd go with the 6950 over the GTX570? The benchmarks for the 570 seem definitely better. If i have to upgrade my PSU to go with that card it's no big deal. I'm more concerned with getting the best performance.

 

[saratoga172]

Can i ask why you'd go with the 6950 over the GTX570? The benchmarks for the 570 seem definitely better. If i have to upgrade my PSU to go with that card it's no big deal. I'm more concerned with getting the best performance.

Look at the benches for 6970 vs 570. Little bit closer and when I got my 6950 it was cheaper.

I unlocked my 6950 bios to the 6970. Test show the performance between mine and a true 6970 to be less than 1-2 fps in games. Or within 1% of each other

 

[dpodblood]

Can i ask why you'd go with the 6950 over the GTX570? The benchmarks for the 570 seem definitely better. If i have to upgrade my PSU to go with that card it's no big deal. I'm more concerned with getting the best performance.

I had the same conundrum when I built my latest PC. I knew the 6950 would probably be just fine, but in the end I decided to spend the little bit extra and go for the GTX 570. There was actually quite a lengthy thread here. I say if you have the cash go with the 570. You will not be disappointed. You will however need to go with a better PSU. Something 650W or higher.

Edit:
Here is the other thread if you want to take a look.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2148826&highlight=

 

[lehtv]

Can i ask why you'd go with the 6950 over the GTX570? The benchmarks for the 570 seem definitely better. If i have to upgrade my PSU to go with that card it's no big deal. I'm more concerned with getting the best performance.

I wouldn't be concerned. Unlocked and overclocked, 6950 2GB is a beast, and it's about $50 cheaper than 570. I don't think the small bit of extra performance justifies the extra cost, 6950 2GB is simply fast enough to enjoy games properly. Also consider there are much faster GPUs on the horizon; that $50 could be put towards a GTX 670 or 7950.

 

[mfenn]

I wouldn't be concerned. Unlocked and overclocked, 6950 2GB is a beast, and it's about $50 cheaper than 570. I don't think the small bit of extra performance justifies the extra cost, 6950 2GB is simply fast enough to enjoy games properly. Also consider there are much faster GPUs on the horizon; that $50 could be put towards a GTX 670 or 7950.

:thumbsup: My thoughts exactly. Sure the GTX 570 is faster, but it is also more expensive and uses more power. The performance delta isn't going to make the difference between playable and unplayable.