• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Need help critiquing a new build :)

liddabit

liddabit

Member
I am planning to build a new computer, and this is what I am planning for it so far. I am not sure how well all this will work together. Mostly worried if the new PSU is enough wattage. Also on the memory, it is at such a low price, is it worth buying 2 of the 8gb sets for 16gb? Sound is important , as well as cool temps. I live in Arizona and sometimes in the summer it can get hot in here.. well not really hot but 80F degrees around the PC. Thanks in advance!

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit

Corsair Carbide Series 500R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


I already have a sound card and hard drive from my existing computer.

Oh , I guess I should mention what it is for. Basic gaming. Mostly Rift right now. With work I don't get much time off to do other games. Eventually I want to try Deus Ex 3. I do a new build about every 3 years. minor upgrades every 1 year. I don't plan on overclocking. Budget isn't much of a factor, but I would like to keep it in the range of the parts I have selected here.

Ohh! Also.. I haven't built a new pc in a long time. Last one was 5 years ago. Amd X2 was my last processor. How important is thermal paste now? Should I invest in something like arctic silver like I did in the past? or will the Thermal tape that seems to come on stock coolers work well enough if I don't overclock? Thanks 🙂
 
Last edited:
Decent choices overall but...

Memory: Swap the CAS8 $70 memory to CAS9 $50, the performance difference on sandy bridge is negligible. Don't go for 16GB straight away if you don't actually use applications that need that much memory. You can always grab another 8GB down the road.

PSU: X650 is great (i have it too) but your build doesn't consume alot of power. Around ~300-350W at load in real applications, not more, so you would be fine with a 500W PSU. X-650 isn't overkill though, it allows for some upgrading room (could probably do 6950 crossfire on that if you wanted). Check out this $50 deal on Antec HGC-620 (seasonic built) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...48&Tpk=hgc-620 . Or you could get Seasonic s12ii 520w (5-year warranty as opposed to 3 on Antec HGC).

Mobo: Can get good Z68 for cheaper than that one which looks to be out of stock BTW. E.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

CPU: If you don't overclock, no point getting a 2500K with a Z68 chipset. Could save money with 2500 or 2400 and a H67 chipset mobo. If you do overclock, grab yourself a cooler such as Coolermaster Hyper 212+.

Windows: Why do you need Win7 Pro? Home Premium is $40 less.
 
Thanks for the help! Especially with the motherboards!

I have always used the professional version of windows... I am not any sort of expert on that though. I have XP Pro now. I've never used windows 7 before, but thought I should upgrade for Dx 11
(also hah! the mobo was in my wishlist for awhile, didn't even notice it was now out of stock 😛 thanks again!)
 
Last edited:
I looked at the MSI Twin Frozr 2GB as well, but decided on the GTX 570 since it meets or beats the 6950 in most tests and is currently available for only $280.

And I agree on Windows, most people don't need Professional.
 
I don't think you need to spend that much. You're going for a basic (I guess mid-range) ~$1000 gaming build that is capable of playing every game out there. For $1200-1300 you could get the same but 6950 2GB Crossfire. I don't think you need that for regular 1080p gaming, especially if you don't play the most demanding games. Save it for later upgrades
 
lehtv said:
I don't think you need to spend that much. You're going for a basic (I guess mid-range) ~$1000 gaming build that is capable of playing every game out there. For $1200-1300 you could get the same but 6950 2GB Crossfire. I don't think you need that for regular 1080p gaming, especially if you don't play the most demanding games. Save it for later upgrades
Click to expand...

I agree, check out mfenn's midrange build, you can't really get any better in terms of bang for your buck http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top