Please critique this prospective build

[mikemcc]

Hi Folks,

It’s been a while since I have built a system, so I wanted to run these components by you to see what you all think. I mostly game -- BFBC2 and and Crysis 2 and soon BF3. However, my wife owns an advertising/marketing/PR agency and she occasionally does some video stuff with Adobe Premier and PhotoShop CS5. Most of the time she uses her machines at work, but there are times she has to do something quickly when she’s at home. So she needs a fairly high-end machine when she uses it at home. Oh, I also should say that I am a moderate OCer.

I have a Viewsonic 27” monitor at 1920X1080. I’m pretty happy with it, so don’t know if I’ll upgrade that or not. If I do, it will mostly be so I can pass this monitor on to one of the kids and get something better for myself. (That’s what I’ll be doing with my current machine.)

You’ll see on the list that I was thinking of getting two GPUs in XFire, but that’s definitely not set in stone. I know we are maybe 4 to 6 months away from the next gen of video cards so maybe I can get by with one of these for now and then later upgrade to whatever comes out that looks good. This is the reason for the big PSU -- I want the flexibility to XFire now, and maybe also with the next gen cards.

Is there anything here that looks problematic or anything that you think I should change? Here is the list. (I have estimated prices here, usually with shipping included.)

Sapphire TOXIC edition 100312TXSR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $270 X 2

Intel 2500K Processor $220

ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 LGA1155/ Intel Z68/ DDR3/ Quad CrossFireX & Quad SLI/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&V&GbE/ ATX Motherboard $190

Fractal Design Arc Midi Black High Performance PC Computer Case w/ USB 3.0 and 3 x Fractal High Performance 140mm fans $120

Crucial M4 SSD $180

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $50 X 2

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL $55 X 2

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $166

Thermalright Silver Arrow Dual Fan CPU Cooler, for Intel Socket 1366/1156/775 and AMD Socket AM2/AM3 CPUs $80

Thank you!

Ugh! I didn't realize my sig still has my old Opteron in there. The kids are still using that with no problems, all these years later. However, after I do this new build, I'll pass the E8400 down to them and then I'll change my sig.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Looks good to me!
but depends on how big your budget is.

 

[mikemcc]

Thank you. With regard to budget, I really don't have one. Like most everyone, I don't want to waste money on something that I just won't use or don't need, or on spending more for one component when I could spend a lot less for the same performance. But other than that, budget isn't a great factor.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

well i would prefer if you went with the HAF 922
its roomy and looks nice with a fan controller

 

[mfenn]

At 1080P, you don't really need Crossfire 6950 2GB, especially not for the games that you have listed. You're better off in terms of TCO by buying a single card and then upgrading 18 months from now.

Therefore:
- Switch to a single 6950 2GB and get the $245 AR Sapphire
- The 2500K is good
- The Extreme4 is overkill. Get the Extreme3 instead
- The case is fine
- The SSD is good
- The HDDs are good
- If you feel like you really need 16GB, then switch the RAM to this $85 kit.
- PSU is way overkill, even for Crossfire. Get the XFX Core 650W
- The Silver Arrow is overpriced IMHO. You can get a very nice overclock off of a Hyper 212+

 

[mikemcc]

Thank you for the advice and suggestions. T_Yamamoto, I looked at the HAF 922 and it's a very nice case. However, it is about 1 1/2 inches too deep to fit in my enclosure. I also looked at the In-Win BUC because it got really good reviews, including here on Anandtech. I started thinking about the Fractal Design partly because I liked the looks, but mostly because of the good user testimonials and good reviews. I wish my enclosure was just a little larger -- it would give me a bit more flexibility.

mfenn, the advice about not XFiring the 6950 was helpful because that's one of the places where I was really on the fence. I think you are right -- there are going to be some good video cards coming before too long and I can either pick one of those up or I can buy another 6950 to XFire, either then or before, if I decide I need it.

I'll also look closely at your other suggestions. I have read that the Hyper 212+ keeps up with much more expensive coolers and there isn't any point in spending 3X for something that is only going to provide marginal improvement. Same thing with the memory -- I'll look at that very carefully.

I was going to get the Seasonic PSU because I had some problems with both of my previous builds that were PSU-related. In both cases I just about pulled my hair out trying to figure out what was wrong and I was just unlucky enough to get two dud PSUs. This happened with both the systems in my sig right now, though separated by a number of years. I wanted to go with a high quality PSU but I've read about the XFX based on your recommendation and saw some great reviews and lots of positive user comments.

So thank you all -- I appreciate your kind suggestions and advice.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

The NewEgg reviews dont mean jack

Seasonic, Antec, PC and Cooling make great PSUs

 

[mfenn]

So thank you all -- I appreciate your kind suggestions and advice.

You're welcome.