Seeking advice on a $1500 build

[nsavop]

If you want to play BF3 at max before the new cards come out, it actually makes a lot of sense. 😉

The OP said he's not looking to upgrade his gpu often so in that case what's better buying a $280 6950 or the potential for 50%-100% performance gain roughly 60 days away for the same price. Again the OP didn't say he wanted to max out BF3 right now but if he does get the 6950 and don't look back.

 

[PaneInTheGlass]

Some minor tweaking:

Component   Model                                                              Retail   Ship/Tax   Sub-total   MIR    Total
CPU:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.microcenter.com%2Fsingle_product_results.phtml%3Fproduct_id%3D0354589"]Intel Core i5 2500K[/URL]                                                $179.99  $15.59     $195.58     -      $195.58 
GPU:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16814500202"]ZOTAC ZT-40408-10P GeForce GTX 460[/URL]                                 $149.99  $7.56      $157.55     $30    $127.55 
RAM:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820233144"]CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600[/URL]                          $46.99   -          $46.99      -      $46.99 
HDD:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820148448"]Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5 128GB SATA III SSD w/ Transfer Kit[/URL]   $214.99  -          $214.99     -      $214.99 
PSU:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16817207014"]XFX Core Edition PRO650W[/URL]                                           $89.99   -          $89.99      $30    $59.99 
DVD:        [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.microcenter.com%2Fsingle_product_results.phtml%3Fproduct_id%3D0372836"]LG 22x DVD±RW Burner[/URL]                                               $18.99   $1.64      $20.63      -      $20.63 
Case:       [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811119216"]COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced[/URL]                        $89.99   $7.99      $97.98      $10    $87.98 
Mobo:       [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.microcenter.com%2Fsingle_product_results.phtml%3Fproduct_id%3D0373373"]ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3[/URL]                                           $139.99  $12.12     $152.11     -      $152.11 
Cooler:     [URL="http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/cgi-bin/redirect.pl?user=u00000687&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16835185168"]Scythe MUGEN 3 SCMG-3000[/URL]                                           $49.99   -          $49.99      -      $49.99 
                                                                                                                                                      
            Total                                                              $980.91  $50.89     $1,031.80   $70    $961.80

I changed to a Gen3 mobo. Should help future-proof things a bit. I should note that this pricing is based on a Microcenter bundle. My local MC is currently sold out of this mobo, and their next shipment isn't until next Fri. If everything else is good, I'd be okay ordering the other parts, and then waiting until next Fri to see if they get any more in stock. If they do, great! Let's hope the prices haven't changed. If they don't, no loss. I can always order from somewhere else for about $50 extra (by today's prices). I should also note that part of the reason I went with the ASRock is because it has a PS/2 port. I, for one, am hoping those never go away! I <3 my IBM keyboard. :wub:

 

[mfenn]

PCIe Gen3 won't affect performance in the slightest (cards aren't even close to being limited by Gen2), so I'd say to save your money or spend it on the GPU instead.

 

[mfenn]

The OP said he's not looking to upgrade his gpu often so in that case what's better buying a $280 6950 or the potential for 50%-100% performance gain roughly 60 days away for the same price. Again the OP didn't say he wanted to max out BF3 right now but if he does get the 6950 and don't look back.

The problem with buying a midrange card with the intention to upgrade in a short time horizon is that you have to pay for two cards. Thus, if a 7950 costs $300 new, the op would effectively be paying $450 for it. That doesn't look like such a good deal compared to a $260 6950 to me.

If the OP really wants to wait on the new cards, I'd say to just not buy a GPU at all and use the IGP for the time being (or a super cheap $30 card if he gets a mobo with no IGP output).

 

[PaneInTheGlass]

PCIe Gen3 won't affect performance in the slightest

Yeah, I know. And by the time it does affect performance, there'll be new procs, new chipsets, and new ram to enjoy. I strongly suspect that Kepler will carry me to my next build, possibly even without Ivy. Still, I'd feel better for having the option.

The problem with buying a midrange card with the intention to upgrade in a short time horizon is that you have to pay for two cards. Thus, if a 7950 costs $300 new, the op would effectively be paying $450 for it. That doesn't look like such a good deal compared to a $260 6950 to me.

If the OP really wants to wait on the new cards, I'd say to just not buy a GPU at all and use the IGP for the time being (or a super cheap $30 card if he gets a mobo with no IGP output).

I'm keenly aware of the double expense. I look at it in two ways. One is by taking the total cost when considering overall value, as you suggested. The other is in terms of the overall build in relation to my original budget. I'm currently around $950. So adding in another $300 would still put me ~$250 under budget; plenty of room for a proc upgrade. Also, I'd probably try to sell the old proc and GPU, so at least some of that money would be coming back in.

As far as integrated graphics are concerned, I had spec'd a 6770 a while back, but was told that it probably wouldn't have enough oomph to get me by. Would I really be able to game without a dedicated graphics card? (that's not rhetorical.) Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going straight to the next gen, but with no firm release date, it seems like an interim solution is sufficiently warranted.

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, I know. And by the time it does affect performance, there'll be new procs, new chipsets, and new ram to enjoy. I strongly suspect that Kepler will carry me to my next build, possibly even without Ivy. Still, I'd feel better for having the option.

Given your first 3 statements (correct by the way), I don't see how you arrived at your conclusion.

I'm keenly aware of the double expense. I look at it in two ways. One is by taking the total cost when considering overall value, as you suggested. The other is in terms of the overall build in relation to my original budget. I'm currently around $950. So adding in another $300 would still put me ~$250 under budget; plenty of room for a proc upgrade. Also, I'd probably try to sell the old proc and GPU, so at least some of that money would be coming back in.

As far as integrated graphics are concerned, I had spec'd a 6770 a while back, but was told that it probably wouldn't have enough oomph to get me by. Would I really be able to game without a dedicated graphics card? (that's not rhetorical.) Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going straight to the next gen, but with no firm release date, it seems like an interim solution is sufficiently warranted.

No, an IGP will not have the capability to play games at anything approaching a reasonable resolution or detail settings. If you want to game at all before the new cards come out, you will need a decent GPU.

In my opinion, a waste of money is a waste of money, whether or not you have $500 or $5000 to spend. Something better is always just around the corner. There are certain reasonable steps that you can take to prepare a system for upgrades, but buying something that doesn't meet your current needs is not one of them. Trying to implement a series of half-measures just because you know that something better will come out in the future is going to result in your frittering away your budget. Bottom line: buy something that you are happy with for your needs today and don't over think it.