Yet another build ($1200)

[i_am_the_slime]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Gaming & ripping/encoding/playing music

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread $1200

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. US - Newegg

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. No preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Already have Win 7 & Monitor

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

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

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. Current monitor is 1680 x 1050

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Couple of weeks

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

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CASE - CoolerMaster Storm Enforcer - $90

CPU - Intel i5-2500k - $220

FAN - CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ - $30

PSU - Corsair HX650 - $120

RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 - $65

MB - Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-ED3P - $190

HDD - 2x Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB - $120

GPU - EVGA GTX 570 - $320

DVD - Samsung CD/DVD Burner - $19

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My biggest concern is the motherboard - is it worth spending this much? Any other comments? Thanks!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Go with cheaper case, preferably the HAF 912
Cheaper ram, go with standard DDR3-1333 8gb, no fancy heatspreaders
your motherboard might be a little bit expensive. ill let the experts take a look

 

[DaveSimmons]

> Cheaper ram, go with standard DDR3-1333 8gb, no fancy heatspreaders

Right.

> Go with cheaper case, preferably the HAF 912

Agreed, unless you just prefer the more expensive case.

Otherwise it's fine if you want all of the fancy features of the Gigabyte over a $120 ASRock.

 

[mnewsham]

Spending too much on the PSU, and the Motherboard.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I would prefer going the 120 dollar ASRock
DAMN thats an expensive PSU. Go with a good Antec 500~550 watt one

 

[i_am_the_slime]

I would prefer going the 120 dollar ASRock
DAMN thats an expensive PSU. Go with a good Antec 500~550 watt one

Well, I would prefer a modular PSU and want the option of SLI later, so I was wary of getting only 550 watts.

 

[mnewsham]

You will 99% of the time not SLI later, sorry but it's true. By the time you will SLI you can just buy a single GPU that is better and uses less power.

 

[mvbighead]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128520 - 110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371048 - 70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231422 - 50

Saves you a handful and doesn't really sacrifice anything. (Agrees with all other posters basically)

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Well, I would prefer a modular PSU and want the option of SLI later, so I was wary of getting only 550 watts.

ALOT of people say they are going to SLI later but most dont. are you SEROIUSLY going to SLI or are you on the "might do it if im not lazy" side?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Dual GPUs aren't worth it. Stick with a single GPU solution. Besides, you'll save on your PSU purchase.

 

[mvbighead]

Another note on the GPUs is that graphics technology changes all the time. So by the time you get around to SLI, you're looking at DX12. IMO.

 

[mfenn]

Agree 100% with the other posters. The biggest additional problem with the build IMHO is that there is no reason that someone with a $1200 budget should be stuck at 1680x1050.

To steal a build I just did in another thread
i5 2500K $220
ASRock Z68 Pro3 $120
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $50
6950 2GB $245 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $60
Samsung DVD Burner $19
XFX Core 550W $50 AR
Three Hundred Illusion $50 AR
Total: $814 AR

Add to that a CAFA50 and 120Hz monitor, and you are all set IMHO.

 

[Slufa111]

Go with a 6950, cheaper and better performance. I dont understand why everyone is stuck on a 570!

 

[i_am_the_slime]

Go with a 6950, cheaper and better performance. I dont understand why everyone is stuck on a 570!

Am I missing something? I look at the benchmarks and the 6950 is close to the 570 on a few games but behind on most games. Then I look at the 6970 vs the 570, and it seems about split - 570 better on some, worse on others.

Now, I realize that the 6950 is VERY close to the 570 and about $50 cheaper. But I always see people say the 6950 is BETTER than the 570, and it definitely doesn't seem better, just very close.

 

[mnewsham]

Am I missing something? I look at the benchmarks and the 6950 is close to the 570 on a few games but behind on most games. Then I look at the 6970 vs the 570, and it seems about split - 570 better on some, worse on others.

Now, I realize that the 6950 is VERY close to the 570 and about $50 cheaper. But I always see people say the 6950 is BETTER than the 570, and it definitely doesn't seem better, just very close.

It isnt better for the performance it IS a better buy though (why spend 50 bucks on the 570?)