I5 2500k gaming build RAM / GPU suggestions

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echarlie

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Dec 10, 2010
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Ok so I happen to be one of the lucky people with a local Microcenter. I went first thing this morning and stood in line to get a motherboard and cpu for my new Sandy Bridge gaming build.

I got the following bundle :

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354007

I was originally going to get the Asus P8P67 deluxe motherboard but couldn't pass up the bundle for $340 + tax.

I have approx. $500 to finish buying the parts I need for the build.

Needed still is :

RAM
GPU
Mass Storage (I have a SSD already for OS etc.) but need a good mass storage drive.

Any suggestions for finishing my build ?
 
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joelmartinez

joelmartinez

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Oct 19, 2010
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What are all the specs of the parts you'll be reusing?

RAM the g skill set is the best 4gb set for the money out there but its not in stock right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231430&Tpk=g%20skill%20ddr3%201600%20cas%207%204gb%20ripjaws%20x%201.5v ($70)
GPU don't know your resolution but this is a great card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102914&Tpk=sapphire%206950 Get it now for MIR cheap shipping and free gift ($285)
Mass Storage: how massive 2tb? 1tb? get this 1tb drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=1tb_samsung_spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product ($70)
or this for 2tb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136456&cm_re=2tb_wd_caviar_black-_-22-136-456-_-Product (180)

total w/1tb 425
total w/2tb 535 (could drop the RAM to a more generic 4gb set to save $$$)
 
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echarlie

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Is 4 GB. of RAM enough ? Most were suggesting 8.

I like that GPU. I was reading the HD 6950 can be flashed to a 6970 ?

1 tb is plenty!


As for things I will be reusing :

Antec 1200 case
Rosewill 850 Extreme PSU
Kingston V Series 64 GB. SSD

I have a Tuniq 120 HSF but not sure if they make a 1155 socket adapter for it? I know the extreme version of the Tuniq 120 does.

Also, I have a 9800 GTX I will be running as a Physx card.
 
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orkie

orkie

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I'm sorry for my pointless reply but i just can't help and be pissed off at how computer parts are so much cheaper in the USA then UK... I bought the i5 2500k for £176, which equals about 270$, Oh and that was the cheapest i could find it too.
Graphics card same deal, $285 in USA, £225 in the Uk for a cheaper brand, saphire was £240.

Anyway, to add some point to this post, i agree with the above post (joel) on the parts, + If it still works you can bios flash the 6950 into a 6970 for extra performance.
 
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Emperus

Emperus

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For some reason, the links are not working for me.. Anyway, your budget is good enough to fetch you -

www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0332937

www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340562

www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354645
 
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orkie

orkie

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For gaming 4 GB of ram should be enough, and if you ever need more, you can always add another set of 2x2gb Sticks.

Haven't seen anywhere of people posting that the bios flash doesn't work, but i do remember reading somewhere that ATI might update their new supplies of 6950's to disable it, Oh and it is worthwhile to mention that even if the graphic card is capable of doing it, it doesn't always work out but as far as i've read if it doesn't work out, you just reset it and no permenant damage done to the video card.
 
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echarlie

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Hmm....well, only getting 4gb. of RAM frees up a little $$ in the budget that I guess would allow me to go with a GTX 570 instead ?

The HD 6970 is out of my budget unfortunately which is why I wanted to know about the flash.
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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Broke ya budget by $5 :)

$370 - EVGA GTX 570 Superclock http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595
$65 - Seagate 7200.12 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
RAM - $70 - 2 x 2GB Mushkin CAS 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226103

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=72

Overall, the graphics frame rate performance has the AMD Radeon HD 6970 matched nicely to the GeForce GTX 570. Measured at stock (reference) speeds in ten different tests, the Radeon HD 6970 was either slightly ahead in half of them or deeply trailed in the other half. We've excluded HAWX 2 from this review, until AMD drivers can compensate for the performance skew. The DirectX 10 tests seemed to really score the GeForce GTX 570 way ahead, while many of the DirectX 11 tests pulled the Radeon HD 6970 ahead by a few FPS:

3DMark Vantage has the 6970 ahead by 2.9% (1680x1050) or 5.8% (1920x1200) on the Jane Nash test, but then sinks 16.9/9.4% for New Calico. Crysis Warhead pushed the GTX 570 16.2/9.4% ahead, but then DX11 Aliens vs Predator pushed back 10.4/12.3% in favor of the Radeon HD 6970. Shader intensive games such as Battlefield Bad Company 2 really strained the Radeon HD 6970, giving the GTX 570 a 31.9/25.3% lead. BattleForge did the same, giving the GTX 570 a 53.5/57.1% lead over the 6970. Lost Planet 2 dog-piled also the results in favor the GTX 570, resulting in a 45.1/41.9% lead over the 6970. Then, thankfully, the Radeon HD 6970 fought back in NVIDIA-strong games like Mafia II, producing a 0.9/6.0% lead over the GTX 570. Metro 2033 gave the 6970 a 3.1/5.2% edge, and then the Heaven 2.1 benchmark offered a 2.0/7.5% difference in favor of the 6970.
Click to expand...
 
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