1100 - 1300 Build. Looking for opinions

[Guest]

This is mostly a gaming computer. I plan to overclock, and I'll be running the resolution at 1920x1018

I dont plan on using crossfire at this point in time.



CPU: i5 2500k or i7 2600k

GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102914

Heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Case: COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 PRO LGA 1155 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131682

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181


And a few other accessories. The few things im unsure of are the CPU's and the Motherboard.
Does Hyperthreading make any difference in game performance?

Also could someone explain the difference in the ASUS Deluxe, Evo, and Pro series.

 

[dominionz]

Ok. I'm assuming you ment 1920x1080. 2500k is better in gaming than 2600k. Only difference between the two is the 2600k has Hyper Threading and 2500k doesn't. Save the $100 and go with 2500k. Funny you should ask about the ASUS boards as I looked into all 3 before I bought the EVO. Mainly it comes down to options. The only difference i noticed was the pro board only had 1 Lan port while the other 2 had 2 ports. I compared all 3 on Newegg side by side and that was the only thing i noticed different other than price. Pro is cheapest followed by Evo then Deluxe. I don't know much about that particular heatsink. My personal preference after doing much research is this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001 . From the benchmarks i've read it's one of the best air cooling sinks u can buy. I bought one for my 2500k and plan to OC as much as i can. It doesn't come with a fan so you'll have to get one also. I got this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608009 . It's expensive but it's whisper quiet and moves good amount of air. Also make sure to buy some http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007 for the sink.

 

[chnathan]

No, hyperthreading doesn't make any difference in games. Go for the 2500K for the price.

The EVO and Deluxe give you some additional features, but not likely anything you'll need. Biggest differences IIRC are dual NICs, a front-panel USB3 box (in the Deluxe), and additional overclocking tools, which amount to digital displays and power/reset buttons right on the board, all of limited usefulness. I'd say the pro is fine unless there's something specific on the others that you need.

If you do plan to crossfire at some point in the future, you might want to bump up to the 750TX PSU. The 650 should be sufficient since you don't have too many drives or other accessories and the 6950 isn't a super high-power card, but 750 should give you a bit more margin, especially if you use your computer a lot (gaming several hours a day).

That said, since you probably won't crossfire it the 650 is fine, especially if there's a significant price difference.

 

[chnathan]

The HS OP mentioned is fine. Less than half the price of the meghalems and good performance. Unless he needs the absolute top of the line, it's a good choice.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I dont plan on using crossfire at this point in time.

Well if that means never, then no need for a MoBo w/ 2 PCI-E slots.

If that means "in the future", I'd get a bigger PSU now. The XFX Black Edition 850 is only $110. Not only is it mire wattage but it's a significanbt "Step up" in quality from the Corsair TX series and is a match for the Corsair HX series.

If ya like that case for $140 by all means grab it. But the DF-85 is a superior case (personal aesthetic choices non withstanding) so I'd at least take a look .... dang, price went up $20 from few minutes ago. Y can also throw the CP-850 PSU in there which is a match for the HX series or the Black Editions but it runs cooler and quieter

MoBo / CPU - Get the Combos, save $60

2600k http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575880
2500k http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575884

As for comparing the 3 MoBo's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001315%20600093977&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-131-682^13-131-682-TS%2C13-131-679^13-131-679-TS%2C13-131-695^13-131-695-TS

As for the RAM, I'd be more inclined to get the Mushkin's based upon customer service alone (same stats)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

The Scythe Mugen 2 SCMG 2100 has taken the "best cooler for the money" title from the 212, outperforms it substantially.

 

[chnathan]

Agreed - that $110 for the XFX Black 850 is a great deal. The 750 of that line would be fine too, but is only $5 less, so get the 850. (Like Jack says though, only if you're going to SLI. If you don't have specific plans to you probably won't, so 650W is fine, and you might as well stick with the vanilla P8P67 (unless that copy of Civ 5 looks good.. ))

Those combos are sweet too, although technically they're $20 off plus a free copy of Civ 5.

The Mugen 2 Rev B (SCMG-2100) is a great cooler, yes. The only issue is its size, really - it may interfere with the G.Skill Ripjaws. (Would love it if anyone could confirm that.) If he goes for the Mushkins though there's no problem.