Thoughts on my new build ?

[larrel]

Greetings everyone,
Current build is 4yo + salary coming = time to build a new rig. (yay)
This might get long and have a lot of questions - only for those who feel bored.

This is my plan:

Processor = i7 2600K box - 260 eur
I can get 2600 without K 20 euros cheaper -> I guess i'll try overclocking to ~ 4.1 later, when i buy a non stock cooler. Is it a no-brainer and should I get the K version?

Motherboard = MSI S1155 P67 DDR3 SATA6 GLAN FW ATX P67S-C43 B3 - 95 eur
Should i pay an extra 8 eur for MSI MB P67 S1155 ATX/P67A-C45 B3 MSI, or are there some better(cheaper?) alternatives?

Case = ANTEC THREE-HUNDRED - 58 eur
Was originally thinking of cheaping out and getting a Cooler Master Elite 310 for 35 eur. I don't usually overclock anything, and I wasn't sure whether i need something more expensive... but in the end, i thought i'd take the antec "just in case". Thoughts?

RAM = Crucial Rendition 4GB DDR3 1333 DIMM 240-PIN PC3-10600 (28 eur) or Kingston DDR3 HyperX PC-12800 1600MHz 4GB CL9 (9-9-9-27) (38 eur)
This is where I would definitely like to save some money. The way I see it, performance boost coming from noticibly more expensive higher latency better brand RAM sticks isn't worth the money -> better to just buy more cheap RAM. And still.. i am hesitating, whether to get crucial 1333mhz and save 10x2 euros (thinking of buying 1 stick now and one in a month) or go with Kingston (or 40eur for 2x2gb 1600mhz kingston)...anyone?

This is where my wallet turns empty and i wait for another month =P
I am planning to use my old components for now:
PSU = FSP BlueStorm || 500W
Actually, I would really like to avoid buying a new PSU and hope this will be enough for the new system...this costed me 60eur and has good feedback

HDD = Western Digital 320gb SATA 16mb 7200rpm
Next month i'll buy an intel 320 SSD 120gb i guess and use it as my main while this will becoming my storage drive..

Videocard = 8800gts 320mb
Just for 1 month..

And later, in a month:
SSD = INTEL 320 SATA2 SSD 120GB 2.5" MLC 25NM. - 182 eur
Guess this as much as I am willing to pay ...expensive things these are Any better/cheaper alternatives?

Videocard = 6850 1gb - 142 eur
Seems to be the best bang for the buck.. but i am concerned its a little bit too weak for modern+future games. Seems to be overally better than 460gtx for 138eur.

+ 1 more 4xGB of ram.

Budget Range: 750-780eur
Country of Origin: Estonia
Overclocking: Thinking .. if that will decide whether my current PSU is enough or not, then probably no OCing...
Approximate Purchase Date: next weekend
SLI or Crossfire: No .. mobo supports 1 card only anyway
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: Not really a 100% gamer, but since i am getting something like this, would be a waste not to enjoy some new games. Quitness is also a plus.

Any comments and advices will be greatly appreciated!

 

[larrel]

I knew i should have made a shorter post >.< .. come on , anyone ?

 

[taintedducky]

I would recommend the 2500k over the 2600k, as you can save $100 dollars and put it into something else, such as the 6950 next month, rather than the 6850, as you can unlock the 6950 into a 6970. Good luck.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

+1 if your only gaming, 2500k and a 6950,
dont worry so much about an ssd for now the graphics card is more important
Moto

 

[larrel]

Thanks for the replies.
I used http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html and http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html to help me decide with CPU and GPU..
2600k offers 9.5k points for 260eur and 2500k offers 7k points for 178eur. 2500k is a bit better bang for the buck .. but considering i am making upgrades once every 3+ years, i'd probably prefer to stick to the 2600k beast.

6850 offers 2840 points for 140eur while 6950 offers 3108 points for 208eur ..no matter how I look at it ..it isn't worth the extra 68eur

Gaming is important too kinda.. i'll prolly be playing a couple of games like Witcher 2, Skyrim, Deus Ex. But good CPU that will last long is more important for me i guess...

Any new videocards coming in a month? Or is the "MSI Geforce 400 series GTX 470 1280MB Twinfrozr II" for 217eur worth the extra 77eur? I liked the 6850 because it seemed to use less power too i think .. so i wouldn't have to spend money on a new PSU

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Benchmarks, in real life applications, are useless by and large
THE gaming chip right now, is the 2500k, the 2600 series is more for people who do work on their pc's
Moto

 

[aaron88_7]

You could save a lot by ditching the SSD for now, but if you must have one get a 128Gb and use it primarily for your OS and some games and programs and then use the WD for your storage. I don't think you really need 320Gb if it's just for OS/programs. Just make sure to set all your programs to save to the WD drive and not the SSD.

I'd go with a 6950 and the 2500k, only get the 2600k if you think you'll need the hyper-threading (that's really the only difference)

 

[larrel]

the ssd i am getting in a month is 120gb, and i am gonna use it as my main -> old 320gb for storage...

I'll go with the 2500k after all the price difference is pretty huge...
I am tempted to get 6950 .. but is it worth it?
1)6850 -> 139eur + low power consumption
2)470gtx -> 192eur actually (Gigabyte Geforce 400 series GTX 470 1280MB OC (rev. 2.0))
3)1GB 6950 -> 208eur | 2gb 6950 -> ~220eur

6950 seems to have a much higher power consumption factor (http://www.hwcompare.com/6108/radeon-hd-6850-vs-radeon-hd-6950/)
I am afraid i'll have to buy a new PSU, cause my 500W FSP BlueStorm || won't be enough....

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Take the 2Gb version then in 18months,
look to getting another for Crossfire if you feel you need it but I doubt you will, unless you upgrade your mobo and psu as well
Moto

 

[larrel]

What about power consumption with one 6950 ...will 500W FSP BlueStorm || handle:
1)2500k, 6950 2GB, 1 or 2x4GB ddr3, 120gb ssd, 320gb hdd - > at default clocks?
2)2500k at ~3.8ghz, (should 6950 be overclocked?) .... ?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/
Build the various systems into this to get an idea of the power requirements, bear in mind to leave some headroom, especially if your overclocking,
I.e. it says get a 543w psu, go for a 650W
and ofc a decent branded one, not a €20 thing thats going to fry you
Moto

 

[larrel]

These calculators seem to show low power consumption..
~353W at def. CPU clock, ~399W at 3.8ghz
My fsp 500w psu seems to have good feedback, costed me €60..hopefully that will be enough

Although being the pessimist i am, i got this feeling that the 6850/6950 Wattage difference is whats gonna force me to waste some 60-70 more euros on a new 600-700W PSU

 

[Motopsychojdn]

I'd say see how your current one holds up on the new build, and if needs be, you can look to a new psu in a couple of months maybe, plus its not wasting, its investing in your rigs future, like buying your kids a decent car instead of a junkyard rescue job
Moto

 

[larrel]

If i don't buy one, i'll save myself some 60-70eur till the next upgrade in ~3years...if i buy one, i'll prolly have to buy another in 3 years again >.<

Hope that 6950 is worth the extra cash and risk ...
I am all set then I guess, thank you for the help

 

[Motopsychojdn]

No problem man, enjoy the build and post back if you run into any problems
Moto