Please Critque My New Build (<$1300)
Last response: in Systems
Hey guys,
I'm building a new PC. The last build I did, which I am currently still using... I built back in 2004/2005. It's time to upgrade...![:)]( ":)")
Ok so here goes... just want to get opinions on if parts look good. I used a lot of Tom's articles for recommendations on parts. I use my computer mostly for watching movies, gaming, word documents/office, etc... I don't really do any photo or video editing.
Fractal Design Define XL Black ATX Full Tower Silent PC Computer Case $139.99
XFX HD-695X-CDFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity $286.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-8GBRH $129.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157250 $189.99
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K $314.99
Kingston SSDNow V+100 SVP100S2/96G 2.5" 96GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820139408 $109
Thoughts / Opinions? Final cost comes out to $1221 on Newegg. Thanks in advance!
I'm building a new PC. The last build I did, which I am currently still using... I built back in 2004/2005. It's time to upgrade...
Ok so here goes... just want to get opinions on if parts look good. I used a lot of Tom's articles for recommendations on parts. I use my computer mostly for watching movies, gaming, word documents/office, etc... I don't really do any photo or video editing.
Fractal Design Define XL Black ATX Full Tower Silent PC Computer Case $139.99
XFX HD-695X-CDFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity $286.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-8GBRH $129.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157250 $189.99
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K $314.99
Kingston SSDNow V+100 SVP100S2/96G 2.5" 96GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820139408 $109
Thoughts / Opinions? Final cost comes out to $1221 on Newegg. Thanks in advance!
More about : critque build 1300
Well I think I'll just start by saying pretty good job, a few things need a change.
-If gaming, switch to i5-2500k. It performs identically to the 2600k for $100 cheaper.
-That ram is REALLY expensive. Try this on for size: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $85. Same stuff.
-That ASRock board is a little expensive. I'd prefer something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... Simply because of cost. They are pretty much the same....
-The SSD you listed is kinda slow. And when I see it, it's $160. If you are getting some sort of deal, that's good. Otherwise I would prefer performance over space and get an Agility 3 60GB for $135: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
With the money saved on 2600k, get a 6970: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... Only $65 more for a big boost in performance and a lifetime warranty.
Also, what PSU are you getting?
-If gaming, switch to i5-2500k. It performs identically to the 2600k for $100 cheaper.
-That ram is REALLY expensive. Try this on for size: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $85. Same stuff.
-That ASRock board is a little expensive. I'd prefer something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... Simply because of cost. They are pretty much the same....
-The SSD you listed is kinda slow. And when I see it, it's $160. If you are getting some sort of deal, that's good. Otherwise I would prefer performance over space and get an Agility 3 60GB for $135: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
With the money saved on 2600k, get a 6970: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... Only $65 more for a big boost in performance and a lifetime warranty.
Also, what PSU are you getting?
I have a 650w Antec PSU that I will be transferring to the new computer. I'm not too concerned about money.. but obviously don't want to overpay. I don't mind the extra $$$ for the 2600k, as it seems it would be a little more futureproof. From what i've read you are definitely right about not noticing a difference between their current performance.
The G.Skill RAM is CAS latency 7, versus that 9 for the Corsair. I would prefer the faster stuff.
I think I may go with that gigabyte mobo though since the features appear to be basically the same, and it's $45 cheaper.
The Kingston SSD comes out at $109 (96GB) versus $119 for the OCZ (60GB). I've read some pretty negative stuff about OCZ SSDs in terms of them failing fast. What are your experiences?
I was reading a Radeon 6950 can be easily unlocked to a 6970 through a firmware update, so I think I will do that.
P.S. - I don't know what SSD caching means...![:)]( ":)")
The G.Skill RAM is CAS latency 7, versus that 9 for the Corsair. I would prefer the faster stuff.
I think I may go with that gigabyte mobo though since the features appear to be basically the same, and it's $45 cheaper.
The Kingston SSD comes out at $109 (96GB) versus $119 for the OCZ (60GB). I've read some pretty negative stuff about OCZ SSDs in terms of them failing fast. What are your experiences?
I was reading a Radeon 6950 can be easily unlocked to a 6970 through a firmware update, so I think I will do that.
P.S. - I don't know what SSD caching means...
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Ok, lets talk it out. You have it well reasoned, but incorrect.
The 2600k and 2500k perform identically in gaming. I personally think the 2600k should really only be in $2k plus builds, because it's much more important to have GPU power than CPU power in gaming. Just because of the fundemental design of HT, it has been proven to give very slight or even negate performance in games that can handle it. I say go 2500k.
Cas 7 1600MHz vs cas 9 1600MHz is like, a 2% difference. Certainly not worth paying $35 for.
The next thing is SSD's. Yes OCZ had issues in the past, mainly with their 28nm SSD's. These new SSD's are running on the 34nm industry standard, alleviating worries about the longevity of the drives. And yes they were suspected of using cheap memory chips, which have also been rectified.
The Agility 3 I linked is almost 200% faster than the Kingston. I have full confidence in OCZ, as if their stock were to take another HUGE dive like it did, they'd be screwed.
And it's been pretty much proven that the flashable 6950's have sold out. You'd be taking a pretty big gamble by getting one right now. much safer to go 6970 or GTX 570.
Hope that clears some things up.
The 2600k and 2500k perform identically in gaming. I personally think the 2600k should really only be in $2k plus builds, because it's much more important to have GPU power than CPU power in gaming. Just because of the fundemental design of HT, it has been proven to give very slight or even negate performance in games that can handle it. I say go 2500k.
Cas 7 1600MHz vs cas 9 1600MHz is like, a 2% difference. Certainly not worth paying $35 for.
The next thing is SSD's. Yes OCZ had issues in the past, mainly with their 28nm SSD's. These new SSD's are running on the 34nm industry standard, alleviating worries about the longevity of the drives. And yes they were suspected of using cheap memory chips, which have also been rectified.
The Agility 3 I linked is almost 200% faster than the Kingston. I have full confidence in OCZ, as if their stock were to take another HUGE dive like it did, they'd be screwed.
And it's been pretty much proven that the flashable 6950's have sold out. You'd be taking a pretty big gamble by getting one right now. much safer to go 6970 or GTX 570.
Hope that clears some things up.
Thank you for the replies I really appreciate it. Ok I made some final modifications and placed my order.
Changes:
-XFX Radeon 6970
-Corsair DDR3 memory you posted
-OCZ Agility 3 120GB SSD
-i5 2500k
You made some good points. I did some more research and I really don't see the need for HT on my CPU... and might as well put the $90 towards a larger/faster SSD. I applied the difference in the savings on the memory ($35) to get the $30 more expensive Radeon 6970. The computer build came out to $1,250 after shipping +$69.50 for my 21.5'' 16:9 HD monitor. Not bad... and if it lasts me the 7 years this one did it's well worth the money![:)]( ":)")
I could probably even get like $300 for my current computer components.
Once again, thanks for the input.
Changes:
-XFX Radeon 6970
-Corsair DDR3 memory you posted
-OCZ Agility 3 120GB SSD
-i5 2500k
You made some good points. I did some more research and I really don't see the need for HT on my CPU... and might as well put the $90 towards a larger/faster SSD. I applied the difference in the savings on the memory ($35) to get the $30 more expensive Radeon 6970. The computer build came out to $1,250 after shipping +$69.50 for my 21.5'' 16:9 HD monitor. Not bad... and if it lasts me the 7 years this one did it's well worth the money
I could probably even get like $300 for my current computer components. Once again, thanks for the input.
Nice! Glad it worked out. And if you aren't ordering right away, you can get this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... It's sold out, but it's the same price and it's got CL8. Free 1% performance boost? Hell yeah! ![:p]( ":p")
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