Hey guys,
First time poster here. I'm in the process of putting together a new computer build (first in ~6yrs). It will primarily be used for gaming, photo editing and streaming content via LAN. Below I've listed my ideas/hardware choices. If you have any suggestions please feel free to help me out.
My specific question regards the 2gb 6950 GPU.
1) I've read on this site several times the great value of the card if you are successful in flashing the bios to unlock the shaders (~6970). I also have read many newer cards are now locked and unable to be flashed. Are there currently any cards on the egg or tigerdirect that can still be successfully flashed?
2) Also, on the best graphics cards monthly listing on this site, the 6950 is on the same tier as the 560ti. I assume the is and ACTUAL 6950 (1g or 2g???), not one that has been flashed. The 560ti, via combo deals, can be purchased for less then the 6950. so if the newer 6950 can NOT be flashed would a 560ti actually be a better value purchase with extremely minimal to no loss in performance?
Thanks for your help and the education everyone has provided me through this site/forum!
The Plan:
1) Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case, $119.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
2) Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s, $79.99 w/rb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3) SAPPHIRE 100312-3SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB, $244.99 w/rb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
4) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800), $59.99 c/rb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
5) ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX, $189.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
6) Intel Core i5-2500K & PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite..., $259.98 w/rb
Total: $954.93 including rebates.
I will purchase a 60-90gb SSD and aftermarket CPU cooler in the future.
I have a 21' 1080p monitor and all peripherals already.
Again, thank you for the help and education.