Gaming Build - Advice please!

[pdxhwa]

Hello,
Is there anything can do to make this build any better, or more stable? Anything I'm missing? I have my OS in hand already.

Approximate Purchase Date: This weekend

Budget Range: 1000-1150ish USD
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Browsing web, video/image rendering

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS, Speakers/Headphones

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: US, California

Parts Preferences: I'd like an intel based computer with a high-end videocard.

Overclocking: Very unlikely, but still possible in the future (year or two later)

SLI or Crossfire: Possible in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

Additional Comments: Going to flash the 6950 to 6970, and need the i7 for video/image rendering-- unless someone can convince me not to get that and get an i5 instead to upgrade something that will make my gaming experience THAT much better.

 

[striker410]

Hey there! Welcome to the forums.

Please fill out this form and put it in your top post. It will help us get a feel of what you need. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

I will say that the focus is too much on the CPU for gaming. Swap to a 2500k and get a 6970. Also, get a PSU that's better than a CM. Corsair, XFX, or Seasonic preferably.
Lastly, grab a gen3 mobo! No reason to really.

I'll get back to you!

 

[pdxhwa]

Hey there! Welcome to the forums.

Please fill out this form and put it in your top post. It will help us get a feel of what you need. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

I will say that the focus is too much on the CPU for gaming. Swap to a 2500k and get a 6970. Also, get a PSU that's better than a CM. Corsair, XFX, or Seasonic preferably.
Lastly, grab a gen3 mobo! No reason to really.

I'll get back to you!

Done, thanks for the ideas. I'm planning on flashing the 6950 to 6970. Also, what's so bad about CM? Do I need 650, 700 or 750 watts?

 

[striker410]

Hmm. Yes, I'd say switch to a 2500k. People get the impression that the 2600k is a MUST HAVE for video applications when really an the i5 can destroy most tasks. If you are going to invest in the i7, check to make sure your programs support HT (Hyper Threading).

If you are only using a single GPU, 650w is certainly sufficient. Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Then, get a 6970. You can no longer flash 6950's, those models are long gone.


For an HDD, this for sure: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/875542/Seagate-Barracuda-720012-ST31000524AS-1-TB/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-Data_Storage_and_Media-_-875542-%7Bcopy:IQ_PE%7D&mr:trackingCode=39AD0BA0-5900-E111-BAE2-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=N

With those savings, look into an SSD!

 

[pdxhwa]

Hmm. Yes, I'd say switch to a 2500k. People get the impression that the 2600k is a MUST HAVE for video applications when really an the i5 can destroy most tasks. If you are going to invest in the i7, check to make sure your programs support HT (Hyper Threading).

If you are only using a single GPU, 650w is certainly sufficient. Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Then, get a 6970. You can no longer flash 6950's, those models are long gone.


For an HDD, this for sure: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/875542/Seagate-Barracuda-720012-ST31000524AS-1-TB/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-Data_Storage_and_Media-_-875542-%7Bcopy:IQ_PE%7D&mr:trackingCode=39AD0BA0-5900-E111-BAE2-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=N

With those savings, look into an SSD!

Thank you very much, I was just wondering if I should replace the 700w CM with something else-- it's in a combo so I save a few bucks if I purchase it. Is it really that bad, or is it fine to keep?

Basically, I replaced by 6950 with a 6970 and replaced the 2600k with a 2500k. I decided to keep the harddrive because I've had good success with it in the past. Anything else I might need to do?

 

[striker410]

It's an alright PSU. I just prefer Antec by far. Most others would agree.

...You really wanna pay $100 premium for a hard drive? Due to the flood in Thailand, prices have gone up by ridiculous amounts, mostly to limit supply I think. Your call though, Seagates work just fine.