Feb 2012 $1000 Power Performance Crossfire 6870

[samuelspark]

Hey guys, back again with the $1000 build for this month. Changed the 6970 to 6870 crossfire and a cheaper air cooler.

Intel i5 2500k 3.3GHz ($229.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Corsair A70 Air CPU Cooler ($39.99) ($15 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181011
Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 Z68 Motherboard ($112.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502
Powercolor Radeon HD 6870 x2 ($319.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131378
Patriots 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz RAM ($41.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
Antec High Current Gamer 750w Power Supply ($99.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
Seagate Barracuda 500GB HDD 7200RPM ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
Rosewill Challenger ATX Gaming Case ($54.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
LG 22x DVD Burner ($15.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240

Total = $1000.90 ($15 rebate)

Tips/comments/advice appreciated. Do not forget to check my signature for the other budget builds.

 

[hamidgeabee]

Is there a reason why your build is centering around an I5? I haven't kept up to date on hardware like I probably should be.

I'm just curious because I have noticed the FX8 series are about the same price yet 8 cores instead of 4, or the FX6 series are cheaper and still 6 cores instead of 4. I haven't priced many Motherboards for them, but a quick glance on newegg showed they were comparable to the Intel ones.

 

[QuietPC]

Why XFire? The results don't come anywhere near the cost. Honestly you are better off buying and running a single card. Better performance, less power, most games don't recognize 2 cards...I've gone sli/xfire and went back to a single card.

Assuming you are going to IC the i5 then the cooler should be fine. Ram is low profile which is good although I would look for a better brand than Patriot.

 

[joerowland]

Is there a reason why your build is centering around an I5? I haven't kept up to date on hardware like I probably should be.

I'm just curious because I have noticed the FX8 series are about the same price yet 8 cores instead of 4, or the FX6 series are cheaper and still 6 cores instead of 4. I haven't priced many Motherboards for them, but a quick glance on newegg showed they were comparable to the Intel ones.

They aren't true 8 core and 6 cores though ask around.

 

[samuelspark]

Is there a reason why your build is centering around an I5? I haven't kept up to date on hardware like I probably should be.

I'm just curious because I have noticed the FX8 series are about the same price yet 8 cores instead of 4, or the FX6 series are cheaper and still 6 cores instead of 4. I haven't priced many Motherboards for them, but a quick glance on newegg showed they were comparable to the Intel ones.

AMD is not performance anymore. It's not a competitor anymore. FX series are not good at all and an i5 is the best gaming CPU you can find right now.

 

[samuelspark]

Why XFire? The results don't come anywhere near the cost. Honestly you are better off buying and running a single card. Better performance, less power, most games don't recognize 2 cards...I've gone sli/xfire and went back to a single card.

Assuming you are going to IC the i5 then the cooler should be fine. Ram is low profile which is good although I would look for a better brand than Patriot.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/301?vs=292

The 6870's give a higher average FPS than a single 6970 for the same price. Games do recognize dual cards and the 6XXX series are pretty well optimized for crossfire.

 

[Mrbumbum]

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 $89.24 (until 2/16/2012)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

Will save a couple bucks for anyone looking to buy your build between now and the 16th. It even has a $10 rebate!

 

[serialkiller]

change to 6950 cf and unlock to 6970.
Lol i just read about a thread of 560 ti sli and 7970 as cf/sli can cost u high power consumption and high heat generation leading to need of better case air flow