New build need opinions please

[cdiscoll2012]

Okay i modified my previous build and here is the new one:


CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black 3.7GHz Quad-Core
$159.99

CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing
$29.44

Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth 990FX ATX AM3+
$182.98

Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866
$59.99

Video Card
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB
$159.99

Case
Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower
$27.99

Power Supply
OCZ 600W ATX12V / EPS12V
$41.99

Optical Drive
Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer
$20.99

my questions are wht kind of performance will i get out of this build and what games will i be able to play on it? and lastly should i spring for the i5 2500k? if needed i can change the mother board for socket compatibility but if the performance difference isnt going to be noticably large for the extra $40 i wont change.

Thanks in advance!

 

[striker410]

Lookin good! I do however think a few things could be tweaked.
-At $160, that CPU is awful close to the $190 i5-2400, which offers WAY more performance for not much more coin. I would suggest hopping on the LGA 1155 train and picking one up.
Here's a decent combo that combines the 2400 and DVD drive for $195: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.822371
-If you do grab the i5, you won't need the Hyper 212, stock cooling will do just fine since you can't OC.
01866 RAM has a negligible performance gain on Sandy Bridge. Save $20 and get some simple ram, like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
-You might want to spend a bit more on your case. An Antec 300 or HAF 912 would show off your powerhouse rig nicely.
-Here's a decent H67 budget board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157233 Upgrade to the ASRock Z68 Gen3 Extreme3 if you want more expandability: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=gen3%20extreme3
-This CX600+500GB combo is pretty good. If you look on the page for the HDD, you get a $10 off promo code as well http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.827833
-With the cash saved, you might grab a better GPU, a GTX 560 Ti for example. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401

According to the recent budget gaming CPU article, the i5 beats the 980 by a significant margin: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-10.html 40% more performance or so.

 

[cdiscoll2012]

okay im not looking to budget im looking for performance and ive read alot of good reveiws about the sabertooth so do you still recommend the same board?
and is it really in my best interests in terms of longevity of the CPU to just go with stock cooling? i dont plan on overclocking the 980 either

 

[striker410]

The Extreme3 Gen3 is still fine. I don't like the Sabertooth because it actually puts MORE strain on the board components unless you have that little fan installed.

Tell you what. Why don't you fill out the form here? http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice Gives more info on needs/budget. I can tailor my build to you a little more if I were to know more.

 

[cdiscoll2012]

I already have a 2 TB external and would DDR3 2133 RAM give me noticibly better performance? Here is a build idea i just kinda threw together for the i5 2500k and im still a little tentative about no CPU cooling for thois build i would be using the same cooling as the first build

Total= $660
CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core
$179.99
Motherboard
ASRock P67 Extreme4 Gen3 ATX LGA1155
$158.49
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133
$69.99
Video Card
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB
$159.99
Power Supply
OCZ 600W ATX12V / EPS12V
$41.99
Optical Drive
LG GH22NS90B DVD/CD Writer
$15.99

 

[striker410]

It's not a matter of NO cooling, it's a matter of high powered vs. low powered.
Intel ships all it's processors with heatsinks and fans. They were build specifically to ensure reliability at stock speeds. They do not, however, do well when overclocking. If you don't want to overclock, absolutely no reason for the 2500k. The i5-2400 will do the job just as well for $40 less.

I'd take the GTX 560 over the 6870 anyday. However if you aren't an overclocker, it may not make a big difference.

Did you see that HDD+PSU combo I linked?

 

[cdiscoll2012]

okay if i were to overclock i would want to go with the 2500k?

 

[striker410]

For sure. You can't overclock with any non-K chip.

 

[cdiscoll2012]

okay thanks alot i think il go with the 2500k and what about the RAM would the 2133 give me considerably more performance over 1866? and how much could i overclock the 2500k with the EVO 212?

 

[Why_Me]

okay thanks alot i think il go with the 2500k and what about the RAM would the 2133 give me considerably more performance over 1866? and just to clarify if i dont overclock the 2500k i wont need a cooler?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <----- what's your budget, your resolution, do you need an o/s, etc... do you want the option of dual vid cards later on, is this build strictly gaming, do you plan on over clocking, when do you plan on building/purchasing, what country are you in.....

 

[cdiscoll2012]

okay budget is $700 i can go a little over no i dont plan on dual video cards for some time to come no not strictly gaming and plan on purchasing sometime within this year and im in America

 

[cdiscoll2012]

mostly gaming and internet surfing

 

[hpdeskjet]

If you decide on an Intel CPU, I would recommend reading this thread before deciding what RAM you want to buy.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/333313-31-intel-speeds

 

[cdiscoll2012]

cool thanks that just saved me alot of headache