Adive on build - Mainly GPU

[huggles12]

Hi there, about to build a new machine and would like some advice please. It's been so long since I've built a machine hardware has changed so much.

This machine won't be used for any gaming, it'll be used for programming(variety of languages), web design and some light photo and video editing.

I'm looking at GTX550 for my card but I have heard bad things about it. The reason I'm going nvidia over AMD/ATI is because I'll be using Linux most of the time. All I need is two monitors running at 1920x1080. Is this card worth getting?

Here are the specs.

ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 INTEL Z68 PCI-E 3.0 (Was going to go with the p8z68-v LE but will probably utilize bluetooth and esata)

Please comment on any other components.

I live in New Zealand and will be buying from computerlounge, elive, pbtech and playtech.



CORSAIR CML8GX3M2A1600C9 VENGEANCE LP 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9

INTEL CORE I5 2500K SANDY BRIDGE 3.30GHZ 6MB 95W LGA1155

ASUS DRW-24B3LT 24X DVD WRITER LIGHTSCRIBE SATA

WESTERN DIGITAL CAVIAR BLACK 1TB

TP-LINK TL-WN951N 300MBPS WIRELESS N PCI ADAPTER

CORSAIR TX650 V2 ENTHUSIAST SERIES POWER SUPPLY

EVGA NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX550 TI FPB

ANTEC GAMING ONE HUNDRED GAMING CASE (Dont really care about looks, although I might get a Fractal R3)



Also a 650 psu should be enough to run that and an SSD and CPU cooler when I get one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[g-unit1111]

ANTEC GAMING ONE HUNDRED GAMING CASE (Dont really care about looks, although I might get a Fractal R3)

Definitely go for the Fractal. I'm planning to upgrade my work computer's case to an Arc MIDI at some point.

Your build looks pretty good but drop the 550TI (and I like EVGA no question) and instead get a Radeon 7770, the 550TI is becoming pretty much a moot point anymore. It's what I use in my system but I'm planning to move it to a 670 or a 7950 if the price drops any time soon.

Try this for your video card instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102967

And one thing I will say is that if you're going for the Corsair Vengeance RAM be sure to watch the tall heat sinks. I'd definitely recommend an aftermarket cooler if you're going 2500K for overclocking purposes.

For RAM get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

And then get this for your cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Or if you want to get one for ~$50 try one of these:
- Akasa Voodoo Venom: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14775/cpu-aka-07/Akasa_Venom_Voodoo_Universal_CPU_Cooler_w_Direct_Contact_AK-CC4008HP01_Sockets_LGA_775_1155_1156_1366_2011_AM2_AM3_FM1.html?tl=g48
- Thermalright True Spirit: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9403/cpu-tri-62/Thermalright_CoGage_True_Spirit_4-Heatpipe_Core_i7_CPU_Cooler_w_PWM_Fan_Socket_LGA_11561366.html?tl=g48
- EVGA M020: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835288001

 

[huggles12]

I was thinking about a 6770/7770 but last time I built a computer ATI cards were horrible under Linux, that was a good few years ago but it was enough to put me off it.

 

[g-unit1111]

I was thinking about a 6770/7770 but last time I built a computer ATI cards were horrible under Linux, that was a good few years ago but it was enough to put me off it.

I don't really use Linux so I can't help you there.

I'm sure that AMD cards have improved now that the AMD merger is complete so they could be different than when you last built a system.

 

[huggles12]

Yeah I'm sure things must have changed. Anybody else got video card suggestions?

 

[bbqroast]

What is wrong with the 550Ti??
You could blow the money on a 560Ti I guess .

 

[g-unit1111]

What is wrong with the 550Ti??
You could blow the money on a 560Ti I guess .

It's slow and outdated and far outperformed by the 6850 and the new 7770. The 560TI would be a better choice, I agree there.