What To Do With $210?

[azeem40]

I know I have asked this alot, but this time, I got confirmation that it will be next week!

My current system:
Dell Optiplex 760
Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz Processor
4x2GB DDR2 U6400 RAM
ATI Radeon 2400 Pro 256MB VRAM
SoundMAX HD Audio
WD Caviar Blue 250GB 3GB/s 7200RPM Hard Drive
Standard Dell HSF (yep, it is crap
Standard Dell 275W PSU (yep, it is crap)

As you can see, I REALLY need a new computer. I came to the conclusion that there is no point bothering to upgrade this current system, so a new build is in order.

This new build will be for moderate gaming, such as BF3 (non-competitive) and Skyrim. My budget is $1800 including Monitor, but not including OS, Keyboard, or Mouse. If possible, I will reuse the Hard Drive as well.

Right now, here is what I have:

http://us.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=62223 XFX 850W PSU Silver
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589 I5-2500k Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378096 ASUS P8Z68-V/Gen3

Anything to change? Thanks! I plan to OC to 4.5GHz and the GPU to 1GHz.

 

[sosofm]

Your build look great.

 

[azeem40]

That's good to know! Thanks! So far it sits at $1639 without the Hard Drive, but if I can use my 250GB for now, what should I use the remaining $161 for? More SSD space? Better GPU? Better CPU (I do some very very minor editing)?

 

[sosofm]

If the build is for gaming ill recommend to invest in video card. But my advice is to buy a new HDD too.

 

[azeem40]

I am getting the Radeon 7950. It's in the screenshot.
Does anyone know if the 250gb HDD should be transfered or not?

 

[etrnlxdarkness]

If the 250 drive is a sata drive then it wont hurt anything to use it. I just recommend using it as a storage drive if its slower than sata 2. Dont use it as your boot drive if you have an ssd. that would defeat the purpose of buying the ssd. lol

 

[azeem40]

Yeah, I plan to use it for storage. Atm, I barely have my 250gb hdd filled, so I don't think I would ever need a 1TB HDD lol.

 

[azeem40]

Oh, and the reason I have an 850W PSU is because I want to run CF in the future for eyefinity.

 

[sosofm]

Will be perfect.

 

[azeem40]

Thanks for the reassurance. I was wondering, should I get the Radeon 7950 or 7970? I can afford either one, but which one is better bang for buck?

 

[sosofm]

In my opinion 7950 is more bang for buck, because if you overclock that card you can have performance like 7970.

 

[azeem40]

Yeah, I have heard of that. What do you think I should do with the remaining $161? Spend it on keyboard, mouse, and games?

 

[sosofm]

If you create a gaming PC buy keyboard , mouse, mouse pad for gaming.

 

[azeem40]

I would be getting a laser mouse if I do that, so I'd not need a mouse pad. :b

 

[etrnlxdarkness]

Laser mice track well on most surfaces but a mouse pad is still recommended to make your mouse and desk last longer. They also help with better precision and performance. EVGA makes a couple large mouse pads for 15 and Razer makes a reusable sticky pad for the same.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826995072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999063
All in all not a lot of money to spend for that extra performance and saving the feet on your mouse from excess wear as well as your desk. lol

 

[azeem40]

Thanks for all the help! I only wish g-unit replied as well.

 

[etrnlxdarkness]

g-unit would recommend an i7 with a 2011 socket board that you don't need. lol but if you got the extra 600 bucks and want to build on the new x79 chipset it would make a killer pc that will run any game you wanna play.

 

[azeem40]

I only have the $1800, so I can't get LGA 2011. Besides, I wouldn't know what to cut. :b

I guess the $161 goes to keyboard and mouse.

 

[sosofm]

The 2011 socket worth only if you buy a six core CPU.

 

[azeem40]

Yeah, kind of figured.

 

[azeem40]

Now that the GTX 680 is out, I am reconsidering the Radeon 7950. Is NVIDIA Surround better now, now that the GTX 680 is out? Will the 1GB less vRAM be an issue? If not, should I get GTX 680 and use NVIDIA Surround or keep the Radeon 7950 and use AMD Eyefinity?

 

[sosofm]

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/nvidia_gtx680_review/13 an 7950 overclocked perform close to 680 and in some games better.

 

[azeem40]

That doesn't show at 5760x1080.

 

[azeem40]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13328589
GTX 680 $500
XFX Core850W PSU Silver $155 after shipping
Intel Core i5-2500k Processor $195 at microcenter after taxes

ASUS P8Z68-V/Gen3 Motherboard $130 after the $50 deal
Total for both microcenter items: $336

Dell U2312HM $240

Total is $1590. What should I spend the last $210 on? I don't need an HDD or DVD Burner, OS, KB, or Mouse.

 

[azeem40]

Anyone? I really need to know.