GPU Help

[DinoMan]

Hello, I'm currently planning to build this mid-range gaming PC:


CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor (Overclocking)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case

Power Supply: Antec 550W ATX12V Power Supply

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

Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor 1920x1080

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit)

Keyboard: Gigabyte Force K3 Wired Gaming Keyboard

Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6880 Wired Laser Mouse

Total: $1061


I'm just poking around for any advice on parts and such. But mostly I'm wondering if my monitor and GPU are a good combo, I've heard the monitor comes first, then decide on a GPU. So I'm really not so sure about the combination.

BTW I'm a first time builder.

 

[Augray37]

CPU cooler is good, but the hyper 212 Evo is even better for $10 more. You might have trouble with some games on high/ultra settings with an HD 6870, like BF3 for example, but you should be able to run nearly any game on at least medium settings. Since you seem to have an ample budget, what would you think of this GPU...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406

and this PSU instead...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

you can get it for 15% off through 7/26

 

[Chairman Ray]

If you have more money to spare, I would recommend upgrading the graphics card to either the 7850 or the 670.

The way I see your setup right now, you won't have to upgrade for a very long time, everything except your gpu. The 2500k will handle any game in the next decade probably, 1920x1080 is widely supported resolution, and your case, psu, ram are all good. The 6870 is a great graphics card, but it doesn't max out on 1920x1080. If you don't mind playing some games at mid-upper settings, then it's a good choice. However, if you want to play every game coming out without ever having to worry about adjusting graphics settings, then I would recommend upgrading to 7850 or 670.

Another suggestion would be to ditch the keyboard and mouse, unless you specifically like those two. They aren't all that different from the old Dell keyboard and mouse.