Building New System...

[amythompson172]

Well, I'm potentially building a new system of my own (just need that damn wife approval). I am a firm believer of more eyes being better than a single pair. Does anyone see any obviously bad choices, parts that could be swapped for roughly the same price, or places to shave off a few bucks?

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3L
CPU: Intel i5 750
RAM: g.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 5770 1GB
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W Ethusiast Series
HSF: XIGMATEK Dark Knight with i5 bracket kit

I'm not in need of drives, keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals, as they will be coming over from my old system.

I should probably include my usage information. I use my system primarily for WoW, but also play some games on the side (currently Mass Effect 3 and Left 4 Dead 2). I might also be doing some video capture and editing in the future, but I expect it its capable of the above it shouldnt be an issue.

 

[techguy31]

If you are on a budget, and want to play the following games listed, I would suggest getting this:
CPU: i3-2120 (or i3 2100)
GPU: AMD 6870
MOBO: H67 mobo (if you plan to overclock, but last time I checked i3 can't be overclocked)
RAM: 4GB is good for now but 8GB if you want some future proofing

Also what resolution is your monitor?

 

[Yo_Wattup]

Well, I'm potentially building a new system of my own (just need that damn wife approval). I am a firm believer of more eyes being better than a single pair. Does anyone see any obviously bad choices, parts that could be swapped for roughly the same price, or places to shave off a few bucks?

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3L
CPU: Intel i5 750
RAM: g.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 5770 1GB
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W Ethusiast Series
HSF: XIGMATEK Dark Knight with i5 bracket kit

I'm not in need of drives, keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals, as they will be coming over from my old system.

I should probably include my usage information. I use my system primarily for WoW, but also play some games on the side (currently Mass Effect 3 and Left 4 Dead 2). I might also be doing some video capture and editing in the future, but I expect it its capable of the above it shouldnt be an issue.

Don't go with a 1156 config, go with the newer 1155 Sandy bridge setup. Much faster and cheaper. As techguy suggests, go with a cheaper CPU but better GPU. Sandy bridge i3 + 6870 is heaps for minor gaming, and better than i5 760 + 5770.

 

[amythompson172]

Don't go with a 1156 config, go with the newer 1155 Sandy bridge setup. Much faster and cheaper. As techguy suggests, go with a cheaper CPU but better GPU. Sandy bridge i3 + 6870 is heaps for minor gaming, and better than i5 760 + 5770.

Faster.... and cheaper?? Thats jibberish!??

If you are on a budget, and want to play the following games listed, I would suggest getting this:
CPU: i3-2120 (or i3 2100)
GPU: AMD 6870
MOBO: H67 mobo (if you plan to overclock, but last time I checked i3 can't be overclocked)
RAM: 4GB is good for now but 8GB if you want some future proofing

Also what resolution is your monitor?

i3? Isnt that a great deal worse than i5? AMD 6870 seems like a great choice, thanks! Monitor is 1680x1050!

 

[mastrdrver]

How does this and this fit the budget?

 

[Norton]

The Xigmatek Gaia or Cooler Master Hyper 212+ are just about as good as that Xig Dark Knight but they are only about $30

Links:

XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU C...

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatp...

I have the Dark Knight and the Gaia... Gaia has a very solid mounting solution which fits almost all sockets.

Both coolers can mount dual fans for push-pull

 

[Aquinus]

Faster.... and cheaper?? Thats jibberish!??

i3? Isnt that a great deal worse than i5? AMD 6870 seems like a great choice, thanks! Monitor is 1680x1050!

Yeah, get a Sandy Bridge, if you really need more power you can upgrade it in the long term. I honestly love both of my 6870s, one was really good, two is amazing. At 1680x1050, you will really want a sandy bridge, as it taxes your CPU more than your GPU. I would be on the fence if you were running at 1920x1200, but I bet I would still recommend a Sandy Bridge. An i3 should be enough if you're not planning on over-clocking. Not a whole lot of games will use more than 4 threads. If you have the extra money and you want to over-clock, I really would go with the 2500k or 2550k, but I understand that you're on a budget.

Edit:

i3 2125 (costs as much as the one with HD 2000 atm)
i5 2550k
i5 2500k

Honestly, if you have the extra money, I would recommend the i5 (Sandy Bridge k-edition) as it can over-clock like a champ if you ever need more CPU power.

 

[JrRacinFan]

i3? Isnt that a great deal worse than i5?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=191

But per your pricing/budget you would want to look into an i5 2500K

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=191

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EBUXHQ/?tag=tec06d-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00518M74I/?tag=tec06d-20

Also this would outperform the Dark Knight by a 10C difference
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MYFOE2/?tag=tec06d-20

Even going by your shopping on Amazon, it is still cheaper and even better.