$1500 Gaming Build

[JorgeOlivera]

That's what I figured.

Thanks for you quick responses lol

 

[mnewsham]

Lol no problem.

 

[mfenn]

Too cool for school.

Does the $15 difference justify buying the "slower" memory today?

They are honestly the same thing (DDR3 1333). G.Skill just creates different SKUs to capture the searches for 10600 and 10666.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Looks like I missed out on the deal. Was my nieces birthday so I was occupied. Damn.

- Jorge

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Is this MOBO any better than the one I currently have selected?
I don't really see much differences besides the price (this is a dollar more at the time of posting) and the UEFI bios.

I kinda like the color scheme a little more, too.

Also, monitors (don't want to make a new thread):

Acer GD235HZbid
PLANAR SA2311W
ASUS VG236HE

Or any other monitors I'm missing. Preferably 120Hz. max of $400 (No IPS please, will buy one near January).

I'm having second thoughts after looking at the Acer GD235HZbid in person.

I'm not sure if the colors just weren't properly adjusted or what, but it seemed kinda dull. Maybe it's because I been using this CRT for the past 2 months so I forgot what an LCD is supposed to look like, but whatever the reason, I'm now looking to see if there are any better for around the same price range. If not I can live with it as I will get an IPS in the months to come.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mfenn]

Looks like the GA-Z68A-D3H and the P8Z68-V LX are pretty comparable. The Gigabyte has a better PCIe lane split than the ASUS though.

As for the monitor, I'm pretty sure that all the 23" 120Hz monitors use the same or very similar TN panels. If you want 120Hz, you have to go TN right now, which means giving up some image quality. If you want really good IQ, you need to go with *VA or IPS, which means giving up the response times.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Looks like the GA-Z68A-D3H and the P8Z68-V LX are pretty comparable. The Gigabyte has a better PCIe lane split than the ASUS though.

As for the monitor, I'm pretty sure that all the 23" 120Hz monitors use the same or very similar TN panels. If you want 120Hz, you have to go TN right now, which means giving up some image quality. If you want really good IQ, you need to go with *VA or IPS, which means giving up the response times.

Yeah it sucks because I notice latency easily. Especially after gaming on CRT's and regular non HD TV's. But the color difference is huge too. I think I'm getting the 120Hz monitor and then buying the IPS in the months to come.

Also, just got the C300. Came in one piece

 

[JorgeOlivera]

So I should have the money by Tuesday (A little longer than expected, but it's saving me some money).

Here's the update:

214.99 - i5 2500k (Local Fry's)
279.99 - 6950 TFII
199.99 - VE248H
121.99 - GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
142.98 - Corsair TX750 + 8GB Vengeance RAM
107.98 - Corsair 400r + Lite-On DVD/CD (iHAS124-04)
59.99 - Spinpoint 1TB
24.99 - Hyper 212+ (Local Fry's)

1152.90 - Total (+2.90 Shipping)

Is there anywhere I can improve? I'm looking forward to ordering this stuff. The only thing I'm worried about are the taxes for the local items. Wonder if it would make the 2500k and the 212+ more expensive than just buying from Newegg.

Also, I already have the C300 so I'm good on the SSD.

Thanks in advance,

- Jorge

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Just calculate the tax yourself!

 

[mfenn]

So I should have the money by Tuesday (A little longer than expected, but it's saving me some money).

Here's the update:

214.99 - i5 2500k (Local Fry's)
279.99 - 6950 TFII
199.99 - VE248H
121.99 - GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
142.98 - Corsair TX750 + 8GB Vengeance RAM
107.98 - Corsair 400r + Lite-On DVD/CD (iHAS124-04)
59.99 - Spinpoint 1TB
24.99 - Hyper 212+ (Local Fry's)

1152.90 - Total (+2.90 Shipping)

Is there anywhere I can improve? I'm looking forward to ordering this stuff. The only thing I'm worried about are the taxes for the local items. Wonder if it would make the 2500k and the 212+ more expensive than just buying from Newegg.

Also, I already have the C300 so I'm good on the SSD.

Thanks in advance,

- Jorge

Seems OK-ish, but I would change a few things:
- Either get a base 6950 2GB for $240 AR or get the Twin Frozer III.
- The VH242H is a similar panel, just without LED backlighting
- The ASRock Z68 Extreme3 has largely taken over the D3H's position in the market.
- The PSU is way overkill and the Vengeance isn't worth it outside of the combo. The 520C is back on sale for $35 AR (may want to order it now) and this G.Skill 8GB kit is $41.

 

[Ken g6]

I can pretty much guarantee that the Hyper 212+ will be cheaper locally, but the 2500k will be cheaper online. (Unless you get it from Micro Center.) Also, 1600MHz RAM won't help your gaming, though it might slightly (2%?) help your Photoshop.

So, I suggest a $249 CPU/1333MHz RAM bundle.

If you miss the shell shocker, Here's a $45AR modular 550W PSU.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

The only reason I'm getting this is for the LED back lighting.
Question: For the PSU, how much would you recommended for Crossfire (will be buying another card in a month or two)?

 

[mfenn]

The only reason I'm getting this is for the LED back lighting.
Question: For the PSU, how much would you recommended for Crossfire (will be buying another card in a month or two)?

Do you want LED backlighting for energy-efficiency reasons or is it something else? Because cheap LED backlighting systems often perform worse than an equivalently-priced CCFL.

As for Crossfire, oh how many times have I heard that somebody will absolutely positively be getting another card but it never comes to fruition. Two factors about your build make this an especially bad idea:
- Timing: There would be no reason to buy another 6950 after the 7000 series comes out.
- Resolution: CFX anything is pointless for 1080P.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

I would think 2x6950 would > 7000 series.

Also, simply asking how big of a PSU would be needed to crossfire. 550? 650? 750?

Getting LED lighting because of how much better it looks. Checked out the monitors at Fry's and the difference is great enough for me to go for LED back lighting

Edit: I would be going crossfire. I am able to do it now, but would rather spend those $200-300 on something else in life, and then buy the 2nd 6950 in a month or two.

 

[mfenn]

#1 Rule of Anandtech Forums: Don't expect a straight answer if the poster disagrees with your overall plan. :awe:

A 650W with 4 PCIe power plugs will do it. The XFX Core 650W for example.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

#1 Rule of Anandtech Forums: Don't expect a straight answer if the poster disagrees with your overall plan. :awe:

A 650W with 4 PCIe power plugs will do it. The XFX Core 650W for example.

Lol

Yeah that's the one I have in my cart atm. I was also looking at the TX650 V2 since it's currently $5 cheaper and is similar in performance from what I can tell. The difference small enough between the two to justify the $5?

Thanks for still helping me through this :thumbsup:

Edit: Derp. You just said 4 PCI-E, that one has 2 -___-

 

[mfenn]

No prob. Both the Corsair and XFX have the same 53A on a single 12V rail, so their overall power delivery is the same. The XFX gets a slight edge though because it has the dedicated plugs whereas you would have to use adapters with the Corsair.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Just ordered. Thanks for the help. Should be here by Friday. I'm excited

 

[mfenn]

Sounds good!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Everything arrived Friday. And after trial and error (damn case has the standoffs preinstalled and I didn't notice) I got it working.

Thanks for the help. This machine is badass lol

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Everything arrived Friday. And after trial and error (damn case has the standoffs preinstalled and I didn't notice) I got it working.

Thanks for the help. This machine is badass lol

 

[mfenn]

Everything arrived Friday. And after trial and error (damn case has the standoffs preinstalled and I didn't notice) I got it working.

Thanks for the help. This machine is badass lol

Glad you like it! It was a journey, but we got there!

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Glad you like it! It was a journey, but we got there!

That it was. Thanks to you especially mfenn!