My 2500K single-card gamer build

[trexpesto]

Hi all, just about due for a new comp (still on Barton!) and I've been seeing some great 2500K builds.
Very excited, so time to check myself and get some outside perspectives!

Mostly looking for a motherboard that is long-lived with good-OC-performance.
It should be able to fit the HYPER 212 cooler and a single big video card.
I have room for ATX. I'm not in a big hurry, and the P67 boards are still spotty availability.
Anything special to wait for? It would be great to get some front usb3, but that can be from a card later because none of my cases have it. 4 Sata II and 2 Sata III is fine, good audio is a bonus.

I might try to wait for hot deals on GPU and PSU to save money for a better monitor.


The build so far, the links are newegg but could be from anywhere:

$246.98 : COMBO 2500K - & - HYPER 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.618217

$74.99 : GSKILL Ripjaws 2x4GB :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314

$134.99 : GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128476

$278.98 : COMBO XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 - & - XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W Bronze 80 PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.619502

$735.84 : Subtotal without monitor. I have fans and cases, win7, etc.

 

[stahlhart]

Hey, someone else upgrading from a Barton -- cool.

Note that your motherboard has the older command line style BIOS, and not UEFI. Gigabyte might upgrade to it at some future point, though.

 

[trexpesto]

Hmm monitors. I will be going with a single 1920x1200 or 1920x1080, need to see some reviews on the new Asus and NEC 23" IPS panels with 5ms but they are all 1080.
Probably not go 3d or 120Hz for the time being. Not sure about 24" prices but I would love 1200 vertical.

 

[Davidh373]

That should be a great upgrade. I recently designed an Athlon II X4 upgrade for a friend who had Barton with 2GB RAM and a 3xxx ATI card. Great improvements, and you'll easily see more improvement with this build!

 

[trexpesto]

$225 : i5 2500K - stock cooler, oc later. Get Hyper212 w/gift cards
$ 75 : Same RAM
$130 : BIOSTAR TP67B+. Everyone is doing it!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138298
$ 50 : XFX P1-650X-CAG9 Bronze 650W $60 AR - $10 promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207002
$257 : SAPPHIRE 100312SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit, AR & $10 card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102914
$135 : Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit & $10 GC
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2151334
---------------------------------------------------
$737 : Subtotal - put extra toward monitor

 

[mfenn]

Your original build was better IMHO. There's no sense in buying a $135 graphics card with the intention to upgrade it in the short term. That's effectively just making your 6970 cost over $400.

 

[trexpesto]

Your original build was better IMHO. There's no sense in buying a $135 graphics card with the intention to upgrade it in the short term. That's effectively just making your 6970 cost over $400.

Just about to post back looking more at the 6950 as my sweet spot.

The approximate $100/30% diff between 6950 and 6970 (or the GTX 480) is not justified for my low res setup. Only above 1920x1200 do the advantages of 6970 seem more significant in Bench:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/331?vs=292

In fact that diff makes me think about getting a crossfire board for another 6950 later.

Gack. Need to stay focused on a monitor.

 

[trexpesto]

I think that PSU has wrong dimensions, emailed newegg.
13.98" (?!) x 7.87" x 5.51"

UPDATED "More bang for the buck" post above. A bit more balanced between $ for cpu & mobo vs gpu.

 

[trexpesto]

I think that PSU has wrong dimensions, emailed newegg.
13.98" (?!) x 7.87" x 5.51"

UPDATED "More bang for the buck" post above. A bit more balanced between $ for cpu & mobo vs gpu.

Now put back the hyper. Could get the special P67 GSkill ram at 99, not sure if I need it or if that the cheaper stuff only had problems getting to 1600 on Asus boards..


$ 75 : GSKILL Ripjaws 2x4GB Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314
$100 : GSKILL Ripjaws 2x4GB Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL "Designed for Intel P67 motherboard"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428
$247 : COMBO 2500K - & - HYPER 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.618217
$130 : BIOSTAR TP67B+. Everyone is doing it!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138298
$ 50 : XFX P1-650X-CAG9 Bronze 650W $60 AR - $10 promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207002
$257 : SAPPHIRE 100312SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit, AR & $10 card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102914


---------------------------------------------------
$784 : Subtotal

 

[trexpesto]

Reading more posts, sounds as if it shouldn't matter too much for me, as long as the -8GBRL is compatible... hmm

Searching through the newegg reviews of -8GBRL
The only Biostar board mentioned had some trouble with it.
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 reportedly is fine with it..

There are Gigabyte 6950's as well, might be nice to match..

 

[trexpesto]

$255 : Gigabyte GV-R695D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125356
$135 : GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128476
$225 : COMBO Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA - & - Kingston HyperX 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.619781
$ 75 : GSKILL Ripjaws 2x4GB Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314
$247 : COMBO 2500K - & - HYPER 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.618217
$ 50 : XFX P1-650X-CAG9 Bronze 650W $60 AR - $10 promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207002
$100 : 550-600W 80Plus Gold PSU Modular would pay for itself?
Here is a Raidmax 850 for $99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152043

$ 762 : Subtotal without case, fans, OS, which I have. Monitor I don't have.

 

[mfenn]

$255 : Gigabyte GV-R695D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125356
$225 : COMBO Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA - & - Kingston HyperX 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.619781
$247 : COMBO 2500K - & - HYPER 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.618217
$100 : 550-600W 80Plus Gold PSU Modular would pay for itself?
Here is a Raidmax 850 for $99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152043

$ 827 : Subtotal

Is this the most current build? There have been so many updates. :awe:

Anyway, comments:

• The 6950 is very good bang for the buck IMHO.
• Mobo is good
• RAM, not so much. It's $90 (after combo discount) and runs at 1.65V. Get this 1.5V Ripjaws for $75 after promo.
• CPU is good
• Cooler is good
• Hell to the no on the PSU. Do not buy anything Raidmax. I would also not fork out a bunch of money of a gold PSU, the 5% efficiency difference will take a very long time to pay for itself. This XFX 650W is $50 AR AP.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Ditto to mfenn. He is wise when it comes to builds.

 

[trexpesto]

oops

 

[trexpesto]

Haha yep fast and furious.. Thanks for the posts, was hoping to hear from the pros, and updated the last config. Couple days left on some of these prices.

Right now I am just reading more on GPU because that Gigabyte was just impulse.. I saw a post on another site that with one monitor the 1GB version is fine, and 2GB is more for multi-monitor setup. Is that right? You never know about other sites...

$255 : Gigabyte GV-R695D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit
save $20 AR til 3/31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125356

$135 : Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128476

$ 75 : GSkill Ripjaws 2x4GB Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
save $25 til 3/21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314

$247 : Combo 2500K - & - HYPER 212
save $8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.618217

$ 50 : XFX P1-650X-CAG9 Bronze 650W $60 AR
save $10 til 3/21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207002

$ 762 : Subtotal without case, fans, OS, which I have. Monitor I don't have.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I say stick with the 6950 2GB. It's such a nice deal at $255 A/R, and can unlock to 6970 spec.

I'm not familiar with that HSF, but I can't argue against 1,123 Newegg reviews with an average 5-egg rating.

 

[trexpesto]

This NON-REFERENCE XFX has the same spec, $10 less and $10 gift card, but no reviews yet.
Got to love a double-lifetime warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150530
The exhaust looks like it shoots out the sides though. Second-to-last picture:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageG...th%20Eyefinity

 

[trexpesto]

This one is the XFX 2GB reference design : XFX HD-695A-CNFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150518

$260 AR and get $10 GC

For $5 more, lifetime warranty versus 3 year for Gigabyte. Guess everyone will void it anyway by flashing to 6970?

No can't do it, the $30 rebate doesn't go to PO boxes. !

 

[trexpesto]

Argh XFX power supply $30 rebate: NO PO boxes

Gigabyte 6950 rebate is OK with PO Boxes.

So, back to looking for a PSU.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Great looking build!

I have that PSU, also recommended by the likes of Mfenn, Mnewsham, and Boomer...

 

[trexpesto]

I am a flaky consumer.
I want to get that awesome XFX, had my heart set on it, but they don't send the rebates to a Post Office Box, which is all I have BOO! BITTER!
Is that even legal for them to do that?
I feel betrayed that I have to read the fine print, and wonder if I'll have to wrangle all the other rebates to get them.

Newegg: I would have bought already. Now I don't know. Prices only go down! (humor: unless you are a P67 motherboard.)

Before I look other places, here are other PSUs at the egg.
* That Gigabyte 6950 has 2x6pin connectors.

$60 could get the EarthWatts but it would have to be $45 for me to want it.
NOT modular, 80Plus Bronze, 1x6pin, 1x6+2pin

$65 could get the Antec BP 550W.
Modular, 80Plus plain NOT Bronze, 1x6pin, 1x6+2pin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

$70 for a CoolerMaster SilentPro 600W:
Modular, 80Plus Bronze, 2x6+2pin
Not a brand I know, some people like it OK : 191 reviews * 5 star average.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171036


Kind of expensive for a sub-$800 build.
Anyone else got a line on a great PSU deal? Doesn't have to be from the egg!

 

[mfenn]

I say stick with the 6950 2GB. It's such a nice deal at $255 A/R, and can unlock to 6970 spec.

Yep, that's why I recommend reference design 6950 2GB cards.

 

[mfenn]

I am a flaky consumer.
I want to get that awesome XFX, had my heart set on it, but they don't send the rebates to a Post Office Box, which is all I have BOO! BITTER!
Is that even legal for them to do that?
I feel betrayed that I have to read the fine print, and wonder if I'll have to wrangle all the other rebates to get them.

Newegg: I would have bought already. Now I don't know. Prices only go down! (humor: unless you are a P67 motherboard.)

Before I look other places, here are other PSUs at the egg.
* That Gigabyte 6950 has 2x6pin connectors.

$60 could get the EarthWatts but it would have to be $45 for me to want it.
NOT modular, 80Plus Bronze, 1x6pin, 1x6+2pin

$65 could get the Antec BP 550W.
Modular, 80Plus plain NOT Bronze, 1x6pin, 1x6+2pin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

$70 for a CoolerMaster SilentPro 600W:
Modular, 80Plus Bronze, 2x6+2pin
Not a brand I know, some people like it OK : 191 reviews * 5 star average.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171036


Kind of expensive for a sub-$800 build.
Anyone else got a line on a great PSU deal? Doesn't have to be from the egg!

Well, that sucks. Given your options, I would probably get the Corsair 500CX. You won't be able to get the rebate, but $55 is still not too bad.

 

[trexpesto]

Thanks very much, you are the man mfenn.

I have just been looking all over, looked at case combos, even called around town.
Phew, wearing.
I want it at the same time for testing the components before clocks start ticking, guess I COULD wait a couple days to see if anything else turns up.

Dang I want Modular!

 

[jterrell]

I'd get the coolermaster psu of those options.
I had bad experiences with Antec psu's so generally only use corsair or seasonic now.


Rebates are generally crappy and slow in coming. The check you may get 2/3 months from now isn't probably going to be a make or break thing.

Rebates should only be used to break ties imho