First-Time Computer Build

[patonb]

i'M STARTING TO BELIEVE IT.

 

[wishcraft]

I was told that the speed difference between the Caviar blue and black is negligible?

I am pretty sure now that I want to go with the i5 2500k, but I think I would also like to go with the HD 6950. I saw that there is both the 1gb 6950 and the 2gb 6950, at almost the same price. I looked at some comparisons and it seems that the 2gb only outperforms the 1gb at higher resolutions, so would I be safe to stick with the 1gb at 1920x1080?

Also, with the i5 2500k, it does seem that I would be fine with the stock fan, but do you think it would still be a good idea to switch to a $30 cooler to bring down idle temps and noise (and would it at all)?

 

[patonb]

For $30 i'd not spends it on something thats just a bit better. Save up and get a proper cooler. You really wont be in need of ocing for a bit.

1Gig is just perfect...

 

[Roark]

Real world performance there isn't a huge difference between the Black and Blue.
Its also not a huge difference between 16MB and 32MB cache.
And 500GB to 750GB only matters if you'll use the space.

I suggested the black because for $5 more you were getting a couple little extras.
The blue currently has a -$5 promo code though, so for $10 difference might not be worth it.

I'm with Paton on the cooler, the stock Intel one is fine even for a minor OC (3.7-4.0GHz).

Which card were you looking at? I'd say for about the same price as the 560Ti you have posted go with:
Newegg.com - XFX HD-695X-ZNDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity.
Or, if you want to spend a little more:
Newegg.com - MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III 1G/OC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card.
Newegg.com - XFX HD695XZDDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity.

 

[wishcraft]

Okay, I suppose I will hold out on getting the cooler for now.

I am going to get that dual fan HD 6950: Newegg.com - XFX HD695XZDDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity.

Hmm.. I think, unless there are any other suggestions or warnings or such, that I am looking at my final build:

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-620 620W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified ...

RAZER Arctosa Black USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

XFX HD695XZDDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity


After promo codes and shipping, the grand total comes to $1,086.53 which is right inside my budget

 

[Roark]

Looks good man, pretty impressed this came to <$1,100.

Should be even less after you get rebates back.

Post up some pics once you get everything installed

 

[patonb]

Nice job.