Tax Return, Time to upgrade. Any changes on my build welcome.

[d0ntcar3]

I'm currently running on an

E8500
4 gigs DDR2
Nvidia 260 gtx

Here is the build I am probably going to go with unless anybody can recommend a way to make it better.


459.99 - GPU: Sapphire HD 7970 - Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 11197-01-40G Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card OC Version
49.99 - RAM: Gskill Sniper 8 GB 1600mhz - Newegg.com - G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2
121.99 - MB: AsRock Z68 Extreme3 - Newegg.com - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
219.99 - CPU: i5 2500k Quad - Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
47.99 - CPU cooler - Thermaltake Frio - Newegg.com - Thermaltake Frio Overclocking-Ready Intel Core i7 (six-core ready) & i5 Compatible Five 8mm Heatpipes Dual 120mm Fans Intel & AMD Universal CPU Cooler CLP0564
159.99 SSD - Crucial M4 128 GB - Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Total: $1,059.94

I already have a
Case - Corsair 500R
PSup - Seasonic 750w modular
HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB

 

[PP Mguire]

I'd ditch the CPU cooler for something better, but other than that looks good.

 

[Nukem]

+1

Most people recommend this one:
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

I have it and added a fan to it. works like a charm. (I had the extra fan, but even without it, to cooled very efficiently)

 

[Night Fox]

I'd change the SSD to an OCZ Vertex 4 (128gb). Similar price, much better from what I've read (huge IOPS increase).

 

[d0ntcar3]

I've heard nothing but good things about the Crucial SSDs all over, and I've heard lots of bad experiences with OCZ. I'll probably stick with the Crucial since it's like 20 dollars cheaper.

 

[PP Mguire]

I've heard nothing but good things about the Crucial SSDs all over, and I've heard lots of bad experiences with OCZ. I'll probably stick with the Crucial since it's like 20 dollars cheaper.

Being a former reviewer I have heard just as many bad things about each and every company that makes SSDs and their SSDs. For the record, I use an OCZ but the Crucial should be fine even though I agree on the IOPS increase.