[backslashhug]

This is a build I have been working on for a while and I would like some comments on it, good or bad, before i dump $1,000+ into it.

http://secure.newegg...Number=15483534

I've been told I should maybe change my motherboard and video card, so suggestions on those would be nice. I am also looking into a heatsink as I type this.

Suggestions, comments, criticism, etc. are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

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Looks pretty solid overall. I don't have any specific issue with that mobo, but it is a bit limited in the OC RAM speeds it supports compared to other boards in that price range. The reviews seem generally positive with the odd DOA, but that's to be expected with all motherboards. You might consider the ASUS below if you have concerns about the Gigabyte board:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131820

As far as the video card is concerned I would recommend stepping up the the 7850/7870. You might consider waiting to see if the pending release of the 660ti next week by nvidia has any effect on AMD prices, but both cards can already be had at a reasonable price. The 7850 has performance about equal to the 6950 at stock speeds, but much more potential if overclocked. The 7870 is simply a superior card. AMD made pretty substantial improvements in both power consumption and DX11 tessellation performance with the 7000 series. Here are a couple to consider:

7850 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150608 - $210 after rebate
7870 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125418 - $280 after rebate

At 1920x1080 you will probably be happy with the 7850, and your board will allow you to add another one at a later date once the prices have dropped.

Also, you probably won't need an aftermarket heatsink unless you plan to agressively overclock your CPU. Being a new build, you're not likely to be CPU limited in any games right now so there probably isn't a need to OC unless you just like big benchmark numbers. Keep in mind that adding an aftermarket HSF will void the warranty on the CPU. If you find that you're bottlenecked by the CPU at some point in the future then you could always add an aftermarket cooler at that point. GL.

Edited by kidnova, 08 August 2012 - 06:30 AM.

[kidnova]

Looks pretty solid overall. I don't have any specific issue with that mobo, but it is a bit limited in the OC RAM speeds it supports compared to other boards in that price range. The reviews seem generally positive with the odd DOA, but that's to be expected with all motherboards. You might consider the ASUS below if you have concerns about the Gigabyte board:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131820

As far as the video card is concerned I would recommend stepping up the the 7850/7870. You might consider waiting to see if the pending release of the 660ti next week by nvidia has any effect on AMD prices, but both cards can already be had at a reasonable price. The 7850 has performance about equal to the 6950 at stock speeds, but much more potential if overclocked. The 7870 is simply a superior card. AMD made pretty substantial improvements in both power consumption and DX11 tessellation performance with the 7000 series. Here are a couple to consider:

7850 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150608 - $210 after rebate
7870 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125418 - $280 after rebate

At 1920x1080 you will probably be happy with the 7850, and your board will allow you to add another one at a later date once the prices have dropped.

Also, you probably won't need an aftermarket heatsink unless you plan to agressively overclock your CPU. Being a new build, you're not likely to be CPU limited in any games right now so there probably isn't a need to OC unless you just like big benchmark numbers. Keep in mind that adding an aftermarket HSF will void the warranty on the CPU. If you find that you're bottlenecked by the CPU at some point in the future then you could always add an aftermarket cooler at that point. GL.

Edited by kidnova, 08 August 2012 - 06:30 AM.

[iammykyl]

I've been told I should maybe change my motherboard and video card,

I would in fact select a card with the same feature set, but with 2 or even 1 PCI-e 3.0 x 16 slots. > http://www.newegg.co...5E13-128-544-TS and upgrade the GPU. > http://www.newegg.co...ID=3938566&SID=

Consider this build. > http://pcpartpicker.com/p/e7Wz

kidnova

Also, you probably won't need an aftermarket heatsink unless you plan to agressively overclock your CPU. Being a new build, you're not likely to be CPU limited in any games right now so there probably isn't a need to OC unless you just like big benchmark numbers. Keep in mind that adding an aftermarket HSF will void the warranty on the CPU.

Agreed, 100%

What OS are you planning on using?

Edited by iammykyl, 08 August 2012 - 09:13 AM.

[backslashhug]

Windows 7

[backslashhug]

Made a few small changes, switched the mobo and video card

http://secure.newegg...Number=15483534

[kidnova]

This build should be excellent for gaming at 1080p. At this point it really comes down to your budget. It's easy to keep suggesting higher priced components, but you're going to get dimishing returns at that resolution. If you expect to game at a resolution in excess of 1080p in the future then you could look at a 7950 for $20 more:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150616

or $30 more:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125414

Or you could push all of the way into $400 territory for a GTX 670 or Radeon 7970, but I think you will see very little benefit/$ at 1080p vs the $300 cards. I still think it might be worth waiting to see how AMD responds to the 660ti release, but there is no guaranty that it will result in a price drop.

GL