New Gaming Build

[rust1d]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to build the following system and wanted to know your thoughts:

CPU: Intel i7-950
Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366
Ram: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
GPU: 2x XFX HD-687A-ZNFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Case: Coolermaster Haf x
PSU: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
HDD: Boot - Micro Center 64GB SATA II 3.0Gb/s 2.5" G2 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) With SandForce 1222 Controller. I have a 750 GB drive I will use for data and an external 750 GB HDD.
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler

I have the rest I will be re-using. I will sell my old system which should get me about 500ish so the total for this build will be a bit under 1k (depending on sales etc.)


My other option was going for a X6 1090 build with 8gb ripjaws and a rampage mobo, but it will end up being a similar price since I have Micro Center near by. Thanks!

 

[vindictive]

Stick with the x4. heres why: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=88&i=47.48.49.50
And your PSU is about 250W overkill.
drop to a 750W for a allot of overhead., Corsair, Antec, Seasonic, XFX Black Edition.

 

[batuchka]

In reality there is no real need for expensive chips+boards as games aren't even quad core optimised so time to re-examine what u do outside games

The Game Rundown: Finding CPU/GPU Bottlenecks, Part 2
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Conclusion: A Trend Toward 3+ Cores

The average optimal number of CPU cores suggested by the test results is 2.75, showing a clear trend towards at least three CPU cores.The question of whether the CPU or GPU is most important is easily answered. If you don't have a multi-core CPU, then upgrade it. If you have a dual-core CPU at around 3 GHz, then invest your money into a graphics card, as most games are GPU-limited. This is not something that will change with new DirectX 11 games.

There is also a clear reason why Toms calls pumping more than $200 into processor 'Past The Point Of Reason' in many a "Best Gaming CPUs for the money" articles
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-athlon-ii-x4,2791-5.html

 

[vindictive]

^+1 the X4 is fine to me though, I wouldn't get an X6 for gaming, as my link clearly shows, the X4 beats the X6 in everygame.

 

[batuchka]

I would suggest TS read up on Moore's Law particularly on the rate hardware/tech becomes obsolete and for the best gains *now* hit a fairly beefy GPU set up ^^
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law

Obsolescence
A negative implication of Moore's Law is obsolescence, that is, as technologies continue to rapidly "improve", these improvements can be significant enough to rapidly obsolete predecessor technologies. In situations in which security and survivability of hardware and/or data are paramount, or in which resources are limited, rapid obsolescence can pose obstacles to smooth or continued operations

 

[rust1d]

The reason behind the i7-950 is that I can get it for $199 @ MC. That is why I would like to build my new rig around it. My biggest issue is the graphics cards. Should I go 6870's in crossfire, 460's in SLI or wait for the 6970?

 

[rust1d]

Just for a reference, I am coming from a Q6600 with a 4870 and 6gb RAM. The system is about 3 years old and I wanted to upgrade before my parts become too outdated to sell.

 

[vindictive]

I'd wait for the new GPU's.
But I'd get 6870CF > Gigabyte GTX 470 SOC SLI> GTX 460 SLI

 

[rust1d]

I will probably build this sometime in Feb. When I get my tax return. I am hoping the 6970 will be out by then.

 

[rust1d]

Just bought the Corsair HX850 For $140 after rebate on Newegg. It was normally $169 - $20 promotional code - $20 MIR. . I figure I can get the PS, case etc and wait till Jan. for Sandybridge. Question is, will it be much faster than the core i7-950?

 

[vindictive]

the new i5's are coming out first, and the i5 2400 was placing up there with the i7 980x. BUT it had HyperThreading enabled, which isn't actually offered till the 2600k I believe which will be $5-- something I think. I think the spot for gamers will be the i5 2500k $218

 

[rust1d]

Wow...$500 for the 2600k? Wonder what MC will charge