Round 2 of BF3 v. Wallet

[tfbww]

I started a thread a few weeks ago around a BF3 build (BF3 v. My Wallet. With some good advice and additional research, I'm coming close to a build and may even pull the trigger tonight. I really want to stay under $1K and I've leaned against CF for a lot of reasons (not ready for microstuttering, heat or power issues). But I definitely want to leave myself some opportunity down the road. I'm also on a 1680x1050 for now but that could change over the near future so I don't want to limit myself that way either.

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold 650W
$179.99 -$70.00 Instant $109.99

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout
$99.99 -$10.00 Instant $89.99

SAPPHIRE 100311-2SR Radeon HD 6970 2GB
$359.99 -$10.00 Instant $349.99

Intel Core i5-2500K
$219.99 $219.99

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$68.99 -$10.00 Instant $58.99

XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 92mm HYPRO
28.99 $28.99


All told, $857 before rebates, $827 after MIR's. I have a couple TB's of HDD ready to use as well as an optical drive ready to pull out. What am I missing/screwing up?

 

[tfbww]

I'm a dummy. Must have accidentally deleted...

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P LGA 1155
$189.99 -$10.00 Instant $179.99

Total is 1037 before MIRs.

-- idjit

 

[tfbww]

change the gpu for a MSI GTX 580
psu for a pc power&cooling silencer mkII 650watt 80plus silver.

That 580 is another $150. Is it really worth it? Seems like a pricey upgrade.

And why the PC P&C over the Seasonic?

 

[PepitoneConQueso]

Wouldn't the fastest GPU be the 590?

Anyway if you're looking for a ~$1000 build the 580 is not the way to go, the 570 or 6970 are perfectly fine.

XFX make good PSUs (their basically Seasonic guts with XFX stickers), Corsair is also good.

Corsair TX650 $69.99 after MIR

XFX 650W $59.99 after MIR


FYI if you want to SLI or Xfire at some point you would need 850W.

 

[PepitoneConQueso]

You're right my bad.

Still, 580 GTX on a ~$1k budget isn't the best idea.

 

[Sky03]

Agree with the pc power and cooling 650w. Get it now. It's $90 less promo code $20 and then $20 MIR with free shipping. And it's silver certified. Promo ends 9/28. This is enough to push 2x 6950 in crossfire.

That PSU you have is, imo, too expensive for your build.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

That 580 is another $150. Is it really worth it? Seems like a pricey upgrade.

And why the PC P&C over the Seasonic?

pc p&c is pretty much a seasonic psu. about all of the quality psu's are designed by seasonic
a gtx 580 is the best single card for 1080p and you can get it into a 1k build with a 2500k. a good motherboard to check out is the asrock z68 extreme3 gen3. best motherboard for the money hands down.

 

[tfbww]

Wouldn't the fastest GPU be the 590?

Anyway if you're looking for a ~$1000 build the 580 is not the way to go, the 570 or 6970 are perfectly fine.

XFX make good PSUs (their basically Seasonic guts with XFX stickers), Corsair is also good.

Corsair TX650 $69.99 after MIR

XFX 650W $59.99 after MIR


FYI if you want to SLI or Xfire at some point you would need 850W.

If I wanted an 850w today, so I had to buy only one psu, what would you recommend?

I can't say I'm up for doing the 580 either.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

so you are looking to sli/cf in the future?

 

[tfbww]

I wouldn't say definitely but it's likely once a 6970 gets down to $200 or so.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

here is a solid 850w psu- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011 120$

 

[tfbww]

Thanks all for your input. 384-bit, I heard you loud and clear on the 580 but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra dough at this point.

I did take your advice, mjmjpfaff and grabbed a more CF-suitable PSU in that XFX.

Here's the final build out (hopefully didn't screw it up too badly)


CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$58.99

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
$219.99

XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 92mm HYPRO Bearing CPU Cooler
$28.99

XFX Core Edition PRO850W (P1-850S-NLB9) 850W
$119.99

SAPPHIRE 100311-2SR Radeon HD 6970 2GB
$349.99

ASRock Z68 Extreme3
$124.99

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout
$89.99

DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #723504 (I think this is memory+cpu bundle discount)
-$15.00

Subtotal $977.93

 

[mjmjpfaff]

get the hyper 212 plus cpu cooler for 1$ more it is a much better cooler. also that case isnt the best in your price range- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146072

 

[tfbww]

Now ya tell me!

I pulled the trigger last night so for now things are in motion. Hopefully both will perform adequately. I always feel like I could spend weeks on these decisions!