[koolcid]

First off I know that there seems to be a lot of threads related to first builds, and what not, but I just turned 16 and Im looking into building my own gaming pc. I would really like some opinions/recommendations on my performance and compatibility of my hardware (I really don't care about noise) from someone who has been doing this for years.

After A few days of research, here are the parts I'm looking at:
MoBo- ASUS Sabertooth 990FX
CPU- The upcoming FX-8150P or FX-8120 (depends on pricing)
GPU- This is one area I would really like some help with. I don't know to go with AMD or Nvidia, I diffidently want Multiple GPU's, and I'm kind of confused about Nvidia's "Physx" card. But anyways I'm looking at a Biostar Radeon HD 6870 (I would like to end up with two of these in crossfire)
RAM- 16 Gigs is my goal, I'm planning to use 4 corsair sticks.
Hard Drive- Westen digital 1TB with 64MB cache.
Power Supply- I would also like some help with this, but I'm looking for something in the range of 950-1200 Watts
Case- NZXT Zero 2, I would like some cooling advice as well.

I will diffidently be overclocking, I'm not new to that but, I would love advice though

 

[koolcid]

A lot of people seem to be recommending the 2500K, Is it because of the larger cache size or do intel chips just generally perform better?

 

[Polymerabbit]

The 2500K is just really good. The reason most of us were recommending it over the BD chips was because games that are not optimised for 8 cores would make use of the entire CPU, eg. a game that uses 4 cores on a 8 core cpu will only be able to use 50% of its total power.

The 2500K is the best CPU for gaming on the market, for $220. You can't go wrong with that.

 

[koolcid]

how would dual channel memory stack up against triple channel memory?

 

[pioneerisloud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koolcid A lot of people seem to be recommending the 2500K, Is it because of the larger cache size or do intel chips just generally perform better?

The i5 2500k walks all over anything AMD has to offer right now. That's with the AMD overclocked to its max, and the i5 at bone stock. The i5 also clocks significantly higher. The choice is obvious honestly for bang for your buck.

Not saying AMD is bad, but we are waiting for Bulldozer for a proper competitor for Sandy Bridge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koolcid how would dual channel memory stack up against triple channel memory?

Triple Channel only works on LGA1366 boards. And it offers little to no performance increase at all. Since you're looking at AMD or Intel 1155, then you'll want dual channel only.

To everyone else:
Please keep the thread on topic, and avoid silly brand comparisons and rumors.

Arguments will be handled by yours truly.

 

[Polymerabbit]

CPU:
i5-2500K

GPU:
6870 or 560 Ti

MoBo:
Asus P8P67 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-771-_-Product
or a Z68 Gigabyte but only if you'll use the caching feature

RAM:
Low latency (CL7) 1600MHz G.Skill Ripjaws
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-276-_-Product

PSU:
SeaSonic M12-II 620w or Seasonic X-650

Those are my recommendations.

 

[koolcid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud The i5 2500k walks all over anything AMD has to offer right now. That's with the AMD overclocked to its max, and the i5 at bone stock. The i5 also clocks significantly higher. The choice is obvious honestly for bang for your buck. Not saying AMD is bad, but we are waiting for Bulldozer for a proper competitor for Sandy Bridge. Triple Channel only works on LGA1366 boards. And it offers little to no performance increase at all. Since you're looking at AMD or Intel 1155, then you'll want dual channel only. To everyone else: Please keep the thread on topic, and avoid silly brand comparisons and rumors. Arguments will be handled by yours truly.

I've only used intel chips, I was considering an AMD chip because of their low price (based upon whats been released thus far)

 

[HK_47]

STATEMENT: Sorry about your thread, If You Want To Go The AMD Route, Stick With The Sabertooth 990FX, get 8GB G.skill ripjaws x 1600MHz, bulldozer wont be out for at least another 2 months, you could grab a phenom II X6 While Your Waiting for bulldozer, the performance difference from the 2500k really Isn't that much, price for performance wise the X6 still takes the cake considering the 2500k is $40+ more
BENCHMARKS :
i5 2500k vs Phenom II x6 1100T
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=203

 

[koolcid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerabbit CPU: i5-2500K GPU: 6870 or 560 Ti MoBo: Asus P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-771-_-Product or a Z68 Gigabyte but only if you'll use the caching feature RAM: Low latency (CL7) 1600MHz G.Skill Ripjaws http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-276-_-Product PSU: SeaSonic M12-II 620w or Seasonic X-650 Those are my recommendations.

What past experiences have you had with ATI vs NVIDIA

 

[Polymerabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK_47 STATEMENT: Sorry about your thread, If You Want To Go The AMD Route, Stick With The Sabertooth 990FX, get 8GB G.skill ripjaws x 1600MHz, bulldozer wont be out for at least another 2 months, you could grab a phenom II X6 While Your Waiting for bulldozer, the performance difference from the 2500k really Isn't that much, price for performance wise the X6 still takes the cake, BENCHMARKS : i5 2500k vs Phenom II x6 1100T http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=203

Good to see that you're on topic, you should probably change your sig now.

Though I don't agree with getting a Phenom II x6 as a placeholder, an X3 or a 955 is better for the budget and is good enough anyway.

The 2500K does OC better as well, so you have to take that into account.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koolcid What past experiences have you had with ATI vs NVIDIA

Haven't had an Nvidia card in a while so I can't really comment on them but don't believe the stuff about AMD drivers, I've had zero problems with my 6850s and my friends haven't had any problems with drivers either, be it Nvidia or AMD.

Basically just get whatever fits your budget best, the 6870 should max pretty much any game at 1080p at the moment, however Battlefield 3 might strain it a bit.

 

[pioneerisloud]

If you REALLY do want to go AMD, I'd go for a 955BE as a placeholder for BD. No reason to waste money on an X6 for gaming.

Nvidia vs. AMD for gaphics....just so long as you're sticking to single card systems, they'll trade blows and work fine. Either one.

But honestly, I don't like the waiting game, so I'd suggest buying what your budget allows now that's good.

 

[koolcid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK_47 STATEMENT: Sorry about your thread, If You Want To Go The AMD Route, Stick With The Sabertooth 990FX, get 8GB G.skill ripjaws x 1600MHz, bulldozer wont be out for at least another 2 months, you could grab a phenom II X6 While Your Waiting for bulldozer, the performance difference from the 2500k really Isn't that much, price for performance wise the X6 still takes the cake considering the 2500k is $40+ more BENCHMARKS : i5 2500k vs Phenom II x6 1100T http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=203

Don't sweat it (too much

) I'll Probably wait for the Bulldozer to come out and see what I have to work with. So I'll Probably buy a biostar Radeon HD 6870 and some ripjaws (a lot of people are recommending them) first.

 

[Polymerabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud If you REALLY do want to go AMD, I'd go for a 955BE as a placeholder for BD. No reason to waste money on an X6 for gaming. Nvidia vs. AMD for gaphics....just so long as you're sticking to single card systems, they'll trade blows and work fine. Either one. But honestly, I don't like the waiting game, so I'd suggest buying what your budget allows now that's good.

Basically this.

There isn't really a point spending money on a placeholder CPU while you wait for a CPU which has unknown performance. The 2500K is a safer, less expensive route. Just say that the 8150P comes out at $350, you would have already spent $100 on a placeholder, totalling $450 - Thats more than double the price of a 2500K.

 

[koolcid]

the link provided by HK_47 is useful http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=203

 

[Polymerabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koolcid the link provided by HK_47 is useful http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=203

Anand Tech is good, though for CPUs they throw in a lot of synthetic benches which don't mean much and they don't OC at all (Which is where the 2500K really shines). And for GPUs they don't use the latest drivers, which is important. The gaming ones are what you should look at to see how much better the 2500K is.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=330

For a GPU just pick between a 6870, 560 Ti and a 6970. But you can just google GPU A vs GPU B and you can get some good comparisons.

 

[koolcid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerabbit Anand Tech is good, though for CPUs they throw in a lot of synthetic benches which don't mean much and they don't OC at all (Which is where the 2500K really shines). And for GPUs they don't use the latest drivers, which is important. The gaming ones are what you should look at to see how much better the 2500K is. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=330 For a GPU just pick between a 6870, 560 Ti and a 6970. But you can just google GPU A vs GPU B and you can get some good comparisons.

Thank you. I have gotten so much help here, and as for the processor I think I've made up my mind and go for the 2500K. I'll focus on deciding a GPU now

 

[Acefire]

I would recommend the 6950 since it is better than the 560ti and can be found at a cheaper price.

Also: DO NOT GET 16gbs of ram. 8gb is more than plenty now and you can always drop another 8gbs in in the future if you so wish.

 

[duox]

why wouldnt people just go for the 4 core bulldozer at this point ? be way cheaper and perform exactly the same , or am i missing something ?

 

[koolcid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acefire I would recommend the 6950 since it is better than the 560ti and can be found at a cheaper price. Also: DO NOT GET 16gbs of ram. 8gb is more than plenty now and you can always drop another 8gbs in in the future if you so wish.

I was considering running two GTS 450's whats your take on that? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127521

 

[Acefire]

The 6950 would beat the sli 450