PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Auspice]

Looks like an updated version of the old Z530s that I've been using for nearly a decade. Super good price too, maybe I'll snag a set.

[Zerocool]

Is $250 reasonable for a 2TB WD Black Caviar?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136792

As far as the GPU goes, I'm not sure where my best option for upgrading should be. Is ATI still ahead of NVidia? I'm torn between these two:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...60%20ti%20hawk
Tom's Hardware puts the 6950 in the same range as the 560GTX TI but the ATI is $20 more and has 2gb instead of the NVidia's 1gb, is the $20 difference worth it even if they're in the same league?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127562

Also, is my 500W Corsair PSU going to be able to power all this?

I'd recommend going with the 560 TIs. Save a bit now and in the future if you're looking to upgrade more you can snag another one for SLI since they scale really well. Like mentioned, the extra VRAM will only really matter if you're gaming with extremely high resolutions, like in multi-monitor gaming.

[Arkanna]

I'd recommend going with the 560 TIs. Save a bit now and in the future if you're looking to upgrade more you can snag another one for SLI since they scale really well. Like mentioned, the extra VRAM will only really matter if you're gaming with extremely high resolutions, like in multi-monitor gaming.

I don't know if I agree, honestly. The 2GB reference-design versions of the 6950 can be unlocked into fully-functioning 6970's sometimes, and they go into Crossfire just as well as nVidia's go into SLI. Probably worth the gamble to me.

[Auspice]

I don't plan on ever doing SLI due to the issues with windowed gaming and I have a 3 monitor setup. I figured for a slight increase in price I'd grab the OCd 6950 and maybe overclock it some more. Honestly though, the last time I overclocked was back in 2005 or thereabouts when it required insane amounts of cooling and lots of BIOS editing. Seems an assload easier to do it now and doesn't require liquid cooling/etc like it used to.

On the note of 3 monitors, the MSI card has 1 HDMI and 2 DVI ports. Can I plug the monitors into that or do I need to get a DVI splitter and ONLY use the DVI inputs?

[Jojimbo]

Can only do DVI + DVI + Displayport (either need monitor with displayport or a active converter), maybe HDMI+DVI+Displayport?

And yeah, if you don't plan on using CF/SLI then your only route is ATI as nVidia require two cards for 3 monitors.

OCing is a lot easier, GPUs are insanely easy (just do it by increasing a bar in a program), CPU depends on what one but is generally a lot easier now (requires 3rd party cooler though, stock is too shit)

[Auspice]

Gotcha, I'm going to hook up my monitors with 2x DVI and 1x Mini Display Port(with a mini display port to DVI adapter from monoprice). Hopefully this works:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[Orph]

I don't know if I agree, honestly. The 2GB reference-design versions of the 6950 can be unlocked into fully-functioning 6970's sometimes, and they go into Crossfire just as well as nVidia's go into SLI. Probably worth the gamble to me.

I just got the Sapphire Toxic 6950 today, It switched from 6950 bios to 6970 with the flip of a switch. I've read that not all of them have the switch anymore so it's just a luck thing but it can save you $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102951

[Auspice]

I just got the Sapphire Toxic 6950 today, It switched from 6950 bios to 6970 with the flip of a switch. I've read that not all of them have the switch anymore so it's just a luck thing but it can save you $100.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102951

Oh goddamnit. That's the exact same price I paid for the MSI 6950. Should I attempt to return the MSI card and buy the Sapphire the moment it comes back in stock? lol

[Jojimbo]

Don't think it will, unless you have a native displayport monitor you need an active adapter, plus the connector is full size displayport and not a mini (unless that specific card is different)

[Zerocool]

You could always just use your old card to run your side monitors if you don't plan on using them for gaming, and just use the new card for the primary monitor.

[Auspice]

Don't think it will, unless you have a native displayport monitor you need an active adapter, plus the connector is full size displayport and not a mini (unless that specific card is different)

The card has 2x mini displayports on it. The monitors are Asus from Newegg, they don't have displayport built in. Just VGA, DVI, and HDMI. Bummer, was hoping to save some cash by grabbing that cheap adapter from monoprice. After digging on the monoprice site more, it looks like they DO have active adapters:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
I'd just need a DP to mini DP adapter on top of that. Is it going to make a difference that I'll be hooking up the 3rd monitor with VGA instead of DVI? I can't do HDCP content with VGA, correct?

I sure as shit hope that cord works, otherwise I'm going to end up paying $40-90 for a "validated" one from AMD's site which is a load of crap.

You could always just use your old card to run your side monitors if you don't plan on using them for gaming, and just use the new card for the primary monitor.

I didn't even think about that! Will I still be able to extend my desktop to it/etc? I've never used multiple video cards or done SLI

EDIT: Just got off the phone with newegg and they said it's too late to change the order. Kinda a bummer but since I used my newegg card, they said I can place another order with the video card I want and I won't get hit with a restocking fee as long as I return the MSI card unopened. Now I'm stuck, should I wait until the Sapphire toxic comes back in stock or should I grab the MSI Twin Frozr III? The TF3 is $10 more and has a slightly slower clock speed though

[Arkanna]

There's a strong chance the MSI card will unlock just like the Sapphire. There's also a chance the Sapphire won't unlock properly at all, even with the BIOS switch. It's a gamble, do you feel lucky?

[Zerocool]

I didn't even think about that! Will I still be able to extend my desktop to it/etc? I've never used multiple video cards or done SLI

Yeah, works just fine that way. That's how I run mine.

[Senji]

Newegg FYI: every time I have changed my mind or something didn't work out and I purchased the correct one, THEN shot them an email, they have waived the restocking fee and given me a free return shipping label.

I am a fan of those msi cards.

[Auspice]

There's a strong chance the MSI card will unlock just like the Sapphire. There's also a chance the Sapphire won't unlock properly at all, even with the BIOS switch. It's a gamble, do you feel lucky?

Am I better off grabbing the stock Sapphire 6970 for $320? It's only $20 more than the MSI TF3 and I won't have to dick around with overclocking it or trying to flash the BIOS.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102918

Newegg FYI: every time I have changed my mind or something didn't work out and I purchased the correct one, THEN shot them an email, they have waived the restocking fee and given me a free return shipping label.

I am a fan of those msi cards.

I am too but if I'm already in that $300 price bracket I'm tempted to jump to the Sapphire 6970; I'd happily go with the MSI 6970 but it's $360

EDIT: The $360 MSI 6970 is apparently OC'd too, that's why it's so much more than the reference models.

[Arkanna]

Am I better off grabbing the stock Sapphire 6970 for $320? It's only $20 more than the MSI TF3 and I won't have to dick around with overclocking it or trying to flash the BIOS.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102918

Well, for $20 more, you're guaranteeing yourself a 6970, vs. a good chance at one through the unlock BIOS flash for $20 less. If what you WANT is a 6970, the only way you're going to guarantee yourself one is to buy a 6970. I'd have to say, that's your call, though personally I'd probably just get the 6970 and be done with it. You can still overclock a 6970 if you want to.

*edit*

I know you probably already know this, but let me explain why the BIOS flash is a gamble.

The 6950 and 6970 actually share the same GPU. That GPU is "binned", depending on a number of things. Say a bunch of GPU's come off the production line and AMD needs to decide how to bin them. If demand for the 6950 is high and there are little/no cards to satisfy that demand, most/all of them will be binned as 6950's. If the demand for 6950's is low or the supply is too high, those GPU's that can operate as full 6970's will be binned as 6970's and sold for slightly higher prices. The magic happens when the former condition is true; if most/all of the GPU's are binned as 6950's, but a lot of them are CAPABLE of running as 6970's, then a good number of 6950 GPU's will unlock without problems and run as full 6970's. If the latter condition is true, far less 6950's will unlock and run without trouble as 6970's.

Lastly, some of the GPU's simply won't function at 6970 levels. Those will, without question, be binned as 6950 parts and those are the ones you don't want to end up with if you're buying a 6950 with the intent to unlock it.

Again, sorry if you already knew all that, just figured I'd post it.

[Auspice]

I was originally going to go with a 6850 so spending an extra $100 for the 6950 was already twisting my arm. I think I'll grab the MSI TF3 6950 and hope I get one that can be flashed(apparently the newer MSI cards have dual BIOS so if I fuck it up, I won't have a bricked card too). The card itself seems much more efficient and runs cooler than the Sapphire 6970 and I'm definitely not comfortable dropping $380 on MSI's 6970 or I'd go that route.

[Arkanna]

I was originally going to go with a 6850 so spending an extra $100 for the 6950 was already twisting my arm. I think I'll grab the MSI TF3 6950 and hope I get one that can be flashed(apparently the newer MSI cards have dual BIOS so if I fuck it up, I won't have a bricked card too). The card itself seems much more efficient and runs cooler than the Sapphire 6970 and I'm definitely not comfortable dropping $380 on MSI's 6970 or I'd go that route.

That'd be the way to go, then. The 6950 is still a stout card even if it won't unlock, I'm sure you'll be happy with the purchase. The price/performance ratio in graphics cards really is pretty damn good these days.

[Auspice]

I've noticed that $1000 goes a lot farther on a machine than it did 4 years ago when I built my last PC, especially in the RAM and GPU space.

[SephYuyX]

Having a hard time deciding on what CPU and Mobo to buy.

Definitely going with i7 Sandy 2600, but im not sure I want K or not. I dont plan on overclocking, but it has better intergrated video graphics. If I plan to use an actual video card, do the i7 built in video graphics become pointless, or do they still play a role in someway?

Also having a hard time trying to find a Mobo.
I was thinking about the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (or deluxe). But again, I dont plan on overclocking, so that Z68 may go to waste, I also dont plan on using SSD Caching, but the Z68 boards are pretty classy.

If I go with the P series I cant use the built in video, but that goes back to my original question if the built in plays any sort of role if one plans to use a card. But I guess it's always nice to have if the video card goes boom. H series doesnt look very popular, so I guess my only choice is Z, but which?

CPU/Mobo is always the hardest choice, the rest is just dependent on how much money you want to spend. Seems i'll have to do some research on SSDs though.