1600€ Gaming PC (BF3)

[Lumicko]

Hello everyone!

Budget Range: 1500-1900
System Usage from Most to Least Important: BF3, gaming
Overclocking: Maybe
Resolution: 1920x1080
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Country of Origin: Slovakia buying there also
Approximate Purchase Date: This month as soon as possible

I am considering buying a new computer, I will play BF3 I have looked at these parts
what do you guys think?

MONITOR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...l-_-24-236-079
INTEL 510 120GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20120GB%20SSD
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233180
INTEL Core i5-2500K - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072
CORSAIR AX750 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ORSAIR%20AX750
SAPPHIRE HD 6990 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...RE%20HD%206990
Win 7 HomePremium or Proffesional 64bit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986
CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series H100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0Series%20H100
ASUS P8P67 PRO (rev 3.1) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131771

About the CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series H100 dont know if AIR or Liquid Liquid is better but Liquid can bring me some problems im right?
For gaming is i5 better than i7 im right?

 

[lehtv]

Welcome.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

Also, what's your current system like?

About the CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series H100 dont know if AIR or Liquid

Corsair hydro isn't needed, a $25-50 air cooler will do everything you need a cooler to do.

Liquid is better but Liquid can bring me some problems im right?

Not really, it'll just make your wallet a bit lighter

For gaming is i5 better than i7 im right?

Yep

 

[Lumicko]

Welcome.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

Also, what's your current system like?

Corsair hydro isn't needed, a $25-50 air cooler will do everything you need a cooler to do.

Not really, it'll just make your wallet a bit lighter

Yep

Ok Uptaded the information. Current system what u mean? I will buy complet new PC with these
parts and what about other parts is it good?

 

[lehtv]

Current system what u mean? I will buy complet new PC with these parts

I just wanted to know what system you're currently running, just to make sure that the upgrades you're planning are worth while

Not knowing anything about the pricing and availability of components in Slovakia, here's what I'd recommend:

Mobo Z68 motherboard, e.g. Asrock Extreme3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V, Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H. P67 is fine too but can't do SSD caching should you ever need it
CPU 2500K + a decent air cooler e.g. Coolermaster 212 Evo, Scythe mugen 3 and several other possibilities; if you can find Thermalright HR-02 Macho go with that
GPU 2x 6950 2GB, e.g. XFX dual fan, Sapphire dirt3 edition
RAM 2x4GB DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600
HDD 1TB 7200RPM, e.g. Samsung F3
SSD Crucial M4 64GB or 128GB
ODD DVDRW
PSU No need to pay for Corsair AX... If you just want modular, go with Corsair TX M, HX, or XFX XXX edition, Seasonic M series, Antec HCP850 (if it's significantly cheaper than AX)... If you forgo modularity there's a lot more choice. For 6950 2gb crossfire 750W at least, preferably 850W PSU. If you can find a good deal on a Seasonic X or Corsair AX, then that's good too (80+ gold isn't worth a huge price premium though)
Case Corsair 400R or Cooler Master HAF 912/922 + additional fans, or Silverstone Raven

 

[Lumicko]

I just wanted to know what system you're currently running, just to make sure that the upgrades you're planning are worth while

ATI Radeon 4800, Dual Core 3Ghz , Ram 4 or 3 GB, Win XP

Mobo Z68 motherboard, e.g. Asrock Extreme3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V, Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H. P67 is fine too but can't do SSD caching should you ever need it
CPU 2500K + a decent air cooler e.g. Coolermaster 212 Evo, Scythe mugen 3 and several other possibilities; if you can find Thermalright HR-02 Macho go with that
GPU 2x 6950 2GB, e.g. XFX dual fan, Sapphire dirt3 edition
RAM 2x4GB DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600
HDD 1TB 7200RPM, e.g. Samsung F3
SSD Crucial M4 64GB or 128GB
ODD DVDRW
PSU No need to pay for Corsair AX... If you just want modular, go with Corsair TX M, HX, or XFX XXX edition, Seasonic M series, Antec HCP850 (if it's significantly cheaper than AX)... If you forgo modularity there's a lot more choice. For 6950 2gb crossfire 750W at least, preferably 850W PSU. If you can find a good deal on a Seasonic X or Corsair AX, then that's good too (80+ gold isn't worth a huge price premium though)
Case Corsair 400R or Cooler Master HAF 912/922 + additional fans, or Silverstone Raven

MOBO Asus P8Z68-V best one?
GPU So 2x 6950 (2GB Saphire Dirt 3) it cost 2x250euro is better than 6990 (650+- euro) ?
850 Watts enough?

 

[lehtv]

MOBO Asus P8Z68-V best one?

It has the best featureset, but I don't think it's worth the price over Asrock, unless you really need USB3 on the front panel and think you'd benefit from 3 year warranty. The gigabyte one is IMO the best looking one and has all the features that Asus has, apart from graphical UEFI bios; but it also has some extra connectivity (firewire, PS/2 - pretty unimportant). Any Z68 board will be roughly the same in terms of performance, though some may overclock better than others; still, any board should take you to 4.5GHz fine.

GPU So 2x 6950 (2GB Saphire Dirt 3) it cost 2x250euro is better than 6990 (650+- euro) ?

Absolutely. 6990 is essentially 6970 crossfire on one PCB, and it isn't worth the extra over 6950 crossfire. Many 6950 2GB cards can have their extra shaders unlocked with a 6970 BIOS flash, and they overclock pretty well too.

850 Watts enough?

Enough to have room for future upgrades too. 850W could power GTX 580 SLI fine. You would be fine with 750W for 6950 crossfire, no doubt about that.

 

[Lumicko]

So new Configuration

Mobo Asus P8Z68-V
GPU 2x 6950 2GB, Sapphire dirt3 edition
RAM 2x4GB DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600 - CORSAIR 8GB KIT DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Vengeance XMP or CORSAIR 8GB KIT DDR3 1866MHz CL9 Vengeance XMP ?
HDD 1TB 7200RPM, e.g. Samsung F3
SSD Crucial M4 128GB or INTEL 510 120GB ?
CPU i5 2500K, Idk about cooler for CPU rly which one im not good in these things idk compare it

 

[lehtv]

Don't get 1866mhz memory, it's complete waste of cash. 1333mhz or 1600mhz is all you need. (Yes, even 1333mhz. Faster RAM benefits you about 0-1% in games, and up to a whopping 2% in other tasks.). Vengeance may also be incompatible with the CPU coolers (unless you buy the low profile version), and it doesn't even benefit you in any way, just get Corsair XMS3 for less €.

Intel 510 is pretty good too but Crucial M4 is a lot cheaper.

As for the cooler, I've given my recommendations but you can look at what's available wherever you're buying from, and then google reviews. Easily the best out of the bunch I recommended is the Thermalright HR-02 Macho, second best Scythe Mugen 3, but even the Coolermaster will overclock to 4.5Ghz at decent temps and noise levels.

 

[mosox]

One of those is enough for your monitor (or a GTX 570).

http://graficke-karty.heureka.sk/sapphire-radeon-hd-6970-2gb-ddr5-11187-00-40r/

RAM

http://pamate.heureka.sk/g-skill-ddr3-8gb-1333mhz-cl9-4x2gb/

 

[lehtv]

One of those is enough for your monitor (or a GTX 570).

This depends entirely on the settings. BF3 will run smoothly with just one of those at medium-high settings (probably depending on map), but to get 60fps at high-ultra settings in all maps, 6950 falls very short. At OP's budget, crossfire isn't a bad idea. It's true though that he could get along with one card until HD 7000 / GTX 600 series, when he could then upgrade to something like GTX 670 / HD 7950 or a dual-GPU setup.

The GPU you recommended is a reference design 6970, I highly recommend against those overpriced jet engines. If you go with one GPU then just 6950 or GTX 570.

Also, with regard to the monitor - you might be able to fit in a 120hz gaming monitor at your budget.

 

[Lumicko]

This depends entirely on the settings. BF3 will run smoothly with just one of those at medium-high settings (probably depending on map), but to get 60fps at high-ultra settings in all maps, 6950 falls very short. At OP's budget, crossfire isn't a bad idea. It's true though that he could get along with one card until HD 7000 / GTX 600 series, when he could then upgrade to something like GTX 670 / HD 7950 or a dual-GPU setup.

The GPU you recommended is a reference design 6970, I highly recommend against those overpriced jet engines. If you go with one GPU then just 6950 or GTX 570.

Also, with regard to the monitor - you might be able to fit in a 120hz gaming monitor at your budget.

Hm cant find Thermalright HR-02 Macho do u have any link?
Ok will use CORSAIR 8GB KIT DDR3 1600MHz CL9 XMS3
About GPU what if i will go 2x Radeon 6950 on 1 Monitor its ok?

 

[lehtv]

http://thermalright.com/where_to_buy/

Yes, 6950 crossfire on one 1080p monitor is going to be great. Smooth fps on ultra settings in BF3

 

[mfenn]

Lehtv pretty much has this thread on lockdown. OP, here's a link to the Hyper 212+ which is a good, cost-effective cooler

 

[lehtv]

Lehtv pretty much has this thread on lockdown.

:ninja::thumbsup:

 

[Lumicko]

Thx for help lehtv u are pro! Love u
If will be something i will be not sure about i will let u know

 

[lehtv]

K happy to help

 

[s44]

Don't get 1866mhz memory, it's complete waste of cash. 1333mhz or 1600mhz is all you need. (Yes, even 1333mhz. Faster RAM benefits you about 0-1% in games, and up to a whopping 2% in other tasks.). Vengeance may also be incompatible with the CPU coolers (unless you buy the low profile version), and it doesn't even benefit you in any way, just get Corsair XMS3 for less €.

No, XMS3 is a bad old line that runs at 1.65v -- out of spec for Sandy Bridge. Stick to 1.5v.

 

[Lumicko]

No, XMS3 is a bad old line that runs at 1.65v -- out of spec for Sandy Bridge. Stick to 1.5v.

hm then which one?

 

[s44]

Anything that says 1.5v, CL9, and DDR3 1600 (or 1333 if you want to save a few Euro).

Watch out for really tall heatsinks if you're using a big cooler (won't fit!), but that should be the only worry as long as the spec is right.

 

[lehtv]

No, XMS3 is a bad old line that runs at 1.65v -- out of spec for Sandy Bridge. Stick to 1.5v.

No it's not, XMS3 can be either. http://www.corsair.com/memory-by-product-family/xms-classic.html

There are three types of 2x4GB XMS3 kits, all have an SPD setting of 1333MHz @ 1.5V. The three types are only distinguished by the settings they've been tested to work at - all have been tested at 1.65V, and one of 1333MHz, 1600MHz or 2000MHz. I think the XMS3 1600mhz is sold as 1.65V while the 1333mhz version is sold as 1.5V. The 1600mhz version might work at 1600 @ 1.5V as well.

 

[Lumicko]

CORSAIR 8GB KIT DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Vengeance XMP have 1.5V but its Vengeance
About the Monitor which one should be good there are a lot with 120mhz 1920 x 1080 1080p mby LCD BENQ XL2410TLED ?
Best cooler Thermalright HR-02 Macho right?

 

[mosox]

The GPU you recommended is a reference design 6970, I highly recommend against those overpriced jet engines. If you go with one GPU then just 6950 or GTX 570.

That's not a reference card it's a new one with a new, improved cooler. There are other models out there as well.

CF 6950 is overkill IMO for a single monitor, he should better buy a single card and wait for the 7000 series. No heat/noise/microstuttering issues as well.

 

[lehtv]

That's not a reference card it's a new one with a new, improved cooler.

Hmm. Looks like a painted reference cooler to me. Same type fan type, same size, same exhaust area. Are the insides different then, and how?

 

[Lumicko]

CORSAIR 8GB KIT DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Vengeance XMP have 1.5V but its Vengeance
About the Monitor which one should be good there are a lot with 120mhz 1920 x 1080 1080p mby LCD BENQ XL2410TLED ?
Best cooler Thermalright HR-02 Macho right?

Can be Vengeance? and btw i still think best is 2x 6950

 

[lehtv]

2x6950 is within your budget and you won't be disappointed I'm sure. The second 6950 will undoubtedly be worse value for money than the first one, but that's how it goes when you want high frame rates with high settings in a demanding game like BF3.

Yes Vengeance is fine as long as the heat spreaders don't block the CPU cooler. You should make sure that the cooler you choose is compatible with tall heat spreaders - or just go with the low-profile Vengeance.