[Stinky12]

QUOTE (finn4life @ Monday, Jan 30 2012, 05:22)

QUOTE (Stinky12 @ Monday, Jan 30 2012, 08:09) I won't say the Core i5 is a weak CPU, it's just a quad without HT and for games the i5 2500K is pretty close to the i7 2600K. HD7970 is the best AMD GPU currently on the market, imo, spending $600 is insane. If they came out with a HD7950, I'll pick that in a heartbeat, but they're not out yet. Seagate has reduced it's warranty from 3 years down to 2 (some even down to just 1 year), thus the reason I picked WD Black as they still retain their 5 year warranty. WD Blue and Green also went down from 3 years to 2 years. By saving on the CPU and GPU, there is enough to grab a larger size SSD as the main drive. Purpose of that is to install the OS and other essential programs. Difference between Crucial M4 and Samsung 830 isn't that much, with a few bucks more I'll go with the Samsung http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820148533 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820147134 There is a Samsung 830 128GB for $175, but it's a OEM and R/W are reduced by half http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820147161 Good points actually, you are right the i7 probably is not necessary for gaming, i was in a hurry so i didn't quite make a proper point. Looking at the benchmarks though the 7970 consistently performs 10 fps higher max framerates, at higher resolutions it performs even higher, and the GTX 580 is $80 cheaper, the SSD is a good idea though, having it as a boot drive and leaving plenty of room for games is a great idea actually, but you will still only be able to install the more favourite games to it. I guess it's up to the OP if he wants the warranty at a price, and if he want so save $80 and get a card that is a little weaker, or spend 80 more and get the better card.

The GTX580 in that list has 3GB of VRAM, standard model with 1.5GB is $499
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130587
note: EVGA $500ish GTX580 1.5GB is factory OCed, 3GB version runs at stock clocks.
Also in the list is a Blu-Ray writer, that itself is $80 bucks
He can remove the Blu-ray and add a DVD writer and a HD7970 from Yojo's list or
mix it up to get the best setup for his price range.

BTW, Intel has released some new CPUs including the Core i5 2550K
And we have the first look at a reference MSI mobo based on Intel 7 series chipset used for Ivy Bridge


This post has been edited by Stinky12 on Monday, Jan 30 2012, 23:27

[Slamman]

I got my second 8600GT Palit card, lacking the SLi connector, can I order any one off-line that would allow bridging a space between card slots, as some PCIe x16 are spaced together, but not all

[yojo2]

AMD just released HD7950 card, IMHO it's a better option that GTX580 3GB in that price range. Similar performance, better overclocking capabilities, far lower power consumption.

[Slamman]

That Ivy Bridge MSI, looks like either compressed image, or the new 2011 is pretty LEAN and mean! ^