Expert Opinions needed - critique this set-up

[Reaper90]

Well, I think I've finally narrowed down to a list of specific components for my build.... the question is "are there any compatability problems with all of the parts that I have selected?"

Case: NZXT Tempest EVO mid-tower

Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950

Memory: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D

Vid Card: XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Cooler: CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

HDD:  Western Digital Caviar Black WD2001FASS 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Card Reader: Koutech IO-RCM621 All-in-one USB 2.0 3.5" USB 2.0 Front Panel Multi-format Card Reader with USB 2.0 Port

Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner


The MB has 6 240-pin slots so I can always upgrade memory if I need to, the only thing I conceded on for now was the video card, opting for the Radeon 5870 instead of the 6970

Anything obviously wrong with this combination of parts? Am I missing anything?

[Spite]

the only thing I conceded on for now was the video card, opting for the Radeon 5870 instead of the 6970

Something to keep in mind.  For very little more money over the 5870, you can get a 6950.  Newegg lists a cheap 220 dollar Saphire 5870, but preferring the warranty of XFX their 5870 lists at 250 dollars.  Their reference 6950 lists at 290 dollars and Saphire has one at 280 dollars.  XFX have other 6950's, but you might want the reference versions that have the fan on the right, not in the middle.

You might want this because the reference 6950 can be "unlocked" turning it into a full blown 6970 by following these instructions.

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159

If you are not planning 2 video cards, then I might question the need for an 850 watt PSU.  Perhaps some money could be freed up there.

So for around 280 bucks you can have a top of the line single GPU card and save 80 bucks or so.  But yes, depending on the 5870 you are looking at, it can be more money.

Just FYI.

[SectorNine50]

Something to keep in mind.  For very little more money over the 5870, you can get a 6950.  Newegg lists a cheap 220 dollar Saphire 5870, but preferring the warranty of XFX their 5870 lists at 250 dollars.  Their reference 6950 lists at 290 dollars and Saphire has one at 280 dollars.  XFX have other 6950's, but you might want the reference versions that have the fan on the right, not in the middle.

You might want this because the reference 6950 can be "unlocked" turning it into a full blown 6970 by following these instructions.

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159

If you are not planning 2 video cards, then I might question the need for an 850 watt PSU.  Perhaps some money could be freed up there.

So for around 280 bucks you can have a top of the line single GPU card and save 80 bucks or so.  But yes, depending on the 5870 you are looking at, it can be more money.

Just FYI.

+1

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I would think twice before risking to void the warranty of the newly purchased card with a serious danger of bricking it. Bios flashes are nothing to play with.

[SectorNine50]

I would think twice before risking to void the warranty of the newly purchased card with a serious danger of bricking it. Bios flashes are nothing to play with.

If you do your research, and understand the risks, they sure are something to play with!

I had a 9800 Pro that acted like it was a year newer thanks to BIOS flashing.  That thing was a rocket...

Realistically, you probably won't need to do any modifications for some time, that card will be able to take most whatever you throw at it right now.

[Spite]

Realistically, you probably won't need to do any modifications for some time, that card will be able to take most whatever you throw at it right now.

Absolutely.  Given the choice between a 5870, I would easily take the 6950.  Especially, knowing the BIOS flash is an option to unlock to full 6970 potential.

Remember as well, these cards have Dual BIOS.  Flashing them is no where near as risky.

[katanaso]

Reaper,

Any reason for choosing 3 GB SATA HDD instead of 6 GB SATA HDD?

Also, is this just a gaming machine?  Do you have other HDDs that you're going to use as backups, or other backup means to the one 2 TB HDD?

[Spite]

You might want this because the reference 6950 can be "unlocked" turning it into a full blown 6970 by following these instructions.

Just so that it's clear, I'll add that you would want the 2GB versions, not the 1GB versions of the 6950.

[Skuzzy]

Just so that it's clear, I'll add that you would want the 2GB versions, not the 1GB versions of the 6950.

That would depend on the speed of the RAM.  More often than not, the video card companies use slower RAM for the higher capacities to keep the price down.  It is worth checking, or you could give up quite a bit of performance, while paying more for the card.

[Krusty]

Absolutely.  Given the choice between a 5870, I would easily take the 6950.  Especially, knowing the BIOS flash is an option to unlock to full 6970 potential.

The 5870 is BETTER than the 6950... Pure marketing. They changed how they name the cards in the 6000 series. The "6900" is only about par with the "5800" -- and even then it depends. For example, the stock 5850 out-muscles the stock 6950. It's pure BS. Until ATI gets their act in gear I suggest folks boycott the 6000 series cards. Pure misdirection, lies (IMO), and trying to make a buck off a card that wasn't ready to begin with.

[AirFlyer]

Seems everyone already has the other things pointed out that I would of. The only other thing I see is the CPU Cooler, I'm not familiar so I would make sure that the CPU cooler will fit the 1366 socket, and you may want to pick up some after-market thermal compound to further increase cooling capability. I'd recommend Arctic Silver 5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&cm_re=thermal_compound-_-35-100-007-_-Product Be careful applying it though, since it contains silver it's conductive and can short out a mobo. if you apply to much and it leaks over the CPU onto leads.

[Krusty]

If you use Arctic Silver I HIGLY suggest you read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter!

[Skuzzy]

The 5870 is BETTER than the 6950... Pure marketing. They changed how they name the cards in the 6000 series. The "6900" is only about par with the "5800" -- and even then it depends. For example, the stock 5850 out-muscles the stock 6950. It's pure BS. Until ATI gets their act in gear I suggest folks boycott the 6000 series cards. Pure misdirection, lies (IMO), and trying to make a buck off a card that wasn't ready to begin with.

I take it you are boycotting NVidia for doing the same exact thing as well?

ATI and NVidia play name games all the time.

[Krusty]

Honestly, I'm confused as heck with Nvidia's latest renaming issues... I don't like the way both are doing this. From what I understood, ATI will be reverting back to the "Normal" naming conventions for the 7000 series. I would clarify my boycot to say "skip the 6000 series; stay with the 5000's until the 7000's are out" -- as for nvidia I express a bit of ignorance one what they've done lately, aside from noting new releases.

[Spite]

That would depend on the speed of the RAM.  More often than not, the video card companies use slower RAM for the higher capacities to keep the price down.  It is worth checking, or you could give up quite a bit of performance, while paying more for the card.

Exact same RAM and speed.  The only difference in that regard is a 20-30 dollar price point.  There is little to no difference in frame rate between the 1Gb and 2Gb versions except at higher resolutions and in particular 3 monitor Eyefinity resolutions where the 2Gb buffer really comes into play.

"From a specifications standpoint, nothing has changed between the 2GB and 1GB HD 6950 cards other than the amount of allotted memory. Instead of making a completely new product with lower clock speeds, AMD has decided to port over the Cayman Pro core en masse"

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/40165-amd-radeon-hd-6950-1gb-review.html

If you are playing at 1080p resolutions or less, and don't plan to "unlock" to a 6970, then definitely the 1Gb version will save you a little money.