Sabretooth is massive overkill, unsure on GB boards. HX650 more than enough for any single card. 2x8GB leaves you room for expansion... but if 4x4GB is like $30 cheaper go for that imo.
I have a Radeon 7970 with 3 gig RAM. I had 12.3 drivers and tried to put on 12.4 drivers but it still reported as 12.3 drivers. The auto-update told me to update again to 12.4 so I tried it via the update and again, 12.3 drivers are reported in the Catalyst software section.
Don't know about your other issues, but the 12.3 catalyst control center thing is a common problem that isn't really a problem. Sometimes the version numbers of CCC when you update it don't update. This doesn't actually matter. What does is that the display driver version does update. If it's 8.961 then you're running 12.4 even if Catalyst doesn't say you are.
Here's the results of my build. I wanted a nice little mini-ITX setup that I could easily throw in a bag and bring to a friends.
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($157.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Silverstone SG07-B Mini ITX Desktop Case w/600W Power Supply ($189.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SN-208BB DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 21.5" Monitor ($128.96 @ CompUSA)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($82.21 @ eCost)
(these are just the current prices PC Part picker is showing. I got raped with shipping with the case from Newegg, but got the monitor cheaper at Microcenter, etc, etc.)
I'm also using a Kingston SSD that I previously used in my MacBook, as well as a MS Laser Mouse 5000.
You know your build is off to a great start when you can't find the screws you need The LGA 2011 screws on the instructions picture are nowhere to be found - Sweet.
For the CPU heatsink? AFAIK The LGA2011 has 4 pegs to mount the CPU heatsink.
Right, it's time. Parts are being ordered today, but before I do can someone just go through the hyperlinked products and check they're all compatible? I'm ultra OCD about this stuff, but I like to be sure. Thanks!
Build:
CPU: Intel i5 2400 3.1GHz
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TZ77B
RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 2x4GB
Graphics: HD6850 1GB
Storage: Samsung F3 500GB
Power supply: Antec VP450 450W.
Case: BitFenix Shinobi
Optical drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST
Mouse: Logitech G500
Keyboard: Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless
The optical drive isn't in stock. Alternatives? Don't have a USB so need to use my physical copy of Windows 7, unless there's some way to burn that onto a USB via my Mac.
Edit: I'll need HDMI cables to connect to my SyncMaster P2370HD monitor, right? I assume any from Amazon will do?
What are you going to be using for cooling?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068INSUM/?tag=neogaf0e-20
From what I've been able to gather, not only does the exact same factory make both models, but there's no difference between the Filco and CoolerMaster. They're identical minus the logos. So unless you're looking for a cherry color not available with the Cooler Master, it's money wasted IMO.
EDIT: Guess it maybe hasn't been released in the UK. That sucks if so.
2nd EDIT: Can definitely get them much cheaper on ebay.co.uk though. Just letting you know the option.
Thanks - it has been released in the UK according to Google Shopping. £65 new too! That's awesome. Definitely bought, even if the branding is a little grotesque. Thank you!
Is there any real use for a 4GB video card? I'm about to buy a 2GB GTX 670 but I know eVGA is coming out with a 4GB version soon and didn't know if I should wait for that. The 2GB is in stock right now.
What would be better to have,
a gaming mouse + generic keyboard
OR
a gaming keyboard+generic mouse?
I can't afford both, the games I play are Tribes, Dota 2 and soon Diablo 3.
Gaming mouse + generic keyboard, easily.
You can get a decent enough mouse on the cheap. Logitech G400 is quite good for about $35. Put the money saved towards a nice mousepad.
That depends, is there a 4K monitor that you can buy that can justify that RAM?
Guys I need help, I used Hazaro's google doc and I'm trying to find the parts here in costa rica, but this is the closest I could find for the $711 build:
Core i5 3.30GHz (i5-2500)
MoBo Intel DH67CL LGA1155
x2 4GB Kingston 1333MHz
HDD Seagate 500GB SATA
Lite On DVD burners 52x
ATI HD6870 1GB PCI-E
Case minii tower ATX 4 docs
Is this a good build?, do I need something else, a specific heatsinkm or IDK really, I know shit about computer hardware.
I just sold my 360 and all my games to build this rig, I want it to run games smoothly and I'm all ears to any recomendation.
My personal preference would be to replace the 2500 and H67 with a 2500K and a P67/Z68/Z77 motherboard respectively (over here, that'd add about 25-40 USD to total) so that you can overclock. I don't know what your parts availability situation is like, though.
Few pictures of the build so far, I must say everything's been enjoyable except that god damn Phanteks. Mounting it was fairly easy, the fan clips were hell to mount and then the bottom fan clips would hit the GPU ... Massive engineering oversight in my opinion. First I cut some off but it was still too close to comfort, so I eventually had to remove the bottom fan clips and let the fans 'hang'.
I will say, as long as they don't rattle or bounce around in that hanging position it doesn't bother me too much. If they as much as think about moving and making noise, I will shit in a box and ship it straight to Phanteks with my compliments.
Almost ready to builllllld!
Random question, sorry to break your streak of posting expensive awesome PC gear.
How many games actually take advantage of more than 4GB? I'm switching to a DDR3 motherboard in a couple of months but I'm looking that the ones I can use have a 4GB max limit and other than LA Noire (8 GB RAM according to Steam) I haven't read about a game with similar RAM needs. I don't plan on doing video editing or anything other just playing games in a moderate resolution (1366x768) my current 2GB DDR2 seems to hold up with a couple of my games except Battlefield 3, but yes, I'm wondering if I really should look for a 8GB motherboard or if I'd be okay with just 4GB.
Almost feel embarrassed of talking about those specs with the stuff you post here, geez.
Well, if you are upgrading anyway, you should definitely go with a board that supports at least 8GB (I didn't know there were modern boards that didn't.)
I'm surprised you don't feel like killing yourself with only 2GB.
Whether or not there are some games that benefit from 8GB over 4GB... I wouldn't know. AFAIK, personally, I don't think I've gone over 4GB of RAM used over regular usage (I've only taken all the RAM when compiling...)
Whyd you buy a z68 board?
you got an ivybridge there, should you be going for a z77 board?
There are only slight differences between Z77 and Z68 boards aren't there? Mostly to do with the onboard graphics on the chip correct?
There is no more onboard graphics (e: I guess you meant the iGPU, both Z77 and Z68 should support the HD4000 and thus allow you to have 3 extra displays in addition to what you have hooked up to the GPU). the Z7* line is native for Ivy, Z6* is native for Sandy. The Z68 will work with the Ivy after a bios update (idk if its out yet), but you're still losing the optimizations made for Ivy.