Review my build

[afadass]

SUP! I am building my first computer soon but I need your help cuz i r noob. I am ordering soon and this is what i am going to get:

CPU: i5 2500k $210.99
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-850HX $140
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 $189.99
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz $84.99
GPU: 2x MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB Twin Frozr III $600
SSD: Intel 320 Series 40GB $99
HDD: Samsung 1TB spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache $60.35
Optical drive: Lite-on LightScribe 24X $24.99
CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm sleeve $29.51
Case: Antec DF-85: $161.94
Monitor: Acer GD235HZbid 120hz monitor 120Hz $319.99
Total: 1921.75 about $15 left in my budget >_>

I chose to go for a 120hz monitor instead of a 120gb SSD cause everyone says 120Hz monitors are awesome. What do you guys think of the case cooling wise. What would you guys change in this build?

[aggs]

Must say I really like everything there, only thing is maybe a lil larger ssd. That psu is one of the better ones I believe I have seen ever reviewed at a silver rating. Definitely next on my list of upgrades to my rig. This should look very nice as well as very nice on performance!

[Fuzzykins]

looks 100% fine to me. I'd consider getting a different case. And honestly, 120hz monitors aren't worth the money at the moment. EVEN IF PEOPLE NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE, it's not exactly massive, and you could probably spend $150 elsewhere, such as a larger SSD.

[afadass]

I was going to get a larger SSD but a friend of mine told me they aren't worth it and i can wait an extra few seconds for my games to start up and whatnot.

[aggs]

Going to have to disagree A LOT on the difference between 60 and 120hz it is imo MASSIVE. And at 24" and 120hz I can imagine you plan on watching some hd videos and movies where a monitor like that truly shows its worth!

[afadass]

Yes, i am going to start watching a lot of HD porn err... i mean movies and playing a lot of fps and other games. OH, and what case do you guys recommend?

[vesseblah]

SSD: Intel 320 Series 40GB $99

SSD that small is useless really, cut back elsewhere and get a decent disc, 80-120GB minimum. One recommended place would be dropping one of the Radeons and add the second for crossfire later if you feel like you need it.

Going to have to disagree A LOT on the difference between 60 and 120hz it is imo MASSIVE. And at 24" and 120hz I can imagine you plan on watching some hd videos and movies where a monitor like that truly shows its worth!

Will show it's worth which is exactly nothing. All commercially released BluRay movies run at 24fps, TV's just add whole lot of motion blur on top of it. Think you really see a difference between 60Hz and 120Hz monitor with such material?

[afadass]

Don't think i'm gonna drop a GPU for a bigger SSD =P. The 40GB one will be enough for my OS and that is why i am getting it, I don't mind waiting for other programs to load up or for my games to be saved or waiting for loading screens.

[Fuzzykins]

Then don't buy an SSD, it isn't worth putting just your OS on. In fact, drop down to a 60hz monitor and a regular 7,200 rpm drive and get two 6970s...

[moguri]

Agreed, how often do you reboot anyway? SSDs make a huge difference in WoW because of all the small files it loads whenever you zone into a new area. I would either get an 80GB-120GB or just go for a new caviar black WD 7200 HDD instead.

[vesseblah]

Don't think i'm gonna drop a GPU for a bigger SSD =P. The 40GB one will be enough for my OS and that is why i am getting it, I don't mind waiting for other programs to load up or for my games to be saved or waiting for loading screens.

People underestimate what an SSD can do and are fixating on the "few seconds" myth.

Think of it this way:

Take a pen and paper next to your keyboard and write down every time the name of the program while you're waiting for it to start or load something, then measure the SSD to fit your 10 most used programs.

After you have all that stuff installed into SSD half of those programs will load so fast you don't have the time to finish writing it's name on the paper, and other half loads so fast you don't have the time to even pick up the pen. That's what you gain from it. Computer does things so fast you don't need to wait for most things, mind does not start wandering towards silly little exercises like this one. It's a huge quality of life improvement for everything you do daily on the computer.

[Shaqur]

If you want cheaper and better SSD get Curcial M4 60Gb its cheapest and its great, 450mb read.
Go for HAF 932 Advanced/Haf X, they are better then Dark Fleet from my exp. But its up to you.

[afadass]

Ok SSD it is! going with this one: Intel X25-M 120GB $230.

[aggs]

Will show it's worth which is exactly nothing. All commercially released BluRay movies run at 24fps, TV's just add whole lot of motion blur on top of it. Think you really see a difference between 60Hz and 120Hz monitor with such material?

Well being that I have owned both and am not blind and see a tremendous difference myself yeah I would say I see a major difference. As have many people who come and hang out just to watch including those who have very nice non 120hz tvs/monitors as well. I am sorry if your eyes don't see the difference but most anyone I have ever known sees a dramatic difference.

[Fuzzykins]

Well being that I have owned both and am not blind and see a tremendous difference myself yeah I would say I see a major difference. As have many people who come and hang out just to watch including those who have very nice non 120hz tvs/monitors as well. I am sorry if your eyes don't see the difference but most anyone I have ever known sees a dramatic difference.

No you don't, quit talking. 24 fps is 24 fps, regardless of the refresh rate. I'm not saying there isn't a difference, but it's not something you'd put your finger on if no one told you that it was 120hz. Someone in another thread on this exact topic said this, non ver batem
"Those who own 120 hz monitors are trying to defend themselves and justify spending a premium for a little difference."
That's exactly how I see it. If I buy an Asus Maximus, but I only have an i5 2500, I'm going to say the motherboard is amazing, but I wouldn't really know.
Meh, I think they're a massive waste of money, same with SSD's until you hit a certain point, and even then, it's iffy.

[afadass]

Need moar case recommendation plix.

[aggs]

Come again? Again I'm sorry you can't "put your finger" on the difference but yeah I can see the difference, and it is VERY easy....

For watching movies, and other forms of video media, it does actually serve a purpose. Most movies are filmed with a frame rate of 23.967 frames per second; watching these movies on a 60hz TV results in a 3:2 pull down. In other words 24fps (rounding) does not multiply into 60(Hz) as a whole number, and will result in some stuttering issues with 24fps movies. Most cable television comes in at 30 frames per second in the states (25 elsewhere) and does in fact multiply into 60. This results in no stuttering effect. 120hz television sets account for the fact that movies are displayed at 24fps and cable at 30fps in that 24x5=120 and 30x4=120, resulting in a smooth experience for both mediums of viewing.

[Fuzzykins]

Come again? Again I'm sorry you can't "put your finger" on the difference but yeah I can see the difference, and it is VERY easy....

For watching movies, and other forms of video media, it does actually serve a purpose. Most movies are filmed with a frame rate of 23.967 frames per second; watching these movies on a 60hz TV results in a 3:2 pull down. In other words 24fps (rounding) does not multiply into 60(Hz) as a whole number, and will result in some stuttering issues with 24fps movies. Most cable television comes in at 30 frames per second in the states (25 elsewhere) and does in fact multiply into 60. This results in no stuttering effect. 120hz television sets account for the fact that movies are displayed at 24fps and cable at 30fps in that 24x5=120 and 30x4=120, resulting in a smooth experience for both mediums of viewing.

Implying there's actual stuttering issues with the average movie? I'm not sure how you notice framerate issues, but if I open Inception on my computer, I fail to see the difference. As I said before, no you don't. You may feel the difference in a placebo effect of more fluid movement, but that's how the human mind works. You're attempting to justify spending an overly expensive premium for a high quality, but marginally little in difference, product.

@ OP:
-Bit Fenix Colossus
-Corsair 600t
-Corsair 650D
-Cooler Master Haf 932, 942[x]
-Fractal Design Define XL

[aggs]

But hey you know better right... Btw the monitor they are looking at is an nvidia true 120hz 3d rated monitor. I am not making this up, it is known facts whether you want to believe it or not lol...


[Regarding TRUE 120hz monitors, (and future TRUE 120hz LCD HDTVs) these displays will indeed improve your gaming experience (few exceptions). Because the screen is refreshing 120 times a second, the image projected will seem smoother and decrease tearing, even when gaming at below 60fps. Note though when gaming at a frame rate of exactly 60fps (vsync on at 60), 120hz LCD HDTVs and TRUE 120hz monitors should theoretically perform identically (both displays refreshing 120 times a second and repeating each frame once at 60fps). More information is being outputted to your eyes at 120hz even if it's just repeating frames, making the experience seem smoother. Don't forget though, to truly see the benefits of a TRUE 120hz monitor, you must be gaming at an average FPS greater than 60(ideally over 120fps). When your average frame rate is above 60(for this example let’s say you are averaging 120fps), you WILL see the in between frames that a 60hz monitor could not display. For a list of TRUE 120hz monitors, see nvidia's page on monitors that are compatible with their 3d technology.]

[Fuzzykins]

But hey you know better right...


[Regarding TRUE 120hz monitors, (and future TRUE 120hz LCD HDTVs) these displays will indeed improve your gaming experience (few exceptions). Because the screen is refreshing 120 times a second, the image projected will seem smoother and decrease tearing, even when gaming at below 60fps. Note though when gaming at a frame rate of exactly 60fps (vsync on at 60), 120hz LCD HDTVs and TRUE 120hz monitors should theoretically perform identically (both displays refreshing 120 times a second and repeating each frame once at 60fps). More information is being outputted to your eyes at 120hz even if it's just repeating frames, making the experience seem smoother. Don't forget though, to truly see the benefits of a TRUE 120hz monitor, you must be gaming at an average FPS greater than 60(ideally over 120fps). When your average frame rate is above 60(for this example let’s say you are averaging 120fps), you WILL see the in between frames that a 60hz monitor could not display. For a list of TRUE 120hz monitors, see nvidia's page on monitors that are compatible with their 3d technology.]

You honestly expect a company that can make a profit in 120HZ monitors to advertise them poorly? Also, ROFL, you think true 120HZ monitors are 3D monitors? They're the polar opposite. 3D monitors operate in 60HZ mode outside of 3D, and during 3D they operate in essentially what is two separate 60HZ modes.

Sorry if I'm coming off as a dick, but this is an issue that really bothers me.