New Build

**ems_goof** · 12-25-11, 08:02 PM

So I'm looking to put together a new PC shortly after the new year. It seems a lot of the stuff I need to look at is building around the graphics card I want to use. It's been just over 3 years since my current build, and I haven't been keeping up with changes.
Uses: Mainly gaming. Focused on FSX, SW:TOR, and iRacing (triple screen setup). I've decided on a 2GB 6950 card for the triple screen option for iRacing. What I'm most concerned about now is fitting all of the hardware in a case, since I understand the physical size of the cards has grown since I last bought one (which was already a tight fit in my case).

Currently I have:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 (2.53 GHz) on a Gigabyte board
nvidia 9800GT video card
2GB RAM
750W PSU
80GB HDD (I think?)
Windows XP

Looking at the following:
Core i5-2500 (3.3 GHz)
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD4 mobo
Radeon 6950 2GB GPU
8GB Corsair Vengeance RAM
750GB HDD
Windows 7 64bit

Need to see opinions on the build, and recommendations for a reasonably priced case (don't need the bling and flashy stuff, I'm old for goodness sakes!)

**DJ Ms. White** · 12-25-11, 08:21 PM

Define reasonably priced (price range).

**salty99** · 12-25-11, 08:51 PM

If by reasonbly priced you mean, something like middleground?

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan
This case has excellent reviews and is maybe on the higher end of medium priced cases.

your cheaper cases (in the price range of maybe $50-60) will most likely be pretty sturdy and have a decent amount of airflow, and not very heavy or space consuming. The drawbacks of these cases are that they usually are designed to meet minimum requirements and will most of the time have poor placement of power supply. I can speak from experience when I say they are a pain in the butt to get the wiring installed and not get caught in the fans/airflow.

Your Top of the line cases will probably be anything $250+

in the middle of the road we probably have cases anywhere from $100 to under $200. these ones will usually be pretty good on space, come with some good fans, and have good power supply placement so that all your cables can be tucked away nicely and not get in the way.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
here's another really good one reasonably priced at $105

**salty99** · 12-25-11, 08:53 PM

oh, and that's a pretty solid looking build you got there, for the things you said that you will be doing with your computer, that should work really well.

**Webs** · 12-25-11, 11:27 PM

CPU cooler? You going to use the stock cooler?

**RhysJD3** · 12-25-11, 11:34 PM

If he's not getting the K, stock should work fine. If he's getting the K and overclocking, something more robust may be better.

**ems_goof** · 12-26-11, 10:07 AM

Yes, was looking at the K. I didn't mention the CoolerMaster Hyper 212. I'll probably also go with the HAF922 for the case.

**WileECyte** · 12-27-11, 11:16 AM

Take a look at the Builder's Marathon that Tom's Hardware just did. They have a $600 PC, a $1200 PC and a $2400 PC. Pick the one that best meets your budget.

System Builder Marathon, Dec. 2011: System Value Compared : Wait, Bigger Isn

**Toker** · 12-27-11, 11:57 AM

Since you are looking for a 6950, it wouldn't hurt to see if anybody has the Radeon 6950 Toxic Edition in stock. I run two of them and love it since it unlocks the shaders to equal a 6970. I know they only produced so many and most sites are out of stock, but it's worth it to at least do a quick search.

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE Toxic 100312TXSR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card