:| Hi builds a Pc part zwei!

[:| Hi]

I'll be honest, I lost the first thread to the sands of time and the forum, so eh.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i5-2310 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($16.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard:  ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:  Asus Radeon HD 6950 1GB Video Card  ($284.90 @ NCIX US)
Case:  Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case  ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $661.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This is what I'm looking at now. Anything you don't see I'll be salvaging from my current Pc!

How does this look? You guys have any better builds in the $650 area?

[Kelmola]

6950? Curious choice.

[Leibermuster]

I humbly suggest you to not overlook the PSU. Did it in the past and it cost me quite a bit of money

Your build sounds good for the price.

[GooGeL]

I'd throw out that AMD card for a GTX 660 / 660 Ti.

[Thorondor123]

And throw in $30 more if possible and get an i5 2500K.

[:| Hi]

I'd throw out that AMD card for a GTX 660 / 660 Ti.

I'll take a look, believe me mate, I'm a GTX fan as much as you are 

And throw in $30 more if possible and get an i5 2500K.

Ill take a look at that too.


Edit: Generally when going for a card, what manufacturer do you go for? My current is a 9800 GT by EVGA and its been pretty good, but I'd like a little back up here. 660s are available as both ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, Galaxy and a myriad of more obscure ones. Ought I just roll with the EVGA?

[luftwaffe.be]

remember that the I-K series are overclockable while the regulars are not

[x4fun ODIUM]

If you do not wish to overclock the CPU, think about the Core I5 3450.

Its around 170€ (you'd have to check the $ price) and delivers some of the best price / performance ratios
that Intel has to offer at the moment (imho). Socket is 1155.

See for performance comparison:
http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/prozessoren/2012/test-intel-ivy-bridge/16/

I'd consider the 2500k outdated, only try that if you get a cheap rest stock.

Remember, the more objects you have around you in FH2 (shells, trees, ruins (!), 64+ people) the more FPS you get out of a a high clock CPU with much CPU cache. The 3450 offers that for a tolerable price.

Regards,
Odium

[GooGeL]

Edit: Generally when going for a card, what manufacturer do you go for? My current is a 9800 GT by EVGA and its been pretty good, but I'd like a little back up here. 660s are available as both ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, Galaxy and a myriad of more obscure ones. Ought I just roll with the EVGA?

It doesn't really matter, if it's an "OEM" card. Though, most manufactures got different warranty or coolers and what's included in the box.
I'd only suggest you to find what tears your eyes and then look up if it got any really bad cons. Some coolers might looked really pimp and good but can be noisy as hell.

[:| Hi]

I picked EVGA, they have worked very well for me in the past 

I also got a deal on newegg to get iirc the motherboard for $6 more and get 8 free gb of ram