New Build (first timer) looking for input

[ArchieAces]

Hey guys, building a new comp for the first time. Did a decent amount of research but I'm looking for a second opinion from some of you more knowledgeable OC peeps... here are the specs:

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Mobo: MSI 870A-G55 AM3 AMD 770 SATA
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130558

Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102914

Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103913

Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231313

HD: Crucial SSD 64gb (Running Windows 7 64bit from)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

PSU: Sunbeam PSU-H680-REV-US 680W ATX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709027

CD/DVD Drive: LG CD/DVD Burner w/LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136221

So I was wondering what you guys think? This is my first time building a computer from scratch, I had to cut a few corners to stay on budget... things like "mobo" "cd/dvd drive" "SSD space" "PSU" no heatsink (using the stock one that comes with processor until I can afford an upgrade) "4Gb" (but will upgrade to full 16gb in time)

So just wondering what you guys think? comments? suggestions? I was mostly wondering about the mobo, is this suitable? it's only 99 bucks from newegg and it seems to be pretty decent, room for upgrading etc, but looking for some more knowledgeable opinions on this build. Much appreciated.

 

[Volumetrik]

Never go cheap on mobo or psu. Downgrade that 6850 to a 5870 1 gb and upgrade to a better mobo and psu.

 

[ArchieAces]

Hmmmm ok... thanks for the suggestions. Do you have any motherboard suggestions? or PSU suggestions for this system?

 

[Volumetrik]

Whats your budget?

 

[ArchieAces]

I have gone over my budget with all currently listed components by about 100bucks... but I'm willing to go over (a little bit) I'm looking for the best bang for my buck, whatever you suggest that might be...

 

[Volumetrik]

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3

 

[QuietIce]

to OCF!


That video card is fairly low power so as long as you don't see Crossfire in your future the Seasonic S12 II Bronze 520W should be fine and it won't break the bank.

The BIOSTAR TA890FXE has been a very solid performer for the past year and you should get a great overclock out of it. I'd also save $12 and get the 1090T instead of the 1100T. You won't see any difference in the high-end overclock.

For RAM I'd switch to DDR3-1333CL7. G.Skill and Kingston both have nice kits:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231439
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104227

 

[coonmanx]

I am really liking the Crucial Ballistix ram that I just bought (1600 CL8)...

Crucial BL2KIT25664BN1608 Ballistix 4GB

I actually bought the ones with the LEDs, not because I wanted to see the LEDs (can't because my case has no window), but because they were on sale for $54.99. But I popped them in and got them to run at 1500 CL8 with no issues.

 

[theflyingrat]

I actually think it looks decent, but I'm not one of those folks that has an aversion to 770/870 motherboards. This one, though, looks too expensive for an 870 board; the 790X board mentioned above would be a great way to go.

CPU - also recommend a downgrade to the 1090T, or even the X4 955/965 if you're not going to be doing any really heavy media encoding; there's little reason for a 6-core for 4-core for gaming, which (judging by your video card choice) seems to be where you're going with this.

Video card - cut this one down unless you're going to be running a massive 3-display setup with it. An HD 6870 or even an HD 6850 will do everything you need and more at the resolutions 95% of gamers play at. Heck, I've still got an HD 4850, I run it at 1600x1200 all the time, and I have complaints only with the newest, heaviest of games (STALKER : Call of Pripyat, for example).

Whatever you do, though, please do NOT buy that power supply. You never know what kind of train-wreck those guys are going to put into their PSUs, and the last one OklahomaWolf reviewed was a box full of concentrated quality control failure. There's no good reason to assume that this one is any better. I'd also back up QuietIce's Seasonic recommendation. Antec and Corsair also has some good units in the $80 price range.