FPS Computer Upgrade

[robcrowley]

Hi All,

Yet another help me with PC upgrade thread I am afraid!

I am looking to upgrade my current ageing PC, to be capable of playing the latest round of FPS titles (including BF3). To help reduce the cost slightly I am hoping to utilise some of the components from my current machine, which are included below:

Existing Components

Case:
Antec 900 Nine Hundred Ultimate Black Tower Computer Case

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/72ant...op-fan-w-o-psu

PSU:
Corsair HX520 520 W (Modular)

HDD:
Seagate barracudea 7200 - 1 TB

New Componets

I have found the following overclocked bundle from SCAN (I really don't fancy doing this myself and I am happy to pay for it to be done / tested etc).

- Do I need to consider buying an extra window mounted fan?

CPU / Mobo / Memory:

Radius - Intel Core i5 2500K - Overclocked to 4.6Ghz - Updated August

CPU:
Intel Core i5 2500K, 3.3Ghz Quad Core, 6Mb Cache (overclocked)

Cooler:
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced BK014 CPU Cooler

Motherboard Z68:
Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3, Intel Z68

Memory:
4Gb (2x2Gb) Corsair Vengeance LP, DDR3, 1600Mhz

http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ShowSystem.asp?SystemID=1264

£390.83

Graphics:

From what I understand this is a beefy mid range card which can be overclocked quite easily. I would also consider buying an additional card in sixth months or so, to run in cross fire.

ASUS 2GB RADEON HD 6950 DIRECTCU II

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-a...vi-displayport

£219.23

Monitor

I have always been into FPS games and having a good gaming monitor, with minimal lag and decent refresh is really important to me. I haven't enjoyed playing FPS based games on my previous LCD (I really miss my CRT gaming) and I hear this monitor is supposed to be excellent for gaming.

24" BenQ XL2410T LED, 3D, 120Hz Monitor

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/24-be...cd-m-2-ms-vesa

£263.09

Total Spend

The total spend comes in at £873.15.

Does this seem like a fairly sensible upgrade path? Budget wise I would like to keep it under £1000 (including the monitor) and preferably around the current spend.

Is the current PSU going to be good enough, especially considering the overclocking and the potential future second GPU? If not, a suggestion for a decent alternative would be appreciated.

Is the GPU a good choice, in terms of model and brand?

Any other alternative parts / suggestions welcome.

Cheers

Rob

[shaithis]

Your paying a premium for a 3D monitor, I would choose something with more VFM or switch the gfc card to a 560/570 and get the 3DVision kit.

Otherwise all seems fine, although for the more upper-range GPUs I would have probably gone with a 600w PSU for peace of mind.

[robcrowley]

The monitor is on the pricey side (im not actually that interested in 3D at the moment), however it does offer excellent FPS performance, with 120 HZ and a 2 ms delay (according to the hype at least).

What would you recommend as a good 600 - 650 PSU, another corsair? It is irrirating having to upgrade the PSU, but I suppose I have to take the hit to allow for furture upgrades, including an additional graphics card.

Rob

[Iron Sights]

Antec TruePower New 650W Modular PSU £59.99
http://www.ebuyer.com/159920-antec-t...761345-07660-9

[robcrowley]

Good man.