[SOLVED] I5 2500k gaming build

[sinnerz]

Hello everyone, I have put together what seems to me to be a decent gaming build. This will be the first computer I have built and I would greatly appreciate any advice on how I might save money/improve the build. I put together a i3 2120 earlier today for right at $890 after rebates and including shipping and I honestly just don't know if I will be happy with an i3 or not. First off I would like to say that I don't really have a budget, but I would like to get away with the best bang for the buck I guess you could say.

Note: The total price of both the i3 and the i5 includes the same mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor, box, optical drive, and of course windows 7 64 bit.

CPU: i5 2500k Sb 3.3 GHz - $219.99

Hard Drive: WD Blue 500GB 7200 RPM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

CPU + Hard Drive Combo Deal - $281.98

MB: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006670&isNodeId=1&Description=ASRock+z68+extreme3+gen3&x=0&y=0

CPU Fan: Thermaltake Frio Advanced CPU Cooler - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106187

MB + CPU Fan Combo Deal - $168.98

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series 600W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance (2 x 4GB) 8G - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

PSU + Memory Combo Deal - $104.98

GPU: SAPPHIRE HD 6870 1 GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948 - $169.99

Optical Drive - Sony Optiarc DVD Burner - $17.99

SSD: Crucial M4 128 GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448 - $131.99

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236079&cm_sp=Cat_Monitors-_-Hot_Deal-_-24-236-079 - $159.99

Keyboard + Mouse Combo - $28.98

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - $99.99

Speakers - $12.99

Box - $49.99

Total after rebates - 1207.06 including shipping

So, what do you guys think? Thanks in advance for whatever help you guys may be able to give me.

 

[Gman450]

Looks decent.
Since you don't have a budget, maybe you can go for a HD 7850.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406
$220 after rebate.

 

[sinnerz]

Yeah I possibly could. Do you think the card will add a lot of performance over the 6870? Also, everything looks good for OCing? What do you think about the CPU fan i got with the MB?

 

[Gman450]

Yeah I possibly could. Do you think the card will add a lot of performance over the 6870? Also, everything looks good for OCing? What do you think about the CPU fan i got with the MB?

The CPU heatsink is good.

And yes, the HD 7850 is definitely worth the extra.
HD 7850 review
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

 

[sinnerz]

Alright sounds good. I know I will probably be made fun of for asking this question but here it goes: what is heatsink? Also, would my current PSU be okay with OCing + 7850?

 

[Gman450]

Alright sounds good. I know I will probably be made fun of for asking this question but here it goes: what is heatsink? Also, would my current PSU be okay with OCing + 7850?

Heatsink is just the same as the CPU fan/cooler. That's what you call it.
Yes, it'll be fine.

 

[sinnerz]

Alright awesome, sounds perfect. So there is really no need to even replace the heatsink with the cooler ill be purchasing? If not won't even get the cooler and that will nearly pay the difference in the 6870 and the 7850.

 

[Gman450]

Alright awesome, sounds perfect. So there is really no need to even replace the heatsink with the cooler ill be purchasing? If not won't even get the cooler and that will nearly pay the difference in the 6870 and the 7850.

Well if you're not going to OC the CPU, then I don't see a reason to buy a that cooler. The stock should be fine. But if you are going to overclock, then I suggest you buy that CPU cooler.

 

[sinnerz]

Alright so I believe I will just wait on buying the cooler until I need to overclock. I am going to get the 7850 instead of the 6870 like you suggested. Thanks a lot for your time and help!

 

[Gman450]

No problem.

 

[diellur]

That's a good build. Only thing I'd add is to make sure your case has good ventilation and, if possible, a panel on the motherboard tray which allows you to swap out the heatsink without needing to remove the whole motherboard later on. Check out Corsair and Silverstone, who make good cases...there are other good manufacturers, too, if you don't like the look of them.

Also make sure your PSU has sufficient power for your build...do you plan on Crossfire (multi-GPU) later on? If so, grab a beefier PSU as you don't want to have to replace the PSU later just to get an additional 100W of power.