New Gaming System, Need Help!

[omega8303]

Hey everyone, I am looking to build my first gaming pc. I would really appreciate some help.

Is this system good, what would you change about it?

PROCESSOR: Intel i7 2600K $325

MOTHERBOARD: Asus P8Z68 Pro TBA

CASE: Antec 300 Gaming Case $55

HDD: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black 64mb Cache $94

RAM: GSkill Ripjaws 1600 4GB C9 $65

FANS: Antec 120 MM x3 $42

COOLER: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ $32

POWER SUPPLY: Antec TP Quattro 850W $185

DVD DRIVE: LG SATA $35

SOUND CARD: Creative XFI Xtreme Audio $52

GRAPHICS CARD: HIS 2GB HD6950 $274

SOUND SYSTEM: Logitec Z523 $85

MONITOR: Benq 21.5’ V2210 LED $159

KEYBOARD: Logitech G110 $69

MOUSE: Razer Death Adder $53

TOTAL: AU $1525 not including motherboard
__________________________________________________________
Other Stuff:

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month or two

Budget Range: $1500-$1900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I am buying the parts from CPL and MSY (computer shops here in Australia)

Country of Origin: Australia

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Intel i7, 21" + monitor

Overclocking: Yes 3.5-4 GHZ

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in future


Thank you
Ryan

 

[jmsellars1]

Hi, the i7-2600k and the i5-2500k perform pretty much the same in games and the i5 is $100 less so i'd go for that. Also that PSU is overkill, even with SLI/Crossfire 750W would be enough. Perhaps save money in those areas and you do do a pretty major graphics upgrade to a GTX 570 or buy another 6850 off the bat.

 

[gametstr]

Check out the 1000$ SBM of march.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-unlock-build-a-pc-overclock,2893.html

U can Go with this build as it is.
Consider this mobo asus p8p67 ws revolution.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131714&Tpk=asus%20p8p67%20ws%20revolution

Integrated sound is plenty good. Do u still need a sound card?
Go with any case of ur choice.

Add in the

SOUND SYSTEM: Logitec Z523 $85

MONITOR: Benq 21.5’ V2210 LED $159

KEYBOARD: Logitech G110 $69

MOUSE: Razer Death Adder $53

u will arrive at ur budget.

P.S : Can u wait until the z68s are out?

 

[martinduque86]

get an XFX 6950 instead. also, get the older model so you can flash it to 9670 capabilities. my 2 cents.

 

[gametstr]

The older reference design models are hard to find now. They are almost now available any more. In general any 6950 2GB is flashable but u have to keep the risks in mind.
But i 'd get an xfx for the life time warranty. Good Luck.

 

[omega8303]

Thanks for the replies guys!

@jmsellars1: I like the performance increase of the 2600K, but if I get a 2500K, will it be a noticeable difference?
I will go for a TP 850W PS instead then.

@gametstr: Yeah I can wait till the Z68's are out. Will they be better than my current proposed motherboard?
And I listen to a lot of music so I really want a good sound card.

@martinduque86: What does flash it to 9670 capabilities mean?

So roughly we are looking at changing the CPU, Mobo, PS, and Graphics Card.

 

[gametstr]

The Z68s are the combination of H67 and P67 features. They should be about the same price as the P67s so why not?
And the z68 has additional features like SSD caching and quicksync.

About the sound card Today we have board that come with HD 7.1 audio channels on board. So its really up to u.

The 6950 2GB is actually a 6970 with some of its features locked. It's possible to unlock it to its full capabilities by BIOS flashing.
Good Luck.

 

[omega8303]

Ah right...
Whats the board called? And what is the best Z68 Motherboard to get for around $250?
Thanks guys!

 

[gametstr]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-z68-express-smart-response-technology-ssd-caching,2938.html

 

[omega8303]

thanks for the replies, update list.
also, is a 6950 worth it? dont worry about the price, is it a heap better than the 6850?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

ya it is a lot better than the 6850. also 40$ for a dvd drive. i know there is a better price for a simple internal dvd drive

 

[omega8303]

thanks everyone! last questions, im buying within 2 weeks!
Which motherboard, the ASrock or Asus? And GSkill Ripjaws 4GB 1600 C9 Ram, or Kingston? Ive been reading the Ripjaws is better but i know kingston is a good brand...
cheers, you've all been great help!

 

[gametstr]

2 weeks? Bulldozer should be out by then.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

the asrock is the same motherboard for less and grab the gskill ram. and if bulldozer will be out when you buy give it a look. but i seriously think that the i5 2500k is the standard of gaming and will be even after bulldozer comes out.

 

[omega8303]

thanks guys! it shall be interesting to see how the bulldozer goes agaisnt a 2600k..

 

[omega8303]

i know ive gone against the asrock board, purely because i prefer asus...
would anyone care to explain why the asrock is better? i didnt really understand what tom said in the review of the 3 Z68 boards..

 

[mjmjpfaff]

no one is better it is just that asrock is owned by asus and they make pretty much the same mobo except asrock is less. if you want to pay the premium just for the name go ahead as for me ill stick with asrock