First gaming build

[swoonpappy]

Hi all, I'm building my first gaming rig and need some advice. My budget is ~$1000 CAD but I can be somewhat flexible. Here is the build I currently have so far:

1 x Cooler Master - Storm Enforcer Case, Black
1 x Intel - Core™ i5-2500K Processor, 3.30GHz w/ 6MB Cache
1 x Cooler Master - Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
1 x Arctic Cooling - MX-4 Premium Thermal Compound, 4g
1 x GSKILL - 4GB Ripjaws X Series PC3-12800 Dual Channel DDR3 Kit (2 x 2GB)
1 x Seagate - 500GB Barracuda 7200.12 SATA III w/ 16MB Cache
1 x Asus - EAH6850 DirectCU Radeon HD 6850 1GB v2 PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort
1 x Silverstone - Strider Essential 600W Power Supply
1 x Microsoft - Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64-bit) SP1 DVD - OEM
1 x Gigabyte - GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 w/ Dual DDR3 2133, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, CrossFireX / SLI


Does anyone have any suggestions to help me save money or suggestions for improvements that would be around the same price? Thanks for your input!

 

[geekapproved]

Looks good.

You don't need thermal compound, it will come with the 212+.

 

[blakmumba]

I/friends prefer Thermalright Chillfactor III thermal compound, really good but then again thats my preference.

 

[swoonpappy]

Thanks for your input. Do you think I have left myself enough room to upgrade if I need to in the future? (eg getting another 6850 for crossfire)

 

[blakmumba]

Use the link below which will eliminate any guess work

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I'd update the cooler / TIM .... Scythe Mugen 2 outperforms the 212 by 7C

Scythe SCMG 2100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080

I'd also upgrade to 8 GB for $73
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324

 

[Why_Me]

FREE SHIPPING

http://www.directcanada.com

http://www.bestdirect.ca/

 

[swoonpappy]

Would going with another motherboard such as the:
1 x Asus - P8P67-M Rev 3.0 w/ Dual DDR3 1600, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1394, Quad CrossFireX
offer any benefit?