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$2500 gaming build

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Approximate Purchase Date: In a week or two, I'd like to have all the parts by the end of the month.
Budget Range: $2500-3000
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, watching Blu-Rays.
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca
Country of Origin: Canada
Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Nvidia GPU, Cooler Master case
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Yes, but not right away.
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 and 1680x1050
Additional Comments: I can buy a lot of this locally, so that'll save on shipping.

Case: Cooler Master HAF X $189.99
Motherboard:ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe $259.99
CPU: Intel i5 2500K $219.99, just until Ivy Bridge.
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14 $99.99
GPU: MSI N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition $599.99, just one for now, but I'll get another one when needed.
PSU: Corsair HX1050 $229.99
Memory: G.Skill 2 x 4GB $54.99
SSD: Crucial M4 256GB $399.99
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB $84.99
Optical: Pioneer Blu-Ray Burner $109.99
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM $139.99
Fans: Cooler Master 200mm Red LED Case Fan $19.99, the HAF-X only comes with one top fan.

I'm willing to change anything on the list if there are better options available.

Are the only differences between Windows OEM and Full that you don't get support from Microsoft and you can only install it with one motherboard?

Are there any better motherboards for around the same price of the P8Z68 Deluxe? I am also looking at the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z, is it worth the extra cost? I was considering going with an ASRock, but they seem to have a higher than average rate of DOA boards.

Would there be any benefit in going with 1.25V RAM http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231461? If there are any other RAM suggestions, NH-D14 Ram Compatibility.

I read in some of the HAF X reviews that some cables may be short if you run them through the back. If I get extensions, should I get ATX or EPS extensions?

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I'll just answer on what I know about. The difference between the Windows 7 OEM and Full versions.

With OEM, there is no support from Microsoft and it only comes with x86 or x64 architecture. They are also allowed to sue you for fraud if you are not selling the computer you bought that particular version of OEM Windows for. But only if you agree to the licensing terms when you install it.

With Full, there is support from Microsoft, it comes with both x86 and x64 architecture, and they can't sue you, as you did nothing wrong.

Just get the OEM version.

That is an outstanding build and I would agree with all your choices. I don't know when it would be available but Zalman just released a new cpu cooler;
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Zalman-CNPS12X-CPU-Coo....

I have the Half-X case and I did not have any problems with any cables and was very happy with the space in the back for routing the cables so they don't show and did not need any exstentions. As a matter of fact my sig is a picture of the case I have. As far as the motherboard you do want to make sure of the x16 slots and that you have at least two for SLI.

If you can get one in stock Evga just came out with the GTX 580 Classified;

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=03G-P3-158... 500 Series Family&sw=
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