New Gaming Rig Advice

Approximate Purchase Date: Next 2 Weeks or so

Budget Range: Currents selections a bit over $1500 Can't really go much higher

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Internet, Music/Movies

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Parts Preferences: Nothing set in stone

Overclocking: Probably

SLI or Crossfire: Not now, but down the road as an upgrade possibly

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


I'm looking to build a new gaming rig, I've upgraded the current one as far as it will go a while back. The core components are too far behind to keep up with current games, I'm ashamed to admit that i am still using a P4! I've been able to play Oblivion, FO3, and FO:NV at a decent graphic level with some fine tuning of the settings. However with what I've seen of Skyrim so far I don't want to have to settle anymore. I would like the new machine to run Skyrim maxed out and be set for a little while on the new level of games coming out.

I've done some research but have been playing catch up on all of the new technologies. Hoping you all can give me your opinions and suggestions in regards to this build. I'm pretty confident about the CPU, the i5 2500k seems to be hands down the go to processor for gaming at the moment. My biggest dilemma was picking a mobo. I've been using ASUS for years, but there seems to be some good competition out there now. Is this MSI board a good choice to save a few bucks over the similar ASUS model?

I believe all components are compatible, please let me know if i missed something,

Thanks in advance for any help you can throw my way!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=22052707

MSI boards are good, my friend's dad had a computer with an MSI board in it. Worked for more than 11 years, and it is still being used! Personally, I would go with something in the i7 range for gaming. I personally use:

Motherboard: Gigabyte P55A-UD3
RAM: 12 GB DDR3 Corsair XMS 3
Cooling: Corsair H80 Liquid Cooler
CPU: Core i7 870 @3.65 GHz (Going to OC it more)
HDD: Seagate 7200 RPM 2TB
SSD: A-Data S596 64GB (Microcenter Rebrand)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 6870
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 RX 750W


I also recommend a SSD for faster and better performance, but it's up to you.
For the Keyboard, I like Razor or Logitech. Microsoft's keyboards work ok too though.

Solid State Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211479
For the mouse, I use the R.A.T 7 by Cyborg. Fully customizable mouse, from weight, to length. Also has a sniper button that reduces your DPI. Its gonna run you about $80 though, so I dont know if you want to spend that much on a mouse.

R.A.T 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6826102062

For overclocking, the Hyper 212 is an ok cooler, but I wouldn't use it. I would buy the Corsair H70 or H80 Liquid cooler. That is around $89.99 ~ $119.99 depending on if they have a sale or not. Keeps your CPU temperatures at around <25 C at around 3.4 GHz for me. And if you buy the H80, you do not need the arctic silver as the thermal paste is pre applied to the cooler.

Corsair H80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 16&Tpk=h80

Everything else looks good to me, so any more questions just post again. Good luck with your system!

EDIT: Do you have a power supply already? Because I did not see it in your list of items on the wishlist.

I do have to agree with JackNaylorPE's suggestions, especially the case and mobo, and maybe some other parts.

Thats a good power supply, but the one JackNaylorPE suggested is good too. Personally, I would reccomend the ThermalTake TR2 RX 750.