New Build for Gaming - Forward looking

Dienekes78

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Jan 30, 2012
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I am beginning to acquire parts for a new build using an existing build that had a mobo failure. I plan on the i5 2500K CPU with the aim of creating a forward looking gaming machine. My thought is to build around the LGA 1155 socket and in 4-10 months upgrade the CPU to an Ivy Bridge.
I plan on using a rolling upgrade philosophy until the LGA 1155 is played out (much as I have with the LGA 775 socket w/ Q9550). I want to use good, upgradable components without over-killing on capabilities that I won’t use in high-end gaming. I have the skills to build a system, but not the skills to spec one. So please take a look and my thinking and let me know of any shortcomings you see and thoughts of different/better choices. I know the GPU is a bit old and generates lots of gratuitous heat. I plan on upgrading that once the build is set. My budget isn’t a big issue (i.e. I’d spend a bit more on a mob or whatever, if that provided the system a significant edge). Primarily, I want to avoid painting myself into corner or building something that is big, honking, and expensive with features I’ll never use (like hyper threading or 32 gigs on memory). Any thoughts?
Reusing
GPU - ZOTAX GForce GTX 280
Apps / Storage HDs - 2 Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLHX 300GB 10000 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5
PSU – Antec 1000 Watt True Power Quattro (TPQ 1000)
CASE – Antec 900
OS - Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Plan on using the following new components
MOBO ($229) - ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX
CPU ($230) - i5-2500k then the Ivy bridge upgraded version
CPU Cooler ($35) - Hyper 212 EVO
MEM ($50) - Corsair Vengeance 8 gig DDR3-1600 8GB CL9 1.5v
OS / Boot HD ($180) - Crucial M4 128GB SSD
OPTICAL ($60 after MIR) - ASUS Black 12x BD-RWCPU
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
That looks pretty good but I'd hesitate to recommend the Maximus IV - it's way overkill and you don't need it unless you're running say Tri-SLI. You can get by with a motherboard like the P8Z68 Pro and save $50 - $60. You can put that into upgrading your GPU later on.
 

Dienekes78

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Jan 30, 2012
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THank you both

Instead of the ASUS Maximums, I had earlier picked this - ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI – is that still overkill? Also someone recommended the following GPU as a good (and cooler running) graphics card: EVGA SuperClocked 012-P3-1572-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card. Also will follow up on faster memory…. The mobo says it will support DDR3 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066, is there a significant performance difference between the 2200 over clocked and the 1600… would I notice when playing something like Call of Duty or Skyrim? I’m sure I could tell from the disk access activity between 2 gb, 4 gb, and 8 gb but would I see it in the actual RAM Speed difference assuming I bought 8gb? OR, on re-reading your response you just think I should use a better vendor?
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Really? I've never had problems with Corsair RAM. Kingston, G.Skill, and Crucial are still the best but I've never had problems with Corsair.