How did I do?

[1sty]

I would like some experts thoughts on my first real build.
For me this is really "Ballz to the wall" but I am sure it is meager by many people's standards.
Plus, its a nice blue theme.
The orders have been places so there is no going back now.

SSD: Crucial 128GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148525
I have a 500gb and a 350 gb drive for general storage/porn - lets be honest here.

Graphics: Dual Gigabyte GV-R685OC-1GD Radeon HD 6850 for Crossfire setup: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353
I already have one and Newegg just dropped the price another $20 with a special promo code so the second one ends up $119 after rebate.

Mobo: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378096

CPU: i5 2500K: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
- This Processor dropped the mobo $50 at Microcenter so this was the best mix of what they have/price I could find.

CPU Cooler: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315397
$19 after rebate.

Mem: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

PSU: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M700 RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037

Case: Cooler Master Elite 430: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0339423
I also have a Raidmax Aztec at home that I may reuse instead and put my old gear in the 430. I will have to see how it all fits.

I am still thinking I should have gone with the ASROCK Extreme 4 gen 3 which was my first choice or Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 to save some money. But I figured play it safe and go with ASUS as they seem to stand above the rest for overclocking and service/support.



Thoughts, comments, questions, anecdotes, limerics?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

looks like a pretty solid build

 

[1sty]

Figures
The mother board is bad, at least according to ASUS.

The audio ports see a connection and disconnection about twice a second.
I even removed the realtech drivers completely and it still does this.
ASUS says its a short on the board.

Should I return this to store, to ASUS or just get a sound card?
I am hesitant to send it to asus as they say that they may replace it with a refurbished board.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you just bought it, Microcenter should swap it. Swap the board as as short will just eventually spread failure to other parts of the board