Building from scratch. FIRST TIME BUILDER

[deepinsideme]

My goal is to build a gaming computer dedicated to Skyrim running at least high settings. My budget is about 700$ and I do not need a case, optical drive, peripherals, or OS. I'm wondering if these are compatible:

What I'm looking at:

i5 2500K
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

P8Z68-V LX Z68
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775

H685QNT1GD IceQ X Turbo AMD Radeon HD 6850
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355878
OR
SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=gysgfxn9yc3r

 

[roaddoc326]

Well I'm not positive but I do not think your' video cards are compatible with the motherboard. They both require a PCI Express 2.1 and the MoBo only has PCI Express 2.0.

I'm not sure if that will work, but as I said I don't know

 

[azeem40]

PCIe is all backwards compatible. Great build!

 

[rvilkman]

You might want to consider: XFX Radeon 6870 (dual fan) $169.99 ( before $20 MIR )

 

[deepinsideme]

So, of the three gpus mentioned in this thread which one would be the best based off performance and reliability?

 

[roaddoc326]

the 6870 for sure

 

[ltdan]

You will be fine with that Mobo. PCI-E is backwards compatible. Are you going to be overclocking? If not, drop to down to the i5 2400. Use the extra on a nicer video card. For around $100 more than the 6850, the 560 Ti resides. Which is a (spell it with me)
B A U S S! (EVGA 560 Ti SuperClocked)
It will run Skyrim on Ultra @1080p no problem.
Also, what is your PSU? This monster needs a good quality 600W PSU to be safe. Anyway, if you decide against the 560 Ti, at least get a 6870. Sapphire is the way to go for AMD cards, in my opinion. SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870

 

[roaddoc326]

^ And if you have an extra $40 dollars I would go with the EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 core, it is a noticeable difference.

 

[azeem40]

How well does the 7950 run Skyrim?

 

[roaddoc326]

How well does the 7950 run Skyrim?

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/02/21/sapphire_radeon_hd_7950_oc_video_card_review/4

 

[samdsox]

may i suggest the gigabye z68 g8ap (something like that) 99 dollars with pcie 3.0 its mislabeled on microcenter