Building my first gaming computer

[precursoris]

I plan on putting togethor my first gaming computer and will need your advice as to whether the parts I get are appropriate.


Processor: Intel® Core® i5 2500K ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX31557
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX36364
Graphics: GeForce GTX 560 Ti SuperClocked 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX32014
Power Supply: Corsair Builder Series CX600 V2 ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX32939
Memory: GSKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB PC3-12800 Dual Channel DDR3 Kit ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX33234
Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB Barracuda 7200rpm SATA III ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX35469
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24x DVD-RW Drive ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX27707
Chassis: Antec Three Hundred Versatile Mid Tower Gamer Case ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX20934



Are all these parts compatible with one another and is this a balanced system? Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

 

[justindadswell]

Yes, they are. It is a perfectly fine system, though I would add a ssd to hold your OS for quick boots and use the HDD to hold everything else. Also if you plan to spend this much you might want to consider Xfire or SLI. I am also partial to the 6-core AMD's, but there are pro's and con's.

 

[Silvune]

Better PSU:
Antec HCG-620 80Plus Bronze $70 ($25 rebate)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX30457

The only difference I can see between the P8Z68-V/GEN3 and the Pro version is that the Pro version has Firewire ports and two extra SATA 6Gb/s ports. So if you don't need those Firewire and extra SATA ports, or unless you are aware of some other difference between them, then I would suggest saving the money and getting the non-Pro version.

 

[precursoris]

Better PSU:
Antec HCG-620 80Plus Bronze $70 ($25 rebate)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX30457

The only difference I can see between the P8Z68-V/GEN3 and the Pro version is that the Pro version has Firewire ports and two extra SATA 6Gb/s ports. So if you don't need those Firewire and extra SATA ports, or unless you are aware of some other difference between them, then I would suggest saving the money and getting the non-Pro version.

Thanks for pointing these out. Unfortunately, the PSU you suggested is out of stock where I live. So, I was thinking of one of the following:
-OCZ 600W ModXstream Pro SLI Ready ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX22557/Reviews
-ThermalTake TR2 600W ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX35073
-Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 600 Watt ---> http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX35076

Browse through here if you have another suggestion (keep in mind price range and stock in Edmonton):
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Category/PowerSupplies

 

[Silvune]

I didn't notice that 'availability' section before, so thanks for pointing that out.

Disregard the eXtreme Power Plus 600W, this review explains why:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034

There are two versions of the TR2 600W (that I know of), only one of which I would recommend. That would be the one with the model number TR2-600P and which has a single 50A 12V rail. I don't think is the same as the one you linked, so I think you would be better off avoiding that as well.

I find it quite hard to separate the OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W and the Corsair CX600 V2. IMO you make a choice between modular, but short cables, as well as quieter fan or longer cables.
The OCZ ZT series 550W has good cable lengths and is modular. It actually has more 12V rail capacity than both the MXSP 600W and CX600 V2 (540W vs 504W/480W).
The Antec HCG-520 has the same amount of 12V rail capacity as the CX600 V2 and I would consider that to be higher quality.

 

[precursoris]

Best answer selected by precursoris.