First build (Gaming PC)

[MrDonkeyhead]

Hey guys, I'm trying to build myself a fairly OK computer for gaming.
This is my first build so I'm in need of some reassurance before I go out and buy all the parts.
I've been saving up for awhile so I don't want to make any bad decisions.

Some things that concern me are:

-If the parts I'm getting are compatible.
-If there are any known bugs/issues with the components I've selected.
-Also I'm looking for just any advice or tips you guys are willing to give me.

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully this month.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, the latest games: BF3, Star Wars MMO, Guild Wars 2

Parts Not Required: Keyboard/mouse/speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, amazon, basically any.

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: Any

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


I can't choose between two motherboards, They will be listed below.

Mobo- ASUS P8P67 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131706 or ASRock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=ASRock%20Z68%20Extreme%203%20Gen3.
They are the same price, but I'm wondering if one is better than the other?

Case- HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

GPU- EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

SPU- SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

CPU- Intel Core i5-2500k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 or should I go with i5-2500? Is the only difference that with the i5-2500k you can overclock?

Memory- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series (2 x 4GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

HDD- Samsung spinpoint F3 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD- Sony Optiarc CD/DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Monitor- Acer G235HAbd 23'' http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009266

OS- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716 Is windows 7 really $189??

Total is about: $1,200.

 

[danraies]

The extreme3 gen3 is superior by far to the Asus P8P67. You'll want a z68 chipset regardless of the specific board. The extreme3 gen3 is one of the best boards in that price range, though. It supports x8/x8 for sli/crossfire and if you upgrade to ivy bridge you'll be able to use PCIe 3.0 x16 cards.

Get an OEM copy of Windows 7. Home Premium is $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Your other choices are good. Maybe upgrade to a 750W PSU to give yourself the option of SLI in the future. I recommend this Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

 

[starravier]

Different features really, asthetics. Nothing that you would notice if your asking.

Asus: I hate that VGA output in the back..

Asrock: Love the colour scheme.

But go for the Asrock. Newer chipset.

 

[MrDonkeyhead]

Thanks for the replies.
But why do you both recommend the z68 chipset? Just because it is newer?

And what about the i5-2500k and i5-2500? Is the only difference with the k series that you can overclock?

Also from my understanding, the OEM version would only allow me to use it on one computer? Is that the only downside to OEM windows 7?

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157270 $94.99
ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.733472 $529.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 $52.99 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371048 $79.99
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-620 620W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 $139.99 FREE SHIPPING
Gateway FHX2152Lbd Black 21.5" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 1000:1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722409.11-119-233 $154.98
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[MrDonkeyhead]

Hopefully I can start ordering this before some of those combos disappear, Thanks Why_Me for looking those up!

 

[danraies]

Different features really, asthetics. Nothing that you would notice if your asking.

There are definitely noticeable differences. The ASRock is a gaming board and the ASUS is more of an 'all-purpose' board. Bottom line, the ASUS has a slightly bigger port cluster, but you won't want to SLI on the ASUS. Also, if you upgrade to ivy bridge and want to get the most out of the newest generation of graphics cards you'd need to replace the ASUS but you could keep using the ASRock. The biggest difference, though, is the chipset. There's no reason to go with a P67 board unless you're on a SUPER tight budget. If you really don't want the ASRock, spend a little extra ($15 on newegg) for the ASUS P8Z68 LE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131773

Also, StarRavier, the ASUS doesn't have a VGA output.

 

[MrDonkeyhead]

Thanks again danraies it looks like I'll definitely be going with the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3.

 

[danraies]

I was a little late with the last one, sorry about that.

Thanks for the replies.
But why do you both recommend the z68 chipset? Just because it is newer?

And what about the i5-2500k and i5-2500? Is the only difference with the k series that you can overclock?

Also from my understanding, the OEM version would only allow me to use it on one computer? Is that the only downside to OEM windows 7?

Z68 is newer, better supported, more features like integrated graphics. P67 will work just fine, but the difference is usually $15 or so.

Yes, the only difference between the i5-2500 and the i5-2500K is the unlocked processor for overclocking.

Are you allowed to use retail copies on more than one computer? I didn't think you could. At any rate, there's no downside to OEM in terms of performance.

 

[MrDonkeyhead]

Very cool man, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I thought the OEM had something to do with not being able to put it on another computer or that if you ever switch motherboards you'd have to get another windows 7, but I could be wrong.

 

[angalths]

z68 motherboard definitely. It also supports Smart Response Technology, though you'd also need an ssd to utilize that.

oem versions are tied to the computer you install them on. If you were to upgrade your computer to Windows 8 sometime you wouldnt be allowed to move the OEM license to another computer.