Mobo, CPU, GPU Upgrade Project

[AchillesLast]

Hi there,

I want to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, GPU and RAM currently in my PC and replace the broken harddrive, while keeping my case, PSU and optical drives. I'm shooting to order the parts in the next few days, so any insight is very much appreciated.

My PSU and case are:
PSU - Corsair TX650w
http://www.corsair.com/tx650w.html
Case - Antex P160W
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?Type=Mg==&id=MQ==

I'm really looking for advice on the following components, I'd like to stick with the current budget of around 625. I've picked up a fair bit on these forums, but I'm by no means an expert, so there may be something stupid like a PCI slot mix up (not that cause I checked....I hope) and I would love it if I could find that out on here, before the parts arrive.

The Mobo/CPU/RAM/GPU/HD combo I've come up with is as follows:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5YUB

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157271&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

Intel Core i5-2500 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Processors%20-%20Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115073&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Memory%20%28Desktop%20Memory%29-_-G.SKILL-_-20231422&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

XFX Double D HD-687A-ZDFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Video%20Cards-_-XFX-_-14150521&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

Western Digital WD5000AAKX Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7281716&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=8BacdVP0GFs-Zkc8_3OjELDENI3b9G8s8g

Thanks a ton in advance guys, I've picked up a ton from all you techies out there, when I first posted I was originally planning on trying to put 400 bucks into my Dell Inspiron so I feel like I've come a long way...

 

[kelthic]

This looks pretty good to me with the exception of the cpu. For $10 more you can get the unlocked version. WIth a little bit of reading and knowledge you could overclock this cpu and get more bang for you buck. For $10 it's hard to argue against leaving that option open for you.

 

[AchillesLast]

This looks pretty good to me with the exception of the cpu. For $10 more you can get the unlocked version. WIth a little bit of reading and knowledge you could overclock this cpu and get more bang for you buck. For $10 it's hard to argue against leaving that option open for you.

Hmmmm, how simple Kelthic? I've had a pretty anti-overclocking stance throughout this project, but I have seen the #s the 2500k (I think thats it) gets, is there an overclocking for dummies type of resource you know of that breaks it down for the non-tech inclined?

 

[kelthic]

There are multiple guides on the net that can assist. I "taught myself" to overclock with the help of these guides and i've had spectacular results. while I would not necessarily call it "simple", the knowledge you will gain will definitely give you a better understanding of your computer.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/07/how-to-overclock-the-intel-core-i5-2500k/1
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide
http://www.overclock.net/t/913294/step-by-step-overclocking-2500k-for-lamas

There's a few guides to look over and get you started. like i said above, $10 hardly seems like a huge investment to have that extra performance available, even if you wait until your cpu is long in the tooth to impliment any overclocking.