Review my <$1000 Gaming Rig please?

[Heinstar]

I'm currently building a Gaming Rig optimized for Starcraft 2 and my budget is around $1000. I prefer to keep it under $1000 but it can go up to maximum of $1500 and it doesn't matter how long my Gaming Rig lasts if it's worth the money in the long run.

I'm going to use a single monitor in 1920x1080 resolution. And I'm going to play Sc2, DotA 2 and HoN majority of the time. I will also try out other games like LoL, Skyrim, Dragon Age II, GW 2, Tera, WoW and Diablo III.

This is what I'm planning to buy:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K $229
CPU HSF: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ $33
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $145
RAM: G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT (2x4GB) DDR3 (1333MHz 9-9-9-24 1.5v) $55
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ $59
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $249
Case: Antec 300 $59
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69

Total: $898+ $78 shipping = $976

Note: I'm buying everything from www.pccasegear.com because I live in Australia and they are the cheapest. Also since buying from the same online store will reduce the shipping cost.

I have a few questions:

Q1.) I'm still not sure which RAM I should go with. I listed the best price-to-value ratio G.Skill 8GB(2x4GB) RAM from PCCG below, which RAM should I go with?:

• G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM (1600MHz 8-8-8-24 1.5v) $79
• G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH (1333MHz 7-7-7-21 1.5v) $72
• G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL (1600MHz 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5v) $65
• G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL (1333MHz 9-9-9-24N 1.5v) $59
• G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT (1333MHz 9-9-9-24 1.5v) $55

If you think I could get even better value RAM than what I'm showing above, can you can recommend me a better ones from here?

Q2). Also, I'm not sure about the GPU as well. Which GPU is better for the type of games I'm going to play? HD 6950 or 560Ti?

• If it's 560Ti could you choose the best value one from here?
• If it's HD 6950 could you choose the best value one from here?

Note:
- I'm getting 2500K instead of 2400 because Starcraft 2 is a very CPU intensive game and I want to maintain minimum of 60FPS during the match in 1v1 200/200.
- I was thinking of getting 560Ti instead of HD6950 since I heard that Blizzard games performs much better on NVIDIA GPU.
- I'm getting 8GB RAM since 4GB isn't much cheaper anyway and it's more future proof.
- This Gaming Rig will only be used for gaming and nothing else.

Thanks in advance

 

[Illumina]

I'm able to play SC2 on max settings with a GTX 460, I'm also running probably the equivalent of a Core i3 and everything runs very smoothly, even during huge battles. Not too sure about the ram, I prefer Kingston myself.

 

[Heinstar]

Ok thanks.

 

[eagleblueline]

Your build actually looks very solid. Like Illumina said, an i3 would probably be enough. Although I would still go with the i5 2500k for a bit of future proofing and overclocking. Your Mobo is future proof so that's good as well. The RAM you have picked out is good but I would go with G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL (1600MHz 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5v) $65 because it is a bit faster (Gaming RAM). Otherwise, looking good.

 

[Heinstar]

What if I include these in the list as well:

• G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH (1600MHz 7-8-7-24 1.6v) $135
• G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-17000CL9D-8GBXM (2133MHz 9-11-10-28-2N 1.65V) $129

Is 1600MHz CL9 the way to go or should I pay $14 more to get CL8? I don't think the above two is worth it since I'd have to pay $53 more to get CL7.

Even if it doesn't effect gaming, I may use the Gaming Rig for heavy multitasking someday.

 

[ARchamps]

The G.Skill Sniper Series (1600 Mhz) is pretty good too and it's cheaper than the ones posted. They come in 1.5V and 1.25V. I have them and they work great. IMO, you wont see a huge difference in the different speeds of RAM.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=17199

I usually do in-store pickups for parts. I save on shipping to compensate for 13% tax here on Ontario, Canada. 😡

Good build!