Z68 I5 2500k Mobo around $150

[realibrad]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130622


Those are the three ive been looking at. I will be putting in the following.

2500k

16GB corsair veng ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233198

6950 2GB (will have second soon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161372

everything else i already have. From what I understand, the 2500k supports DDR3 at 1333, but ill over clock it in 3 months and run the ram at 1600 because it would be stupid not to.

 

[swirle13]

the actual performance difference between DDR3 1333 and 1600 is neglegible. Even though it is "faster" by the clock speed being faster, it doesn't make loading your data in and out of RAM any faster. Theres a few forums dedicated to those topics, you can look for yourself and save your RAM more life.

And for the mobo, I myself have the GA-Z68XP-UD3 with the Intel Smart Response technology. I dont use it, but I liked the dual PCIe lanes and the ISR technology, standard LGA 1155 socket, 7.1 surround sound, onboard HDMI. So i know they are similar, and I also have a Sapphire 6870 1GB and it runs awesome with my board and i5 2500K. So from what you've shown, it looks like a winner set if you choose Gigabyte, imo.

Edit: heres the link to DDR3 1333 vs 1600: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283187-30-ddr3-1333-1600

 

[dalauder]

How hardcore of an overclocker are you? What's your CPU cooler?

I'd go with the Gigabyte because I put ASUS, Gigabyte, & ASRock just above MSI on quality (MSI is good). The ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 is out because it doesn't have internal USB 3.0 headers. Does your case have front panel USB 3.0? If not, you can add it later anyhow.

Why do you want 16GB of RAM. If it's for gaming, you'll hardly use more than 4GB. I suggest a $30 8GB (2x4GB) 1600CL9 kit. If they aren't that price right now, they will be soon.

Consider this for your 6950 2GB: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3634744

 

[realibrad]

I wont be doing any crazy OC 4.2-4.5 depending on temps.

i was going to run the ram at 1600 because ill be ocing the cpu in 3-6 months anyway, so why not run the ram at the faster speed.

my cooler is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226031

not the best ever, but i got it for cheap. got 2 120 fans on it.
plus, i have a CM stacker 830 with 6 120mm fans blowing, not including the 2 for the cpu cooler, so my case is ice cold.

i went with the 16 gb because the GF swears she needs to use adobe for work crap. she paid for the upgrade from 8gb to 16gb. (tried to explain that if she wanted to upgrade the cpu to a 2600k that would help, but 100$ was too much lol)

i was able to get the msi board with $30 off, so I picked up that board while im waiting for the cpu to arrive, but ill return it if i find a good reason to.

 

[dalauder]

Btw, $185 GTX 560Ti: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3639948

 

[dalauder]

i went with the 16 gb because the GF swears she needs to use adobe for work crap. she paid for the upgrade from 8gb to 16gb. (tried to explain that if she wanted to upgrade the cpu to a 2600k that would help, but 100$ was too much lol)

Haha...But $90 to get a 4x4GB kit over $30 for 2x4GB isn't too much? Well...so long as she's paying I guess. It'll play games just the same for you.