New Build ~ $1600

[Spit-wad]

Thanks. I think I'll get the 680 and for some reason that case really appeals to me so I might try it.

Should I be looking at other RAM? I was expecting to pay more than $40 on it.

 

[PP Mguire]

If it's the Ripjaws that Jason linked then no. They are fine. RAM is super cheap these days.

 

[Spit-wad]

Alright. Any suggestions for which 680 to get?

 

[PP Mguire]

eVGA reference 2GB. If you ever plan to run all 3 monitors n 2D Surround then get the 4GB.

 

[Spit-wad]

I'll get the 2GB. There are a bunch all at the same price: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, EVGA, GeForce GTX 600 series, GeForce GTX 680, 2GB, PCI Express ...

I'm guessing the higher model number is newer? I see the specs are slightly different.

 

[PP Mguire]

Different models have different clocks. The signature, FTW, and Superclocked models are all pre-overclocked cards.

 

[jasonalwaysready]

Would it be ridiculous to get 16GB of that Gskill ram? I'm spending over $3k on this whole setup and having a hard time not spending an extra $40 to double my e-peen.

why not then?

the thing with really long e-peens is that it doesnt even matter if you dont use it.

 

[Spit-wad]

Welp, the motherboard actually comes with 8GB free right now (of what appears to be a slightly different model).
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

16GB it is.

 

[PP Mguire]

Can't argue with free. Before I got the 32GB kit in the mail I never even filled up 8GB. Games don't take more than 2.5GB of RAM ever so unless you run programs that can seriously cap RAM more than 8 is pointless.

 

[Spit-wad]

So I am purchasing the CPU you guys recommended, Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

I have only purchased OEM CPUs before, and for some reason I'm under the impression that retail CPUs come with thermal paste already on them. Is this correct? I ask because MX-2 is free after rebate right now, so... would I even use it?
Newegg.com - ARCTIC MX2 Thermal Paste -4gram

I have some 5 year-old MX-2, and although I've read that it's probably still good, there's no reason to use it if I can get a new tube for free.