Overhaul my computer! - Need component recommendations...

[Peli]

OK, so I've got a budget of about $800 and I'd like to upgrade my existing computer while reusing as many components as possible and basically build a best-bang-for-my-buck rig (I have the ability to spend more, but I don't want to go too gung-ho). Edit: Actually, for discussion's sake, what would an $800, $1000, or $1200 budget get me?

I 5-box and the lag in places like Org has been getting more and more annoying. I don't ever intend to do more than 5-Box, but I also want a rig that can handle Guild Wars 2 (I doubt I'll multibox GW2) and Diablo 3 without missing a step.

Here are my current system specs (along with what I intend to replace)

-Asus P5N-D Mobo (Replace - no idea what to replace it with)
-Core2Quad Q6600, stock clock (Replace - i5? i7? Sandybridge? Wait for Ivybridge?)
-6 GB DDR2 RAM (Replace - I'd like 16GB or more DDR3)
-EVGA GTX 260 (Replace?)
-1kW PSU with plenty of 12V rails (Bought it to do SLI before I found out that SLI was a waste of money for what I wanted to do - Reuse)
-120 GB Intel 320 SSD (Reuse)
-(2) 1TB Mechanical drives (media storage) (Reuse)
-Standard CD-RW drive (Reuse)
-dedicated 1GB Ethernet card (don't need ethernet ports on my new board - Reuse)
-Thermaltake full size tower case (Reuse)
-Windows 7 Pro 64-bit (Reuse)

Thanks!

[jstanthr]

I would get any p67 mobo (personal preference) an i5 2500k 16gb ram, and a gtx 560ti 2gb you can get all taht for about $650 more or less (prolly less but im highballing)

[Peli]

I would get any p67 mobo (personal preference) an i5 2500k 16gb ram, and a gtx 560ti 2gb you can get all taht for about $650 more or less (prolly less but im highballing)

I'd definitely be interested in finding that combo at $650. I threw together (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130683) this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233246) parts (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072) list (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771R) on Newegg and it came out to $775 and the mobo was an open box discount...

[Sajuuk]

If you want lower costs, wait for sales, buy less expensive parts, or try the gray market (aka buy used).

[thefunk]

if your budget is $800 get an I7 instead

[Peli]

I wouldn't mind going for an i7. I heard a rumor that the Ivybridge chips that are going to be coming out are going to be faster and cheaper than the Sandybridge. I'd also only have to wait about a month before they get released. Anyone able to comment on that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Bridge_(microarchitecture)

[MiRai]

I wouldn't mind going for an i7. I heard a rumor that the Ivybridge chips that are going to be coming out are going to be faster and cheaper than the Sandybridge. I'd also only have to wait about a month before they get released. Anyone able to comment on that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Bridge_(microarchitecture)
Ivy Bridge is just a die shrink of Sandy Bridge which means the CPU should produce less heat and use less voltage at similar clocks. As for being cheaper, I don't know why they would be cheaper than Sandy Bridge as they're the upgrade from Sandy Bridge. The only thing really being upgraded in Ivy Bridge chips is the on-die GPU.

[Bollwerk]

Ivy Bridge motherboards are/will be considerably more expensive than the Sandy Bridge ones, from what I recall reading. (like twice as much, or more)

[Sajuuk]

Ivy Bridge motherboards are/will be considerably more expensive than the Sandy Bridge ones, from what I recall reading. (like twice as much, or more)
Ivy bridge is a die shrink, not a new socket. You'd buy a new cpu and flash the bios on your motherboard to support it.

[Bollwerk]

Ivy bridge is a die shrink, not a new socket. You'd buy a new cpu and flash the bios on your motherboard to support it.Sorry, was thinking of Socket 2011.

[Peli]

Made the leap this morning. 2500K and a 560ti 2GB with 16GB of DDR3 is on the way! :D Can't wait to be able to get more than 10 FPS in Org in the evenings... (purchased a Thermalright CPU cooler through Amazon as well)

Part list permalink (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5rLC) / Part price breakdown by merchant (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5rLC/by_merchant)


CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80623i52500k) ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V LE ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-p8z68vle) ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx16gx3m4a1333c9) ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti 2GB Video Card (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n560gtxtitwinfrozrii2gd5oc) ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $637.95
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-03-07 14:11 EST-0500)