Overhaul my computer! - Need component recommendations...

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!

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)

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Originally Posted by 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)

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I'd definitely be interested in finding that combo at $650. I threw together this parts list on Newegg and it came out to $775 and the mobo was an open box discount...

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

if your budget is $800 get an I7 instead

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_Bri...oarchitecture)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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_Bri...oarchitecture)

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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.

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)

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Originally Posted by 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)

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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.

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Originally Posted by Sajuuk

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.

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Sorry, was thinking of Socket 2011.

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 / Part price breakdown by merchant


CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V LE ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti 2GB Video Card ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $637.95
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-03-07 14:11 EST-0500)