i5 2500k Gaming Build

[lagswitch68]

CPU Intel Core i5 2500K 3,3GHz Socket 1155

RAM Corsair XMS3 Vengeance DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL9 2x4GB

Mainboard Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-B3

GPU Gigabyte Radeon HD6950 OC HDMI Dual-DisplayPort Dual-DVI 1GB

SSD Crucial m4 2.5" 64GB

I will also use a Corsair HX620 PSU, a CPU watercooling loop and some HDDs that I already have.


I'm going to use this system primarily for gaming (Unreal Engine 3 games in particular) at a 1400x1050 CRT resolution and possibly 1920x1200 if a 100hz WUXGA flatscreen is ever released. I want the system to be as cost effective as possible.


1. Does the Z68 chipset offer any advantage in terms of performance over the P67?

2. As an alternative to the 6950 GPU I've been looking at the 6870 which I can get at 69% of the cost, would this be more cost effective or is the 6950 worth the extra?

3. This will be my first ever SSD, and I'll put OS and game files on it. Is the Crucial m4 a good choice for my purposes?

 

[mfenn]

To answer your questions:

1. No, but they are pretty much at price parity, so there is no reason not to get Z68 IMHO. The only P67A-UD3 I see on Newegg is open box, and I wouldn't buy an open box mobo (too much chance of damage or missing pieces). Check out the i5 2500K + GA-Z68A-D3H combo.
2. The 6950 is decent upgrade from the 6870; well worth the extra money IMHO. The 1GB version is fine for 1400x1050, but will run into trouble earlier than the 2GB one will.
3. Yes, though you won't be able to fit many games on a 64GB one.
4. Skip the Vengeance unless you're getting a killer deal on it (<$50). You will not notice a difference between it and this G.Skill DDR3 1333.