Hi all,I've been watching these forums for a few years now but I've only just signed up, so Hello everyone. To business: I'm looking at building a new gaming setup. I'm looking at it for FSX, but I also will use it for many other games such as Cod, battlefield, Medal of Honor etc. I'm pretty tech minded, and have built PCs in the past, so I dont need help in that department. I'm looking at a SB 1155 system or a 1366 system. I know that the new SB K's overclock well, but I want maximum possible performance, at minimum cost, and is guaranteed to OC to 4GHz+ and stay stable. I've heard there were one or two issues with the new SB chips. I don't want any hastle so I want a system that's going to be hastle free. My budget is maxed out at $2550. Not a penny more. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

...I want maximum possible performance, at minimum cost, and is guaranteed to OC to 4GHz+ and stay stable.I've heard there were one or two issues with the new SB chips...

Go for the SB 2600K, best bang for the buck. Any "issues" occurred when OC'ing above 4.5 GHz.Cheers,- jahman.

Hi Jahman,Thankyou for the response. The 2600k certainly looks inviting.Is there any 4/8GB sets of Ram out there at 1.5V with low latency at 1600MHz? The lowest I found was Corsair Vengeance at CL8. Do the old 1156/1366 coolers (Corsair H70 preferably) fit into the new socket?What do you recommend, SSD's for OS & FSX with a GTX 570? The other option is a 150GB VRap for FSX and a 450GB VRap for OS with a GTX580.For a case, I was looking at the Coolermaster HAF X. how does this perform compared to the Antec 1200?

I5 2500K, IMHO

Hi Jahman,Thankyou for the response. The 2600k certainly looks inviting.Is there any 4/8GB sets of Ram out there at 1.5V with low latency at 1600MHz? The lowest I found was Corsair Vengeance at CL8. Do the old 1156/1366 coolers (Corsair H70 preferably) fit into the new socket?What do you recommend, SSD's for OS & FSX with a GTX 570? The other option is a 150GB VRap for FSX and a 450GB VRap for OS with a GTX580.For a case, I was looking at the Coolermaster HAF X. how does this perform compared to the Antec 1200?

Mushkin Redline 1600 CAS 6 DIMMs are 6-8-6-24 at 1.65v, and mine run just fine at 7-7-7-24 and 1.5vThe mounting holes for CPU coolers on the 1155 are the same as the 1156, so the same CPU coolers work.SSDs are great, but I consider them a luxury item. In the scenario you describe with two VRaptors, I'd use the 150GB drive for the OS and the 450 for FSX.For case performance, I use a cigar test. I fire up the fans and blow cigar smoke into the intake fans and watch the airflow through the case. You want something that'll keep air moving across the HDDs if you use VRaptors, too--they get warm.Last, the Sandy Bridge CPUs and chipset are new...if hassle-free is a goal, just be aware that nearly any new chipset is going to have some growing pains. The X58 route is proven, but more expensive.RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231444&Tpk=F3-12800CL6D-4GBXH those are 6 8 6 24 @1.5 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231440&cm_re=G.SKILL_Ripjaws-_-20-231-440-_-Product 7 7 7 21 @1.5

Hi all,Thank you all for the responses. I'll definitely look into that Mushkin ram. Sounds worth a try. I think I'll end up going down the i7-2600k route. It seems like that's what is top at the moment. Thankyou Bob for the HD recommendation. I think I will stick to the VRaps and purchase a GTX580 instead of SSDs with a 570.

Yeah it's the i7-2600K and the 580 you want to have. And yes actually any 1156 cooling system will work with the new socket. Although don't expect to have it listed on the H70 manual just do whatever it tells you for 1156. There are adapters inside and they'll fit just about anything.

Hi veeray,Thanks for your response. I'll look into ordering asap.

Hi veeray,Thanks for your response. I'll look into ordering asap.

No problem just make sure you get a chance to watch this video.

Hi veeray,Thanks for that link. Will watch that asap.

Hi all,Just a quick note to say I ordered my system just now. Here are the final specs:i7-2600kAsus P8P67 Pro Mobo8GB (4x2GB) Mushkin Redline 1600MHz CL6 1.65V <----Will turn down to CL7 1.5VeVGA GTX580450GB VRap FSX150GB VRap OSWD Cav. Black 1TB 64MB 7200RPMCoolermaster HAF XCoolermaster Silent Pro Gold 1000W (incase I SLI later)Corsair H70 Cooling24" Asus LED 1920x1080 100HzPeripherals will remain as well as current monitors. I might also use my GTS 250 as a PhysX card. Thoughts?

Hi all,Just a quick note to say I ordered my system just now. Here are the final specs:i7-2600kAsus P8P67 Pro Mobo8GB (4x2GB) Mushkin Redline 1600MHz CL6 1.65V <----Will turn down to CL7 1.5VeVGA GTX580450GB VRap FSX150GB VRap OSWD Cav. Black 1TB 64MB 7200RPMCoolermaster HAF XCoolermaster Silent Pro Gold 1000W (incase I SLI later)Corsair H70 Cooling24" Asus LED 1920x1080 100HzPeripherals will remain as well as current monitors. I might also use my GTS 250 as a PhysX card. Thoughts?

Great parts Alex and enjoy your build!

Great parts, but i suggest you to build 2x4GB instead of 4x2 GB RAM

Great parts, but i suggest you to build 2x4GB instead of 4x2 GB RAM

Why? Do you have any specific 4GB sticks to recommend?