Hi Guys Planning on upgrading my current 2 year old system to... CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.60GHz Sandybridge CPUMotherboard: Asus P8P67RAM: Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual ChannelCooler: Corsair A50 CPU Coolerhttp://www.overclock...053&subcat=2064 For my graphics card:Asus GeForce GTX 580 Matrix Platinum 1536MBhttp://www.overclock...914&subcat=1812ORAsus GeForce GTX 560 1024MBhttp://www.overclock...914&subcat=1341 My case and PSU are also dated (currently running a 600W) so am planning on upgrading to: Corsair TX750M PSUhttp://www.overclock...123&subcat=1084 Corsair 650D Casehttp://www.overclock...rodid=CA-036-CSORAntec 300 Casehttp://www.overclock...id=7&subcat=160 My questions are:1. Just to confirm - there is no advantage in getting the 2600k for FSX??2. I went for the P67 board rather than the Z68 - is this the right choice?3. Is it worth spending an extra £150 to get the GTX580 rather than a GTX560 (for FSX)4. Should I be going for more memory on the graphics card (opted for 1GB on both card choices)5. Also I can save some money by getting the Antec case, will this be ok? Appreciate all your replies! Stephen.

1: Correct. Save the money with the 2500K2: Get the Z68. Avoid these pre-overclocked bundles. Majority of times the overclocks are quick done and voltages left on auto3:Yes. The 580 will allow for higher resolutions with higher AA levels. Plus it'll be better for when Flight comes along.4: Unless you are running super high resolutions (past 1920x1080 & 16xS AA) or multiple monitors on one card (TH2Go), then no. The 1.5GB 580 is plenty.5: No. That case won't have enough air flow for a high overclocked system and chances are it wont fit the 580 Matrix. Go for the Corsair. You would be better avoiding the bundle and getting: http://www.overclock...rodid=MY-295-CShttp://www.overclock...rodid=MB-458-AShttp://www.overclock...rodid=CP-360-INhttp://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-008-CS

Thanks for the fast reply, how is the Z68 better, I thought it only came with a couple of extra features none of which are relevant?

Can support the Ivy Bridge processors coming 2012. Also supports PCI-e 3.0. More future proof. Better value for money

The Antec 300 is a great case for someone on a really tight budget - but having upgraded from one I can tell you the 650D is soooooo much better. Just do the 650D - you won't be disappointed. I also wouldn't buy that bundle. The bundle includes one of ASUS' lowest-end mobos, only 4GB of cheap memory, and a poor CPU cooler. Try this instead: CPU: Intel i5-2500KMOBO: ASRock Z68 Extreme 4 Gen 3RAM: GSkill 1600 CL7Cooling: Corsair H100 Total: £503.97 If you're only running a single monitor, I don't know if the 580 is necessary. Perhaps the 570 would be a good compromise? It's too early to be planning for flight. The new Kepler GPUs will be out before Flight comes along. If there was one area to save money on, I would say save it on the GPU and the memory.

Can support the Ivy Bridge processors coming 2012. Also supports PCI-e 3.0. More future proof. Better value for money

Z68 may support PCI-E 3.0 compatibility, but not necessarily full functionality. The only board offering full PCI-E 3.0 functionality that I know of is the ASRock Z68 Extreme 4 Gen 3. Here's a great review on it: http://www.vortez.ne...3_review,2.html. As far as Z68 vs P67 - it's not necessarily that Z68 is better, but it's just not that much more expensive, so why not!

Great replies, thanks so much!!! The reason I was considering the pre overclocked bundle is that I have only attempted it once and didn't get very far. If I OC the CPU, would I also need to adjust any of the RAM settings or just the CPU multiplyer & voltage?

Great replies, thanks so much!!! The reason I was considering the pre overclocked bundle is that I have only attempted it once and didn't get very far. If I OC the CPU, would I also need to adjust any of the RAM settings or just the CPU multiplyer & voltage?

All you would need to do is set the ram speed and timings in the BIOS to its rated speed and then its just multiplier and vCore

I just can't see how a 650D would have as much airflow as something like a Antec 900 or HAF 922. I mean some of you own one so if you wouldn't mind telling me but if you want airflow I don't think you could go wrong with a HAF X or Antec 1200 for the price of a 650D. I stick my hand in my HAF and I get a chilly breeze, brrr.

The 650D doesn't have as much airflow as the Antec 900 and HAF 922. But that's only because it doesn't have fan grills on the side panel. However, for $30 you can purchase a mesh side panel for the 650D that will fit 4 120mm fans or another 200mm. The problem with side panel fan grills is that they're never filtered. I would rather have slightly worse airflow than have tons of unfiltered intake fans filling my case with dust. The reason the 650D is recommended so often is three fold: large 200mm fans = low noise, great cable management, and it doesn't look offensive. That's not to say the case is perfect - every case has its flaws. But all around, the 650D is a case I could easily see myself keeping for the next 10 years. I was ready to ditch my Antec 300 after only a year.

Yes, I did a little hunt around after i sent that post to find that the 650D has 200mm fans unlike the 800D which has a few 120mm. Does Corsair actually make their cases, I know they don't make the CPU coolers or PSU. Even though I have no dust filters on the HAF, it is very clean inside. The 230mm do a very good job. In the end you expect to get the best quality when you spend $200 on a mid tower let alone spending nearly $400 on a full tower.

Ok guys, I am nearly there! I am very nervous about doing the OC myself but I'm willing to try!

All you would need to do is set the ram speed and timings in the BIOS to its rated speed and then its just multiplier and vCore

So if I got the G.Skill RipJawsX 8GB recommended, the timings would be 7-8-7-24? Re: the case, I like both the Corsair 650D & the Antec 900 (provided I can disable the blue LED fans!) - which one is best? Or are they both pretty much the same!

The Corsair is probably better quality. I find Antec's tend to have a bit too much cheap plastic. Re Ram: Yes. There will be a section in the BIOS for memory and those timings can be set. You'll also get the choice in a section for 2T or 1T (or 2N or 1N). Set it at 2T (or 2N)

The Corsair is probably better quality.

Like these Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-295-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat= 8-8-8-24 values at 1600MHz, 1.50V

G.Skill are very good. I have had no problems with them and my OCing. I will be upgrading my RAM to 8GB 1600 CL8, sam model of Corsair is $20 and I can't see any real advantage. The three main brands are Kingston, Corsair and G.Skill. Prices may be different in your area and whichever was cheaper (as long as it was the right timings and brand etc) then go for it!

I'd say mushkin comes in well above Kingston and g-skill