Budget sandy bridge gaming build

[number58]

I'm thinking of putting together a sandy bridge gaming build. I've got specific questions about the ram, motherboard, and video card. Here's my info.

1. My pc will be used mostly for gaming, with normal college related tasks mixed in. I want to be able to run Skyrim and Deus Ex 3 without turning down too many settings. I don't do any encoding or stuff like that.

2. I'd like to keep the budget to around $600. I'll be reusing many components, so this should be possible.

3. In the US, buying parts online. I don't live anywhere near a microcenter or fry's.

4. No brand preference.

5. I'll be reusing my power supply, ssd and hard drives, dvd drive, case, and monitor.

6. I have read similar threads.

7. Will definitely be overclocking.

8. Gaming at 1920x1080.

9. Plan to build as soon as possible, unless waiting for Bulldozer might really be worth it.

I've read the sandy bridge builder's guide, and have some concerns about the overclocking ability and stability of the Biostar tz68a+. It has far fewer fan headers than similar budget Asrock boards, and there's no word on Ivy Bridge compatibility. Anybody have any experience with this board?
As for the ram, 4gb or 8gb? Does more ram really help gaming?
And the video card I'm considering is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125385
this one. But I haven't heard anything about Gigabyte video cards. Is this one any good?
Any feedback is welcome.

 

[mfenn]

So basically you need the CPU, HSF, mobo, RAM, and GPU? Should be doable. What kind of PSU do you have?

i5 2500K $220
CAFA50 $16 AR
ASRock Z68 Pro3 $120
ADATA DDR3 1333 8GB $40
XFX 6950 1GB $220 AR
Total: $616 AR

This is slightly over budget, but you could go with a P67 mobo or GTX 560 Ti to squeak under $600.

 

[number58]

I've got a pc power & cooling 750W PSU. My concern about that mobo is the lack of an internal usb 3.0 header. Is that mobo a good overclocker?

 

[mfenn]

A PCP&C 750W should be plenty of power unless it's ancient.

The Z68 Pro3 is a decent overclocker, should be good for 4.5Ghz or so. You could get a crazy overclocking board, but that would require you to cut into the GPU budget, which is sort of counterproductive.