Strange things happen and has been happening to me recently. One such things allows me to upgrade a few things in my rig. Specifically I'll be left only with my GPU, PSU, RAM and SSD + HDDs. That means with some savings pumped in I can go Sandy Bridge. The value of upgrades as of now I've pegged at 30K can trudge north a bit if needed but I don't see why right now.
The customary template is pasted below. Apart from that what I am out to discuss is following.
1. Will my current RAM work fine coupled with a 2x4 module (effectively 12GB) or am I better off getting another 2x2 GB module of the same model?
2. Availability of the Asus Mobos?
3. How easy will be OC'ing the 2500K, considering its multiplier unlocked? If its a no-brainer then I don't mind spending the extra 1K. Otherwise how bad is the 2500 (non K)? (PS: I used to OC a few years back but don't get much tweaking time these days :ashamed
4. The biggest question is the case!
Moving from a 590 I've learnt a few lessons which I'd leverage while purchasing my next case. Considering the mobo+Proc cost me about 25K (worst case) I still have about 5 - 7K to invest in a case.
What I need different from the 590 is
1. Ease of installation for a aftermarket cooler.
2. A dedicated place to install SSD,
3. Enough margin at the back-plate to accommodate the 24Pin Cable without forcing any bends.
3. e-Sata and/or USB 3.0 port.
The customary template
1. Q: What is your budget?
1. 32K
2. Q: What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
1. CPU - Intel i5 750
2. Motherboard - Asus P7P55D-Dlx
3. GPU - GTX 280
4. RAM - GSkill Ripjaws 1600 2x2
5. Monitor - Dell U2410
6. SMPS - XFX Black Edition 850
7. SSD - Intel X-25M G2 80
8. Case - CM Centurion 590
3. Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
1. Monitor - Dell U2410
2. SMPS - XFX Black Edition 850
3. RAM - GSkill Ripjaws 1600 2x2
4. GPU - GTX 280
5. SSD - Intel X-25M G2 80
4. Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
1. CPU - i5 - 2500 / 2500K (Open to discussion)
2. Motherboard - P8P67 -Pro / Delux / Sabertooth (Open to discussion)
3. GPU - GTX280
4. (please mention the rest in above format)
5. Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
Yes, will upgrade the following within 6 months
1. GPU - either GTX 570 or 6970
2. RAM - Need suggestions
6. Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)
1. Pune
7. Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market
1. No
8. Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
1. Development
2. Gaming
3. Music
9. Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
Would prefer Asus.
10. Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
Mostly FPS
11. Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
1. Gaming - 1920x1200
2. Desktop - 1920x1200
12. Q: Are you looking to overclock?
1. Depends on how simple its gonna be
13. Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
1. Windows 7 64 bit
2. Multiple Win2K8 VMs
The customary template is pasted below. Apart from that what I am out to discuss is following.
1. Will my current RAM work fine coupled with a 2x4 module (effectively 12GB) or am I better off getting another 2x2 GB module of the same model?
2. Availability of the Asus Mobos?
3. How easy will be OC'ing the 2500K, considering its multiplier unlocked? If its a no-brainer then I don't mind spending the extra 1K. Otherwise how bad is the 2500 (non K)? (PS: I used to OC a few years back but don't get much tweaking time these days :ashamed

4. The biggest question is the case!
Moving from a 590 I've learnt a few lessons which I'd leverage while purchasing my next case. Considering the mobo+Proc cost me about 25K (worst case) I still have about 5 - 7K to invest in a case.
What I need different from the 590 is
1. Ease of installation for a aftermarket cooler.
2. A dedicated place to install SSD,
3. Enough margin at the back-plate to accommodate the 24Pin Cable without forcing any bends.
3. e-Sata and/or USB 3.0 port.
The customary template
1. Q: What is your budget?
1. 32K
2. Q: What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
1. CPU - Intel i5 750
2. Motherboard - Asus P7P55D-Dlx
3. GPU - GTX 280
4. RAM - GSkill Ripjaws 1600 2x2
5. Monitor - Dell U2410
6. SMPS - XFX Black Edition 850
7. SSD - Intel X-25M G2 80
8. Case - CM Centurion 590
3. Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
1. Monitor - Dell U2410
2. SMPS - XFX Black Edition 850
3. RAM - GSkill Ripjaws 1600 2x2
4. GPU - GTX 280
5. SSD - Intel X-25M G2 80
4. Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
1. CPU - i5 - 2500 / 2500K (Open to discussion)
2. Motherboard - P8P67 -Pro / Delux / Sabertooth (Open to discussion)
3. GPU - GTX280
4. (please mention the rest in above format)
5. Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
Yes, will upgrade the following within 6 months
1. GPU - either GTX 570 or 6970
2. RAM - Need suggestions
6. Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)
1. Pune
7. Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market
1. No
8. Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
1. Development
2. Gaming
3. Music
9. Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
Would prefer Asus.
10. Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
Mostly FPS
11. Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
1. Gaming - 1920x1200
2. Desktop - 1920x1200
12. Q: Are you looking to overclock?
1. Depends on how simple its gonna be
13. Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
1. Windows 7 64 bit
2. Multiple Win2K8 VMs