This is yet another post by me in search of a new computer. I've put together one with different suggestions from different posts and here is what I have...
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LgqO
I expect to run Skyrim and Arma at High to Very High to Ultra settings w/ this machine while getting 30+ frames. Any other suggestions/ edits? Thanks.
Everything in that build is great except that you WANT to go with 2 sticks of 4GB RAM, otherwise it will hurt your performance! You could also buy a slightly cheaper Corsair 600W PSU for around $59 which will save you about $10 cheaper. Maybe add a CPU cooler is you want to overclock or to help you CPU last longer. Like a CM hyper 212 evo for $29.
You won't get a huge hit in performance for running 1x 8gb as opposed to 2x 4gb. It's like 5~7% or so..
Some people prefer having 1 slot open for future upgradabilty, which is very reasonable. However, by the time 16gb is required for gaming, your hardware would probably be outdated anyway.
Actually the difference is in the margin of error (however hard some people find that to comprehend) even ram frequency is irrelevant to ram capacity. I have done some ram frequency and single/dual chanel testing in games with my frends, and the result of ram OC-ing was ) 0.0%. Apu's are the only ones that can see benefits of ram oc-ing but thats another matter. Dual chanel and ram OC-ing only benefits in 7zip/winrar and thats mostly it...
I knew it was a negligible difference, but I didn't really read to much into the actual bench figures. Nevertheless whether it's 5%, 3% or ~1%, I was saying he wouldn't notice it.