1st Build - Please Comment

[McLMan]

While I've done some upgrading in the past, I've yet to build a computer from scratch. I'm by no means very knowledgeable, but after about a week of reading these are the components I've come up with:

Case - Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case
Motherboard - MSI P7N SLI Platinum
Video Card(s) - Dual GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB
Power Supply - Corsair 650TX 650W Power Supply
Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz
Memory - 4GB (2 x 2GB) Corsair DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Memory - TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX
Hard Disk - SAMSUNG SpinPoint T 500GB SATA Hard Drive
Keyboard - Saitek USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard
Mouse - Logitech G5 Wheel USB Laser Mouse
Optical Drive #1 - Sony 20X DVD+/-R DVD Burner w/ LightScribe (SATA)
Optical Drive #2 - Sony SATA DVD-ROM Drive
Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler

Hopefully you can tell from the parts that I'm attempting to build a gaming computer. While my building experience level is low, I can follow instructions.

The above list runs $1,864.87 at newegg. I was hoping to stay around $1,700.00. Are there any opportunities for cost savings without sacrificing performance (I know that keyboard and mouse are very obvious areas)? Am I screwing up somewhere and could do better for about the same $$ by going a different route? Most importantly am I missing anything?

Will cooling be a problem with 2 video cards? I tried to pick a case that would cool well.

Overall what I'm looking for is something that will be good now, and upgradable later. That's why I went with a newer motherboard. I plan on running stock for a while, and then overclocking after I'm certain everything is going to mesh. (And I learn more about overclocking : )

 

[chuckm]

What size of monitor, at what resolution are you wanting to run. I would also wait for the E8400 CPU to come back in stock, it will run cooler and OC better that the E6850. Look at this CPU cooler;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

 

[groo]

if your useing vista 64, go for 8 gigs of ram.

you might consider a single 9800gx2, should be out very soon. basicly more efficient versin of what you want for graphics in one card.

650 is on the light side for slied 8800, especialy if you want to OC it any

 

[McLMan]

What size of monitor, at what resolution are you wanting to run. I would also wait for the E8400 CPU to come back in stock, it will run cooler and OC better that the E6850. Look at this CPU cooler;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Montior I have, and like alot, is 20" Samsung widescreen. 1680x1050 max resolution.

 

[chuckm]

Really think doing SLI would be a waste. You wil get better results going with a P35 board.

 

[McLMan]

I like the 9800gx2 suggestion. How soon before you think it'll come out?
I'll check out some P35 boards. Any suggestions?

 

[chuckm]

Just look for the ones with features you want ie, raid, firewire,ect, for the budget you have.

 

[amd_fanboi]

Gigabyte P35 DS3L
MSI Neo2-FR
Abit IP35 (pro)
Asus P5K

there ya go . the gigabyte is possibly the best of the lot

 

[chuckm]

The P5K-E is the Asus you want to look at, they are all good boards.