1st New Gaming PC - Component/Build Advice Requested

[ctimko]

Please help me build my first ever gaming PC. I am intending to use this PC for Warhammer and other video games. I want the PC to perform well is FPS and "laggy" situations. I am interested in longevity and am able to pay more $ today if it will result in longevity for the PC and stability.

I have done about 10 hours of research and am thinking of building the PC with the components below. Any advice on which components would be a mistake or a bottleneck would be appreciated.


HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD5000AAKS
$79.99

Case: XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:WTBK
$119.99

Motherboard: ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:Rampage Formula
$269.99

GFX Card: ASUS ENGTX280 TOP/HTDP/1G GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:ENGTX280 TOP/HTDP/1G
459.99

Power Supply: XCLIO STABLEPOWER 850W ATX 850W Power Supply - Retail
Model #:STABLEPOWER 850W
$139.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450 - Retail
Model #:BX80569Q9450
$329.99

Memmory: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF - Retail
Model #:TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
$149.00

CPU Fan: ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:CNPS9700 LED
$53.99


Subtotal: $1,602.93 (before tax and shipping from newegg)

FYI - I will be using my own optical drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Commander_Keen]

why the cf board with the 280? you could have better performance with cf 4850s for the same price or cheaper

 

[ctimko]

I thought that the 280 GFX card would perform better than the 4850. Is my motherboard choice just wrong for the 280?

 

[Zenthar]

It will work, but you are paying extra for a Crossfire board and you are getting a card that supports SLI. If you plan on using only a single card, get a P45 board, you will save 100$ on the MB.

 

[Commander_Keen]

Go with what Zenthar said i was only thinking about keeping the board (ie using the crossfire capability), but for single card, best performance atm is the gtx280 and the p45 would save you some money, if you plan on staying single card as you cant sli on a crossfire board...also if it will fit in your case, the xigmatek s1283 or the sunbeam corecontact freezer are better performing coolers at a cheaper price

 

[flyin15sec]

Nothing wrong with the GTX280 on that motherboard, granted he wont' be able to XFire. It does opens up an option for physx while using the same Nvidia drivers. get a cheap 9600GT or so and use it for Physx.

It actually is not a bad combo if OP wants Physx.

 

[Proximon]

I thought that the 280 GFX card would perform better than the 4850. Is my motherboard choice just wrong for the 280?

You would be best served by getting either two 4850s or one 4870 for that board. There is nothing wrong with a 280, but you cannot SLI on that board.

The only reason to buy a GTX 280 is because you have to have the absolute maximum frame rates in everything made and you have so much cash you can afford two of them plus something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188025