New gaming build refinement

[mecheng03]

I am trying to build a gaming system for around $1400-1600 and I believe that I have a setup that will work. However, since my last build was in 2003 I am not a 100% that I have a system that will allow for growth over the next 3-4 years. I do plan on adding more memory, more HD space, an additional video card in SLI, and would like to overclock when I get bored. I also have well over 1 TB of data that I have scattered over 4 external and 3 internal drives. Also, I would like to add bluetooth connectivity in the near future.

This is what I already plan on swapping over from my current build:
1 ea Dell 20.1" 2005FPW Ultrasharp Flatpanel Monitor
Screen type Active matrix - TFT LCD
Pixel pitch 0.258 mm
Viewing angle +/- 88° (vertical) typ, +/- 88° (horizontal) typ
Luminance output 300 cd/m ²(typ)
Contrast ratio 600:1
Response Time 12ms typical (Grey to Grey) / 16ms typical (Black to White)
Horizontal scan range 30 kHz to 83 kHz (automatic)
Vertical scan range 56 Hz to 75 Hz, exception 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz only
Optimal preset resolution
Analog : 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz(VESA CVT Mode)
Digital : 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz(VESA CVT-R Mode)
* I'm not planning on upgrading but I figured this would help later on with my video card selection.
1 ea Logitec wireless keyboard/mouse
* I would like to upgrade but I'm holding off for now.
1 ea Bose speakers, 2.1
1 ea Windows Vista Ultimate 64 (I have not purchased but will get through my school ~$50)

Here's the wish list on newegg:
1 ea SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q/BEBN - OEM; $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
* I already have a sony burner but it's not lightscribe capable.

1 ea Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail; $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
*This appears to be a good deal (my last case was an Atec). I am concerned with the space inside, cooling ability, and noise level.

2 ea Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM; $169.98 ($84.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
*I don't know much about raid 0/1/2 and I am assuming it is better for me to run the two drives in sync w/each other (raid 0?). I was thinking about the velociraptors but that's a ~$215 more per drive. Is 10K rpm even worth it?

1 ea Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM; $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
*This is was the best back on 2003 and it seems to hold true today.

1 ea CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX - Retail; $105.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194
* I really wanted to go higher than DDR2 800 but from what I'm reading here it seems to be safer to stay at this level. Is this b/c of the ease of overclocking? I am willing to start out with lower memory and have the option of upgrading to higher w/the same mobo.

1 ea EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail; $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024
* I'm really lost here. I keep reading about x38/x48 and my last build was an ASUS. However, this board does have more SLI slots. I'm willing to put more money here to have a PC that lasts but all the brands on newegg are blending together for me right now. This is my biggest concern.

1 ea Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail; $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
*I'm pretty sure this is the best buy for my needs on new egg. First processor to have 12mb cache and only $5 more than the Q9450 but I keep seeing recommendations for dual core processors on gaming rigs. What's the difference? I want to make sure I am not buying a chip that get's bottlenecked with my mobo/video card/mem.

5 ea Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE" 120 x 38 mm Case Fan - Retail; $49.95 ($9.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185054
* How noisy will these be in the Antec 900?

1 ea XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail; $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
* After my last build sounding like a C-5 minimal noise is a must.

1 ea XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail; $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

1 ea ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail; $187.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
* I am getting the feeling that I should hold off on going SLI but I am lost on the differences between 4850, 4850x2, 4870, and 4870x2 (outside of the difference in price) and how they all work in SLI. Are there any card manufactures that are good/bad? I had an off-brand ATI 9700 and it was very spotty when pushed to the max.

1 ea CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail; $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
* Is 750W enough or should I go 1000W if I plan on keeping this PC for a while?

Subtotal: $1,391.84

I also want to convert my current rig to become either a firewall for my home network, a file server, or a home theater pc. Any recommendations on where to go for research? Also, regardless of the final project I want to reduce it's power consumption, noise level, and how much space it takes up. Are there any limitations with today's processor heatsinks w/o fans if I try to use them with my ASUS NVIDIA nForce 2 w/AMD2700? What's a good PSU that'll keep the energy bill low? What cases on the market are good space savers?

Thanks
Eric

 

[Onus]

SLI is for nVidia cards. Crossfire is the equivalent, for ATI cards like the 4850.
Better RAM choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731. Operates at stock at JEDEC standard 1.8v.

For maximum efficiency on PSUs, look for one with the "80+ certified" designation. Even more efficient ones may be available before too long. Enermax has some they claim are at least 82% efficient.

 

[aevm]

Very nice build, except that the motherboard needs to support Crossfire. Asus P5E Deluxe or GA-X48-DS4 would do the trick.

I don't think you need to buy those Scythe fans at all. The Antec 900 is already pretty well cooled as it is.

Jtt283, your link didn't work for me. Were you thinking of something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146726

 

[huron]

I agree with everyone else. You don't want a SLI mobo. Get a P35/P45 or X38/X48 instead for that 4850.

No, the 10,000 RPM drives aren't that much faster. Those 640 GB hard drives are great and fast.

The Antec 900 has been good to me. I just did some modding (cut some holes to better manage cables) and still love it.

Good luck with you build.

 

[Onus]

Hmmm, worked fine here, but yes, the first one; the 4GB kit.