poker/pro audio/multitask build - please help!

Hi all. I'm a "power user" with lots of computer background, but this will be my first build. My budget is about $1500, some parts purchased. I might overclock a bit, though I've never done it before.

I want your help in optimizing my build for (1) performance (2) price, and (3) avoiding headaches, thanks all!

Uses (in order):

• Poker + Database + Reporting
• Multitasking + Software development + standard internet/ms word stuff
• Digital Audio studio
• Media Server via PS3
• Occasional games (usually don't play, but I will be forced to do so with a 30" monitor and a modern machine!)

Already purchased:

• Dell 3007WFP 30" monitor (2560x1600)
• Samsung Syncmaster 204B (secondary monitor)
• Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 750GB HDD
• MBox 2 Digital Audio Interface
• Korg Kontrol49 Midi Controller Keyboard

Current Build Plan:

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($150)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128344
Comment: I chose P45/DDR2 for price/performance considerations. Any reason to consider DDR3 or X48, or wait for X58?

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail ($330)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041
Comment: I'm pretty convinced I will make full use of quad-core. I run tons of stuff simultaneously.

RAM:
G.SKILL 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ - Retail ($170)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231151
Comment: I don't think 8 GB is overkill when I'm working with pro audio apps. But is DDR2 800 wise, or should I get 4 GB of faster DDR3, which will still be useful when I upgrade to i7/X58 or beyond?

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - OEM ($180)
Comment: 64-bit is crucial for supporting my heavy RAM requirements, can't wait. Do I need "Ultimate"?

GPU:
VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail ($285)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129113
Comment: Games are not important to me, but I'd like to be able to try one or two with this system, preferably at 2560x1600. I know nothing about graphics cards. Is this card overkill? Is it not enough to run at 2560x1600?

Case:
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($120; $90 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112154
Comment: Don't care much about case as long as it's quiet-ish and won't cut me up I'm not a big fan of flashy LEDs but I assume you can turn them off? Everyone seems to love the Antec 900 for a budget box; is this a better choice?

HDD #1:
Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ($150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136033
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM ($190)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136296
Comment: Second HDD will be used for data storage; I'll use this one for OS + certain apps that need low latency (e.g. database, audio stuff).


Fan/Heatsink:
Do I need one if I don't overclock? If I do?
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail ($35)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

PSU:
No clue. How much power do I need? What's a good choice? Your help here is appreciated!!
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ($110, $90 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you guys have.

Agreed with Aevm.
The old Raptors are not that fast compared to newer 7200RPM Drives.

I would Recommend getting a 2nd 750GB Drive so you can more easily keep backups on both Drives.

The Velociraptor is signficantly faster than the old Raptors.

If you are not into gaming, Downgrade your GPU to something like the HD4850 or perhaps lower.

The added graphics not only add cost but they add noise and heat.
The money is better spent on better HDDs, SSDs, etc....

And Don't go DDR3, 8gb of DDR2 is perfect.

AEVM picked a good PSU if you Upgrade your Graphics.
If you don't Upgrade, Anything by Corasir, PCP&C, or Seasonic in the 500+ watt range is perfect.

+1 @zenmaster. Unless you start gaming, you won't need the high powered graphics.
You may find out you'll want to play more though, so may as well be prepared. Aevm picked a good PSU. It's more than you need if you don't add more graphics horsepower, but you can always think of it as an insurance policy.

Get this bracket too for the HDT-S1283:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

With the GA-EP45-DS3R you should be able to get your Q9550 to 8.5*400MHz i.e. 3.4 GHz without trouble, just using the motherboard's native fsb, no overclocking of the MB or RAM needed.
If you want more than that, you will have to work harder at it, and it might hurt stability. I wouldn't advise it, for somebody who hasn't overclocked before and for a machine used for work.

Vista version: I think your best choices are Ultimate 64-bit and Home Premium 64-bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116493 $110 Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488 $180 Ultimate

I'd guess you can afford the extra $70, based on the rest of the build. Whether it's worth it in your case, that depends on what you're doing. Compare the features and then decide for yourself.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/w [...] fault.aspx

You've got a weird situation there with your huge monitor. Either you care about games or you don't. You'll have to decide that first. It also depends on the games you like.
These numbers might help you decide. For example I could live with 25 fps in Oblivion or Diablo, but for shooter games I'd want more.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=14 CoD4, at 2560x1600, HD 4870 gets 55.7 fps, HD 4850 gets 43 fps.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=15 Quake Wars - 61 fps vs 47 fps.
For these two games, I'd say HD 4850 is good enough, and HD 4870 is perfect. (Keep in mind that anything over 60 fps is wasted anyway with a 60Hz refresh rate, so aim for 60 fps.)

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=17 Witcher: 30 fps vs 21 fps.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=19 Oblivion: 26 fps vs 21 fps. These last two are more important differences IMO. 30 fps is pretty smooth for the average eye.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=13 Crysis - they didn't even try it at 2560x1600. At 1920x1200, it's about 30 fps vs 25 fps.

i would go 4870. even if those listed games aren't that big of a deal what about 2009 games? maybe something that interests you comes out. 4870 also has a fan i believe so runs cooler than the 4850. rest of the build is set up to last awhile and with that high resolution i don't think 4870 is going to be overkill. and eventhough you can crossfire on p45 board it is on x8/x8 and the one study i have seen (although with only one p45 and one x48 board so not a lot to go on) showed the biggest impact on crossfire was at 2560x1600 resolution. So i wouldn't even consider getting another card down the road eventhough the mobo would let you. it won't help performance enough to be worth the price (even if price comes down). 4870 should allow you the flexibility to try anything on decent settings for at least awhile (crysis doesn't count).

Great info again, I appreciate all the time taken to provide me the links, thank you guys!

I think crossfire won't make much sense for me, either now or in the future, so I'll stick with a 650W PSU, probably the Corsair for the reasons mentioned by aevm, good stuff.

I'm leaning towards the 4870 for the reasons mentioned above. On the other hand, this is probably the most obvious place for me to knock $100 off the total price if I felt like sacrificing a little game performance, which currently means nothing to me, as I only play games on ps3. I think I'll see the total price, and make the call from there.

Thanks again guys, I'm pretty excited that this will be a kick-ass machine for my purposes.

#1 That's illegal.

#2 Also immoral. Maybe Microsoft has too much money, sure, but there are millions of people who rely on their investments for retirement, and Microsoft is part of more mutual funds than almost anybody else. You are hurting them too by stealing from Microsoft and encouraging others to do the same.

#3 Maybe the hacked dll monitors what you type and sends your bank account number and password to its authors. That's OK, I guess. I'm sure they are nice people and won't use them.