new cross fire gaming build: will it work?

[15biocents]

Hello, I'd like some advice on this build.
I'm interested in gaming and photo work.
I'm aiming for 1k but I can (and probably will) go over.
I'm trying to keep it quiet too. This has influenced my GPU, HDD, and case decisions.
I've been around forums and newegg for a week gathering intel ,
and here it is:

Case: Sunbeam Silent Storm ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166030
Price: $50

PSU: Rosewill RX750-D-B 750W ATX12V v2.2 & EPS12V v2.91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182069
Price: $160 - $60 combo w/ CPU = $100

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
Price: $190

MOBO: Intel BOXDP45SG LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121348
Price: $150

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
Price: $70 - $25 receipt = $50

HDD: Seagate 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148335
Price: $80

DVD: any*
Price: ~$25

GPU: MSI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127370
Price: $195x2=$390 - $30 rebate**

OS: Vista 64 bit ***
Price: ~$100-200



* is blu-ray that great? never really checked it out...

* will this rebate work with both graphics cards; will I save $60 or only $30?
( http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/rebate/SH/MSI2MIRsOct1Oct3108cd12US.pdf )

** what is the difference between the home, premium, and ultimate editions. I want 64 bit for getting more than 4GB RAM.
Do the different versions of 64 bit Vista affect gaming?


Lemme know if it will all work/fit together or if there are better deals for the dollar out there.


Thanks in advance for feedback!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

First off, avoid Rosewill PSU's! You also chose a DDR3 motherboard with DDR2 RAM. I would recommend the following changes:

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx-750w-atx-12v-power-supply-corsair-tx-cmpsu-750tx-atx12v/q/loc/101/206178325.html $103.74 -$20.00 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344 $126.99 -$20.00 MIR

and either this

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $69.95

or this

Antec Nine Hundred
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-nine-hundred-steel-atx-mid-tower-computer-case-900-antec-nine/q/loc/101/202997579.html $100 shipped

Vista Home Premium should be all you need.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

The WD 6400AAKS is a little faster and cooler running than the one you chose and costs the same.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $79.99


Edit: If you can squeeze it in, change the motherboard to either an X38 or X48 chipset board to run your crossfire at full speed.

GIGABYTE GA-X48-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128331 $278.99

 

[15biocents]

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply.

Ok, I will switch the PSU, get Home Premium, and go for an x48 motherboard.
I like the antec 900. Probably will get it.

I've looked at reviews of the GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4, DS5, and DQ6 and I think I'll opt for the DS5.

Also, I'm looking at some Mushkin RAM, as Corsair seemed to have problems with the GIGABYTE motherboards.
http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/x48-ds5-corsair-dominator-pc2-8500-a-28005/index2.html

Either this: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692

this: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146755

or this: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146726

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would either get the first one in your list or this:

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $76.99 -$20.00 MIR

It has great timings at the standard 1.8v.

 

[15biocents]

I like the timings and the color, thanks for the help shortstuff_mt.

 

[johnyeah]

What resolution are you looking to play your games at? You don't need CF if you're planning to play anything under and including 1680*1050.

 

[15biocents]

atm i'm looking at lcd monitors with 1920x1200 resolution.

 

[15biocents]

Everything arrived... and after a day of setup, I'm finally at the BIOS screen!

I'm having a little trouble installing Vista Home Premium (64bit) with the DVD that I ordered.

After it says: boot from CD/DVD
I get this error:
Disk Boot Error: Insert System Disk and Press Enter

The disk is already in, so I press enter and I can hear the DVD whirring and stopping a few times, then it tells me the error message again.

I've set the CD/DVD drive to boot first.
I've checked the wiring.
The Vista DVD seems to work fine on this computer. I didn't try to install.
I'm going to try to boot from a USB device...

Also, the power switch wire on the Antec 900 doesn't seem to get along with the mobo, so I've been starting it with a screwdriver by shorting the two power on pins. I think I'll take the top off and check the wiring for the front panel. It seems like it's shorting out somewhere...

Any ideas?