Buying new gaming i7 build TOMORROW

New Build:
Monitor 22" Samsung SyncMaster 2253BW 1680x1050
HDD 3.5" Samsung F1 500GB HD501LJ/HD502IJ 7200U/m 61.10 €
PSU 650W Corsair TX650W 106.69 €
CASE Coolermaster Dominator Xcalade 690 Window 85.12 €
GPU PowerColor (Retail) HD4870 512MB 2xDVI/TV 203.60 €
RAM 3072MB OCZ PC3-10666 CL7 KIT XTC Platinum 89.05 €
CPU Intel Core i7 920 4x2.67GHz BOX 281.20 €
MB Gigabyte GA-EX58-DS4 X58

Although after doing some research I came to the conclusion that the system listed above suits
my needs and budget the best, I am not quite sure if there isn't some more room to optimize
the rig for a better gaming performance. Keep in mind I wish to keep it under 1050 Euros, which is
about 1450USD. If you are so nice to help me you may look at the site where I plan to buy my
new hardware: here.

I would like the system to be cooled well, so it can stay on - under last - for about 10 hours a day.
No doubt I'm going to need an aftermarket cpu cooler but I'm planing on buying one when I will
start overclocking it after a year. Is this set up even decent for overclocking?

I dont only game; I use it mainly for multimedia purposes such as music, movies etc. I do use
software such VS C++ 2008, 3DS MAX, Photoshop and others. Sometimes a bit of encoding too.

Please let me know what you think! All opinions are greatly appreciated.

Core 2 and AMD are out of question, but I would like an alternative Nvidia card to the HD4870
in the same pricerange.

Thank you for your time.

What motherboard are you going to get with it? and what cooler?

My only suggestion would be to upgrade the Power Supply Unit. 650W is doable, but should you ever throw in a second 4870, and OC that processor, you could find yourself wishing you had a larger power supply.

First of all, you need to make sure if you're spending money on a new one, that it'll handle your system. AND, make sure it handles your system and isnt' at 100% of its ability (heat and inefficiency).

Plus, you should be able to buy a new PSU and keep it for 2-3 years if you do your research.

EDIT: Also, with regards to your RAM. If you're running Windows XP 3GB is probably fine. If you're running Vista (especially if 64bit) you could benefit from something higher (generally think in those three way RAM setups you're looking 3GB or 6GB). Just a thought.

As far as nVidia GPUs comparing to that HD4870 for the price. Not sure you're going to find that right now. Going to the website you linked to, even the GTX 260 is more expensive than the 4870 you listed above. Let alone the GTX 260 Core 216 version, or the GTX 280.

You're best off with the HD4870 I think for the price.

so you're going from a celeron to a i7? may i ask what specifically you do on your computer that requires such a drastic increase?

You will be shocked at how capable the i7 920 is.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

1) Go ahead and get the cooler now. The Noctua for sale on that site is a good one. The reason for an initial purchase is that coolers need to be mounted while the motherboard is removed from the case. I hate to do that later to a system that is already set up and running well.

2) Consider 6gb. games and everything else do better with 6gb. Here's why:
http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/A [...] vs_3GB.PDF
If you will do lots of multitasking, 6gb is better to hold all the tasks without interfering with each other.
I understand also that photoshop likes lots of ram. I used faster ram, but I don't think it was necessary. Subsequent benchmarks show little performance advantage in real applications ascompared to synthetic benchmarks. Do plan on using vista 64 bit.

3) For a great coling case that is cheap, look at the Antec 300.

FYI:
The GTX260 is approximately the equal to the 4870. The gtx260-216 version competes with the 4870-1gb card.

---good luck---

werxen did you even bother to read the OP's post?

He's looking to optimize this i7 build for gaming performance. Obviously gaming performance is important to the OP.

3DS Max will probably appreciate the upgrade. As will Photoshop, Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Notepad....

You made the point yourself werxen. He's using a Celeron!

"Friends Don't Let Friends run Celeron!"

Besides, if he upgrades to i7 now, he won't be due to upgrade again for a while.

good "come"back. I think the 750W wuld serve you ok. When the time comes and new graphics come out, who knows what PSU will work.

Enjoy you system, sounds like a dandy!