My i7 Build - Opinions and Suggestions Please

[Xikro]

Hey guys, I decided to build my i7 build which I plan on using for gaming, video-editing, programming as the main functions. My MAX budget is 1600$ Canadian including shipping and taxes. I also have no plans to overclock at this point so I'm sticking with the stock heatsink for the processor. Here is what I have come up with:

Processor/CPU:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD9410

Motherboard:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD0914
(For this, I was also considering an Asus P6T but that pushes out of my budget. Is there a big difference? Should I pay the extra 50-100$ for the Asus?)

Computer Case:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1037111049F
(Here I was considering a 1200 but it also pushes out of my budget. I don't think there's a big difference between the two though)

PSU:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180AC3663

Memory/RAM:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13410BD7255
(For the RAM, I wanted to know if this is a good brand and will it do okay with the motherboard? There's not many reviews on it, so I don't know whether it's any good? Any suggestions for better RAM while staying in my budget?)

Video Card:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11610BD2917

Hard Drive (1 TB):
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=25350DR7429

DVD Writer:
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14040DR3684
(I stuck with IDE here to save SATA slots, should I go with SATA? What do you guys think here?)

Well, that's about it. Please let me know if I left something out. This will be my first build so I'm trying to be careful picking out parts. I don't really have plans to overclock, though I might in the future (which is when I'll replace my heatsink). Please let me know what you guys think.

 

[Ancient_1]

I would at least change the MB to the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R since for the same price range I feel it is a better board.

 

[raybob95]

Well, #1, if you got the dough, shell it out for this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130443

 

[Xikro]

Guess I'll go with the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R in that case. It seems like it's the same price, but it's a better brand in my opinion. I didn't notice that one earlier. I'd also like some more information on the motherboards. Should I stick with the Gigabyte or go with an Asus P6T? What about the MSI, I'd like to know if that's any good as well.

I would go for the SSC Edition for the GTX 260 but it's 45$ more . Is it really worth it though? Is there a big difference between the two?

Thanks for the replies. Any more suggestions/opinions would be awesome.

 

[raybob95]

Guess I'll go with the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R in that case. It seems like it's the same price, but it's a better brand in my opinion. I didn't notice that one earlier. I'd also like some more information on the motherboards. Should I stick with the Gigabyte or go with an Asus P6T? What about the MSI, I'd like to know if that's any good as well.

I would go for the SSC Edition for the GTX 260 but it's 45$ more . Is it really worth it though? Is there a big difference between the two?

Thanks for the replies. Any more suggestions/opinions would be awesome.

YES

http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=656&Itemid=29&limit=1&limitstart=7

And that version isn't even OC'd as far as the EVGA.

You can get a non OC'd EVGA 216 for the same price as the 192.

 

[Xikro]

YES

http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=656&Itemid=29&limit=1&limitstart=7

And that version isn't even OC'd as far as the EVGA.

You can get a non OC'd EVGA 216 for the same price as the 192.

The one in my original post IS the one with 216 cores though. :S

I still need more info. on the motherboards!! Thanks for the replies so far though.

 

[kefloxin]

Looks like a good build so far