New $1,800 Build, NOT i7, PLEASE DON'T SUGGEST IT!!!!!

[raybob95]

This build has already been posted here, but I've made a few changes to it, and there have been delays in building it, so I figured that I may as well post it here and get more suggestions.

Approximate Purchase Date: Probably this Summer (Yeah, I know, it's a long time away)

System Usage: Web surfing with 20 tabs, GTAIV, FSX, Microsoft Office, etc. MULTITASKING, for example, 20 firefox tabs, listening to iTunes, Encoding an IPOD Movie, GTAVC, Google Earth, Thunderbird, plus all my background apps all at the same time.

Parts Not Required: Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers (All I need is PC and monitor)

WILL USE NEWEGG

Overclocking: OC CPU from 2.83 to 3.2 GHz via FSB, NO OVERVOLT

Resolution: 1920x1080

OS: Vista Home Premium x64 OEM

My budget is technically $2,000, but the lower the better and I don't see the point in i7 right now.
I'm up to $1,800 right now, including shipping, build cost, transfer software, and a static strap. (But I haven't check the prices for all my parts in over a week, and my prices include all the MIRs)

I do not feel that Memory or HDD Cooling is necessary.


Now, here is my parts list, which I am looking for suggestions for.

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Case: Antec 900 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
RAM: (2 SETS OF THIS FOR 8GB OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2) 240-pin DDR2 1066 Dual Channel SDRAM - Retail
HDD1: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA II HDD - OEM
HDD2: Patriot PE64GS25SSDR 2.5" 64GB SATA II Internal SSD - Retail (For Windows Boot Drive ONLY, will format as FAT32) Comes with 3.5" Adapter
HDD3: SAMSUNG 80GB ATA100 HDD (In current PC, use as backup)
Optical1: LG Black 6X Blu-Ray DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-Ray/ HD DVD-ROM DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L - Retail
Optical2: LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner w/ LightScribe - OEM
Optical3: Memorex External 16X DVD+R DVD-RAM DVD Burner (Already Have)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83 GHz 12MB Cache LGA775 95W Quad Core Processor
CPU Cooling: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler + AC5 Thermal Compound
Media Reader: Something from Amazon that's too long to list (Runs via USB, 1.44" Floppy + 9 in 1 Media Card Reader), comes with 5.25" Adapter
Monitor: ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2MB HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
GPU: EVGA 896-P3-1258-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 SSC Edition (675/2304)
Other Cooling: COOLER MASTER Neon LED TLF-S12-EB 120mm Blue LED Case Fan (Will put on side window of Antec 900)

 

[WR2]

I do not feel that Memory or HDD Cooling is necessary.

RAM and HDD cooling is necessary but you get that for free with a case like the Antec 900.
(unless you really mess up your cable management and block all airflow)

Nothing wrong with your list, but almost certain to be changes.

Im a big fan of the Freezer 7 Pro cooler. (I just hope you're not going to remove the excellent MX-2 thermal compound already on the heat sink to use AS-5.)
But at the current $40 price I sure like the ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 a lot better and it's the same price. It includes the back plate mount for easy, secure installation. And its a better cooler.

Im not a fan of mixing fans in a case. Either the shade of LED is different, or a slight difference in acoustic properties makes them noticeable. I'd look for the identical case fan that's already in the 900.

If you wanted to buy one item right now - one that definitely won't change.

Vista Home Premium x64 OEM is $20 off
Promo Code: EMCLRLN28

 

[Why_Me]

You chose a board meant for Crossfire, yet you have a Nvidea card in your build. Here is the same mobo as that one in your build, but it's set up to run a single vid card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128364 $119.99 ($104.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45C-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

 

[megamanx00]

Can't say I'm font of OCZ PSUs. The stealth streams are kind of sucky in general, but I guess it should be O.k for your build. Since you're not volt modding and you're only going to use one video card ( if you want to SLI that 260 you need to switch to an SLI board) You don't even really need a 700W PSU so you may want to consider this instead

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

and even the recommended 550W unit is way more than enough, assuming it's from a quality manufacturer. You really only need a quality 450W, 500W unit gor a single card on your planned system. This PSU would be just fine

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

If you really want to switch to an SLI board to run two cards down the road then it's a good idea to get a more robust powersuply like this

FSP Group Power_MOD 700 700W $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104058

 

[knotknut]

You said,"Approximate Purchase Date: Probably this Summer (Yeah, I know, it's a long time away)".
You are waisting your time here today. By summer everything will change, even the i7's.
When you are ready to buy turn your caps off and come back for build suggestions.