1000-1200$ US I7 build

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Ordering today.
BUDGET RANGE: $1000-1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, photoshop, basic internet usage.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS (will be vista 64 home basic) Monitor/keyboard/speakers and optical drive. (Reusing a quality samsung dvd burner, which is a sata)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but more than willing to go elsewhere if there are better deals.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Going to stick with the intel I7 for now, i'm well aware that many AMD options can do just as well for games.

OVERCLOCKING: Will probably put a conservative OC on the i7, as it seems to be a waste not to do so. Nothing huge.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not to start, but possibly as an upgrade path.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024 for now, which means the video card is complete overkill, i know. In the next few months the computer will be hooked up to a larget 24' monitor (probably at 1920x1200)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just looking for a few suggestions and such before I buy. This build is for my brother, who isn't as into computers as i am, so i'm not worried about needing too many fancy features.

Here is what I have so far:

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $279.99
*No assurance of DO stepping, but this comp isn't going to be OC'd high at all, not sure if its worth shelling out 30-40$ more to go elsewhere and get DO.

Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $174.99
*New choice in the MB market, I've always had excellent luck with Foxconn, and this board has been getting very good reviews for its price tag. Suggestions more than welcome.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail & Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Two quality items in a combo? yes please! Also there is a $20 mail in rebate here, bringing the total down to $159.89!

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail & Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB $167.98 with a $20 MIR for a total of only 147.98$

Again, two quality items in a combo!

SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $239.99 after $10 MIR

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $39.99

And Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound for $4.99

*looks like this can be used with the I7 without aftermarket brackets? Anyone have any info on this fitting into the antec case? I'm guessing it does.

Total comes to $1,097.91 and shipping is only $24 total, (case has a deal right now)

Thanks for your time! looking for suggestions.

Excellent suggestion, antares has the base CPU for $8 less as well, so the only difference is 5$ (newegg has free shipping on it)

Well worth the price to get DO stepping for 5$


The newegg one comes with 6 months of CPU magazine, but who gives a care.

Thanks!

Ahh nice call, looks like a no go on the microcenter though, oh well.

The Motherboard is my main question at this point, i've seen nothing but good reviews on it yet i've never seen it recommended in any entry level i7 build (For the non hardcore OC'er)

Anyone else have opinions on the foxconn flaming blade?

Foxconn has made good quality budget boards in the past, but with mobo's a good track record doesn't mean as much as it might. But I agree, if you've actually heard lots of good things about it, I wouldn't be as hesitant.