First Build ($700-$800)

[Shawmut]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This weekend or the next.
BUDGET RANGE: $700-800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:Gaming, photo editing, watching videos, matlab

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, mouse, keyboard, possibly OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: doesn't matter but I like newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES:I have an AMD setup here, basically because it was somewhat cheaper. I'm open to intel based if there is better performance.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe in future
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, planning on it.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Haven't decided on an OS. Have been trying out various Linus distros and they all could happilyl take the place of windows for except for a few programs and games might not work. Does any one have any experience with Steam and Steam games running well under Wine without frame rates getting eaten up? I hate to fork out 25% of my budget just for an OS. Ill figure that in separately.

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
$26.99
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$59.95
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$74.99
VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113
$139.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
$109.99
Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262
$57.99
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
Foxconn A7DA-S 3.0 AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212211
$218.99
Subtotal: $688.89

OR with the AMD Phenom II X4 955

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
Foxconn A7DA-S 3.0 AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212203
$259.99

Subtotal: $729.89

Not sure If I require a quad core cpu at the moment and I want to have everything somewhat balanced. I plan on getting an additional 4870(or other card) for crossfire in the future and I don't want to be bottlenecked by my cpu.

 

[hunter315]

Why foxconn for the motherboards? You can actually save money if you get an asus board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

Also $5 cheaper to get an XFX 4870 that exhausts heat out the back and comes with a double lifetime warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150403