First Time Build - Gaming - Final List

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next few weeks.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming - Mainly high end games - I would like to keep it up to $800 Max but the cheaper the better, but I am not on a tight budget.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor I have an old 17" monitor that i will be using until i get a new mointor i am thinking a 21" or 22", within the next 2 months.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Right now i am mainly looking at newegg and tigerdirect

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type I decided on AMD Phenom II X3 BE and for all other parts please look down at my list.

OVERCLOCKING: I will overclock the CPU but not in the next few months. SLI yes: I am planning to get the second card within the next few months.

MONITOR RESOLUTION:
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: would like to get the most out of what i can afford.
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Hi all this my first build I have been doing research for the past 2 months and this is the list of parts i am thinking of getting:

EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Video Card - 896MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI, Dual DVI.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] E145-02641

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649

ASUS M4N72-E AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131367

ORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model VS4GBKIT800D2 G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145238

Rosewill Xtreme Series RX850-D-B 850W Continuous @40°C ,80 PLUS Certified, ATX12V v2.2 & EPS12V v2.91, SLI Ready CrossFire Ready, Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817182070

XCLIO A380BK Fully Black SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811103010

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151188

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677

Logitech EX 110 Black USB + PS/2 Standard Cordless Desktop Keyboard & Mouse Kit - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823126174

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As i mentioned above this is my first build so i am very open minded about this selection few things that i would like help on:

1. by looking at this list do you think there is room for trimming down the total price.

2. after reading Proximon thread "Guide to Choosing Parts" I have doubts about my selection of the motherboard. I really would like to have SLI configuration but Intel is way out of my budget so now i am considering 4870 1gb crossfire for the GPU so i have to consider another motherboard. What you guys think?

3. if i go with crossfire is it worth it to get AM3 DDR3 motherboard since this rout will be more expensive.

4. overall whats your critic of the list am i paying too much? am i getting the most out of my money?

Thanks

1. Don't get a rosewill psu. Seriously man, buck up and spend some money on a quality PSU. If you want to SLI/Xfire grab a 750W unit from Corsair, SeaSonic, PC Power and Cooling, Antec (not the basiq line). If you don't want to SLI/Xfire look for something in the 550-600W range from the same people mentioned above.

2. Personally I wouldn't SLI with an AMD CPU, it's not illegal but it does seem wrong on some level.

3. You mentioned up top you wanted an AMD X3 BE, but you didn't chose the X3 720BE, the 710 will OC just fine, the but 720 will be much easier if you can afford it.

own personal preference here but high end gaming on cordless? cordless cant beat the speed of a Wired mouse/keyboard

the MS sidewinder X8 says different.

Do NOT get that rosewill. I would suggest switching out to this cpu/motherboard/GPU combo, it saves you some money and gives you a better components.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.215824
It forces you to switch up to DDR3 so it costs you slightly more but you get better parts all around.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200

I would swap the PSU for this one, its slightly less powerful but provides enough power for 2 4870s and corsair makes much better PSUs than rosewill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=650tx

The build looks pretty good. Don't forget about Newegg combos. You can save $25 by combining the motherboard and OS.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.234367

Cases are a matter of personal taste. I, personally, like Antec cases. You can get a good deal on an Antec case by using combos if you're interested.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.233381 (CPU + Antec 900 combo) $213.99

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.233383 (CPU + Antec 902 combo) $223.95

I like your choice of going with DDR3 and that's a very nice RAM kit.

I like it a lot, not just because the price, it looks like the back of a jet fighter.

I am about to purchase the parts, but since this is my first build i have no idea what do i need as far as tools (screws, screw drivers etc) to put this thing together and what kind of wires do i need to purchase if any ...

Also is it true that OEMs dont come with the necessary wires and screws and i have to buy them..

thanks

I am planning to get another 4870 and do Crossfire. After going over some of the reviews on the case that i have included in my list I am a little bit skeptical about this case so i can use another advice.

What would be the best case for Crossfire/SLi for about $100. I read alot on websites that if you want to get a crossfire or sli you better have full tower. is it really a must for Crossfire/Sli.

I can use any advice.

Thanks

Dude I asked about a CASE not a PSU. read my post again.

^ a server case? or a Shed.

Yeah i know that cases are a personal preference but my question was if i want to go Crossfire and the possibality of OC the CPU in the future ( see my list of parts above) do you think that a Full tower case is must?, or do you or anyone else recommend a mid tower case that can handle what i have in mind. Budget: max $100 about $70 will be ideal.

Thanks

hey man thanks a lot that was very helpful. I am going with the Cool Master 922. its looks really good with good reviews although it is fairly new but i have a good feeling about it plus it knocked out $30 of shipping costs.

This is my first build and 1 month ago the total was $1100, but after doing research and not restricting myself to one website i got it down to $820. here is my final list:

*CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX TX 750W Power Supply Retail

*AMD HDZ720WFGIBOX Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition 2.8Ghz Socket AM3 95W 2.80 GHz Desktop Processor Retail

*ASUS M4A78T-E AMD 790GX AM3 Phenom II/Athlon X4/Athlon X3/Athlon X2 Socket AM3 5200 MT/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333) ATX Motherboard Retail

*SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk

*COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

*Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

*SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported

*Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM

*Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 mhz PC3-10600 Desktop Memory

3 sites zipzoomfly, newegg, and buy. whoever gives free shipping and rebate is the winner. it saved me a lot.

Any last comments on the build before i make the purchase.

good luck i love my 720 an sure you will love yours