First Build; Gaming/Animation; $1500-range

[mrdpcohen]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the week

BUDGET RANGE: $1,300-1,800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Animation software (3ds Max and etc.-- I am a beginning multimedia computing student, with long-term goals toward video game design), gaming + mods

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES:
An Intel i7 core driven machine, with a high-quality Nvidia graphics card.


OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (probably not) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes to SLI

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080, 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I already have a potential rig more or less plotted out. I was just curious to know whether I was making any big mistakes, or whether there were any compatibility issues between my parts. This will be my very first rig-- prior to this, I knew essentially nothing about computer hardware (and still know very little).

Also-- am I missing any parts? Will everything fit in the case I chose?

I'm looking for a system that can last me for some years into the future, and that can be easily upgraded.

Noise-level doesn't particularly matter, but I am concerned about the computer overheating.

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Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W
Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

EVGA 121-BL-E756-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX SLI Micro
Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188051

SILVERSTONE DA700 700W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC
Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256035

Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower
Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018

Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO
CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
Desktop Memory Model PVT36G1333ELK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220369

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Internal Hard Drives - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

EVGA 02G-P3-1187-AR GeForce GTX 285 FTW Edition 2GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130496

Some version of Windows Vista

EDIT: Will add a decent optical drive.

 

[jtmoney528]

EVGA 121-BL-E756-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 Micro ATX SLI Micro

Why micro ATX? Go with a full ATX Board like this one (COMBO with video card):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231273

For CPU Cooler + CPU Cooler I would go this route: (Xigmatek DK + i7)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235111

Ram and HD Combo (WD Black 1 TB w/ OCZ Plat 1600):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231013

Case I would go with a Full Tower (Antec 1200):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Or if you do not want full tower (Antec 900):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

I am a huge fan of Corsair PS (750W):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Optical Drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144

On the video card, personally I would go 2 260 superclocked versions instead of one 285 but that is just me.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The above suggestions are pretty good except for the DVD burner. It's 2009 and IDE should have been put out to pasture a long time ago. I would pick up a SATA DVD burner.

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 $28.99

Don't forget to get the 64-bit version of Windows.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM $109.99

 

[jtmoney528]

The above suggestions are pretty good except for the DVD burner. It's 2009 and IDE should have been put out to pasture a long time ago. I would pick up a SATA DVD burner.

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 $28.99

Don't forget to get the 64-bit version of Windows.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM $109.99

Wow, thanks for pointing that out. I am placing the second part of the computer order today and had that in there with a mobo that has no IDE's!

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235877.11-119-137 Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $164.98
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006382 $104.99 Free Shipping
PC Power and Cooling SILENCER 750W QUAD S75CF Power Supply Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P Combo Price: $488.98 | $473.98 after rebate Free Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
$20 off with Code MINIPICO20 Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093 $36.99
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127429 $219.99 ($204.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
MSI N275GTX TwinFrozr OC GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231003 Combo Discount: -$7.00 Combo Price: $187.98 $10.00 Mail-In Rebate
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171 $25.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - OEM

Total: $1,234.89 $1,174.89 w/rebates

or...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx <---Save yourself some money until March 2010 and download Windows RC 7 64 bit.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-sli,2298.html <--- gtx 275 SLI > gtx 295

 

[Yoosty]

Lets see what I can come up with for in or under your price range.

Here is a Combo you should check out.
1. ASUS P6T: $249.99

2. Intel BX80601920: $279.99

3. OCZ Technology, Inc. OCZ3G1600LV6GK: $99.99

4. Intel Intel BunnyPeople: $19.99 (free gift)

Combo Discount: -$81.99
Combo Price: $567.97
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216527

Would suggest this Corsair PSU's.
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W $119.99 ($99.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Change the CPU HSF Cooler to this.
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V $44.98 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Here is another Graphic Card to check out.
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 $239.99 ($219.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

But if you want to stay with the GTX 285, then get this Evga one, it has same clock speed but cost less.
*EVGA 01G-P3-1182-AR GeForce GTX 285 FTW Edition 1GB 512-bit $379.99 ($359.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130483

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache $94.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

This Case has better airflow and can fit most 1366 CPU Coolers then your choice.
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP $89.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

DVD Burner
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R Burner w/LightScribe $28.99 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

Items you will need.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

Tuniq TR-1 High Performance Thermal Material Remover $6.99 ($1.99 after $5.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154006

You will need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable for most Cases that has Bottom Mounted PSU.
1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Total before shipping costs, OS and MIR's
$1212.87

$1157.87 After rebates but before shipping costs.

If you go with the GTX 285 card then price would be $1297.87 after rebates but before shipping costs.

Operating System
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Imho just download Windows 7 64-bit RC and use it until March 2010 and then buy the Retail edition of Win7 Pro which will come with both 32/64-bit.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx


Hope this helps you out some.