i7 920 New Build

[Korok]

I am seeking any advice for my new computer.
My current computer is running a P4 and I've decided to build my own computer. (First time builder)
I am planning on overclocking everything to a safe level.
As far as budget goes I'd like to go by this: Saving money would be ideal but I do not want to sacrifice performance.
I have been reading many articles about i7 builds and I have came up with this.

Motherboard - ASUS P6T SE | $210
I chose the P6T SE because I have had good experiences with ASUS and it is cheaper than the regular P6T (I do not need any of the removed features, unless it will conflict with my overclocking)
Alternative: ASRock x58 Extreme | $180

Processor - i7 920 | $280
I chose the i7 920 because of its price/speed.

Processor Fan - Zalman CNPS 9700 110mm | $ 55
I like Zalman coolers/fans but I am wondering if it is necessary to even have a CPU fan.
I have heard the stock Intel fan is pretty good.

Graphics - 2x Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB | $320
I have heard good things about this card. I am going to be running them in crossfire.
Will it be necessary to buy a cooler if I overclock them?

Memory = Mushkin DDR3 3x2GB 1600 | $180
I have liked the Mushkin company in the past and these sticks had good timings.
[strike]How much overclocking do I have to do to get the 1600 speed?[/strike]
Edit 1: Regarding processor vs ram speed, what do I have to do to get it to perform at 1600 instead of 1066?

Case = LIAN LI PC-60FWB | $150
LIAN LI makes great cases so I chose one which fits my needs from them.

Power Supply = PC Power & Cooling 750W | $120
This one was based off a recommendation from a friend. (Brand name)
It should be able to support my power needs as far as I know.

Hard Drive = Seagate Barracuda 750 GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s | $80
I have had a better experience with Seagate than Western Digital, which was the other option I was considering.

CD Drive = Sony Optiarc Black | $31
I just picked a cheap one which had the best specs.

Total $1426
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I welcome any advice so PLEASE post.
If there are any alternatives with better performance with a similar price, please let me know.
Thank you for your time.
All links are to newegg. I prefer newegg but any other reputable company would be fine.
PS: I also would like a good widescreen monitor.

 

[stevensl2]

Yes its much better to have a 3rd party heatsink because then Overclocking will be much safer.

and overclocking your cards won't really be necessary unless you really want the extra 10 fps. and plus you making your cards hotter which will require you to make them louder by turning up the fan speed.

your rams are already 1600 there wont be any need to OC them.

The only thing i would change is your harddrive, go for a western digital caviar black, they are much faster than standard drives because they have a 32mb cache and dual processors. the 750gb have 3 platters of 250gb =D

Everything else is pretty much based on your own preference of brands and what you need. as for the monitor, the best resolution would probably be at 1920x1080 16:9 because its 1080p full hd, so your movies won't have the black bars.

Heres a great monitor for the price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001308

 

[fullmetall]

First one I'd look into changing is Heatsink.

Heatsink Options(recommended): S1283v Xigmatek / Scythe Mugen / SunBeam CR-CCTF.

Graphics Card: The cards are good but, not many games will run both cards, surely soon most games will.
Options: Could go for 1 4890 or, same price range is the gtx 285.

Memory: Nice, pretty pricey and very tight.
Other Options: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030


Case: Thats a pretty small case for a $150 price. Going to need more room for 2 cards than that if you want airflow.

Options: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=rc-690

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197


HDD: I myseld have seagates and havent had problems but, many people will disagree with the choice so another one is the WD Black 640gb or WD Black 1tb.

 

[ke7diz]

you can use the stock heatsink but a aftermarket one will overclock better
i would go with the Xigmatek dark night
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=xigmatek%20dark%20knight

I have and love the WD 1tb black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Fore the case take a look at the antec 1200 or 902

 

[lehighace06]

+1 for ke7's suggestion of Antec for a case, i have a 900 and love it. Lots of room for big fans and lots of 3.5" bays. Also, much cheaper.

I second his support of the 1tb black hd.

personally, i wonder if you really need to overclock, coming from a P4, i have a hunch you'll be so blown away by the improvement that it won't be necessary to go past that. i would at least see how you like the system without the overclocking, and if you're alright with it at stock settings, then you don't need to buy a new fan.

Lastly, you want a better PSU than that, Corsair is known for good ones and there's a good deal on one right now, i just bought it last night actually:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
Only $110 and much higher quality, plus the extra 100W won't hurt with two vid cards

 

[fullmetall]

Theres no need for the extra 100w sitting there with amps floating around not being used.

750w corsair or the pc power 750w should be enough for even 4890's crossfired.

Im guessing your budget is $1500??

and about the OS, im guessing you have an old version?

 

[Helloworld_98]

for a heatsink, get a Cogage true spirit since it is better than even the Prolimatech, and it's cheap too.

 

[eaclou]

PCP&C makes very high quality power supplies, I think the 750 is fine.

It is also more efficient than that Corsair.

 

[Korok]

I'd like to thank everyone for their help.
Here are the changes which I have made
■Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB
■Case - Going to get a larger case and look at all my options (Thanks for the warning about 2 cards)

I have some more questions though
■What is the difference between this card (went out of stock) and this card? (both sapphire)
ASUS vs Sapphire Which card is better ? (or should I say, which company is?)
■Also, the mushkin memory went out of stock but I found a cheaper G.Skill set with the same specs.
Is G.Skill as good a company as Mushkin?
For CPU cooler, should I get this Noctua NH-U12P or this Zalman CNPS 9700?
I am still looking for a monitor.

Again, thanks for all the help.
PS: I will be running Windows 7 64bit

 

[hunter315]

Since they are both clocked the same, i would say neither, get the XFX 4870 it has a lifetime warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

The 1TB samsung spinpoint uses 500GB platters unlike the 320GB platters in the 1TB caviar black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152102&Tpk=spinpont%201tb

 

[lehighace06]

one last note, if there's a micro center near you, the i7 920 is only $200 there right now!

 

[Korok]

Reply to hunter315:
Where did you read that the Samsung uses 500GB platters? I am confused as I read this article.
Reply to lehighace06:
Unfortunately there isn't a micro center near me, but thanks for the deal watch.