Advice for a new build please.

[hitmon]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within a month if not sooner, I already started picking up parts.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (examples: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, mwave, tigerdirect, amazon.com

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe in the future, not right away. I am pretty much clueless when it comes to overclocking.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 max for now

I recently picked up a ATCS 840, i7 920, P6T Deluxe V2, with a 910W power supply.


I need some advice on a video card and RAM.

For the Video card, I'm looking in $200-$300 range. I've looked at the 4890 HD and GTX 260 or 275. Any advice on a reliable manufacturer (Sapphire Diamond, EVGA, XFX, etc)?

I've read rumors of the dx11 cards coming out in September and was wondering if it would be better to wait? Any recommendations would be extremely helpful.

RAM:
I'm looking at 6GB DDR3, but have not really sure whats the difference between these 3 models other than that one is gold, one is platinum, one is XMP ready? I would gladly take recommendations for RAM, it doesn't necessarily have to be OCZ. The cheaper the better, but dont mind paying a little more for quality.

Gold:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

Platinum:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

XMP ready:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227388

Blu ray/DVD combo drive:
Any recommendations?

OTHER: Any recommendations on a UPS Battery Backup for this build would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[$500PCenthusiast]

All that really matters in RAM is dependability and compatibility. I just bought 4GB DDR2 800MHz gold. It looks nice with the gold plated heat spreaders.

 

[volks1470]

I'd go with gold because it cheaper. Ram never really makes or breaks a game. The reason platinum is more expensive is because of it's lower latency at 7-7-7-24. Gold is at 8-8-8-24. XMP might give better performance, maybe. Again, fancier ram isn't going to make gaming any better, well at least a significant difference.

Also, if your not planning on getting a second card in the future save money on the PSU and go with a lower wattage. Save where you can to put it towards what really matters, the GPU.

I would consider waiting for the DX11 cards since they do look like they have some sweet specs and when they come out, though the older cards might get price drops!

 

[tecmo34]

Here is the RAM you need to pick up... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230 The G.Skill has better timings over the OCZ at less cost. Low timings are very important on memory.

On video cards, I recommend the XFX 4890 for a current card but if you can wait, the DX11 cards are suppose to have better performance for equal or less cost. I'm for buying now because if you wait for the lastest and greatest, you will ALWAYS be waiting since there is new tech. coming out all of the time... just my own opinion though.

 

[tecmo34]

Also, if your not planning on getting a second card in the future save money on the PSU and go with a lower wattage. Save where you can to put it towards what really matters, the GPU

I would tend to agree with but by what the OP said, he has already purchased the PSU, so unless he can return it... There is no point. The bigger question is... Who is the maker of PSU, which plays a bigger part in if he really needs a different PSU or not.

 

[hitmon]

I picked up the power supply linked below. I know I probably went overboard, but I figure I would probably do crossfire or SLI in the future.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022&Tpk=PC%20Power%20%26%20Cooling%20Silencer%20PPCS910%20910W%20ATX12V%202.

This is probably a stupid question regarding the XFX 4890, but which one is better regarding these 2?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

Thanks all for the advice and explanation of the RAM differences.

 

[tecmo34]

You have a great PSU there, so you are okay... overkill but who cares

The difference in the GPU's is one is OC'd & one isn't. I would get the first one, which is OC'd.

 

[hitmon]

You have a great PSU there, so you are okay... overkill but who cares

The difference in the GPU's is one is OC'd & one isn't. I would get the first one, which is OC'd.

Do you think my build would require further cooling? If I do pick up extra cooling parts, what would you recommend?

 

[tecmo34]

Only thing you need would be a heat sink fan for your CPU, so you can OC the i7 920

I recommend either the Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V or COGAGE True Spirit