Updated, Gaming Build, Need Help

[tarabara]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Near future, possibly in the next week or two. BUDGET RANGE: Approximately $1500-1600 CAD, it's not set in stone though.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mainly for gaming, movies, digital art.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, keyboard, monitor, and speakers are not included in my budget, however I have a separate "budget" for these things and I'm open to suggestions on keyboards and monitors. I already have a G5 and nice 5.1 speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Trusted Canadian sites, I've only been searching newegg.ca so far though.
PARTS PREFERENCES: No brand preferences.

OVERCLOCKING: This is a possibility, assuming it's not that hard to learn. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Again, a possiblity, I'd like to do whatever is best.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:


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.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202


ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381


Case - This one or the Antec 300 Illusion, would you recommend one over the other?
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


I'm still not sure what I want/need. This is just one that I found, but is there a better option around (or under) the same price?
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055


x2?
SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849


Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319


SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187


Monitors - I pulled these two from recommended lists, but I'm wondering how noticeable the difference in gaming quality there would be between these two. Anything better at a similar price point?

ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050

ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051


This is going to be my first build ever, and I'd like it to last a couple years before I have to look into upgrading. I play MMOs, mainly WoW, I'll be playing the Cataclysm expansion when it hits, but I also like to try out new MMOs as they're released, as well as some single player games. Right now I just want to focus on a build that will carry me through the next two years at least at max settings.

My list of components are pretty much all from recommended lists, and I'm not even sure if I'm doing it right. If there are conflicts, or better alternatives, I would greatly appreciate the help.

As for waiting for the new cards... To be honest I'm a bit impatient, and afraid that it will just push the top end of my budget up. I'm not sure that it is necessary for my needs right now, but if I wanted to in the future, would I be able to upgrade, or would I have to start looking at a new build then?

 

[dragoon190]

Humm... it's hard to give advice on video card without knowing what games you'll be playing, but you should be able to max out most current games with a HD4870/GTX260 at 1900x1200. There might be some, but not very visible, improvement for going over those cards. In most games, at least. Of course, you can always get the best cards available if budget is not an issue, just check the graphic cards chard on this site for the games that you'll be playing.

If you're planning on playing new games coming out in the next year or two, you might want to wait for a few more weeks for the DX-11 card to come out.

p.s. The manufacturer of the card would not make much of a difference. Most cards are simply a copy of the reference card anyway.

 

[mindless728]

i would say wait 2 weeks or so with 1500 CDN (about 1350 USD) you could be able to get the 5870 when it comes out

 

[tarabara]

I'm already kind of high in my budget, and currently I don't have a lot of budget room for gpu unless I go over 1500, so I am not sure that waiting for something that will be even more expensive (I'm assuming) is in my best interest. Unless it really is worth it to wait?

 

[build]

Well, what games do you intend to play? It will determine whether it's worth waiting or not.

 

[tarabara]

I don't know exactly what games I'd like to play in the future, since I tend to just go on impulse, but I like to check out new MMOs as they are released. Until Diablo III, it's probably just going to be MMOs and an odd smattering of other games.

I'm actually open to upgrading in two years or so though, if that makes a difference. So something that would be able to carry me at max (or close to) settings for a year or two would be pretty good too.

 

[laluma22]

yeah guy i have for you gpu and everything for gaming

look at this

well boy i have also upgraded my system now i suggest you to use these components

Mobo Intel Desktop Board DX58SO 200-230€ (overclock able by disabeling watchdog to 3,7-3,8Ghz without probs, SLI,CROSSFIRE, EXtra cooler for northbridge better oc)
Cpu: i7 920 240€ (why overclocking you dont need these 20sec diff in most progs betwen 975 and 920 enaugh for few years)
Cooler Thermalright 120 Ultra for best oc^^60€
ddr3 1333 32bit: Intel Core i7 Ed. XMP Ready Triple Ch. 3072.0 MB DDR3 DIMM 55€
ddr3 1333 64bit: Intel Core i7 Ed. XMP Ready Triple Ch. 6144.0 MB DDR3 DIMM 111€
PSU Corsair HX750W cable managment 4x 6/8 PciE (SLi , Crossfire) 140€
raid harddisk 73GBfor windows for high performance 80€
1TB 7200U 70€
Dvddrive 24x 30€
blu ray if you want 2x sony nec i(is fine but not the best^^) 80€
Case soprano is good enaugh ca 80€
Graphic : 2x GTX 260 2(the new model) 149€ each so ca 300€( but i would wait till end of october or november because then the new dx11 graphic cards are comming out^^

total ca:
32bit: ca.1285€
32bit+bd ca. 1365€
64bit ca.1341€
64bit+bd ca.1421€

and that would be a nice gaming pc

 

[laluma22]

i cant garrantee but it should take you for more than 2 years you can play with it every game at max in 2 years

 

[tarabara]

I updated my original post. Thank you to those who replied so far.

 

[Why_Me]

Here's an i5 build worth taking a look at. The mobo is set to run SLI/Crossfire. This board also has great o/c utilities. The case is large and has plenty of ventilation/cooling. The monitor has a quick 2ms response time which is great for gaming. I also included the o/s with this build.

*On a side note...I posted that vid card down towards the bottom for the fact you may want to wait two weeks to order your vid cards seeing how that's when the new DX11 cards will be hitting the shelves. But you can go ahead and order everything now....but the vid card if you decide to get your hands on one of those new cards.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205141.11-119-137 Combo Discount: -$5.00 Combo Price: $217.98
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $114.99 (Before $10.00 USD Mail-In Rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259881 Combo Discount: -$30.00 Combo Price: $394.98
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42959&vpn=RR-910-HTX3-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER $22.99 CAD
Coolermaster RR-910-HTX3-GP Hyper TX Series Aluminum 3-HEATPIPE CPU Cooler S1156/775/AM3/AM2/939/940

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26895&vpn=MX-2T&manufacture=Arctic%20Cooling $9.99 CAD


Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound Paste NON-ELECTRICAL Conductive 4 Gram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $87.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
Dual Channel Intel Core i5 & Core i7 CPU for P55 motherboard

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34286&vpn=WD6401AALS&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1026 $75.98 CAD
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc 3.5IN SATA Hard Drive OEM 5YR Mfg Warranty

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41501&vpn=SH-S223B/BEBE&manufacture=Samsung $34.48 CAD
Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22X DVD+-RW SATA DVD Writer Black OEM

Total: $1,000.88 CAD *not including shipping, tax, and mail in rebates

*Video card and monitor for this build

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125290 $240.49
GIGABYTE GV-N275UD-896I GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049 $239.99
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail

Total: $1,481.86 CAD *not including shipping, tax, and mail in rebates

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-275,2266.html <--- gtx 275 review and benchmarks

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

 

[tarabara]

What are the benefits to an i5 build over i7?

 

[laluma22]

the i5 does not support hyperthedering so it wont pusy your pc up with turbo bust if it needs and the new graphic cards they will cost the same
they are comming out in october prrobably end of october il explain a bit better so:

gtx260 price now = ca130€
gtx260 2 = ca150€

gtx360 dx11 = approx beetwen 130 and 170€ so in worst case you are going to spend 40€ more on SLI... that should be not a prob