I5 Build for Gaming/Everyday Use for around $1,000

[Antioch]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By end of November

BUDGET RANGE: Under $1000 After Rebates, maybe $1100 including a montior

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: General use, but includes gaming (Starcraft II, Fallout 3, Command & Conquer 3 type stuff)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Mwave

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure yet

This is what I've priced out so far on Newegg after rebates, and would like feedback on anything I'm missing or you see could be improved. Also, don't have a monitor selected. I definately want dual optical drives, at least 4 GB of RAM and at least a 1TB HD. I've never built a PC, but I'm familiar with computers. Any feedback would be great!

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
$199.99

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
$31.99

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119115
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$39.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$84.99

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814121291
$144.99

LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106276
$19.99

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371016
$64.99

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145260
$80.99

ASUS P7P55D LE LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131410
$134.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
$109.99

Subtotal: $917.90

 

[Proximon]

Faster hard drive and far better case for less than you are paying:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273732

If you need more HD space just add it later, that deal is too good to pass up.

You also should get some lower latency RAM, as that is more important than frequency:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=DDR3_1333_4GB-_-20-231-276-_-Product

 

[Antioch]

Thank you for the advice. I will definately get that RAM and look into a combo deal like the one you suggested.

 

[jbakerlent]

Welcome to the forum. I would also change the PSU to this one:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550%20vx

 

[redgarl]

If you don`t plan on SLI or Crossfire, getting a i5 would be a waste of money over a crossfire setup. You will gain more fps by going crossfire on an AMD platform than going core i5 with a single video card configuration.

 

[Antioch]

Welcome to the forum. I would also change the PSU to this one:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550%20vx

It's out of stock. Any alternative suggestion?

 

[jbakerlent]

This OCZ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

or the the EA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

 

[Proximon]

Actually the EA650 has free shipping, a big deal with PSUs...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
It's also a nicer PSU than the EA500 I think. And enough to run any single video card, even in a few years. Good insurance.