Noob Alert! - Proposed HTPC/Video Editing Build

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within a few months

BUDGET RANGE: Below $1000, and the lower the better. Every penny counts.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Some HTPC use, video editing, light gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, OS (will probably get a copy of Win 7), Hard drives (SATA WD Black 1 TB and Blue 500 GB), DVD-RW (SATA)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Lynnfield

OVERCLOCKING: Not regularly. I might try it.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 (and a TV as well)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This will be the first system I build from scratch. I'm going to want to be able to do some video editing with it, but mainly it's an excuse to get a Lynnfield. I do want this machine to be useful for years to come (I'm on a P4 right now) so I won't do a lot of OC-ing, but I might dabble a bit.

Here's what I have picked out:


Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215


Thermaltake Silent 1156 CLP0552 92mm CPU Cooler For Intel Socket LGA1156 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106139
- I'm not planning on a lot of OC-ing, but I think I read somewhere that the stock cooler is so weak that you need something else to even have the turbo mode work aggressively. Is this even any better, or just a waste of money?


GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128405


G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231189


PNY XLR8 VCG98GTEE5XEB GeForce 9800 GT EE 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133279
- I think this is about the right level for me. Good for video editing and some gaming, but I don't need it up to the minute. Should I think about going with an ATI?


ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6815293003


Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371016


LIAN LI Lancool PC-K56 Black 0.8 mm SECC, Plastic + Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112235
- This one has the power supply on the bottom. I think all the power cables will reach. How worried should I be?



Can any one point out any potential pitfalls in what I have chosen?

It will probably be most convenient for me to buy this a few months from now. Will it be cheaper then?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Thanks for the input. I take it you think the stock cooler will do just fine if I'm not going to do a lot of OC-ing.

Is the core i7 860 much better than the core i5? I don't think I really need the best of the best, and I would want it to be 50% better for 50% more money.

Well an aftermarket HSF wouldn't be a bad idea, but if you're just doing a very small OC then you'd be fine. Here's one just in case.
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065

Here's a link from my guide that shows the effects of HT
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/ [...] -4-p1.html