New i5 Build for Graphics & Game Development

[kangsi2009]

Hello, I want to build a PC that is mainly used for Graphics and Game Development. This is the first time I build a PC, so I'm worried that my build would not work. I also have problem choosing the parts within my tight budget, as you shall see later. Thus, I would like to seek your expert advice.

I'm particularly interested to know:
(a) whether the parts are compatible with each other.
(b) recommendations and suggestions for any parts, if any.
(c) whether my chosen PSU's wattage is less/more than required.
(d) whether there's a way to make my build feeding in the budget as total cost of my chosen build below (RM 3419) exceeds my budget (RM 3000).

Here are the details:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:
Before year 2010 (most probably mid-December 2009)

BUDGET RANGE:
RM3000 (equivalent to USD888) or below, excluding monitor.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
3D Graphics and Games Development, Gaming, 3D Modelling, Video, Internet Surfing.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

PARTS PREFERENCES:
(a) CPU - Intel Core i5 750.

OVERCLOCKING:
No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE:
Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION:
Unsure.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:
Company Name: PC Zone Computer Trading (Malaysia)

For the latest price list of every parts except computer case
http://www.pczonecomputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Hardware-11NOV2009.pdf
For computer case
http://www.pczonecomputer.com/price_list/coolermastercasingandpsu.pdf

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Malaysia

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Since the company that I'm buying the PC from only has PDF-format price list, I cannot provide the url for every parts.

The following are my list of parts I have in mind. Price for each part is included for your easy reference.
(a) CPU
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz 8MB L2
[RM695]

(b) Motherboard
Asus P7P55D PRO 4xGPU SLI/CFX Raid-1394-E-SATA
[RM635]

(c) RAM
Kingston Hyper-X KHX11000D3LLK2/4G DDR3 1375 7-7-7-20 2X2GB
[RM500]

(d) Graphics Card
Asus GTS 250 1GB DDR3 256 bit 740 core 2200 ram clock
[RM510]

(e) Hard disk
Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200rpm WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA 3GBps 32MB
[RM175]

(f) Optical Devices
Lite On 20x SATA 20x/20xDL/12xD-Ram
[RM80]

(g) Power Supply Unit
Corsair TX UK 650W
[RM440]

(h) Computer Chassis
Cooler Master Gladiator G600
[RM199]

(i) CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper N520 - Cu. Base/Alu.Fins/5 HP (All SC)
[RM185]

TOTAL: RM 3419

By the way, I'm thinking of using Windows XP for now, but I plan to switch to Windows 7 later.

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[dndhatcher]

Caviar Blue is a cool & quiet drive not designed for top performance. Caviar black is the performance model.

That Kingston RAM appears to be older 1.7V RAM. You need low voltage (1.5-1.65V) RAM to go with an i5 system.

The Coolermaster Hyper N520 does not come with socket 1156 connectors, you will need to buy an optional mounting bracket for it to work.

 

[kangsi2009]

Thank you for your speedy reply, dndhatcher

Caviar Blue is a cool & quiet drive not designed for top performance. Caviar black is the performance model.

That Kingston RAM appears to be older 1.7V RAM. You need low voltage (1.5-1.65V) RAM to go with an i5 system.

The Coolermaster Hyper N520 does not come with socket 1156 connectors, you will need to buy an optional mounting bracket for it to work.

Thanks for the info. You are very helpful. The following are my updates:

Hard Disk
Samsung Desktop (3.5") 7200rpm
500GB, SATA, 3GBps, 16MB

RAM
Corsair XMS3 Twin2X Dual Channel Classic
Model: TWIN3X4096-1333C9A, DDR3 1333, 9-9-9-24, 2 X 2GB

CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-GP
4 H.Pipe Aluminum Fin ~ 2000 RPM/ 13~32dBA

 

[kangsi2009]

Aloha

I would like to hear from you all about the updates that I've posted in the last post (Hard Disk, RAM, and CPU Cooler). Suggestions and other recommendations are also welcomed.

 

[dndhatcher]

Im concerned about the memory. I cant find that model to check the specs. You need low voltage (1.5-1.65V) RAM for an i5 system. Make sure that isnt older 1.7-1.9V RAM.

 

[kangsi2009]

Im concerned about the memory. I cant find that model to check the specs. You need low voltage (1.5-1.65V) RAM for an i5 system. Make sure that isnt older 1.7-1.9V RAM.

Yeah, I could not find the model from Corsair website either. I guess I'll have to ask the vendors to find out. Thanks for your help again.