I5 Build, ~$1100 Advice Sought!

[master of disaster]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: today

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photo editing 3.5 mb files, Gaming, surfing, general use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor (Currently have 23in 1920x1080)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg,

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel I5, no other preferences
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Don't care about bling, window, prefer quieter than louder. I have been stuck in the netbook and crappy notebook world for some time; denying myself the pleasure of blowing stuff up in games. I prefer FPS, tried Wow and wasn't into it.
I would have purchased a 5850 radeon if I could find it, I am interested in exploring a lower end crossfire set up to get up to that level of performance but honestly don't know if is possible with my budget, or if I need it regardless.
I hope I am competent to pull this all together and just pull the trigger. I have been lurking here, MaxPC, and tech-forums.net for some time and am ready to just do it. I will admit I am completely befuddled by the overwhelming amount of case and PSU choices and seek the advice of the collective.

Thanks

This is what I've come up with so far.

CPU Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail 199.99


Mobo GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 139.99


RAM OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK - Retail 93.99 (w/$30mail in)


PSU Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail 64.99 (incl rebate)


Potential Video Card EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Retail 369.99 (Need advice here)

Network adapter
D-Link WDA-1320 32-bit PCI Wireless G Desktop Adapter - Retail 29.09 (incl rebate)

HDD Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive 84.99

Case COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 44.10 (incl $10 rebate)

DVD SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM 26.99

Win 7 for sys builders 104.99

Total 1159.99


Thanks again!

 

[dpaul8]

The motherboard you chose is good for a single graphics card. If you want to have the capability to add a second graphics card you should upgrade the motherboard to the P55-UD4P for $30 more. Likewise the power supply you chose is adequate for a singe graphics card, but if you plan to add a second one in the future you should upgrade to a 750 W PSU.

A WD Caviar Black HDD is much quicker than the green series.

You might consider crossfiriing two 5770 graphics cards instead of the GTX 285. Based on the article below, i am guessing that two 5770 cards should do much better than one GTX 285:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-gaming,2403-6.html

For a quieter system, pitch the stock Intel HSF and get a Hyper 212 instead for $30 more.

Every thing else looks fine. Good luck with your build.

 

[shadowduck]

Nice build, dpaul hit all the things I would change too. I would go Core i7, but that will cost you an extra $200 or so. However you do gain a more upgradable future.

 

[master of disaster]

thanks for the input, I am ordering with an i5, crossfired 5770. I saw that article earlier and was intrigued. I will get the caviar black and a 750w PSU, I also changed the case to one with three fans and adjustable speed control (
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case)

I will post pictures when I've got it set up if anyone is curious.

Cheers.

Thanks!