G-HTPC build, requesting critique or additional advice

[Grackel]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 03/2010 BUDGET RANGE: $1700-2200 USD After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (BF:BC2 max settings), Netflix/Pandora, Blu-ray movies, HDTV, net browsing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: TV, keyboard, mouse, joystick

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: Preferred ASUS / Intel / XFX / Mushkin

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (unless advised otherwise)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Full immersion gaming is the goal, Netflix/Pandora, Blu-ray movies, OTA HD signal reception (news, etc). Quiet would be nice if possible.

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To be purchased within 1-2 weeks:

SAMSUNG 52" 16:9 4ms 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV LN52B630

Theorycrafted list of parts (for 03/2010 build):

*UPDATED* Newegg wish list for consolidation here.

ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 MB

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core CPU

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 x2 (8GB)

XFX HD-587A-ZND9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB XXX Edition 256-bit GPU

Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power ATX12V PSU

OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal (SSD)

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual TV Tuner / Encoder 1229 PCI-Express x1 Interface

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

*Edit 12/29*

Based on GKay09s input, I've swapped out the SLI GTX260s for 1 Radeon 5870, went with the Cooler Master sleeve, and dropped down to 8gb of ram. I'm still at a loss for a nice HTPC case. Would like something that has an LED display and remote, and can house the 5870 with decent ventilation. Poring over Newegg is hard work. Also, any recommendations on running a dedicated audio card over the onboard audio now that I've swapped to a single GPU?

I considered the i7 860 over the 920, and while it would run much cooler, I think I would like the future proofing of the board and CPU, maybe running Crossfire in the near future.

Also, if there is a recommendation for a comparably sized Samsung LCD around the $1300 USD mark that would be a better choice, please advise.

Thanks again GKay09, all input is welcome!

 

[gkay09]

^ Well you can check out the i7 860...By going that route, would save you good money and also the 860 is a 95W TDP CPU, hence would consume less and give out less heat...Also at stock speeds, it will perform better than the 920...
Here is a config...
i7 860 + Gigabyte P55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.309191

RAM - This GSkillz ECO RAMs are very good as also they operate at very low voltages...
G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321
And for gaming, I doubt you would need more than 4GB of RAM...Spend the money on better graphics card...

Graphics card - Definetly a better one...GTX 260 are good but a single card solution like the HD 5870 would be better...And also they perform as good as the GTX 295 Also they are DirectX 11 too...
XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150443

A good CPU cooler -
CM Hyper 212+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=cm_hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

SSD - Dont go with RAID 0...The TRIM commnad(Cleans up the dump files internally and keeps the SSD in near new state) is not supported when the SSDs operate in RAID 0...

OS - I dont think the Ultimate offers any advantage over the Home Premium for your usage...

 

[Grackel]

Thanks for the info gkay09, updated the original post with revisions. Anyone else running something like this?