Please review my build

[t0dd]

Want to stay around $1600. The system will have multiple uses: gaming, writing 3d applications (OpenGL), photo and video editing

DVD: PLEXTOR 24X DVD/CD Writer Black SATA Model PX-880SA LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054

HD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

CPU: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

Memory: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card [considering upgrading to the 5870.. is it worth it?]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

OS: Probably going to dual boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu. [Will I run into any difficulty finding the appropriate drivers?]

Monitor: Already have a Dell U2410.

What do you think?

 

[MadAdmiral]

Optical: You're paying well over twice what you should for a DVD burner. Find the cheapest SATA drive on Newegg (I think the current one is a Samsung for $21 with $2 shipping). This part makes absolutely no difference in the build, so just go with the absolute cheapest one.

Case: The HAF 922 is the same case, just slightly smaller and a lot cheaper.

GPU: Depending on your resolution, the 5870 may be worth it. If it's 1900x, you should probably upgrade.

PSU: Assuming you're upgrading the GPU, here's a money saver: OCZ StealthXStream 700W. It's in a combo with the HAF 922 for $130 after rebates. That'd save you a good $120.

 

[p55ibexpeak]

Squeeze the trigger.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The build looks good to go. Nice job!

The HAF 922 could save you a bit, but I would stick with the Corsair PSU if you plan on Crossfire down the road. The OCZ one in the combo with the HAF 922 is OK, but it doesn't have enough power connectors to do Crossfire with 58xx series cards. I despise those stupid adapters, so I just buy a PSU with all the connectors I'll need. Another option is to go with this combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.311576 $179.97 (HAF 922 + Cooler Master UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Power Supply combo)

I don't usually recommend Cooler Master PSU's, but that is a very nice model. It has a ton of connectors and is 80 Plus Silver certified. The combo makes it a very good price.

I don't see a need to ditch the Plextor drive. It's well known that they make the best drives available. If you've got the budget available, go for it.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'm not saying any of the parts are bad. Just made a few wallet friendlier suggestions. You certainly won't have any performance issues with what you've got up there.

Also, the OCZ unit is in a combo with the 932 for $180 after rebate, if you don't want to switch to the 922 (and don't care about the adapters).

 

[t0dd]

Thanks for your responses.

I went with the CoolerMaster PSU/HAF 922 combo.

And I'm getting this Windows 7/Radeon 5870 combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298039

Any recommendations on a good keyboard/mouse combo? Just need to add that, and I should be all set.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I don't see the value in expensive keyboards/mice, so I'd recommend whatever's cheapest. So perhaps I'm not someone who should be recommending them....

 

[JDFan]

As mad admiral mentioned the DVD drive is a bit overpriced - here is a $30 lightscribe capable one with free shipping ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140041 )

For the mouse/keyboard do you want wireless or wired ?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

STOP! Don't get that GPU/OS combo. You do NOT want 32-bit Windows unless you want half of your 6GB of RAM to be completely useless. This is the combo that you want:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298042 $494.98

 

[t0dd]

STOP! Don't get that GPU/OS combo. You do NOT want 32-bit Windows unless you want half of your 6GB of RAM to be completely useless. This is the combo that you want:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298042 $494.98

Oh, duh. I wasn't paying attention (it's early). Thanks for catching that!

 

[t0dd]

As mad admiral mentioned the DVD drive is a bit overpriced - here is a $30 lightscribe capable one with free shipping ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140041 )

For the mouse/keyboard do you want wireless or wired ?

Wired is fine.

 

[t0dd]

Any other suggestions? About to place the order.