Help with Build Plz. (was: Critique this potential build plz.)

[shrapnel_indie]

These are what I'm considering. PLEASE I'm not interested in a ATI/Intel "who's better" discussion. Just want an honest opinion for a system that can game well, and get other stuff done too (like possibly making games) Basic uses: Gaming, programming, some graphics work, web work, usual office stuff, etc. This is to be a complete new build where I pass on practically everything on this current system to another family member.

[fixed]1 - Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ...

1 - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC

1 - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX

1 - "Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Double layer H.D.T. technology for maximum cooling)

1 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH

1 - MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

2 - XFX Radeon HD 5750 Graphics CardXFX Radeon HD 5750 1GB DDR5 PCIE Graphics Card HD575XZNFC - Crossfire mode

1 - LG 23" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor Model: W2361VG-PF"

1 - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"

1 - Hitachi/LG GBC-H20L 6x Blu-ray BD-ROM/16x DVD±RW DL SATA Drive w/LightScribe & Software

1 - LG GH22LS30 Serial ATA (SATA) 22X Double Layer Dual Format DVDRW with Lightscribe

1 - 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive

1 - Gear Head 107-Key Keyboard For Windows®, Black

1 - Microsoft Sidewinder HKA-00001-B 9 Button Adjustable dpi Wired USB Laser Gaming Mouse w/ Removable Weight Cartridges - Refurbished

1 - "Logitech X-530 70 Watts 5.1 Satellites Speakers (PC/Mac/DVD/MP3/XBOX/PlayStation)
[/fixed]

I am debating whether to add an audio card to this, or just use the built in sound. I also know that the floppy is a bit out-dated but I do have quite a few laying around, and the MB DOES SUPPORT floppies according to the specs on the MSI site. tweaks are welcome, but my budget can't support much more. ~$1500 for the build.

 

[hunter315]

Drop the 965 down to a 955 and when you get in increase the multiplier by 1 yourself and you will have saved $20 and still have a 965.

Swap the 650TX for a 750TX so you can run a dual GPU setup down the line, and drop the 790FX board, you dont need it, for a 790X board, it will still enable you to do crossfire later but will save you quite a bit.

For gaming on a 23" you are going to want more than a 5750, get the 5770 at the least or a 5850, the 5850 will eat up the savings from the processor and the board but will do significantly better.

Onboard audio is pretty good these days, its not worth spending $100 more to get a good sound card if your speakers or ears arent good enough so that you will hear the difference.

Where will you be buying from there may be combos to save you even more.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

Drop the 965 down to a 955 and when you get in increase the multiplier by 1 yourself and you will have saved $20 and still have a 965.

Swap the 650TX for a 750TX so you can run a dual GPU setup down the line, and drop the 790FX board, you dont need it, for a 790X board, it will still enable you to do crossfire later but will save you quite a bit.

For gaming on a 23" you are going to want more than a 5750, get the 5770 at the least or a 5850, the 5850 will eat up the savings from the processor and the board but will do significantly better.

Onboard audio is pretty good these days, its not worth spending $100 more to get a good sound card if your speakers or ears arent good enough so that you will hear the difference.

Where will you be buying from there may be combos to save you even more.

Yeah, combo deal pricing is what I was going for on the case and powersupply (New Egg) and the MoBo and CPU (New Egg.)

I've been hearing that on-board audio has been getting better on system boards too.

From what I had seen the 5750s running in crossfire was almost as good as the GTX295 in a single card config. I've been looking at the 5770s as well though.

In your opinion, what is the best 790X board out there?

 

[shrapnel_indie]

It's back to the drawing board here, as it's getting close to build time.

I sent an e-mail off to Rosewll about the CHALLENGER case I was looking at and this is what they said:

Please kindly note that HD5970 can not be used for CHALLENGER case, one
HD5870 is allowed but a little tight.

ACK! I want to keep a Crossfire option open and keep 'em both at x16.

the DFI Lanparty board with the 790TX chipset, while cheap does have heat issues, and the Gigabye 790TX board is even more expensive than the MSI.

So I'm now going to go with a 750-850W power suppy, keep that ram (CL7!!!!), See where I can stretch and get a roomier case and look closely at ONE HD5870 and upgrade to the Crossfire at a later date.

So:

1- case: roomy, PS on bottom pref. one or two ext. 3.5 bays SUGGESTIONS?
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z???

1- PS 750-850W (Corsair and Antec primary choices.) SUGGESTIONS? Other brands?
Thermaltake W0296RU 800W???

1- Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V Gaming CPU Cooling Fan

1- Phenem II X4 Processor 955BE or 965BE if price is good at purchase time.

1- G.Skill RipJaw 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CL7 RAM

1- MB Gigabyte GA-790FXTA-UD5? MSI 790FX-GD70? Cheaper solution with at least 2x16 PCIe slots? SUGGESTIONS?

1- SINGLE Video Card HD5870? HD5850? HD5770? SUGGESTIONS on who to avoid?

1- Samsung F3 1TB HDD

1- LG 23" LCD Monitor Model W2361V-PF (Best Buy, in store) or model W2361VG-PF (Best Buy, online) is this last one worth the extra $10.00?

1- BR Drive (NOT (re)Writable, except maybe for DVD & CD)

1- DVD Burner (w/ lightscribe?)

1- Keyboard (Cheap, but solid, NOT with the large <enter> Key)

1- Mouse, SOLID, Inexpensive, good for gaming: SUGGESTIONS?

Speakers (IF MUST, can put my 4.1's back into use on the build.)

Trying for a $1500 -$1600 USD build.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

Best answer selected by shrapnel_indie.