[Solved] $1100, newbie builder

I'm about 2 months from undertaking my first PC build. I'm looking to create a QUIET general-purpose machine, but it often needs to be able to run 1-3 Virtual Machines and occasionally transcode Tivo video (some HD) to DVD. Otherwise, there's nothing that would tax most modern machines. I don't plan to overclock or play games, and I don't run very many apps. In fact, my Win 7 64-bit C: drive is only around 22 GB.

I'm not trying to get into every part at the moment. Just checking a few ideas. My budget will be $1100, excluding monitor, OS, keyboard, and mouse.

So I'm thinking:
*Core i7-920
*8 GB RAM
*"silent" or "quiet" mini-tower (or smaller) case
*40 GB Intel 25-v SSD for my boot disk (Win 7 64-bit)
*1 TB WD green disk
*fanless nVidia or ATI card
*2 DVD burners

I'd also like USB 3, eSATA, and SATA 6 Gb/s.

Yes, I know I haven't suggested a motherboard or power supply!

At this point, i'm wondering about some of the other Intel CPUs and whether I should consider any Core i5 models something that may be on the short-term horizon. I've had AMDs in the past, but for this time, I want to stay with Intel.

Finally, I guess a quiet, efficient power supply would also be needed.

So I'd like some thoughts and constructive remarks, but I'm not necessarily looking for exact parts and links. I don't want to waste anyone's time for something that is a few months away.

Thanks!

Just an fyi - the SSD drive is available at amazon for 120 w/ free shipping.

Nicely done, snurp.

You *might* want to look at a different RAM kit...I've heard horror stories about serious incompatibilities between the ASRock x58 Extreme and the OCZ Gold kit. Oddly, I own that exact motherboard and that exact RAM kit, and had no problems whatsoever, but many peoples' experiences seem to differ.

-Will

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm looking through yours and a few others and wondering if I should also consider Core i5-750. In one of the reviews here (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410-14.html), the author states, "But based on our benchmarks here and our game testing with single and dual Radeon HD 4870 X2s and GeForce GTX 285s, we’re most excited about the value of Core i5." Granted, I've just started reading on these new Core CPUs, but it seems I should at least CONSIDER the i5-750, even if in the end I go with your suggestion of i7-860.

As for the HDD, I haven't really begun to look at those yet. I'm really only familiar with the Seagates and WD, and Seagate scared me a bit late in 2008 with their firmware debacle. I guess I'll revisit this nearer to purchase time.

As for your suggested case, I like most of what I saw EXCEPT for the fan at the top of the case. Sometimes the top of my case becomes a small "table" for papers, so I'm reluctant to go with this unit. I'm not ruling it out, mind you, but I'd definitely like to find some competition for it before deciding.

Again, thank you for your time. You've given me a very good starting point!

Thank you for your response. After seeing Mad Admiral's suggestions, I'm starting to think I should go with the i7-860. I will also CONSIDER an i5-750.

I'll particularly look at your case recommendation. Though it seems like both your suggested case and Mad Admiral's suggested case may have more room than I will ever need. I'm thinking I just want 2 DVD burners, 1 sdd drive, and 1 large 3.5" SATA drive. I cannot see myself adding anything else internally. MAYBE an extra sdd or 3.5" SATA drive one day. Maybe.

So I wonder if I could go with a somewhat smaller case? Or will I end up with a smaller case that is louder in order to achieve good cooling? My priority with the case is quiet first, small second. Thanks.

There will be, but they'll all be very expensive. I wouldn't except the recommendation to change, but after a while the price might.

Actually, 2 GB sticks are pretty much the norm now days. If you look back at the builds, both are using multiple sets of 2 GB sticks (mine is two kits of two sticks of 2 GB RAM for a total of 8 GB). They really pricey sticks are the 4 GB ones, which you have the option of upgrading to later.

Best answer selected by bmgoodman.