Need advice and knowledge on 1k system

[FearlessH]

Hey guys I could really use some help with my new rig that I am going to build.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: It will probably be between 1 and 6 weeks from now.

BUDGET RANGE: Roughly $1000 USD, but I live in New Zealand (My budget is $1500 NZD).

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, school work/projects, watching movies, surfing the internet and hopefully T.V.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: No OS or monitor.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: computerstore.co.nz, urcomputer.co.nz, pcpacific.net, playtech.co.nz. Mainly any New Zealand site as I do not want to import.

OVERCLOCKING: I doubt that I will be overclocking SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not now - maybe if I upgrade graphics card.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: So far I have got:
Case - Will this have enough room for my graphics card (HD 5850)
Optical drive
Processor
Graphics card - Is this the same as a sapphire HD 5850
HDD - will this be big enough for my games/movies and school work
MoBo - not 100% sure if this will work with everything
R.A.M. - is this very effective?

So can you guys please check to see if this is all compatible and what PSU will I need? This one?
Thanks guys!
-KM

 

[MadAdmiral]

A quick note: Crossfire refers to adding a second GPU and using the two as one. Your board (which is a good one) will only allow you to use one GPU.

HDD: Try to find a Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB. It's faster, quieter and cooler than anything WD makes right now. If you can't find it, the Seagate 7200.12 500 GB is very similar.

PSU: Only problem with that unit is that it's probably not a good quality one. Stick to the major brands (Corsair, Antec Earthwatts or TruePower, SeaSonic, Silverstone, PC Power & Cooling or OCZ). OCZ is the lowest quality of the group, so you'd need to get the 600W version.

Case: I'm not a fan of RAIDMAX cases. They always seem very low quality to me. See if you can find an Antec 300 Illusion. If not, the Coolermaster Elite or 690 are also very good.

RAM: That's some slow RAM. Try to find some 1333 mhz CAS Latency 7 (timings 7-7-7-7-x) sticks.

 

[FearlessH]

I cant find any CL7 ram thats 1333mhz only 1066mhz, does this matter?

 

[MadAdmiral]

Really? That's pretty much the standard set. Are there any CL 7 1600 mhz?

 

[FearlessH]

yes but they cost too much

 

[MadAdmiral]

I would look for some CL 8/1333 or 1600. If there isn't much price difference, I'd get the 1600 mhz ones, as they may be able to be downclocked and have the timings tightened, turning them into CL 7/1333 sticks.

 

[FearlessH]

Ok so far I have this:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
Kingston HyperX
Hitachi 500GB 3.5"
Antec Earthwatts EA-650
Enermax ECA3162 Phoenix NEO
Lite-on IHAS324

So what about this Motherboard and two of these graphics cards crossfired and should I change to this memory or stay the same?

Also any other advice is welcome.

Thanks
-KM