[Solved] Performance/Data Crunching/Gaming Build

This will be my first attempt at building a system on my own and very thankful I found this forum. Hoping it will be as simple to build my own machine as this forum makes it sound! I am open to all suggestions.

This would be my wish list for this build:
I have a need for speed. I hate waiting so anything that will improve network performance, Internet page loading etc...

Definitely quiet, fast boot time-would like SSD to hold operating system.

Enough performance to allow for multi tasking. If I am recording audio I can't do anything else on my current machine without causing my recording to end up garbled.

I use a lot of external storage to carry data around so anything that improves copying times from desktop to external drives would be nice.

I maybe trying to wrap to much into one machine but would like this machine to be the "file server" for my home network allowing kids to mange their own music pulling from library on this machine.

Additionally, if possible, would eventually like to stream movies from this machine to TV's on the network through my WD live TV box.

Would like to have plenty of storage as well. Also for data protection I have been using a 1.5TB ext drive to back up current machine. This seems to be working fine but if I should be migrating to some sort of Raid setup vs a mirror back up I am open to that as well. Currently have about 600gb of files, music, movies.

Haven't made the switch to Blu-Ray yet but thinking it might be getting close. Currently have to DVD/CD write drives but seems I typically only use one of them..again open to any suggestions.

All this plus would like to build it with potential to be able to add more in the future and or upgrade in the future.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Would start buying components in the next week or so

BUDGET RANGE: $2000-$3500 After Rebates targeting $2500ish but also realize that may be unrealistic.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Crunching large amounts of Data in Excel 2007, Ripping DVDs, Converting Music/Movies to play on iPod, Archos, Tivo, Online gaming-Full Tilt, DDO, surfing the internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, Tigerdirect but open to any site for highest quality and best price

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel i-7, Widows 7 OS

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe like to if I can pull it off

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe -not sure I understand the benefits

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Dell SX2210 21.5" Full HD Monitor 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Well there is my fee ..... :0 Actually you can help me out.....I have the Enermax Magma fans which aren't PWM......little research told me the Scyth PWM's and the splitter doohickey was the way to go.....would like to confirm when you build it how well it works.

Still I would move off the 1 TB WD Blacks ....2 TB model rocks but the 1 TB's are kinda blahhh.

Alright I have been re-evaluating my build and have realized that gaming has become a smaller and smaller part of what I use my machine for. Main use will be photos, movies both home and ripping DVD's. Therefore I have tried to skinny my build down a little. I am looking to buy the parts in the next couple of days and build the rig this weekend. Here are my questions

1) Need input on a decent video card for $150 to $240 would like it to be decent for gaming but overall just want the best bang for the buck.

2) is there is anything that will help boost internet speeds/Page loads etc

3) based on above any recommendation on a wired NIC card?

4) I have thrown in some SSD to speed up load/boot times is 128GB to much? I originally had 80 GB but saw on another post here that 80GB was to little. Is the increased load speed justify the $$'s and would 80GB be enough?

5) Finally , wanted to see if anyone had an opinion on going with the

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case at $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119196

to save $50 over the

Antec Twelve Hundred ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case - 129.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0288150

Here is the rest what I am thinking....

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 X58 ATX Motherboard - 219.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0327331

Intel Corporation Core i7-930 Processor Boxed - 199.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0331303

2x Seagate-OEM Barracuda 7200.12 750GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM - 159.98
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0331721

Microsoft OEM Windows 7 Utimate 64-bit OEM - 199.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0318881

FrozenCPU PMW Y Splitter Cable - 6.99
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] Cable.html

Innovation Cooling Diamond "7 Carat" Thermal Compound - 1.5 Grams - 6.99
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] d=BZWnrfIC

Scythe Slip Stream 120mm x 25mm PWM Fan - (SY1225SL12LM-P) - 10.95
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] 36c365s936

G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI - Retail - 189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231335

Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC "compatible with ... - Retail - 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371024

PLEXTOR Black BD Combo SATA Model PX-B320SA LightScribe Support - OEM - 124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827249055

Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B CPU Cooler - Retail - 64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835242001

Corsair Nova Series CSSD-V128GB2-BRKT 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Retail - 369.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820233107