Advice About A New Gaming PC

[Hitchenson]

Hi, I'm not 100% if this was the right place to ask this, if it's not I'm sorry!

Right, I'm going to be buying a PC from pcspecialst.co.uk. I should probably say that I'm very dense when it comes to the ins and outs of computers, so I thought I'd get some opinions from people who have a better understanding of the subject. Here's the set-up I intend to buy (primarily for PC gaming), if you could tell me if it's a good build or if there's any compatibility issues etc. I'd be most grateful. Thanks!

Processor (CPU) - Intel® Core™i7 Processor i7-960 (3.20GHz) 4.8GTs/8MB Cache

Memory (RAM) - 6GB CORSAIR XMS3 TRI-DDR3 1600MHz

Motherboard - ASUS® P6TD DELUXE, EXTREME OVERCLOCKING, SLI & CROSSFIREX

Operating System - Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence

USB Options - 8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD

Memory - 1st Hard Disk - 1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)

2nd Hard Disk - 80GB Intel® X25-M (34nm) HIGH PERFORMANCE 2.5" SSD (upto 250MB/sR | 70MB/sW)

1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive - 22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM

2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive - 4x BLU-RAY ROM DRIVE, 16x DVD ROM

Graphics Card - 1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 5870 PCI EXPRESS - DirectX® 11

Sound Card - ASUS XONAR DX - Richest Gaming Audio Effects

Network Facilities - ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

Memory Card Reader - INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)

Case - COOLERMASTER COSMOS 1000 SILVER SILENT CASE

Power Supply & Case Cooling - 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan

Processor Cooling - COOLERMASTER V8 EXTREME CPU COOLER

Firewire & Video Editing - 1 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORT ONBOARD

Monitor - LG W2361V 23" WIDESCREEN, HDMI/DVI-D/D-SUB FULL HD 1920x1080

Keyboard - Logitech® G15 Gaming Keyboard with Gamepanel LCD Display

Mouse - Logitech® MX™518 Optical Gaming Mouse

Speakers - LOGITECH Z323 2.1 Stereo speakers with Rich bass and 360-degree sound

Headsets (VOIP) - Logitech® Digital Precision PC Gaming Headset

(Here's the page I'm buying it off, again, thanks: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-core-i7-pc/)

 

[battlemarz]

Don't have much time to go in depth but there are a few glaring things to change.

You do not need a i7-960. An i7-920 or newer refresh i7-930 are much better for the money. With the V8 Cooler you could easily overclock the 920 or 930 to 960 level.

Check out what you get in Windows 7 Ultimate over Home Premium, generally not worth the extra money.

You almost definitely do not need a sound card. Modern motherboard on board sound is excellent. If you decide later you want one it is very easy to add. (You won't need to)

If you can, ensure the power supply is a reputable brand and 80 plus certified.

With the money saved research actual nice monitors and find yourself a 1900x1200 IPS/PVA/MVA and ditch the TN.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Lots of wasted money in there.

CPU: Get an i7-930 and overclock it. The i7-960 is a waste of money.
RAM: Make sure that's CAS Latency 7 RAM.
Mobo: The Asus P6X58D Premium would be more future proof with USB 3/SATA III support.
SSD: Either bump that up to a 128 GB or leave it out.
HDD: Try to see if that's a 500 GB platter drive (Samsung Spinpoint F3 or Seagate 7200.12). Those would be a lot faster.
Opticals: BR is kinda pointless right now. I'd seriously consider leaving it out altogether.
GPU: Hopefully, if you ditch the BR and take the rest of these changes, you can afford a 5970.
Sound: Pointless. Discrete cards are a waste of money. Just go with onboard.
Case: The Cosmos is a little expensive. Try to get the HAF 922.
PSU: Make sure you get a name brand unit (Corsair, Antec, Silverstone, PC Power & Cooling or SeaSonic).
HSF: The V8 is overly expensive. Get the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus.

If you want a full list of every specific part I would buy (seeing the huge budget), here it is:

CPU: i7-930 $295
Mobo: Asus P6X58D Premium $310
RAM: G.Skill Pi Series 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $180
GPU: HD 5970 $700
SSD: Corsair Nova 128 GB $319
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 1 TB $90
PSU: OCZ Z Series 850W 80+ Gold $170 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $90 after rebate
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $23
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35

Total: $2,212.

 

[Hitchenson]

Thank you both for your feedback, I'll be sure to take it on board.

 

[Scarletfury]

Are you getting a single 5870? or are you going to crossfire as your Mobo is intended to be used.

 

[Hitchenson]

Are you getting a single 5870? or are you going to crossfire as your Mobo is intended to be used.

If I were to go with the build in my OP, I'd be going crossfire.