Advice on my build

[Emin]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better)) : Within 2 months maximum

BUDGET RANGE: (e.g.: 600-800) Before / After Rebates: Well I'm from Sweden so 10 576 Swedish kronor = $1 475. My budget is strained, so that's almost the maximum I'm going to spend

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies) : Gaming (casual), Work, surfing the web

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using** : keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing) : Newegg maybe, but it doesn't matter

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (e.g.: Grand Fenwick) : Sweden

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case) : Well I'll just write the parts here:

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128401R&Tpk=Gigabyte%20UD3R

Samsung SH-S223B 22X DVD±RW DL SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187&cm_re=Samsung_SH-S223B-_-27-151-187-_-Product

500GB Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=500GB%20Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3%20HD502HJ

Corsair 4GB (2x2048MB) 1600MHz XMS3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260&cm_re=Corsair_4Gb_ddr3-_-20-145-260-_-Product

Intel Core i7 860, 2.80GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

Gigabyte Radeon HD5850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125300&cm_re=Gigabyte_Radeon_HD5850_1GB-_-14-125-300-_-Product


Cooler Master Elite 334 Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119199&cm_re=Cooler_Master_Elite-_-11-119-199-_-Product
No nVidia version though, this is the right one
http://www.inet.se/artikel/6901246/cooler-master-elite-334-svart-utan-natagg

Corsair VX 550W 80+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&cm_re=Corsair-_-17-139-004-_-Product

OVERCLOCKING: Yes / No / Maybe: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes / No / Maybe : Most probably no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200) : 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I'd like advice on this build. Feel free to suggest better options to those that I've chosen. Also point out things that don't work together that good or not at all. If I can save money and get the same value.
The thing about my build is that I want it to last a long time, I'd like to be able to play future titles and do other stuff in the future without much trouble.

Note: The prices on the hardware may be much lower than my stated budget but that's because the prices in Sweden are high. Please suggest changes that don't stretch my budget too much.
Thanks

 

[Silvune]

I think for your uses you would be perfectly happy with the i5 750, and that change will save you some money. Altho everything's fine the way it is.

 

[Emin]

I don't know, feels like a big step down. Is the difference nothing to worry about?

 

[Silvune]

In gaming, definitely not. In other tasks, such as video editing, the i5-750 is still good, but the i7-860 is better and preferable. So it depends on what work you do.

 

[Emin]

Ok thanks I'll consider it

Anything else?

 

[Emin]

Do I need extra cooling btw? I won't be OCing as I wrote before

 

[Silvune]

From looking at the pictures of the case on inet.se, I can only see the exhaust fan, if that's the only one included, then if it was me, I'd get an intake on the front and probably for the side as well.

 

[geofelt]

I think there is too great a premium for the i7-860 that gets you just one multiplier step compared to the 750. You will not notice the difference.

I would consider getting an oem cooler up front. They cost <$50 and most any will do. Your PC will run cooler and quieter.
This may not be necessary, but it is much easier to install one up front compared to doing it later.

If you love the cases, ... fine. But I think there are better cooling options out there that include the optional fans.
For example the Antec 300 illusion model which may not be available to you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Look at the Antec 200. It has good cooling and washable fan intake filters. No "bling though"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129070

Consider stretching things a bit and use a smal SSD for your OS and applications. Intel sells the X25-V 40gb drive for $125:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025
For everyday use, you will notice the speed much more than the 860 vs. 750.

For example, at 1680 resolution and casual gaming, a 4850 or 5750 would still give you excellent gaming and save enough for a SSD:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2569-3.html

---good luck---

 

[Emin]

Ok, so here's my new build based on all your suggestions:

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-P55A-UD3%20Gigabyte%20GA-P55A-UD3

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187&cm_re=Samsung_SH-S223B-_-27-151-187-_-Product

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016&cm_re=80GB_2.5%22_SSD_Intel_X25-M_G2_SATA_80GB_2.5%22_SSD-_-20-167-016-_-Product

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1600 MHz (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263

Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i5%20750%2c%202.66GHz

XFX HD-575X-ZNDC Radeon HD 5750 XXX Edition 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150465&Tpk=XFX%20Radeon%20HD5750
(comes with 2 year warranty in Sweden)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel (not "Illusion", comes with 120 mm fan at the back and a 140 mm fan at the top)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=Antec_Three_Hundred-_-11-129-042-_-Product

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&cm_re=Corsair-_-17-139-004-_-Product


Another option is to ditch the 80gb SSD and get a 40gb:

Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025&cm_re=intel_40gb-_-20-167-025-_-Product

In that way I can both save money and get a 5770 graphics card:

XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464&cm_re=5770-_-14-150-464-_-Product


So is it a good build? Please comment.

Also, about the SSD: does it work with the chassis and the motherboard? And how should I split the load between the drives (OS, programs, games)?

Note: the whole thing comes with assembly
Again, I want the build to be future-proof

Thanks again

 

[Emin]

Should I consider AMD? Or stick with this i5 build?

 

[Emin]

Ok, after a lot of consideration and research I came up with this:

Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_three_hundred_mid_tower-_-11-129-042-_-Product

Intel Core i5 750, 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i5%20750,%202.66GHz

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-P55A-UD3

80GB 2.5" SSD Intel X25-M G2 SATA, RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023&Tpk=80GB%202.5%22%20SSD%20Intel%20X25-M%20G2%20SATA,%20RETAIL

XFX Radeon HD5770 XXX 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464&Tpk=XFX%20Radeon%20HD5770%20XXX%201GB

Corsair 4GB (2x2048MB) 1600MHz XMS3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Corsair+4+gb&x=0&y=0

Corsair TX 650W 80+ (Do I need this for my build or is the Corsair VX 550W enough?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair%20TX%20650W%2080%2b

Samsung SH-S223B 22X DVD±RW DL SATA Svart
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187&cm_re=Samsung_SH-S223B-_-27-151-187-_-Product

I have an extra 200gb SATA drive at home (which is the reason why I removed the Samsung F3 500 gb) that I'll use for heavy storage but I hope I'll be able to run only on the SSD since I usually don't use up a lot of space.
If I need a pricecut on this build I'll get a cheaper 5770 card or a 5750 card.

This is probably what I'm going to get, but I need your last opinion.
Thanks!

 

[dominnater]

very good setup but i would go with an amd phenom II x4 setup, i heard it is better and cheaper than i5

 

[Emin]

I considered that but I saw many benchmarks which favored i5 so I think I'll stick with that. Thanks though

 

[Emin]

One more thing, do you think a blue led fan will show thru the chassis if I put it in the fan slot at the front?

 

[testdasi]

Ok, after a lot of consideration and research I came up with this:

Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_three_hundred_mid_tower-_-11-129-042-_-Product

Intel Core i5 750, 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i5%20750,%202.66GHz

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-P55A-UD3

80GB 2.5" SSD Intel X25-M G2 SATA, RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023&Tpk=80GB%202.5%22%20SSD%20Intel%20X25-M%20G2%20SATA,%20RETAIL

XFX Radeon HD5770 XXX 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464&Tpk=XFX%20Radeon%20HD5770%20XXX%201GB

Corsair 4GB (2x2048MB) 1600MHz XMS3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Corsair+4+gb&x=0&y=0

Corsair TX 650W 80+ (Do I need this for my build or is the Corsair VX 550W enough?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair%20TX%20650W%2080%2b

Samsung SH-S223B 22X DVD±RW DL SATA Svart
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187&cm_re=Samsung_SH-S223B-_-27-151-187-_-Product

I have an extra 200gb SATA drive at home (which is the reason why I removed the Samsung F3 500 gb) that I'll use for heavy storage but I hope I'll be able to run only on the SSD since I usually don't use up a lot of space.
If I need a pricecut on this build I'll get a cheaper 5770 card or a 5750 card.

This is probably what I'm going to get, but I need your last opinion.
Thanks!

80GB SSD is both very expensive and small in capacity. I think you are ok with your 500GB SATA and wait till SSD price drops (within the next 2 years or so). Save that $200+ for a better case! Bigger capacity/faster drives come out all the time (and prices go down like Fannie Mae) so you are likely to go through/get more drives in the future. But a good case can last through 2-3 builds. Antec 300 is ok but not good enough, I think.

Or you can put the $200 in the bank and get interests. Really not worth the money.

 

[Emin]

Thanks for your opinion, I'm pretty curious about SSD and since I saved money on the GPU and CPU I figured I'll put it on a SSD drive. But I'll see what I decide.