Graduation Build

[glitch813]

I've always wanted to build a computer as well as have the capability to play games on high settings quite nicely. I recently graduated college and decided to treat myself for all the hard work with my first build. I've been reading up (thanks to Tom's Hardware/forums) and have made some decisions however I would like to get some feedback/opinions prior to taking the plunge. Thanks in advance!


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: June

BUDGET RANGE: < ~$1500 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Basics (Internet , Open Office) / Gaming / Matlab (image processing) / Video Editing / C# coding

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor (22" 1920x1080 acer)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (Awesome of course but sales tax adds up quick..) , Amazon (I have a 100$ gift card) , other recommended sites

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Open to suggestions however I'm heavily leaning towards i7 930 and ATI 5870.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes (in the future)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Perhaps some slight OC'ing, nothing crazy. Newegg is a great site and I'd still buy from them, but the setup below has 100 dollars in tax which could be put towards other things... so perhaps a different website(s) is in order which has comparable prices

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Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.406124

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme Universal CPU Cooler 120mm Magnetic Fluid Dynamic LED Fan and Fan Controller/Heatsink Rev.1 with ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154011

GPU: XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

Memory: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.406124

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

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Questions: Newegg has a combo deal for the memory and motherboard (save 80 dollars), however the gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R has memory specs of: DDR3 2200/1333/1066/800 while the memory is clocked at 1600. Isn't this an issue?
Also, the Gigabyte motherboard looks to be quite feature rich for the price, however PCIe spacing appears to be an issue as the double spaced 5870 card would block a slot. Does this mean if I were to crossfire the cards in the future i wouldn't get max graphics power because of x16 x8?
Some reference to this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/272602-30-asus-p6x58d-premium-gigabyte-x58a-ud3r

 

[Drailing]

As long as the RAM is DDR3 it should work.

http://www.gigabyte.us/FileList/MemorySupport/mb_memory_ga-x58a-ud3r.pdf

Lists the supported memories for the mobo.

Under DD3 1600, your RAM is supported.

 

[glitch813]

Very good to know, thank you.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Seeing as you want to do crossfire in the future, you ought to step up the PSU to the Corsair 750TX. Its generally like $10 more on Newegg, and gives you ample power for crossfire and a considerable overclock.

For the HDD, the WD Caviar line are a bit outdated. I would recommend the Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB, or the Seagate 7200.12 500GB. Both are faster and quieter.

Yea the RAM will be fine. Most motherboards will show the 1600 RAM as 1333, since 1600 is technically an OC. Simply changing the BIOS value will fix this and get the RAM running at the intended speed.

There is a newer version of the case, the CM690 II. Another good choice at that price point is the HAF922. Its a very large mid-tower case with great cooling, and is a popular choice here on Tom's.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The WD 500GB drive isn't a good choice. It uses old 250GB/platter density. A new 500GB/platter drive will be considerably faster. I highly recommend this one:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $54.99

Edit: Beat to the punch by 1 second!