New Build- Buying Today - All Help Appreciated

[thecupid]

Looking for some advice. I'm a first time builder. I know 16gigs of RAM is overkill, but it's so cheap that I can't pass it up.

I already have Windows 7 Professional 64-bit.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: TODAY!!!

BUDGET RANGE: 1800 AFTER REBATES

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mostly Gaming (SC2, Diablo III, MW2, etc) , some other media (movies, music while playing games)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor (Hannspree 25'' LCD atm), Speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PART: newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel and Nvedia. Definitely a mid-tower.

OVERCLOCKING: Just a little bit!.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe a couple of years in. SLI is a definite consideration for the furture

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1900x1200 if I can help it.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: WITH REGARDS TO THE CASE: Windows are nice, but the more natural airflow the better. I don't want to have to spend $75 on aftermarket case fans.


Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I7860
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.446711


ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.446711

$511.99 for CPU and mobo Combo


Thermaltake Element G VL18501W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Gaming Case w/ 850W Modular Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133175
$179.99


MSI N480GTX-M2D15-B GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127502
$459.99


OCZ Reaper Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1333C9LV8GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541
$379.98
($189.99 each) x2 = 16 Gigs


LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325
$59.99

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
$23.99


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
$74.99

 

[MadAdmiral]

No. Just no. First, the 860 isn't worth it. Either go with the i7-930 or the i5-750 (both would be fine in your case). Second, the board is massively expensive. Third, not only does OCZ RAM really suck for Intel build, but 8 GB is overkill, much less 16 GB. Unless you're trying to crack the human genome again, you don't need that much. Fourth, BR is pretty much pointless for computers right now. Wait for it to be cheaper and have a real use. Fifth, nVidia is getting destroyed by ATI right now. Unless you're doing a lot of work with CUDA (which nothing you posted suggests that), you really should avoid them. Finally, you're picking an expensive tower with a crappy PSU.

Here's a much better build:

CPU/PSU: i7-930 and Cosair 950W $385 afer rebate
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $200
RAM: G.Skill Trident 3x2 GB 2000 mhz CAS Latency 9 $185
GPU: HD 5970 $680
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $75
Case: HAF 922 $90
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Sycthe SCMG-2100 $35

Total: $1,670. If you absolutely find it necessary, you can throw the BR player in the build.

 

[thecupid]

Thank you very much for the input. The only thing I would ask you is about the RAM. I understand completely that 16gig is a retarded amount of RAM, but I am regularly held back by the 4gig DDR3 when I try to Vent/MW2/Fraps. Will 6gb really hold me over?

 

[MadAdmiral]

It's a lot of RAM. You could always up that to 12 GB anyway. If you'd rather have more RAM than fast RAM, here are some decent sticks for a good price: Corsair XMS3 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $155 after rebate.

 

[thecupid]

Thank you again for the suggestion.

I have one last question before I purchase, is the Sapphire 5970 still the right card for me if I want to run on an HDMI? It would just save me a little bit of hassle, but if necessary I could run on VGA.

 

[MadAdmiral]

The 5970 will let you use HDMI. VGA is going away.

 

[thecupid]

Thank you so much for all the help!

 

[thecupid]

Best answer selected by TheCupid.

 

[thecupid]

Well now that everything is sitting in boxes in my dining room I can tell you without a doubt in my mind that you helped me a ton!

Final specs are as follows:

i7 930
GA-x58a-ud3r
HAF 922 (also bought the Sniper windowed side)
Sapphire HD5970
2x G.Skill (2x2GB) 2000mhz DDR3 RAM
Scythe 2100 Sleeve CPU cooler
Corsair 950TX

and among others:
the HDD you recommended
the DVD drive you recommended
and I picked up the blu-ray drive too! as well as an Aerocool Touch 1000 fan controller and 2 blue 200mm megaflow fans and 1 120 rosewill blue fan