First Build - Please Advise

[rainvie1]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of August
BUDGET RANGE: $1500-2000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, College Work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Any

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Vermont, USA

OVERCLOCKING: Eventually

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Eventually

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365&cm_re=p6t_deluxe_v2-_-13-131-365-_-Product

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=930_i7-_-19-115-225-_-Product

RAM: OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365&cm_re=ocz_6GB-_-20-227-365-_-Product

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100281-3SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883&cm_re=radeon_hd_5870-_-14-102-883-_-Product

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&cm_re=wd_caviar_black-_-22-136-319-_-Product

POWER: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335&cm_re=dvd_writer_24x-_-27-106-335-_-Product

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have never built or overclocked a PC, but there's always a first time! What should I do for: Cooling? Case? Wireless?

 

[Juanchioo]

change the hdd for a samsung spinpoint f3 1tb and ur done!!! nice build

 

[mrhoshos96]

i don't know why people keep getting an i7 for gaming while they can get the same performance for an i5/x4 955.

here is a build for $1,112.87 before $65 rebates

cpu+gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.444090

psu+case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.458432

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130292

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136180

this build is much higher quality and more reliable.

 

[rainvie1]

I've been running Crysis on a Dell from 2005 with a 2.80 Pentium single-core. I want a CPU with a LOT of power after that.

 

[mrhoshos96]

first the i5 is very powerfull it scores better than the i7 in some games.
2nd games need more gpu power than cpu power.

 

[rainvie1]

Yeah, with my current PC, though, the CPU is whats bogging me down, everything else has been upgraded. i plan to do the same with this setup, so i want a cpu that will hold its own for a long time.

 

[rainvie1]

changing the memory, better brand for less $$

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 998781
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226102&cm_re=mushkin_6gb-_-20-226-102-_-Product

 

[mrhoshos96]

the i5 is a very powerfull processor the only difference between it and the i7 is the hyperthreading which no programs/games utilize or ever will.

 

[wardy22]

if you're interested, and to prove/disprove mrhoshos' point here's Tom's i5/i7 tests

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410.html

 

[mrhoshos96]

i know that the i7 is a bit better in day to day use and 1-6 fps better in gaming but is that worth the $100-$200??
i guess not.

plus if u want something that sometimes beat's the $1000 i7 980x in day to day use take a look at the phenom ii x6.
nuff said.

 

[paigeinfull]

In what aspect does the phenom x6 beat a 980x? The 980x is an upgrade from the already better nahalem architecture while the phenom x6 is just a phenom x4 with 2 cores added on. The 980x even has a higher stock clock. The 980x is better in every way but I'm not saying it's worth $1000

 

[mrhoshos96]

it might not be faster but it's very close
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclocking-phenom-ii-x6-efficiency,2633-10.html