My build, to buy tonight! :) Suggestions/comments?

[harriw]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tonight if possible

BUDGET RANGE: ~$1400 USD (including windows 7 and a monitor), after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, general family PC tasks (surfing, music, etc.)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, peripherals

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: NewEgg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD

OVERCLOCKING: Not now. Possibly later with a better CPU cooler.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Now now. Plan to use crossfire as upgrade path.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Upgrading to 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My upgrade cycle tends to be much longer than most of you (4-5 years on average). For that reason, I stress longevity and future-proofing in my builds. For example, I am well aware that the 950TX Corsair PSU listed below is major overkill for this system. But my intention is to buy this PS once, and use it to add a second 5850 for crossfire later on as an upgrade path, and (hopefully) use this same PSU over again in my next build in another 5 years or so (and hopefully 10 years later as well).

My main questions are:
1.) Does this memory look OK?

2.) Any bad reports on this Gigabyte OC's HD 5850? Couldn't turn down this deal...

MB
Gigabyte GA-890fxa-ud5
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955
MB and CPU Combo, includes $10 gift card ($314.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430432
CPU Cooler
Stock, for now
Graphics
GIGABYTE GV-R585OC-1GD Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) OC'd to 765 MHz
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V v2.3, SLI Ready, 80+ Bronze
PSU and GPU Combo: $389.98 after $10 mail-in rebate, + $9 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.470455
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 932
Optical
ASUS 24X DVD+R, etc. w/ lightscribe
Case, Optical Combo: $144.97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466989
HD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
$59.99 (purchased yesterday as shell-shocker deal)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 CL7 F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH
$99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
OS
Windows 7 Professional Upgrade 64-bit (I have winXP to qualify)
$161.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116714&cm_re=windows_7_professional-_-32-116-714-_-Product
Monitor
ASUS VH236H Black 23” 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LED Monitor
$179.99 after $20 mail-in rebate, plus $8.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059&cm_re=asus_23_monitor-_-24-236-059-_-Product

I'm hoping to hit the "buy" button tonight before I loose out on some of these deals :-D So any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[harriw]

One thing I should mention: I think I'm around $50 under budget here, but I'm reserving that extra $50 to pick up a pair of games along with the hardware. Truth be told, I've been savings for a while but am still about $150 shy so I'm actually over budget already. But when all these combos fell into place so nicely today, my lovely wife gave me permission to splurge and buy now

So please, don't tempt me with "you should upgrade X to Y - it's only $40 more."

 

[harriw]

No comments? :/ I tend to write long posts, so I'll attempt to shorten this up. Thanks!

 

[tecmo34]

Well... you have the extra $50 so why not just get the cooler now and make that small overclock or higher? It is the best option with the additional funds, unless those games take a higher priority for you. My recommendation is... Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler

1) Your RAM is a good choice for the price and there is little difference between 1333 and 1600 outside of benchmarks. It won't play a factor with a stock cooler or an aftermarket cooler (unless maybe you waste money on a V10 )

2) I can't comment on the Gigabyte GPU but the 5850 is a good video card, specially for an AMD build. At that price range, I favor going with the new GTX 460 SC EE but you'll loss the option to run two cards by doing so. It would've been the better choice if you build around the Intel Core i5-750/.760

Overall... solid build!!

 

[CPDawg]

Not sure if you need 950W.

Nice monitor choice, I picked that one up recently and it's sick.

 

[tecmo34]

Also, you can look at the HAF 922 which performs just as well as the HAF 932. It will fit everything pretty much just as easy and can be had for less than $100 (additional savings).

 

[harriw]

Thanks guys! I have everything in the shopping cart and want to get the deal done before the deals end tonight

tecmo34 - no issues with the RAM interfering with the Scythe cooler you recommended? I've heard a lot of the aftermarket coolers interfere with the RAM slots on this board... I was leaning towards a CM 212+ myself, but have heard very good things about that cooler as well. Personally I've always used and liked Nvidia cards, but the AMD choice does sort of push you into an ATI card these days if you ever want to run 2 cards. I suppose that's no accident now that AMD owns ATI...

CPDawg - agreed, I don't need anywhere near 950W now. But I'm trying to be as future-proof as possible. May never need it, but I'm hoping I'll be glad I bought it when I do my next build in another few years. I think it's a pretty good deal at this price anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing that monitor! It's got to be huge!

Thanks very much guys - I really do appreciate your input! I'd also like to thank the rest of the forum, as I've done the vast bulk of my research here that led me to these choices.

 

[tecmo34]

It shouldn't cause an issue with the RAM. I support your decision to go with the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ (if you want) and I would throw in there the Sunbeam CR-CCTF, as well.

 

[Juanchioo]

AMD PHENOM II X4 955

XFX ATI RAEDEON HD5870

ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3

XFX BLACK EDITION 750W

G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1600MHZ PC-12800 CL7 DUAL CHANNEL 7-7-7-24

SAMSUNG SPINPOINT F3 1TB

get this

 

[kittehlordz]

look at my http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/291891-31-1450-build-5970-review#t2161325

for around 1400 you can get a 5970 which would last you for a long time IMO

 

[Juanchioo]

but h needs monitor

 

[harriw]

Best answer selected by harriw.