First time builder needs critique ~$1600

[cmansocked]

Here is a summary of the specs I intend with the actual models below. The total is looking around $1600 but I am willing to spend a little more if the performance will be notable. Id like to add an addition GTX480 and decent size SSD in the future if it is relevant. Thank for helping a first time builder!!! PLEASE let me know if you would change, add, remove anything... Purpose is gaming and media hookup to a 55" samsung tv.

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Kingston HyperX T1 Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000)
CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V
EVGA 015-P3-1480-AR GeForce GTX 480 (+1 in the future when I get another $500)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1501FASS 1.5TB 7200 RPM
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm
ASUS 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive



COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119160
-$30.00 Instant $159.99
$129.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1501FASS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136592
$109.99

EVGA 015-P3-1480-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130552
-$25.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$504.99
$479.99

CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139013
-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$179.99
$149.99

Kingston HyperX T1 Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model KHX2000C9AD3T1FK3/6GX
Item #: N82E16820104178
$199.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835186134
-$10.00 Instant $39.98
$29.98

ASUS Blu-ray Drive SATA Model BC-08B1ST
Item #: N82E16827135203

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$89.99


Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131359
-$20.00 Instant
-$24.99 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$539.98
$494.99

 

[cmansocked]

Please someone? My laptop died and I need to replace with something soon...

Thank you in advance...

 

[calguyhunk]

HDD : Toss the Cavier black for Samsung Spinpoint or Seagate Barracuda. If you want WDC, go with Cavier blue. The performance of the blacks don't justify their inordinately high pricing.

GPU : If you go with ATI, you might go with the 5870. But the 460 looks good.

PSU : The PSU is overkill (by some distance). Antec Earthwatts 750 is the max you need.

Actually, a Corsair 650 will do just fine. Why don't you use the Newegg Power Supply Calculator

RAM : For gaming, 4GB is all you need. 2 x 2 GB 1600 with a CL7. 7 - 8 - 7- 20 maybe.

COOLER : I like the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro - go with it. But here's another option : COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520

 

[mosox]

How about the Intel Core i5-760, a nice mobo (see the combo deals) and 4G of RAM (you don't need more RAM).

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1T and a cheaper HD 5870 (very good for gaming on full HD). And you can add later another one without turning your PC into an oven. And you can buy a cheaper PSU.

 

[cmansocked]

Thank you very much both of you. So is the CPU overkill? Would I need to get a lessor mobo if I went to the i5-760?

Ill definitely change the HDD to a Samsung with both of you suggesting it.

Also change to the 2 x 2 GB of RAM, is it an important difference between 1600 and 2000?

With the lessor PSU (750W) would that pose a problem in the future if I add another GTX480 down the road?

Ill take a look at that other Cooler, I want to be safe than sorry about heat. Especially when it doesn't cost much.

 

[mosox]

Yep, the CPU is overkill for gaming and you can get the 750 or 760.

Your RAM will work at 1333 unless you OC it and there's only minor differences in performance between different frequencies, you should aim for lower latencies instead. That RAM is very good:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

750W is too small for 2xGTX480 IMO, you should aim for 850w also you'll need a SLI mobo, not all the mobos accept SLI.

I wouldn't advise a future crossfire or sli on a HD 5970 or GTX480. Those cards are so powerful that by the time you'll need another one to play your games they will be obsolete (new directx, etc) so it won't be worth it.

 

[cmansocked]

Best answer selected by cmansocked.

 

[lothdk]

Strictly for gaming, there is very little difference between the two CPUs, so unless you have access to a microcenter and can get an i7 930 for $200 the i5 760 might be the best option, price considered.

For only $5 more I would go with the ASUS P6T Deluxe v2 to get an extra slot between the two cards when you do go SLI, to help cooling the cards, or if you want USB3/Sata3 take a look at the Asus P6X58D boards.

The Samsung Spinpoint F3 is a very good HDD, but so is the Western Digital, for you usage they would be about equal.

If you are going with an i7 930 get a 3x2 GB kit as that is one of the advantages of the 900 series CPUs (the tripple channel memory controller), only get a 2x2 kit if you go with the i5 as the optimal memory configuration for that is dual channel.

Depending on the quality of the PSU and if you are overclocking (and how much) it might be, I would go with a 800W (at the very least!!!).

For cooling an i7 930 on a budget, the Scythe SCMG-2100 is among the best you can get, please don't get the other two mentioned, they really aren't that good. For max air cooling look to the Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B or the even better but more expensive Noctua NH-D14.