[Solved] First time builder: Up to Around $1300 Gaming PC

I'm trying to decide between 4 different packages from Newegg that are about the same price. From what I've been reading, they're close to the same performance level too. I'm in need of some advice, so thank you in advance!

To reduce the clutter, I took out the parts that are similar in all 4 packages: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) GV-N460OC-1GI Video Card, Western Digital Caviar Blue 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders, and LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98.

Also, I will not be needing a keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, or gaming controllers. I will most likely not SLI. I am not inclined to choose a brand over another, simply because I am not very knowledgeable in the area of brand names.

I will be using the computer mostly for gaming and watching movies/shows. Of course, I'm assuming that if a computer has power to do that, it will be more than enough to also use to surf the internet and for school-usage.

Budget: This is kind of important. At first my ideal price range was about $1000, but then I got to thinking of future-proofing a bit more and threw out the thoughts of building a system around a 5770. HOWEVER, if there are ways to drop the price down without killing performance, I would appreciate it a lot!

Package 1 ($1,315.89):
Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe MKNSSDCL60GB-DX 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Intel Core i5-760 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

Package 2 ($1,306.96):
BELKIN BE112234-10 10 ft. 12 Outlets 4156 Joules Home/office Surge Protector
StarTech ST4200MINI Mini 4 Port USB 2.0 Hub
ASUS USB-N13 USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter
Intel Core i7-870 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i ATX Intel Motherboard

Package 3 ($1,280.89):
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Western Digital Caviar Blue 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Intel Core i5-760 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
Western Digital AV-GP 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal AV Hard Drive -Bare Drive
TuneUp Utilities 2010
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 ATX Intel Motherboard

Package 4 ($1,271.98):
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
OCZ AMD Black Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap
OCZ Diesel 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
TuneUp Utilities 2010
Western Digital AV-GP 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal AV Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Again, please let me know your thoughts!

So then with Windows 7 64 bit and shipping/handling, it's just shy of $1200. Is 650W enough power though? I've heard that it would be safer to go with 800W.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.479444

How about this compared to the Lian Li case/Power supply? It's $40 cheaper, but has more reviews (probably because it's been out longer..). Any thoughts?

650 is perfectly acceptable for 2x460's and a i5 chip, even overclocked. http://techreport.com/articles.x/19404/10 shows 2 460's at a 450 LOAD power draw, as in their absolute maximum. Idle, they are only 150.

750 might be marginally better, especially if you are FOR SURE overclocking. I would go with the XFX 750 + the Lancool k62 for 190.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.466882

The lancool is really a phenomenal case for this price point (sub 100). Toolless install, rubber vibration dampeners, great airflow + 3 large fairly quiet fans. Dust filters EVERYWHERE. The LED's might be a bit annoying, but really are not that bright when you have the grills on.

Which Gigabyte GA-P55? There are a number of models. If it's the UD3P, that only has one slot for a graphics card, so you couldn't SLI in the future. The Asus P7P55D-E Pro that was recommended is really the most fully-featured motherboard at the best price, and has been for a while.

And yes, if you install programs onto a secondary disk, they'll run fine.

Personally, I'd wait a year or two on 3D, there aren't a lot of games that support it yet. But that's just me. If the games you like are on the supported list, go for it.

I thought you were talking about nVidia's supported 3D. From what I've heard, only the 3D Vision ready stuff really looks good. The Excellent rated stuff works, but doesn't add much. Everything else is glitchy.

Best answer selected by dchae85.

I think you're right lol. I just looked around and a lot of people are saying even 450W would be fine for a single GTX 460. 650W seems possible to do 460 SLI. With the money I save on dropping down 100W, I think I'll get the full HD monitor =D Thanks again gkay09!

Update: Whew... luckily I was able to cancel the Newegg order in time (I had done rush processing). I applied the code you gave me to the s2331 (the 23" model) and got the price down to $162.99 from $249.99.