My First Time Gaming Build - need advice

[NNYKevin]

Hi everyone, looking to do my first ever build to replace my 3 year old Dell XPS. Going to order this week, any comments/advice very welcome. Sorry I did post this in one other section, but I think this is appropriate section for this question (new to forum).

Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: 1400 - 1700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, internet, some work

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com,

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I would like to use an Intel CPU and a Radeon 5870, will use Windows 7 Home Premium.

Overclocking: Maybe in the future

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

Additional Comments: hoping for somewhat quiet PC, with a few lights and do not really want a fan on left side due to orientation (window on left is preferable though).

Here is my tentative order list:

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115211

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128423

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Side window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119224

XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150476

G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

OR

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231225

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139009

OR

XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817207003

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.528015

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Writer - Bulk - LightScribe Support - OEM (will get 2 of these)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106333

Thermaltake V1 Max-Performance CPU Cooler with Massive 110mm Blue LED Full-Range Variable Speed Fan CL-P0401
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106102

There are a few good combos in the above parts list, just simpler for me to list individual parts for comment. This is my 1st post (been viewing for a long time), so hopefully all the links work.
Do you think I actually need the extra cooler with the above configuration?
Any huge difference in the 2 sets of RAM listed above?
Is a separate sound card worth the extra money?
Any conflicts or compatibility issues?
Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Kevin.

 

[rolli59]

I have issues with the links. Great build though which ever way you go on PSU and ram.

 

[jason gran]

^ +1

may want to consider a modular psu. (less cords/less hassel/cable management/better air flow) go with the Corsair Hx series
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&Tpk=750hx

and

aftermarket heatsink (keep your cpu cooler/quieter/higher oc'ing)
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

Have you considered waiting for the ati 6xxx series? 5xxx will drop/6xxx will be better
In my opinion seperate sound cards a waste of money. the onboard mobo card is just as good
Buying that setup in dec, (minus gpu,psu,case), its funny because my prebuilt cart on newegg has the same items =p

 

[NNYKevin]

Thanks for comments and advice, sorry about the links, let me try it again:

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16813128423

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Side window
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811119224

XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16814150476

G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820231335%26cm_re%3Dg_skill-_-20-231-335-_-Product

OR

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820231225

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16817139009

OR

XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16817207003

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FComboDealDetails.aspx%3FItemList%3DCombo.528015

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Writer - Bulk - LightScribe Support - OEM (will get 2 of these)
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16827106333

Thermaltake V1 Max-Performance CPU Cooler with Massive 110mm Blue LED Full-Range Variable Speed Fan CL-P0401
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3463938-10521304?sid=&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16835106102

I do think I will switch to the cooler you suggested (cooler master hyper 212), as well as the Corsair 750W modular PSU (which has a nice combo with the WD hard drive right now too).

I really did not want to wait too long to see how the 6xxx series affects things as my old computer just had one of the GPU's die so it is starting to show its age.

Thanks again.