$1000 Gaming Computer, hoping to order parts soon

[tyrfbh]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week, I'll order as soon as everything is ready

Budget Range: Around $1000. If it goes up around $1100 it won't be the end of the world, but I hope to keep it as close to $1000 as possible.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, browsing the internet > everything else

Parts Not Required: Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Tigerdirect.com. Newegg seemed to have most of the stuff I was looking for, so I suppose I could use that as well.

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: I'd like to use an AMD CPU.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: I'm only buying one video card, but it's not something that I would never do.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additioanl Information: I would really like a backlit keyboard, but I'm not quite sure that I picked the best keyboard for the money (Although, I feel the same way about most of these parts). Also, I need to be able to attach to my house's wifi.

Here is my parts list so far:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition AM3 CPU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5752143&Sku=A79-1955

Patriot PGV38G1333ELK G Series Sector 5 Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (2x 4GB)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5688415&pagenumber=2&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body#ReviewStart

Thermaltake TRX-650M TR2 RX 650-Watt Modular Power Supply - 650W
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6624656&pagenumber=2&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body#ReviewStart

Seagate ST31000524AS Barracuda Hard Drive - 1TB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=61389&Sku=TSD-1000AS5

MSI 890FXA-GD65 AMD Socket AM3 Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7282715&Sku=M452-6108

EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (This card looks fairly expensive. Should I get a weaker card to stay on budget?)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7191450&CatId=3669

Still not sure whether to go with

Cooler Master RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced ATX Mid-Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5633975&pagenumber=1&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body#ReviewStart

or

Cooler Master RC-932-KKN5-GP HAF 932 Advance Full Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4146085&CatId=1510

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64BIT Operating System Software
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5213932&CatId=4622

Logitech 920-002359 Wireless K800 Illuminated Keyboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6627213

Acer P215H Bbd 22" Class Widescreen LCD HD Monitor - 1920 x 1080
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?
EdpNo=176587&pagenumber=1&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body=#ReviewStart

Zonet ZEW1642S 802.11N Wireless PCI Adapter
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6758814&CatId=2688

Edit:
Plextor PX-L890SA-26 24X DVDRW Optical Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7030575&CatId=1624

 

[Silvune]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/902
That is a review of the 750W version of that PSU, it is not the most positive review and I think it would definitely put me off the 750W version, so would give me cause for concern/second thoughts about the 650W version. Unless you can find a positive (professional) review for it, which I can't, then I would suggest getting something else. Like this:
XFX 650W XXX Edition 80Plus Bronze Modular $70
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6637541&CatId=1483

 

[tyrfbh]

Thanks, I'll be sure to switch those

 

[CaedenV]

Not a bad overall build, but a few pointers:
-Your CPU outclasses your GPU, meaning you could get better overall performance with a better card, and a cheaper proc. Especially with AMD where you can overclock a slower proc.
-Do you NEED a back-lit keyboard? Save a few $. I find that I type just fine in the dark with my black keyboard that has all the letters worn off over the years of great use (definitely stick with logitech, it makes a difference). If you really need it then get it later after you recover from the price of your initial build
-Get a crap DVD drive from lite-on. I can't remember the last time I actually used optical media (eeeeewwwww) in my computer. Sure you need it in that rare event that you need it, but digital distribution is here to stay.
-I agree on the PS, not only is the general brand not up to snuff, but that PS would need to be upgraded if you intend to SLI in the future.
-I am a nVidia fan, but AMD has more bang for the buck if you are looking to stay in budget. However, if you are doing any kind of adobe production work, then stick with nVidia.
-Go with Win7Pro. It was announced last week that they are going to cut the support cycle short for starter/home/ultimate (meaning 5 years after the next OS release instead of the standard 10). Pro and Enterprise will get the full 10 years of support (meaning updates, etc.) This may not seem like a huge problem, but with they way win8 is looking it may be a while before another good OS comes along. Maybe not 10 years, but it could be more than 5. XP is 5 years out, look at all the people who would be stuck if they didnt have 10 years of support!

Lastly, think about the life-cycle of your computer. The glory of a PC is that once you have your basic system, you get to upgrade incrementally. Personally I run on a 4-5 year cycle. Over that time I do a core upgrade (CPU, mobo, memory), then after about 2 years I do an 'ability' upgrade (graphics, add-on cards, and use to be audio but that game has changed). On the off years I do cosmetic or cheap changes (extra RAM, HDDs, case, keys, mice, 2nd GPU now that it is 'cheap', etc.). And when I get a bit of extra money I do long term purchases (things that may last longer than one system cycle) like an upper range monitor, a high end power supply, updating my Adobe suite, or other large investments that do not count towards the general cycle of the computer. On the big years I spend $5-600, and on the off years I spend $1-200, but you can spend more or less according to your budget, or shorten/lengthen your cycle time. That way it doesn't break the bank, and keeps me tinkering with my machine, and while I am never at the top of performance, I have always been able to play the games I want at a high quality, which is the whole point. When I do a core or ability upgrade I go all out buying premium parts, and I find I am happier with my machine for much longer than when I built a whole new system every 4-5 years out of med-grade parts.

 

[chillin15]

A GTX 560 Ti is a great card. You can check out Tom's recent article on aftermarket 560 ti cards:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-graphics,2977.html


I highly recommend getting the MSI Hawk. Yes it is a little more money but it performs better than the EVGA, is cooler, and runs quieter.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=354551


If you are looking ever to gam eon more than one monitor, I suggest upgrading to the radeon 6950 2gb. I plan to get the sapphire version myself - one of, if not the best, radeon 6950s out there in terms of performance, noise, and cooling.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=754336


It is more future proof than the gtx 560 ti.

As far as your PSU: I would go with a better PSU. The PSU is actually the most important system component as it literally feeds your other components and plays a big part in stability during load (ie. gaming).

So I would upgrade to the Corsair HX750
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4668506

I know this will most more BUT I agree with posters above and suggest a liteon drive and a non backlight keyboard.

if you are a gamer, the most important parts in your system are you GPU, CPU, and PSU.

 

[chillin15]

So many typos in my last post..plz forgive me

 

[Silvune]

SLI, good point... Nvidia's drivers dont allow SLI on AM3 motherboards, so you would have to hack the drivers to be able to install and use a second GTX 560 Ti with this build. So that means keeping your current motherboard would only be a good idea if you knew it was likely that at some point in the future you were going to use two AMD graphics cards or if you were willing to hack the drivers.
If you do want the possibility of SLI, but dont want to hack the drivers then you would have to get an appropriate AM3+ motherboard.

650W is plenty for a system with two GTX 560 Tis btw.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14
Shows 449W being consumed at the wall, in a system using an i7-965, which is more power hungry than a Phenom II X4. Take 10-20% off 449 to get the actual system power draw and you have a worst case scenario for what your maximum power draw would. 400W only stresses a 650W PSU to ~61%, which is not stressful at all IMO to a good unit, such as the XFX I linked. 750W would only be justified IMO if you had more extensive upgrade plans.

 

[tyrfbh]

Thanks a lot everyone!