$1450 system need some advice.

[spec8458]

Hey, my name is Adam and I'm building a new computer. Before I purchase all the parts and everything I thought I would come here and ask a few questions, see what you guys have to think, that sort of thing.

I am playing on a 19'' monitor so my max res is 1440x900, BUT I will be getting a 24'' monitor eventually.

My current build is $1429.29 after shipping from Newegg. Here is a link to my current wishlist http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13870508, I figured making a public wishlist would be easier than doing each link here.

Here's a quick description of the parts I'm currently getting.

1x 640gb WD caviar black 32mb cache 7200 RPM.
1x Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P AMD motherboard.
1x SAPPHIRE 4870 x2 video card.
1x Corsair 750W power supply.
1x Antec 1200 case
1x Creative Sound Blaster Audio card.
1x AMD Phenom II 955 black edition 3.2 Processor.
2x2GB Patriot Viper 1066 RAM. 4GB total.
2x Any DVD burner that looks good and around $25.
1x XIGMATEK Dark Knight Heatsink for processor.
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound
Anti-Static wrist band for extra safety for my parts.
2x 27.99 games to go with the new build.

I will be overclocking the Processor to 3.6 or 3.8.

Now I have a few questions about different parts and such.

I was originally getting the GTX 285 Video card, but am currently leaning towards the 4870 x2. I heard that some games run better with the GTX 285 then on the flip side, it's the other way around. If you guys have any suggestions or anything on that matter i would appreciate it.

If I do get the 4870 x2 I was wondering what you guys thought on XFX or SAPPHIRE, both cards have same specs but I would love to hear your opinions about each manufacturer, I am leaning towards XFX at the moment(even though I put the sapphire in my post as what I'm buying.) If I get the GTX 285, I would go EVGA.

I am Deciding on either the patriot ram, or Kingston HyperX, heres a link for both:
Kingston HyperX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104098
Patriot Viper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220334

If you have any other suggestions on anything don't hesitate to speak your mind, I'm open for new ideas.

And that's all I got for you guys. Please don't exaggerate in your posts, like saying "OMG CRYSIS NEEDS LIKE QUAD SLI GTX 295"

Thanks,
-Adam

 

[armi]

Stuff you can get cheaper:

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010
RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227362
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241

If you really want, you can also get a cheaper PSU but since most people are afraid of their computers failing by getting a cheaper PSU I won't offer any alternatives.

 

[spec8458]

Stuff you can get cheaper:

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010
RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227362
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241

If you really want, you can also get a cheaper PSU but since most people are afraid of their computers failing by getting a cheaper PSU I won't offer any alternatives.

It is true I can get a cheaper, smaller case, but with all the heat Ill be throwing around and a possible Crossfire in the future I would like the bigger case, and u can never have enough airflow!^^ unless you watercool.. which im not going to.

As for the ram I'm leaning on the Kingston HyperX, it's right around the same price as the ram you showed me and seems reliable as well. I've had bad experiences with OCZ so i kind of lean away from them in general.

As for the power supply, I was actually thinking of stepping it up to a 850W corsair because I might go crossfire in the future, but I'm not sure, would a 750W be good for 2 of those video cards? or would a 850W power supply be a better choice?

 

[armi]

The cases are all full tower like the Antec 1200... if you are afraid of heat, just buy a few more fans.

If you are insistent on getting the Kingston, you should get it. Kingston is a VERY good brand although a tad bit more expensive.

750W is enough. I assume you are getting the Corsair TX 750W?

 

[Helloworld_98]

you need a good 1000w for two of those cards.

edit: the 1200 is not a full tower, it doesn't support E-ATX like true full towers do.

also you should think about going with a single 4890 and an i7 build, it is a far better choice for your budget and you won't lose much graphics performance.

 

[spec8458]

The cases are all full tower like the Antec 1200... if you are afraid of heat, just buy a few more fans.

If you are insistent on getting the Kingston, you should get it. Kingston is a VERY good brand although a tad bit more expensive.

750W is enough. I assume you are getting the Corsair TX 750W?

yeah I am getting the Corsair TX 750W, I just did a Watt Calculator and with everything with crossfire cards it said about 786W, BUT i wont go crossfire for quite some time, probably when new cards come out etc.. like 6+ months so i will just keep the 750W power supply.

I will look closer at the cases you showed me.

 

[Helloworld_98]

out of those memory modules, get the patriot one's, they run on a lower voltage, or try and find some OCZ blade low voltage 1150mhz modules as they OC to 1333mhz CL5 with a 0.05v increase.

 

[armi]

yeah I am getting the Corsair TX 750W, I just did a Watt Calculator and with everything with crossfire cards it said about 786W, BUT i wont go crossfire for quite some time, probably when new cards come out etc.. like 6+ months so i will just keep the 750W power supply.

I will look closer at the cases you showed me.

Sorry, my mistake then. I must've pressed something wrong.

 

[Why_Me]

With a budget like yours OP, I would def. go i7.

 

[Govinda]

With a budget like yours OP, I would def. go i7.

yes, i7 is better investment when it comes to future upgrades