1st custom computer, 1000-1500$ budget

[srobinson1163]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (Within a couple days, by friday I think) BUDGET RANGE: (example: US$1000-1500)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (gaming, watching movies (non-bluray I have a ps3 for that))

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse, speakers)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg)

PARTS PREFERENCES: I like intel processors and NVIDIA cards. Beyond that nothing specific. I have been hearing quad core is the best bang for the buck in terms of being futureproof. EDIT: decided to go i7 after some advice

OVERCLOCKING: Not initially but I'd like the option to be able to if I need to eventually
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Same as overclocking, not now but I'd like to be able to

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Doesn't matter but I think i have settled on a specific monitor.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I multitask a lot on my computer and my biggest thing is wanting a computer that will last a long time and is very future proof and upgradeable. I also don't know if I need additional cooling
features.

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181244

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

Vista home premium 64bit SP1

Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163

Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021

Thermaltake toughpower W0105RU 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153035

All advice is welcomed. As I said, my focus is a computer that will last a long time. Thank you

 

[Helloworld_98]

why Q9650 and P45?

why not i7 for a bit more?

 

[srobinson1163]

I have heard i7 isn't worth it's bang for the buck yet and there have been some issues with NVIDIA cards and i7s. If someone could shed some light on this please do.

 

[Helloworld_98]

no, if anything i7 enhances nvidia cards because the X58 chipset handles dual gpu's better.

and i7 is definitely has a good bang for buck, don't forget it will still be good for when apps use 8 cores.

 

[buzznut]

This appears from your list to be mostly gaming oriented. With that budget, the 9800GT seems a little underpowered. Looks like you could afford a GTX260 or something in that range.

 

[DXRick]

It makes no sense to match the Q9650 with the 9800GT. Much better would be the Q9550 with a GTX 260 or ATI 4870.

 

[srobinson1163]

ok so it looks like i'm going Q9650 with a GTX260. Any other ideas on i7 vs quadcore? I want something that's fairly future proof but I been hearing Q9650 should be good enough for a while.

 

[Upendra09]

i7 is better for gaming, and uses less power so more benefit than bad

 

[baddad]

This Motherboard is better for the money http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131274
This PSU is modular and you should have more power then you need http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153072
This display with a higher resolution http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157
And finally this case for room and cooling can't be beat for the price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021

 

[srobinson1163]

Ok thank's for the advice guys. I've updated it for the i7 with a new motherboard, about to update the RAM.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

This DDR3 1600 RAM has 8-8-8-21 timings at 1.65v for $90:

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $89.99

I would spend a couple extra bucks and pick up a DVD burner:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=22x+lg+sata&x=0&y=0

I don't know about that ASRock motherboard. I would check out this combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181244

Be sure to check for combos on all your parts. Here's one I found real quick:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.186062 (HD & Vista combo - saves $20)

The GTX 260 you picked is the old one. You'll want to look for the core 216 version.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001402%2040000048%20106792634%201067940781%201369844342&bop=And&SpeTabStoreType=0&Order=PRICE

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1 for the CPU+Motherboard combo. I don't trust ASRock.

And if OP's up for it, he could get a 4870X2 or smiler nVidia card. PROVIDING this will be a high end gaming PC.

 

[srobinson1163]

Ok thanks for the advice guys, everyone has been incredibly helpful. I made a ton of changes, it costs $1564 now but that includes the monitor and a keyboard and mouse and windows so I'm pretty satisfied with the bang for the buck. Any last advice, I'll probably finalize this tomorrow.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I know you probably got that PSU because it was bundled with the case, but I don't trust most Thermaltake PSU's. I would look for a PSU from Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, or Antec.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx $129.99 - $20 MIR

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.184782 $139.99 - $20 MIR

Antec EA-750 750W ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026 $139.99

Cases come down to personal preference, but you could save quite a bit with one of these cases if you like any of them:

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $74.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300 $59.95

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 $119.99

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058 $139.99 (Only $10 cheaper, but it has free shipping)

 

[srobinson1163]

thanks for the advice, I went to the corsair 750 watt and am going with this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025
looks good to me and is a lot cheaper

 

[srobinson1163]

bump. any last advice I'm getting this tomorrow unless I hear something groundbreaking

 

[daidalas]

looks good, fire up the credit card!

 

[Shadow703793]

New set up looks good!

Just make sure you read this first:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1444

Important things:

1. Remember to use motherboard stand offs

2.Double check all connections.

3.Ground yourself. Take ESD precautions.

4. After powering up, installing OS+ drivers. Check your temps using RealTemp/CoreTemp.