First Build, Suggestions?

[kroobs]

Not really happy with this computer I bought and they built at the store (bsods, shuts down, expensive)
Thinking I'd be happier with making one myself.
Just wondering if I left something out/should be worrying about anything?

Use: Gaming, school, browsing, etc.
Concerns: Psu big enough? How about for a gpu or crossfire upgrade in the future? (should I opt for 750w or 850w?)
Are parts compatible? More reliable brands/Better deals? (Newegg won't ship to me. Going with ExcaliburPc because of good experience)
Never built a computer, has anyone killed their stuff with static?

Mobo $115.22
ASUS M5A97 EVO AMD 970 AM3+ ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU $135.90
AMD HDZ965FBGMBOX Phenom II X4 965 3.4GHz 2MB Cache AM3 Quad-Core Processor

Ram (x2) $27.00
Kingston KVR1333D3N9 / 2G 2GB DDR3 1333MHz PC3-10600 Memory

SSD $103.90
OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HDD $62.50
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7502AAEX 750GB 3.5" SATA Hard Drive

DVD $25.00
ASUS 90-D40FJV-UB0110- 24X DVD±R / 8X DVD+RW / 6X DVD-RW Internal SATA DVD Writer

HSF $25.00
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm Full Aluminum CPU Cooler $25.00

Thermal Compound $6.00
Zalman ZM-STG1 Thermal Compound

PSU $95.90
Corsair Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TXV2 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Case $85.00
Cooler Master RC-922M-KKN1-GP Micro ATX / ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Extra fan $18.76
Cooler Master CoolerMaster Fan R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Mega Flow LED Red 700RPM

I also have a Powercolor 6850 which I love, and a 19" Monitor (1440x900) that I may consider upgrading when I can.
Someone said opting for a higher resolution would help?
I'm open to comments and suggestions.

 

[ervinelim]

Yeah bro, 650watts is enough. Although, getting 750 watts should be better if you plan on overclocking.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6850-6870-crossfirex-review/4

I'd rather get 4gb x2 than 2x2gb. You won't regret it as ram is so cheap right now.

 

[abekl]

Thoughts:
Change the value ram to PC3 10666.

If you are going to sli or X-fire in the future, get an extra 100 Watts on the PSU just to be safe.

The 6850 is sufficient for most purposes.

 

[kroobs]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'll try springing for the 850 just give me more headroom if I ever try to upgrade in the future.
As for Ram I searched and a bunch of people saying the same thing. "Cheap, future-proof, why not?"
I looked at more ram and found this:

http://www.excaliberpc.com/602789/kingston-hyperx-khx1600c9d3k2-8gx-8gb.html

Will that work with amd? It says something about supporting intel xmp.
I checked for a 10666 value ram (4gb) and two of them would cost $81 while the 1600mhz one is $57 for 8gb.
I'm just not sure what's the difference (just faster?) or if it's compatible.

 

[abekl]

Never mind my suggestion about the ram speed. What you have selected is just fine.

 

[kroobs]

Alright, thanks for help with the ram!
Now I thought about it and I was gonna see if I can add another 6850 in the future.
So I did more research and I think the board I picked http://www.excaliberpc.com/607464/asus-m5a97-evo-amd-970.html#TabSpecification isn't so good for crossfire?
Well it says 2 PCIe slots but black is x4?

I looked at this one http://www.excaliberpc.com/607535/asus-m5a99x-evo-amd-990x.html#TabSpecification and this one has another slot and says (x16 or dual x8)
Does that mean it'll be bottlenecked with two cards? or it's supposed to add up like that x8 + x8 = x16?

Or should it be like this http://www.excaliberpc.com/607828/gigabyte-ga-990fxa-ud3-amd-990fx-sb950.html#TabSpecification that says 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1, PCIEX16_2)?

 

[abekl]

Only more expensive MB's do both PCI slots at x16. Most will do dual x8. Sone of the cheaper boards go down to x4, you have to read the specs carefully.

 

[kroobs]

Alright, going to do some more research and rethink my build. Thanks for all the replies abekl.

 

[kroobs]

Best answer selected by kroobs.