UPDATE - Gaming Rig Using Dual Monitors

[golfguy123]

Thank you for your input to my original post -

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268045-31-game-build-dell-monitor-selecting-components


Here is my list of components based on your suggestions. Still have a few questions (see below):

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:
ASAP

BUDGET RANGE:
Open

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
1> Gaming
2> More Gaming
3> Internet
4> Movies


MONITOR
DUAL MONITORS

Dell 3007WFP-HC 30” LCD
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=3007WFPHC&s=dhs

Samsung 22” LCD (My current monitor)
It will run side-by-side with the Dell 30” to display Teamspeak, XFire, and FRAP info while I game on the Dell.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-220WM-LCD-Monitor/dp/B0012TVEOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247533001&sr=8-1


MOTHERBOARD
ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131352

CPU
Intel i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

GPU
HELP ME OUT HERE –

DUAL - EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

-or-

SINGLE - EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480

*** Can I run both monitors using a single GTX 285? ***


MEMORY
OCZ OCZ3P1600LV6GK DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz 6GB Platinum XTC Triple Channel Kits
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-OCZ3P1600LV6GK-PC3-12800-1600MHz-Platinum/dp/B001NFZ5PQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247197502&sr=1-1

HARD DRIVES

HELP ME OUT -

Current Drives - Western Digital 160GB Caviar SE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144152

I’m running two of these drives (RAID 0) in my current rig.
Date stamped on drives – Jan 2005
Should I carry them over or upgrade?


PSU
CORSAIR 1000w HX
http://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-1000w-Ready-Certified-Supply/dp/B00154QAXQ/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I39LEDSKEYBQ2&colid=4KVYOGSO4UDO

CASE
SilverStone TJ10-B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163091&Tpk=SilverStone%20TJ10-B

CPU HEATSINK
Advice?

AIR/WATER COOLING
Advice?

 

[jbakerlent]

I would go with this Graphics card - it's a great deal and will run the monitors just fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127427&Tpk=4890%201gb

Also I would upgrade your hard drives to SATA 3.0 and 16mb cache - something like this by WD might do the job: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

As far as heatsinks and water cooling they aren't necessary unless you plan on overclocking.

 

[golfguy123]

Overclocking = a big Y E S. I specifically chose the ASUS mobo because of it's overclocking capabilities.

I am going with the i7 920 for the initial build but plan on upgrading to a 975 in a year or so when the prices come down.

 

[beg5670]

I'm in the process of building an i7 comp as well. For the cooling, I was originally going to get COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103055

but was told to look at this instead:
Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

 

[golfguy123]

Will the ASUS Rampage II mobo support separate video cards running separate monitors?

The Dell monitor requires a dual-link DVI-D connection. If I go with dual GTX 275's - they will be dedicated to the Dell 30" display. I assume I'll need a third GPU card to run the 22" monitor. Correct? And, is that possible?