(Yet another) Gaming Build (+1600$) Cut back or improve?

[vsdagama]

Hey all,

Meet a gamer/enthousiast with a 1600$ budget. =)

I've been browsing these forums for the past 3 years. (since I intended to build my own pc)
Sadly, back then, my dad preferred to buy a prebuilt (Sucky HD3400, AMD and crap parts)
So the last few years I haven't been able to game as much and as good as I'd have liked. (I'm not able to run many games)

But I'm soon moving to my own place, so I'm also planning to make that (small) dream come true and built my own kickass gaming pc. =D

Let's fill in the template:

Spoiler

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By the end of June. (in some weeks)
I would like this build to last me 4-6 years. (upgrade possible in the meantime)

BUDGET RANGE: 1500 euros after rebates (so 1600$ give or take)
[+ a few hundred euros. If there are some !!serious improvements!! when spending these extra hundred bucks, I could break my piggy bank ]
But I prefer to keep it around 1500 euros. (to keep it simple)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing/downloading, programming (nothing serious), watching movies, office.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS.
I will buy these seperately (with my piggy bank money ), but recommendations are always welcome! (which version of Windows 7 for example))

PARTS REQUIRED: everything
(also monitor(s), CPU cooler)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com - as a reference. (=> No combo deals or any other avaible for me!)
I'll then look for those parts in local shops/internet shops
examples: http://azerty.nl/ , http://tones.be/

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium
(I could go to The Netherlands for cheaper parts)

PARTS PREFERENCES: None
(Intel CPU, 24" monitor, ATI GPU, 6Gb RAM, no watercooling, ... but I'm prepared to give in on those very easily.)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
I surely want to try this out.
CPU for sure, and maybe GPU and/or RAM (bit scared about those 2)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes
I think this is not possible with my budget. But I want to leave the option open.
For example: go with a single HD 5870 for now and add another one later (when I have the money/when I see the need for it)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
Not sure, but I would like to game in HD, watch movies in HD
So 1080p=1920x1200=around 24"??

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I prefer quality/performance/quitness above blingbling.

I made a little build here, but I'm confident you guys can make it cheaper and better

LIST OF PARTS:

Cpu/processor
Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225
I don't know if I should go for a lower priced CPU, as I'm mainly gaming.
I also want to multitask as in: running antivirus without consuming all processing power (making everthing else LAG), downloading, listening music, running several programs while gaming)

CPU Cooler
Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018
Can I get better cooling for lower price?

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
UBS 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s preferred
Good OC'ing
supporting 2 video cards (16x/16x) + have enough PCi-e slots left?
Some recommendations here are welcome!

Memory
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3C1600C7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286
I think 6gb would be sufficient, preferably fast memory, maybe I will overclock it.
Can I cut back here or is this set ideal for my price range?

Case
Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061
I like the idea behind this case (= silent, good cooling?)
Maybe there are cheaper cases providing better cooling + also quite?

Power Supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
A quality PSU that can Xfire or SLi (this will depend on my GPU choice I think)

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100281-3SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883
After reading a bit this came out as my favorit, (still don't know what brand to take and what vapor or Toxic and all those things make a difference or not)
please confirm my choice or give me a better alternative

Storage
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
There is nothing bad to be found about this HDD, so I'm taking this one for sure.
Big question is SDD's: I am not convinced about the use of SDD, what performance difference they actually make in gaming, computing, surfing.
Could someone link me to a good comparison/review? on what the actual benefits are of a fast SDD for a user like me?
Maybe you guys could fit one into my budget

Monitor
ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049
Is this a good monitor to game/watch videos in HD? Good quality? Good price? anything better?
I'm planning to go for 3 monitor's in the future (or now if you guys can fit it into the budget )

Optical Drive
SAMSUNG 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 4X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24x DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151216
Not very important.

TOTAL: $1,674.91

+ CPU cooler? + thermal paste? + Extra case fans?

NOTE: this build is already over my budget (1600$)

Additionnal comments on this build:
What I'm not planning to upgrade for a longer time (last multiple builds?):
Case, monitor, power supply, HDD, ODD, maybe memory, ...
What I'm maybe planning to add in the following years:
2 monitors (eyefinity), an extra HD 5870, an SSD, ...


I saw some 900$ prebuilts coming close to this specs for gaming (AMD, HD5870, 6Gb ram, ... - can't provide links sorry)
So I'm doubting if this is the right build for me, with a good bang for my buck


I hope you guys could cut back the cost / replace with better parts / etc

Thanks!!

P.S.: You are not allowed to edit this message!, why you always get this when trying to edit a post?

 

[vsdagama]

Nobody? Guess I wrote too much :S

 

[batuchka]

I highly doubt the quality of h/w (the image of a case with a cooling solution from hell and a doorstop PSU comes to mind) a $900 AMD pre build with a HD 5870 in but for $898AR

 

[vsdagama]

What do you highly doubt?

And how good would that perform comparing to my build?
Like:
Performance in games: 70% (100% is my build)

Where will I feel the difference? Or will this build perform about as good as the 1670$ one on games?

Keep in mind I don't get the newegg combo's when I'm ordering my parts in my country So they give a wrong interpretation of the price.

 

[batuchka]

Here is our very own forums analysis for CPU selection for mainly gaming
Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: January '10
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2520.html

The Rana 440 now with/without a clock (prolly dependent of GPU) is fine so u have to decide how much horsepower u need outside games ^^

 

[vsdagama]

I read that guide
But in the hierarchy in the end, an i750 is still better then the AMD processors.
So should I take that one?

Outside games, I just surf, download, watch videos etc
I also program a bit (nothing too serious), so I don't think I need a good processor for that. Does the 955 have enough headroom to run multiple applications together with a game?

I like to have some extra power on every part, so I can do whatever I want without having a shortage


*With
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Xtreme Design, Core Unlocker, USB 3.0, CrossFireX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

My build would be at $1,444.91

Going to AMD has no big disadvantage for gaming, and will still be sufficient for my other activities?

 

[batuchka]

1. Yes multi tasking/gaming is good to go
2. That 870 is a fine board provided u have no intention of CF

 

[vsdagama]

1. Nice Almost made my mind up about that now.
What would be a good reason to choose the i7 930 above the phenom 955?

2. This one?
ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Xtreme Design, Core Unlocker, USB 3.0, CrossFireX

It sais CrossfireX + Supports 1600 RAM and has USB 3.0 so I tought...
what is a good AMD mobo supporting OC, 1600Mhz RAM, USB 3.0, ...

 

[batuchka]

1. If u do intensive rendering/encoding especially if time = $$
2. All save one 870 chipset offer 16/4 CF at most which is not advisable for current gaming class GPUs due to lack of bandwidth : so have a look at the only 8/8 870 here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198

 

[vsdagama]

1. Haha, owk I do no heavy rendering or things like that so good.
Just want my system to be smooth

2. This seems to be the best option: With USB 3.0 and with x16/x16, also good for oc??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131655

 

[batuchka]

Yes 16/16 is doable on AM3: have a look at the 890FX mobos but some have way crazy CF options (which get too crazy for me ^^)

 

[vsdagama]

This one seems ok?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131655&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040

Now I saved like 150 on mobo/CPU
Any other suggestions =D?

RAM? Case? PSU? Monitor?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-cores-performance,2373-10.html
When reading this, it convinced me to go with the 6 cores of the
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851

Will that mobo (above in this post) OC it well?
And which CPU cooler should I get to get a very nice OC out of it?

 

[vsdagama]

Ok, I'm stuck now..
From the phenom 955, I went to 965, I went to 1055t and then that one had thesame price as a i5 750, so I thought why no take that

So let me rephrase my whole question and the reason I posted this thread:

The build I posted in the first post:
Is it good value for the money?
Can I get better value for that money?
Should I buy that exact parts when I have acces to that amount of money?

Lol that's all

If you guys approve that build, I'll make sure I get the needed amount of money soon.

Thanks

 

[vsdagama]

???

 

[vsdagama]

Ok, atleast I want to know why I can't edit/delete my own messages properly.

"You are not allowed to edit this message!"

 

[vsdagama]

Could someone tell me why I always get
"You are not allowed to edit this message!"

When trying to edit a message?