Feedback Needed / New $1800 Multi-function Build

[sbattisti]

OK folks, I'm new to building my own PC, and I've read through the stickies here, and hopefully I'll post something that makes it easy for you guys to help.

Please bear in mind, I'm moderately technical, but because I'm new to PC building, you may have to speak slowly. I don't know much about motherboards and processors and overclocking and stuff.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Budget: $1800 (incl. shipping)
• Use: Moderate multitasking, Excel, databases, some video and graphics editing. Some sound editing/recording. Some gaming - I'd like to be able to run new release games, but I'm not going to be playing online real-time FPSs or anything like that. Overall, this doesn't need to be bleeding edge, but I'd like it to be a rock-solid, cutting edge, multifunction machine for some time to come.
• Storage: I don't have particularly large storage needs, but it might be nice to get a fast drive for apps and a larger drive for storage.
• Operating System: Windows 7
• Case: Please recommend. I have no specific size constraints. I'd like the machine to be REASONABLY quiet and well-cooled.
• Sound: Would like to get a decent 2.1 sound system with this rig, as well as a decent sound card to go with it. I'm not looking to do high-end sound editing, nor am I looking to blow the neighbors' walls down, but I'd like to have nice sound, for games and for playing music.

Build
Here's what I have come up with so far based on feedback from other forums. I have some specific questions below as well.

• CPU 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/Produc...82E16819115202 1 $279.99 $279.99
• Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128362 1 $278.99 $278.99
• Memory OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227365 1 $129.99 $129.99
• Graphics XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150436 1 $139.99 $139.99
• Storage Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148433 1 $89.99 $89.99
• Storage Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136296 1 $179.99 $179.99
• Power 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/Produc...82E16817139006 1 $119.99 $119.99
• DVD LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW SATA CD/DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 1 $29.99 $29.99
• Case COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160 1 $139.99 $139.99
• Monitor Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009145 1 $159.99 $159.99
• Monitor Stand ERGOTRON 45-179-195 LX Desk Mount LCD Arm (black) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824994007 2 $114.99 $229.98
  Sound Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speakers http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121010 1 $48.99 $48.99
• Wireless EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, AES http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833315041 1 $19.99 $19.99
• OS Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116758 1 $134.99 $134.99

Questions

• Given that I don't need bleeding edge, should I go with the i5? If so, what are the specific processor, motherboard, and memory that I would need to get?
• Can I even get Windows 7 at this point? If so, which one should I get? Does the version of Windows 7 affect how much RAM I can get, like it did for Vista?
• Someone told me that I don't really need a sound card. If I'm going to be recording stuff
  occasionally, in that case would I need a sound card? Is the sound
  quality on games good if you don't have a sound card?
• Does this build have enough cooling?

Thanks everyone!

Steve

[flanzig1]

Would dump the Rapter and just go with a drive with a 32 meg Cache. The WD Black version is the recommended HD these days and will be almost as fast as the Rapter.
Would go with a different brand for the video card like Asus or Sapphire.
On-board sound can be pretty good with good speakers.
For a wireless card, go with the same brand as your wireless router, better chance of working together.
For proven parts, a Q9550 with an Asus P5Q Pro and XMS DDR2 800 ram.
i5 for bleeding edge.

[Khalil]

XFX is total garbage, i7 and Gigabyte is a nightmare waiting to happen. Go with the new P55 or the older P45s, make sure and get an Asus motherboard, the i7 X58 platform is bugged and have been scrapped by Intel.
I would go with Corsair, Crucial, Gskill or Kingston memory over OCZ, Flanzig is spot on, I would go with a WD black over the Raptor hard drive.