Gaming build =] ($1200 - $1800) Need some help / finishing touches

[klumzyee]

Been pretty satisfied with my ASUS Laptop (2.4ghz 512vid 4gbram) until the cd/dvd drive started giving me some issues and (my own stupid fault) left some clothes on my laptop while and overheated the video card -.- So the last time I was looking at desktops P4 was the **** lol so it was years ago. So after reading a lot of reviews I've put together a nice little list here but I've never actually fully built a system myself so I'll need some help ESPECIALLY with assembling.. Just what I may do wrong by accident etc.. after this I'm going to look up some "how to build your own computer" DIYs to make sure I don't miss a thing..

What will I do:
Video editing nothing crazy just windows movie maker and sony vegas..
I play wow once in a while and want to run everything on HIGH while recording with fraps.
Probably gona pick up some FPS now that I have a better comp =)

Case: Zalman GS1000 (Black) - $166.44
- http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-GS1000-.../ref=pd_cp_e_1
- 1 reason.. sexy.. went to fry's earlier so I can see some of the cases in person and omg i felt instantly IN. LOVE.

Paired with 3 more Scythe Gentle Typhoon D1225C12B4AP-14 air fans - 12.95 ea
- http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-Gentle-...4932923&sr=8-1


Corsair CMPSU-850TX 850-Watt TX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply
- http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-...4933058&sr=1-1


NewEgg Combo Deal $621.98
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.311724
(MOBO) ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i
(CPU) i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core
(RAM) 2x2 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
(HD) Seagate Barracuda LP ST31500541AS 1.5TB 5900 RPM
Just too good of a deal to NOT get it


MOAR RAM!!! G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB $84.99
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277
so total of 8GB


Sony CD-R/DVD-R Drive $24.99
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118030


HardDrive Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache $199.99 x2
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136322


Video Card.. need some help, I cant seem to find a really good one =\ I want power to be able to handle HIGH graphics games. I'm also going to be using dual monitors at 1920x1080..
EVGA card i found that fit was http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130493 but there seems to be some mixed reviews on it.. so help? or should I run 2 cards?


Also lastly I'm unsure about my choice of harddrives.. I think 300gb drives are more then enough but I'm also looking for reliability over performance.. Last thing I ever want is for a HD to go out on me.. I dont need too much space.. hence the $1200 - $1800 price gap (for harddrives).


Would also like to run a HeatSink simply because we hit temps over 100 degrees here and I usually wont turn on the A/C unless guests are over.. I want my comp to be able to survive the temperatures while performing.. was thinking about http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-Core-C...1&sr=8-1-fkmr0 but dont know if it'll work with my build.. or if theres something better please recommend.

Thanks for taking the time to look =)

[glc]

If you are looking for reliability over performance, look at WD Caviar Black hard drives. I'd get 2 - one smaller one for the OS and apps, and one big one for your data. Take the Seagate drive that comes with the combo and put it in an external housing for backups. Suggested housing:

http://www.apricorn.com/product_deta...e=family&id=56
Drive not included $39.00

That's a very good video card, but Tom's Hardware says the best card in that price range is a Radeon 5850. This also gives you the benefit of DirectX 11.

That heatsink is not compatible with socket 1156. It's my understanding that the best one so far is this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...4958487&sr=8-1

[klumzyee]

Just heard some horror stories about OS7 Drivers for video cards.. just want something reliable with performance.. if it exists..

I dont need a housing right? I was planning to use the 1TB as backup & storage but I was just planning to put it in the case since it has so many hard drive slots.

so sounds like I have everything together.. Thank you for the harddrive recommendation I'll be adding that to my list instead.

am I missing anything else I need to complete the build? Again I'venever fully built a computer before

[glc]

You don't necessarily need an external enclosure, but it would give you the ability to store your backups elsewhere for better security. That enclosure also comes with very good imaging software.

[klumzyee]

EDITED MY POST in regards to my next post, after realizing that amazon's definition of a combo is just adding their prices together, lol.


I was aiming at the 10000rpm WD 300GB x2 (link $200x2 = $400)

But I dont think I'm going to be upset at 7200 Caviars Speed or be able to tell the difference from the 10,000rpm drives and they are cheaper.. So with the outstanding rep the caviars have I think I should save some $ by getting 2x Caviars like glc recommended.

OR

Should I just fork up the $$ for a SolidState Drive.. would it make that big of a difference (never had a PC with one in it).. I know startup time is GREATLY reduced but would application loading time be a noticeable difference? even my 10+ year old 5200rpm drive still loads PS SonyVegas Office in bearable seconds and even less on my current laptop. Will I really see a night and day difference to include a SSD in my build also hows the reliability. I've been lucky to only have ONE HD go out on me, ever - Due to old age. Of course it was backed up but not completely up-to-date. It was a biggest PITA ever. So HD is one thing I wont mind spending some $. Another problem is that the apps I use take up a TON of storage. I'm at around 70GB in OS+Apps right now with only 1 game (WoW) installed. My usual daily used apps are Sony Vegas, Soundforge, PS, office, etc..

Lastly after reading moreee reviews seems like a 250gb drive vs 1TB drive are pretty much the same performance.. so my other question would I want to just get one 1TB drive or two 500GB drives.. 1TBs are cheaper and I can always split them for the sake of storage management..

Cliff Notes:
10,000RPM WD 300GB drive $200ea x2
or 7,200RPM Caviar 1TB drive $100
or 7,200RPM Caviar 500GB drive $70ea x 2

GLC you're complete right about the external case for the 1.5GB the Seagate and I'll be adding that to my shopping list.

lastly disregard my next post (it's still awaiting for approval)


Next question: sorry I appreciate whoever's taking the time to read this
With my cpu+mobo+ram+vidcard combo above.. is everything "equal" in terms of power? I have no probs toning down some hardware or throwing in another $50-100 to get a better BANG-4-THE-BUCK.. Is 8GB of ram overkill or just fine, with 8GB up I'm assuming I wouldn't be constantly accessing my 1TB drive for longer life if it matters.. even then rams dirt cheap so.. neh...

Also any recommendations on where to pick up a copy of OS7 for cheap? (I still have my student email =P)

[klumzyee]

covered in previous post

[ryuk999]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-754-_-Product
that's the cheapese i know.

EDIT: user found what they were looking for.

[klumzyee]

http://win741.com/ =)

[glc]

The Velociraptor has a very bad performance/dollar ratio. If you want noticeably more speed, get an Intel X25-based SSD for your OS and apps, and keep a current backup image on one of your externals and/or the internal data drive.

If money is becoming an issue, you could just get a big Black for everything. You could always get a SSD later when they become more mainstream.

If you do want to shop locally and avoid shipping, check out Mwave. They have a will call counter, unlike Newegg. They are over near Diamond Bar.

[klumzyee]

thanks for the advice glc.. yeah mwave is local but their prices still cant compete with amazon w/no tax and free shipping.

Looks like I'm going to grab a 500GB drive for now and maybe a SSD in the future =) for my second drive I'll just sit around until one comes on sale or something.

[klumzyee]

Thermal compound needed with http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...4958487&sr=8-1 ?

edit: course i do .-.

k its Christmas for me time.. lol

[klumzyee]

update ended up going with the i7 920 and a gigabyte board instead.. now its in the hands of the ups gods