Help building a future proof gaming rig >£700

[PandaKing]

Firstly i am a complete noob. i am fairly computer literate, but not when it comes to choosing parts. I have found what i think is a good gaming build, and relay need some experts to tell me if my selections are good, compatible and (mildly) future proof. Also have one question.

> On my list i have a copy of windows 7, i already have a copy of windows xp on my dell dimension 3100 (uuurrg). I DONT have a install disc, but was wondering whether i need a new operating system, or if i can just connect my old SATA drive to my new rig.

I am also willing to harvest parts from my Dimension 3100, which has a Pentium 4 ht processor and 2x512 RAM

I will defiantly use the disc drive from this pc.
Monitor resolution 1920x1080, no higher.

Also Do i need to buy a separate CPU cooler, or do i get one with the i5?

My Build Follows

Novatech Prowler Midi Case V2

Novatech GeForce GTX 460 1024MB DDR5 PCI Express - Retail

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

Novatech 750W ATX Power Supply for AMD and Intel Motherboards 20Pin + 4Pin

Intel Core i5 760 2.8Ghz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156)

Asus P7P55D-E Intel P55 (Socket 1156) Motherboard

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 16MB Cache Hard Drive SATA II 300MB/s 11ms 7200rpm - OEM

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD - OEM


Is there anything missing? Anything unnecessary? I am looking for reliability and a long life for this pc and all of its components.
Games- Crysis 2, Battlefield 3 etc.

[glc]

Case - if that's the one you like.
Video card: I'd be a lot more comfortable with an Asus instead of the Novatech house brand.
Ram - 1600 isn't necessary, but it's the same price as 1333. It will work.
Power supply: Absolutely not - stick with known high quality name brands.
Corsair TX 650W ATX2.2 SLI Compliant Power Supply
CPU/motherboard: Good. The CPU comes with a cooler.
Hard drive: No.
Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 32MB Cache Hard Disk Drive SATA 6 Gb/s 126MB/s <4.2ms 7200rpm - OEM
OS: Good. You can't reuse the Dell XP.

If your optical isn't SATA with a standard front bezel, get this:
LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD+/-RW SATA Black - OEM

[PandaKing]

Thanks a lot glc.
Both the power supply and hard drive you mentioned are far better choices.
I will probably go for an asus GPU also.

I belive my existing optical drive is fine, and i was anyway planning on upgrading after i build my pc to this

I have a few last questions.

I have both an xbox 360 and a pc, and currently my pc uses the vga on my monitor and the xbox dvi (cheap monitor only has one of each). Using theis new rig i would probably use dvi, can you get dvi switchers? (just for convinence)

Also i went for and intel i5 instead of an i7 because i have heard that gaming does not require super powerful processors (although the i5 is also quite good) is it as good an i7/is it necessary to have an i7? (with gaming in mind).

I will probably not buy this rig for a couple of months (im researching now to ensure i don't waste any money) do you think any of these components will be cheaper later in the year?

Thanks again.

[David M]

There is no such thing as future proof, only future resistant. Eventually the future will make your current system worthless.

[glc]

If you aren't buying now, come back when you are ready to buy - the recommendations won't necessarily be the same. By then, the "fixed" Sandy Bridge will be out.

Most video cards that have only DVI come with a DVI to VGA adapter.

[birddog_61]

Yep if you research now and buy in 5 months you will not end up with a system as good as you could have. I always try to save until I am ready to purchase everything then figure out my parts list and order within a few days. That way I have the most up to date products that I can get.