Is This Build An Overkill?

[irishred]

Hello Everyone,
First time builder and newbie here. My computer is old, made with relatively cheap parts. Judging by today's standard of quality, I'm amazed it lasted this long, 6 years. The only thing I could think of reusing is a 500gb hard drive, possible adding a faster 1TB hdd later. I'm a light gamer, mostly research work and downloading, multi-tasking, watching movies, listening to music. I realize what I've choosen might be an overkill and future proofing a pipe dream but I want to have a decent computer that will last a long time. No sli or crossfire, little overclocking. I already have 1920x1080 23" monitor, g19 mouse and keyboard, 5.1 speakers, wd black 720gb hdd, kington 128gb ssd (I know now that it is shoddy but hoping I luck out and will be only be using os windows 7 x64 + applications on it and pioneer blu ray dvd burner. I want to use usb 3.0 but I heard issues with using both ssd and the usb. I don't know anything about Raid setup except it will get faster reliable storage and not worry about losing data. What will I need to complete i.e extra plugs, cooler, etc? Will you guys please be so kind to tell me if the parts I picked are compatible or if there is different parts at a better price and still get a quality high performance computer. Maybe a couple of upgradeables for later. I don't know what yet. I know intel and AMD like making one year's components obsolete for the next year or two. I'd rather not use sandybridge or bulldozer. I like to use newegg and amazon. I live in U.S. Thanks so much!

XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular ...
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
129.00
GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$179.99
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996782
$64.99
HIS Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor.
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$399.98 - Will this be a hardy CPU for the components especially if I overclock a little?
amazon.com/Antec-Mid-Tower-Gaming-Hundred-two v3
109.00 free shipping - Will the 2gb 6950 card fit in this case and still have good air flow? Heck, will everything fit in this case? I'd rather not mod the case except maybe easily removing a hdd bay. I have to use a mid tower.
Total:
$886.00 not including $60.00 in rebates.
Question about using rebates. Is it true that if I send in rebates, I will not be able to return defective parts or DOA?

[irishred]

I posted 3 hours ago but it didn't show up. Wasn't sure what happened so please forgive for reposting?
I get teased a lot from family members who make their living as computer techs for being someone who don't know squat about computers. Well, it's true but after reading for weeks in forums about computers, I now feel comfortable about building my own pc from scratch and then show them. I will humbly ask them for help as I've always done if I get to the point where I might cause harm my build. I will however check with you guys first. Thank You!
I like this site. Lots of Infor and generous help. So how did I do with what I picked? Would appreciate suggestions and open to changes. I like to buy soon to take advantage of sales.
I like newegg and amazon although open to other trusted sites. Live in U.S.
Already have:
1920 x 1080 23" monitor
G19 keyboard and mouse
5.1 speakers
kington 128gb ssd only for os windows 7 x64 and applications. Are there issues using both ssd and usb 3.0
720gb wd black hdd
an older 500gb hdd
possible a later 1TB hdd

Purpose: light gaming, multi-tasking, research work and downloading, listening to music, watching movies and youtube.
Little Overclocking, No Sli or Crossfire.

Goal: A Quality High Performance Computer that won't break my bank account and will last a long time with a couple of upgradeables. I'd rather not look into sandybridge or bulldozer.

GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$179.99
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular ...
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$129.99
Newegg.com - XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996782
$64.99
Newegg.com - Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996782

HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$214.99
Newegg.com - HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Or

HIS H695F2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Which Choice? Is the 6950 too much for what I do? Great Price though I think.

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$399.98 combo deal
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Antec-Mid-Tower-Gaming-Hundred-V3 - Will all of my choosen picks fit into this case. Need a mid tower and like usb front. would rather not mod unless easily removing a hdd bay to make room.
109.00 include free shipping
Amazon.com: Antec Mid-Tower Gaming Case Nine Hundred Two V3: Electronics

Total:
887.00 not including $60.00 rebates. Is it true if using rebates, won't be able to send back defective parts?

[glc]

I know they are getting good reviews, but I personally wouldn't use a XFX power supply. Look at Corsairs.

On the rebates - once you remove the UPC you cannot return the item to the vendor. You would have to deal with the manufacturer's warranty only.

[irishred]

Ok, I hope to use modular but read that they are more prone to cracks and unflexibility. Also should I keep the 750w and what about the choice between Readon 6850 or 6950?

[renowilliams]

I went with a full tower case myself (cooler Master HAF 932) as it gives you lots of space to work with. Does the case your looking at come with a power supply? One other thing, you may want to look at after market cooling as those processors tend to run on the warm side.

Here is a picture of my case with a Noctua DH-14 cooler.

DSC00171 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I don't think your ambition is too high. All of us had a first build.


Good Luck

[glc]

Threads merged - for some reason your first 2 threads got caught in our spam filter.

I have had no problems with Corsair modular PSU's.

Best video cards for the money:

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: February 2011 : February Updates

If you are only doing "light gaming" you don't need a high end card. This is where you can save money. You can always upgrade the card later if your needs become more demanding.

[irishred]

I have to use a mid-tower. Should I keep psu as 750w?

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by irishred I have to use a mid-tower. Should I keep psu as 750w?

A 750 watt power supply should work fine.

[glc]

If you are never going to use more than one video card, you can easily do with less.

Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by irishred I have to use a mid-tower. Should I keep psu as 750w?

You don't choose the PSU's wattage based on the size of the case, but on how many components you have and how much power they draw. A 750W unit gives you plenty of room for expansion (that's what I originally bought, and as I kept adding hard drive after hard drive it's paid off), but if you're not going to run more than one VC or plug a lot of components to the PC, buy the Seasonic.

Originally Posted by renowilliams Here is a picture of my case with a Noctua DH-14 cooler. DSC00171 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Very nice case. Did you take that cooler from your water cooler? That thing's massive.

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader You don't choose the PSU's wattage based on the size of the case, but on how many components you have and how much power they draw. A 750W unit gives you plenty of room for expansion (that's what I originally bought, and as I kept adding hard drive after hard drive it's paid off), but if you're not going to run more than one VC or plug a lot of components to the PC, buy the Seasonic. Very nice case. Did you take that cooler from your water cooler? That thing's massive.

lol...No but this cooler is very good. With my i7 860 clocked at 3.8 GHZ my idle temp stays at 72-74 degrees.