About to purchase this config for i7 build...

[billkole]

Hi everybody. I've been a lurker for quite a while now and using a lot of the information from other posts have come up with an i7 build that I think I'm comfortable with and just wanted some feedback if anybody would be so kind as to offer it.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
   Programming, web development, photoshop CS4, light video editing, and general computing (email, browsing, etc). I'm not into gaming at all but I might get more into video in the future. I literally only buy a new computer every 5 years (currently have a pentium 4) so I want this new build to last me 5 years.
   
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
   $1300 - $1500.
   
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
   United States. I live in California so I have to pay tax when I purchase from Newegg.
   
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
   I prefer Intel.
   
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
   No (aside from my 24 inch Samsung T240)
   
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
   Yes I have and found some helpful information but not exactly what I was looking for.
   
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
   Default speeds at first. I am very unfamiliar with overclocking and I am reluctant to change anything that will require additional hardware or constant monitoring. That being said I would be interested in making changes that could yield me additional performance gains without very much risk.
   
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
   ASAP (I would like to be finished buying today or tomorrow).

Here is what I've come up with.


MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 COMBO WITH MOBO = $453.98
MSI X58 and i7 920 Combo on Newegg

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail = $109.99
Corsair 750w on newegg

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail = $154.99
Antec 1200 on newegg

OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $115.99
OCZ on newegg

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM = $89.99
WD Digital 1 TB on newegg

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM = $99.99
WD raptor on newegg

POWERCOLOR AX4830 512MD3-H Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail = $94.99
powercolor GPU on newegg

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM = $99.99
vista on newegg

Nippon Labs ICR-EE All-in-one USB + FDD1.44" Card Reader w/ 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE - Retail = $24.99
card reader on newegg

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM = $22.00
DVD burner on newegg

Total With Tax and Shipping Included = $1,405.81


The questions I have are:

1. Is it worth spending a little extra for a higher quality mobo when I don't game at all?
   
2. Is the case and psu going overboard for my needs? I was looking at the antec 550 as well for a more budget option: Antec 550 on Newegg
   
3. Should I get higher quality Ram or should this suffice?
   
4. Perhaps for the extra $100+ should I just get 12 gigs of RAM instead of 6?
   
5. From all the information in this forum, I figure I'll run my programs and OS off of the 74gb 10,000RPM drive, and leave the terabyte drive for storage (I need a lot of storage as I don't even delete anything)

Thanks folks for all your help over the last month or two!

 

[billkole]

One more thing. This is the first time I've ever put together a full computer from all new components so if anybody could recommend any tools, cables, or other small things I should pick up I'l really appreciate it.

 

[imported_wired247]

you can drop down to a 450W - 500W PSU ... You don't need that much power unless you're running several graphics cards.

I would say cases are a personal preference. But yes you will be going "overboard" in that you won't need that much cooling, and why have more fans running than you need? (Of course you can always use a fan controller to slow them down).

Your RAM will work fine, but I think you might be able to find cheaper RAM that does the same job.

From what I've seen, Caviar Black > Caviar Green

12 Gigs of RAM is a shitload. You can always get the 6GB first and see if you run out doing your video projects. My guess is no, you won't...

That 74GB raptor is a complete joke... it is beyond outdated. Either go for velociraptor or just put the OS on a caviar black.



Edit: Looks like Newegg might have switched the combo deal on you. This is what I saw when I clicked your link

1. Intel BX80601920: $288.99
2. GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P: $269.99

Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $538.98

$20.00 Mail-In Rebate

 

[billkole]

Edit: Looks like Newegg might have switched the combo deal on you. This is what I saw when I clicked your link

1. Intel BX80601920: $288.99
2. GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P: $269.99

Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $538.98

$20.00 Mail-In Rebate

Sorry about that. I linked to the wrong combo deal.

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I had figured it was a little overkill. I've switched out the case and PSU for something a little more appropriate for what I am trying to do (saved some cash in the process).

I've asked around some other places and this is what I have (modified a few things like the mobo and case. I am not sure if the case will work so if anybody knows that would be so helpful.

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 COMBO WITH MOBO = $453.98
Gigabyte and i7 920 Combo on Newegg

OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $115.99
OCZ on newegg

Antec Sonata Plus 550 = $159.99
Antec Sonata Plus 550 on newegg

Western Digital Caviar Black = $119.99
WD Digital Black 1 TB on newegg

POWERCOLOR AX4830 512MD3-H Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail = $94.99
powercolor GPU on newegg

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM = $99.99
vista on newegg

Nippon Labs ICR-EE All-in-one USB + FDD1.44" Card Reader w/ 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE - Retail = $24.99
card reader on newegg

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM = $22.00
DVD burner on newegg

Total With Tax and Shipping Included = $1,230.43

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I didn't read entire thread, but did someone mention the 229$ i7 920 deal at microcenter? and you can specify what lot/batch you want as long as its available but I took back a 3838 and got a 3841