Critique My Build

[Fedaykin311]

Uses:

Gaming:
* Supreme Commander
* FPS games (new and old)
* RPG Games

Multimedia: I have a dual screen setup so I am generally watching some sort of video or listening to MP3s while doing other things like browsing or gaming.

Quiet Computing is another "use" I have. It's important to me to have a quiet machine.

Budget: $1200-$1600

Country: US

Brand Preferences: nVidia, Intel, WD

Current Parts to be used (if possible):
Case: Antec P182
Optical: PATA DVD RW drive
Monitors: Dual Samsung 22" WS LCD displays
O/S: Win7 Beta
Power Supply: have a brand new SeaSonic S12 500W, though this may be inadequate

Overclocking: Not at this time, though possible in the future (1+ years)

When: next 2-3 weeks


Current Selected Parts:

MB: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
CPU: I7 920 (to be run stock)
HS: Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V
RAM: OCZ Platinum 3x2 DDR3 1600 7-7-7-24
GPU: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GTX 260 Superclocked 896MB
SYS: OCZ Vertex 60GB
DATA: WD 1TB WD1001FALS
BCKUP: WD My Book 1GB External (usb/e-sata/fw)
SND: Logitech G51 5.1

Alternates:

MB: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P (mostly for the 6 RAM slots instead of 4)
GPU: EVGA GTX 275 or Radeon 4890
PS: higher wattage if needed, stick with SeaSonic or Antec for acoustics
SSD: 120GB Vertex

Specific Questions:

Is the upgraded Gigabyte board with the extra $50-$70?
I'm not convinced the $70 price bump to the 275/4890 is worth it. Opinions?
Splurge for the 120GB Vertex?
Is the existing 500W PS enough or should I spend the money for more (and if so how much)?
My brother in law claims Win7 Beta is stable enough for gaming. Is this true and can i get by on it until a real release, or should I just buy Vista 64 bit?
Is the HS/FAN a good quiet solution for the i7, or should I invest in something more expensive/large?

EDIT: I'm currently sitting at about $1,300 + shipping so I am well within budget.

 

[polarbear6]

Well here is a link which compares 4870 and 4890 the 4870 being some 10% slower that 280 gtx in some games. It is slightly faster than the 260 gtx.
So see the FPS and you decide
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3539&p=5

 

[supertle55]

Check out www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine for a PSU calculator
500w should be enough. The cost to get a more powerful one for the future may or may not be worth it b/c by the time the future comes, price will have dropped and by that time, you can always just buy a brand new PSU then.

Newegg had a Corsair 650TX for $60. Originally I was going to buy the Corsair 750w for $120. Being half the price, I figured I can probably buy a brand new 750w for $60 by the time I need it and it will be brand spanking new.

I went with the 4890 OC. It can be found for $180 AR.

 

[JTP709]

Most HD 4890's have a $20 mail in rebate, making them only about $40 more than the GTX 260. However, if you stick with the Nvidia card, go with the non super clocked version and just overlock the card yourself to save some money, but then again I'm just a cheap college student

I personally don't see any reason to get the more expensive gigabyte mobo unless you plan on using the extra memory slots. It also does have one extra PCI-e 1.0 slot, but again only if you really seeing yourself use that. Otherwise no way, save the $$$.

PSU wise, I see a lot of deals all over the web, reputable PSUs for around 650w sometimes cheaper than a new 550w. The deals change everyday but keep your eyes open you'll find it. Newegg.com always has new combo deals that pretty much change daily, trick is being lucky on the day you want to buy your new system and getting all the combos you want. The other day I was able to save $100 off my system AND upgrade my graphics card and memory because of all of the combo savings, just wish those deals would last . . .

 

[theAnimal]

Your PSU is fine; could probably handle 2 GTX260/275 or HD4890 (although it doesn't have the connectors).