Need advice on first build (HELP)

[ssandulak]

Okay I posted over on the Tom's hardware forums and I'm looking for some more...active help. I'm looking to make my first computer (I've owned 4 or 5, I just want to build this one) and I could use a lot of help

Okay so here are some of the parts I'm thinking of currently. All these prices are from newegg because (so far) they've been much cheaper than ncix.

proc: i7 920 - $304.99 Link

case: Haf 932 -$149.99 Link

ram: 6gb (3x2gb) ddr3 1600 corsair xms3 -$162.99 Link

OS: windows 7 professional 64 bit OEM -$154.99 Link

MoBo: Asus P6T Deluxe v2 -$339.99 Link

Power supply: Corsair 850w -$169.99 Link
Theres 2 models for the corsair 850w, what are the big differences between the 2? I've listed the slightly cheaper one.

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB -$94.99 Link

DVD drive/burner: Samsung 22x DVD+R -$34.99 Link

Total thus far: Around $1181 before rebates and taxes/shipping

Okay so I'm still missing extra cooling goodness and a video card. Is there anything else I'm forgetting? Let's say I want a 5970, will I be able to add another down the line with my current PSU/setup? I'm not sure if I will go that way, I may wait for the new nvidia line to see how it measures up. How about the motherboard, it seems to have what I need, but the reviews are very mixed (on newegg anyways). Maybe I should just go with one beastly card, then I can just swap that out as needed. Still looking for some advice on the cooling though, I have no idea on that (at least video cards I'm fairly familiar with). Even though I'm fairly familiar with them I could use some advice.

I'm looking for a budget anywhere from 1500-2200'ish CAD and I'll primarily be using this system for gaming and 2d/3d art (modeling/texturing). I could really use some advice on the whole build, thanks in advance guys :awe:

*edit* Sorry, I forgot some things. I plan to overclock (though I've never done that either) at least the CPU, possibly the GPU and I want to be able to play whatever I want at 1080p resolution (1920x1080 right?) and at max settings including: L4D2, The Old Republic, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, Dragon Age. I'm not super interested in Crysis but knowing I'd be able to play it at decent settings would set my mind at ease

 

[Chris A]

You need to watch the hot deals section and if you have a Fry's close by that would help.. Just saw a CPU close to the one you want with a mother board for less then $200..

Windows 7 was about $100.

My opinion it is overkill paying $339 for a motherboard.. Good grief thats expensive.

 

[Syran]

You need to watch the hot deals section and if you have a Fry's close by that would help.. Just saw a CPU close to the one you want with a mother board for less then $200..

Windows 7 was about $100.

My opinion it is overkill paying $339 for a motherboard.. Good grief thats expensive.

Watch out, he's Canadian... their prices tend to be more expensive then ours, even after conversion.

 

[ssandulak]

Lol ya we get shafted on prices sometimes Do we even have Fry's over here? Can you guys suggest another motherboard? That Let's me have 6 slots for ram, and the possibility for xfire or SLI in the future?

 

[ssandulak]

Hmmm, no new replies. New questions though Say I want something beefy like a gtx 295 or ati 5970, will air cooling be sufficient? The temperature in my room in the summer is unbelievable and I've had heat problems in the past (8800gtx ran crazy hot till it finally died). I've been thinking of trying water cooling with my first build, but there are just so many different parts/methods that I'm a little intimidated after looking up some of the guides. On the plus side the HAF 932 looks excellent for whatever I want to do, with plenty of room, and nice big fans. Anyone have some water cooling advice on parts? Could use some more suggestions on motherboards as well, really my whole build is up in the air besides the case and the processor

 

[ssandulak]

*sigh* More replying to myself I think I've decided on the gtx 275 for the vid card. Any suggestions on which to get? Are there aftermarket coolers for these to help keep it cooler? With the PSU I've listed (the 850w corsair) will I be able to run another 275 eventually? With the overclocked cpu and 12gb of ram I'll eventually have? Thanks to any who reply and can help me out.

 

[ssandulak]

Been doing some more research, I was planning to eventually have 12gb of DDR3 1600 ram but apparently the asus p6t motherboard only accepts 6 gb of 1600 ram. Can anyone recommend another mobo that supports SLI or Xfire (will be SLI for me as I plan to eventually have 2 gtx 275's) that will have 6 dimm slots for 2gb sticks of 1600 DDR3 ram.

Also for cooling my cpu when overclocking I think I'm leaning towards the Scythe Mugen 2, it's priced well and it competes with the big boys. I am worried about the size though. I'm wondering if it will interfere with anything else (the HAF 932 is a big case though).