First Time Builder Help

[zuzu41]

Hello All,

I'm working on building my first computer and would like some opinions. Let me know if you see anything wrong or just have some advice. For my budget, I don't want to exceed $2000 and would like to be around $1500ish. Here's what I and others have come up with for my first build:

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 - $289
MB: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P - $260, $20 MIR
RAM: OCZ Platinum 3x2GB DDR3-1600 CAS7 - $181
GPU: XFX GeForce GTX260-216 Black Edition - $275, $25 MIR
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB - $95
Heatsink/Fan: Noctua NH-C12P plus the free Core i7 SecuFirm 2 mounting kit - $65
ODD: ASUS DVD+RW DRW-2014L1T OEM - $28
PSU: Enermax Modu82+ 625W - $160, $50 MIR
Case: Lian-Li PC-7B Plus II - $80
OS: Microsoft Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit - $100
Monitor: Gateway HD2200 22", 1680x1050 - $195
Total: $1729, $95 MIR = $1634

Possible Alternate Components (a little more expensive):

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 - $289
MB: ASUS P6T6 - $359.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 - $179.00
PSU: CORSAIR 620HX - $147.00 ($30 rebate)
GPU: EVGA GTX 285 - $330 ($30 rebate)
Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DX - $89.99
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 1TB - $94.99
Monitor: ASUS VH226H 1920x1080 21.5" - $199.99
Case: Lian-Li PC-7B plus II - $79.99
ODD: Samsung 22x DVD Burner
Total: $1,964.90

Any input would be great.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Pck21]

Everything looks good Nick. That's a heck of a build! The only suggestion I would make is to get a Zalman heatsink to cool that i7 down a bit more. I don't know if they make a bracket or an actual fan for the i7's yet, but if they do, I definitely recommend one. Again, nicely done!

Edit: I would also recommend the power supply I have in my sig here because I absolutely love it. It will give you more wattage, better amperage on the rails, and it's just an overall solid PSU. Plus it will save you some money too at $119 on sale till the end of this month.

 

[BlackRat]

PC Power and Cooling make very good power supplies, and you should look at something with 700W or more, it will help in case you would want second card or just in case. Price difference is too small to not get 700+W PSU.
I would get GTX 285 since the price difference is not too high
I like Gigabyte mobos more than ASUS
Have you used any computer with Xonar or X-Fi installed/ Make sure you hear the difference between onboard audio and those 2, not everybody would make a difference

 

[jevery]

You might consider the Lian Li PC-7F. While its $50 more. the bottom mount power supply gives you better cable storage and the slide-in HDD trays are very nice. If this is your first Lian Li case, you won't be disappointed. This was my first build and I think a good case made a big difference in ease of assembly and the the quality of the final product.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112194

 

[pies]

Look at the gigabyte x58 extreme it's a great board.
I've bee using it since it came out, great for overclocking.