Final Build sort of. Tweaks before I order?

[IceHot]

After tons of research and a former post about a killer gaming comp for $2000 without a monitor. I realize that right around $2000 with monitor will get me a killer comp. I've changed up a few items that were recommended and wanted some opinions/suggestions such as if things aren't compatible and is there a better componet for a similar or less price range? If not I am gonna start ordering soon cause some of the stuff is onsale for some decent prices right now and I dont wanna miss out. Here it is!

Case: Sunbeam Transformer Blue Steel Full Tower-$86.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166005

PSU: Power supply and Cooler 750 Watt- $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

MotherBoard: Gigabyte GA-EX58 - $298.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362

CPU: intel i7 920 QuadCore - $280.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Ram: Corsair Dominator DDR3 3X2GB - $249.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

HardDrive: Western Digital 640GB - $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical Drive: LG- Black Blue Ray - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133

Monitor: Acer Ferrari 22" 2ms contrast 20000:1 - $299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009156

OS: Windows Vista 64Bit Home Premium - $99.99

Graphics Card is where I am Having difficulty. As these two were both Suggested and I still cant decide. Any opinions see below for them

First Graphics Card Choice
EVGA Geforce GTX 260 core 216 Superclocked edition (259.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362

Or the

Saphire 4870X2 2GB (489.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

Total With EVGA GTX Card : $1,899.91
Total with 4870X2 : 2,129.99

I know theres a huge difference in price. If you have a suggestion for a different video card or something that might give me a Better bang for my buck plesae let me know because its hard to picture spending $500 on a video card! Also if I go with the 4870X2 will I need some sort of extra cooling system as I've read that card runs very hot. Also, the monitor, any other suggestions, seems a little expensive for a 22" monitor but I want pretty nice one. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[RickyTick]

Its so hard to recommend a case. Every thing is subjective. If you see one that you like, then do a little research and make a good choice. I'm not trying to persuade you from your decision, but I wanted to offer a few cases that have received excellent reviews and are known solid performers.

I like this NXZT. It looks really cool.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

The Cooler Master RC series is favorite of many.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

The Antec 900 is sooooo popular. This is what I have.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

The Cosmos is kinda pricey, but its very high quality.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

I think this is the one Wise Monkey has. Very nice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133137

Like I said, just something else to consider.

Otherwise, you have excellent components to make one screamer of a gaming pc.

I agree that $500 is a lot for a video card.
Have you considered this GTX280. Here's my thinking. First, this is a killer video card. You can play any game at its highest setting with this thing. Second, if you get the EVGA version, it puts you in a position to Step-Up to the GTX295 that is due out first quarter 09 if you want to. But if you're happy with the GTX280, thats great because you'll have a card faster than 95% of the gamers out there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130368

[IceHot]

Yeah I looked into that case pretty hard it seems to have a decent amount of ventilation. It's also a full tower compared to a mid so I assume it should have beter air flow thru it. My friend has it and when I stand next to his computer its litterly like standing next to an air conditioner it only shoots out cold air, granted his comp isnt going to be nearly as beastly as mine but I cant imagine I would generate so much extra heat it would cause a burn out in any componet..the cpu will also be getting its own heat sink, maybe the video card too (thats possible right?)

-As for that graphics card, it looks pretty intesne for about 100 dollars less and puts me just over 2000 dollars after shipping cost. Everyone seems to say that runs hot as well which is why I know choosing a good case is a huge deal. The sunbeam case has extra room for fans (I am pretty sure anyway) if you choose to add them and the side pannel is easily removeable for extra flow incase it needs it. I think I am gonna go with the card you recommended even though at 400 its still kinda pricey but as you said it has upgradeable capeabilities in the near future and will beat 95% of the comps out there.

-After weeks of countless google searches for reviews and articles about every componet I am finally 100% happy with my choices. However, if anyone has any ideas or critiques I am more than happy to keep on doing research. I am ordering some parts soon as I dont wanna miss out on the sale prices (espically the PSU after rebate down to 70 from 250 HUGE SALE.) But most of it will not be ordered til the second week of january as thats when funding for it will be here.

-The expierence so far and the amount I've learned just by trying to find the right componets has been awesome. I dont think I'll need a new computer for a long time but when I do I'll make sure to build my own again, never again am I going to buy a premade comp....just not as fun! Thanks for all the help guys. If things change you'll here from me again. :-)

[RickyTick]

Keep us posted on how its coming along. Pictures would be nice. :)

[JTS Telecom]

Personally i like the HAF case... if you are still debating. it has a lot of ease access features, but i have not had many, so i may be wrong in comparison to others.

As for RAM... alot of tests show that speed differences on ram such as 1066, 1333 and 1600, show only a 1-3% difference, even overclocked. excuse my terminolgy but, with the pipeline being so wide to the cpu, ram is the least of your worries. buy the 1333 and at least 6 gigs, only costs 150 bucks, i went with Gskill, never had a prob with them

Also, just MHO, i like SAS ports on the board, makes your hard drive bottleneck go away :-) just a thought

Josh

[IceHot]

Went with the build I posted. Just built it yesterday. NO REGRETS! Love it, My GPU (evga 280GTX) has not hit over 60 under full load with the fan at 55%. The case is shooting out only cold air. I think its a great case. SO EXCITED

[RickyTick]

Be sure to register your GTX280 at evga.com. You'll be eligible to Step-up within 90 days if you so choose, plus you have to register the card for warranty purposes anyway.

Great build btw.

[IceHot]

Yeah, I did. I ran into some small problems building the computer and had to call for some tech support so I was required to register before they could give me support. First I didn't put the brass feet between the case and mobo so I grounded the mobo to the case, so obviously it wouldn't post. Then some how I missed the 8 pin power connector from the PSU to the mobo (noob move!!) so I would get a post but it would freeze up instantly! Then I didnt put the ram in the right slots I only grabbed three sticks so I had to make sure I had the paring right I guess. All and all after build and software installation it took about 7 hours to build. Everything has been registered. I am really hoping the 295GTX drops another 50 dollars or so in the next 90 days as I hope to step up my video card. However, at 150 dollars more its not really worth it to me. The 280GTX to the 295. Is there a big difference there? Not really sure. Anyway, thanks for all the help to everyone. I also ended up going with a 24" acer monitor. I have the brightness at 35 and its still almost too bright. I love the build. I couldn't be happier. Every penny well spent! Just waiting another 2 weeks or so before I hit up circuit city and grab all those games at 50% off. Right now I am just enjoying Left 4 dead and Counter-strike 1.6. First time ever I have not lagged in a smoke grenade. Its amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RickyTick]

Glad you got everything worked out.

Unless you plan to upgrade to a 30" monitor at some point, there's absolutely no reason to go to the GTX295.

If you want a great game for your system, I would strongly recommend Crysis, and Crysis Warhead.

[IceHot]

Alright, So I take it I shouldn't have a problem running those games? I know they are pretty demanding. Also, I keep my precision software open with the EVGA card to check the temp on a regular basis. With the fan speed at 65% it keeps the card temp during a game (I take it thats full load?) at 59-60 degrees. And it idles at 40. Also, my CPU temp doesn't get above 50 along with the core temp of the comp. Those hover around 45-48 degrees. I take it these are perfectly fine temps and I wont run into problems with burning components up. Havent even attempted over clocking as I am not 100% how to do it. I am going to keep reading up on it until I feel comfortable doing so. I doubt I will try it any time soon. Why mess with a machine that works great. I get 60 fps (max now right?) In every game I play and it does not even flicker.

[RickyTick]

Those temps are fine. If the fan noise isn't too bad, try running it at 75% to see if you can keep the temps below 60.

You have a beast of a pc, there shouldn't be any reason to overclock.

Crysis is very demanding on computer hardware, but yours shouldn't have any problems with it. I just bought Crysis Warhead at Newegg for $19.99 with free shipping.