First Build Recommendations

[Peter V]

Hello super pcs, I'm looking to build my own computer and was hoping you could help me out. I'd be using this machine mostly for web surfing, video watching, image editing, very moderate gaming, primitive music recording, and some possible math and CAD modeling in the future (in that order). I've created for myself an arbitrary budget of $1000. Based on suggestions I've found on this site here is what I'm looking at:

Case: Antec Sonata III with 500-Watt power supply
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz*
Motherboard: MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory: 2GB, Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800 memory module - (x2) 4GB
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB*
Optical Drive: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
Os: I already have a copy of win 7 Ult (64bit) so I'm not counting that towards the total cost.

And I don't really have any ideas for a video card which is the main thing I'm looking for input on. Also any other suggestions or potential compatibility issues would be appreciated. -Peter

[RickyTick]

Hello Peter. Welcome to the forums.

This might be a better motherboard. It's a little cheaper and has USB 3.0.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

And then go with a ram set like one of these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211364
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251

For a video card, it sort of depends on how much you want to spend. The best bang for the buck will either be the Nvidia GT460 1gb, or the Radeon HD5850. These run from $225 to $300. These are high-end cards, so if you're just a moderate gamer, these might be overkill. You can get a 5770 in the $150 range. That's a really nice card.

[Peter V]

Thanks, I'm going to take your suggestions and also go with a GIGABYTE GV-R577SO-1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125327&cm_re=ATI_HD5770-_-14-125-327-_-Product)

[RickyTick]

Excellent.