building a gaming computer ~$900. Suggestions?

[rex_rhade]

Basics: I am a computer science major in DE. I only have a little experience with handling computer hardware and I would like to build a desktop computer. I have around $900 to work with.

I was suggested these parts:
-Antec Sonata III Case with 500W Power Supply
-ASUS P7P55D-E Pro ATX Intel Motherboard
-EVGA GeForce 9500 GT 01G-P3-N959-TR Video Card
-Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory x 2 (for a total of 8GB);
-OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX120G 3.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
-LITE-ON DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support

I want to use a HDD rather than an SSD, unless there is a great deal or if solid state drives are significantly cheaper now.

I would like to build a computer with the capabilities to run things such as creating flash animations, picture editing, midi editing, and programming environments for designing software, gaming software in particular.

I also want the capability to run games such as Portal 2 and World of Warcraft at great speeds and rendering.

Any help in recommended parts or a certain brand/types that would be helpful for what I want as capabilities. Also any opinions on if I should stick with what was suggested or if I can use different/better parts or for better deals would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for all your help.

[RickyTick]

I would be tempted to do away with the SSD, and put more money into a better video card. You should also be considering Sandy Bridge too.

[rex_rhade]

I've done a little more research and have these parts in mind:
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716X56187de7480e34303b3772d6af182c 01

MoBo: ASRock P67 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157222&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716X9a19175e5c3f6fde43d0325e89253d 02

RAM: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104203&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716X3d927d3619723171f9281269754e9a 8b

GPU: Galaxy 57NKH3HS00GZ GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162070&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716Xc5a2d419f4c22ecdf999acae0b8b1c 39

PSU: NZXT HALE 90 HALE90-650-M 650W ATX 12V v2.2, EPS 12V v2.91 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116010&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716Xf11f61c0bdb9db862ab38fbc853a2f f6

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716X5c4da79abf8cfed90401c22cdc7360 5d

what do you think?

[RickyTick]

Looking good.

I like this psu a lot more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

[jakethesnake27]

You may not need the 750, but here's the one I picked up:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-750TX-750-Watt-Certified-compatible/dp/B000X2677A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1295755913&sr=8-2

When I did so a week ago it had a $20 rebate, but they have dropped it to $10. Still a good deal at 99 though

[rex_rhade]

okay. here's a final list before I go through with this. Let me know if anything is off or needs changed:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&cm_re=i5_2500k-_-19-115-072-_-Product)
(which I plan to overclock in a couple years)

MoBo: ASRock P67 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASRock P67 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157217&Tpk=ASRock%20P67%20Extreme4)

GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591&cm_re=GTX_460_1GB-_-14-130-591-_-Product)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533)
(Is this investment better than the 3.0Gb/s drive that's $10 less?)

RAM: I have three choices, not sure which one is more reliable..
(1)Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104203&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4011351&SID=skim3031X597716X3d927d3619723171f9281269754e9a 8b))
(2)G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3946032&SID=skim2305X575088Xcb44c016066151184c332554839934 f7))
(3)G.SKILL 4GB (Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3946032&SID=skim2305X575088Xc1953f32361a999276f876139108df 63))

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005)

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197)

all boils out to around $850. I think it's a solid build with potential upgrade when I OC it in a couple years. Thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated.

also, what's the difference between a 64 MB cache and 32 MB cache in a HDD?

[RickyTick]

Looks like that motherboard is "Sold Out". You might check out some of the Asus or Gigabyte boards.

Ram #2 looks like the best choice only because it advertises that it's designed specifically for the P67.