First time computer build review!

[Kenny5044]

Hey, I've never built a computer before but I decided it would be super fun so I decided to do it with help from the internet and my brother. I want to make a gaming computer that can run Starcraft 2 on ultra and upcoming games on high quality. My budget is 500-800$ after rebates.

This is the build I'm currently set on getting:

GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H + Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.533850
AMD Athlon II X4 640 + ASUS EAH5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.516626
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB + Antec Three Hundred Illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.514370
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W + SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.514469
LITE-ON Black 24X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106334


$781.91


I'm stuck between whether to get the above card or this one:

MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460 + AMD Phenom II X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.500251


$738.91

My monitor is a Westinghouse LCM 20V5 20.1 in. (Amazon.com: Westinghouse LCM-20V5 20.1-inch LCD Monitor (Silver): Computer & Accessories) that I've had for like 5 years and don't plan on changing anytime soon

Also: How long would this rig last me until I have to upgrade? Right now I'm set on adding another sli/crossfire card when performance starts to slip on newer games (1-2 years or more from now) and having the other parts for a few more years after that (or until they break and I have to replace them)

Thanks

 

[Trotter]

Your links are broken.

If you are going with that motherboard you might as well stay with the 5850 as it cannot do SLI. However, go with this one. Same price and has a $20 MIR:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
XFX offers a lifetime warranty.

Or drop an extra $37 and get a x4 955:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

That setup should last you a good while, especially if you add in another card later on.

 

[EthernetCable]

I like this setup. I have also always had good experiences with Westinghouse Monitors which are at a nice price point as well.

 

[Kenny5044]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at the cards it said that they are PCI Express 2.1 x16 but my motherboard said it has PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots. Do the cards work on the motherboard?

The motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444

Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

 

[Trotter]

Yes. The 2.x PCI-E is completely backwards compatible with the 1.x versions.

 

[Kenny5044]

Ok, so I basically have it done, I'm almost done with all the wiring. My case has a few fans and I can adjust the speed from low-medium-high. The speed it comes with is low. Based on my setup, what speed should I put it at?

Edit: I forgot to say I went with the phenom II black edition and 5850 combo

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Power SUPPLY: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...&AID=10446076&PID=3946032&SID=skim2305X575088

 

[Muffin Man]

we demand pics!

 

[redfish]

You'll need to find out through experience. Start out at medium speeds, and adjust the speeds until you are comfortable with the temperatures. Is the fan controller easily accessible?

 

[Kenny5044]

Yeah, I'll put them on medium and see how it goes. Yes, each fan has it's own controller. I hooked up the 3 power cables of the fans (2 small front fans, 1 big side fan, 1 big back fan) to the extra cables that came with my power supply.

I have another question though: I hooked up my HDD and DVD drive with 2 SATA cables that came with it. I have an extra 40 pin IDE/SATA cable, but my HDD and DVD drives seem to lack any 40 pin connector. Is the 40 pin just an extra part I don't need or am I just dumb and doing something wrong?

 

[redfish]

The IDE cable is included for any components that may use an IDE interface. If the HDD and DVD drives use SATA, then it's unnecessary. The only cables you need for a SATA device are the SATA cables to the mobo and the SATA power cables.