preparing to build, lots of ???

[jtep81]

I'm getting ready to start my new build (I've done 1 before with a friend's help, a used P4 2.0ghz with onboard graphics) and am going to take a large step forward. I have been researching here and on other sites and have a preliminary list of what I think I want. Any suggestions are welcome and will be thoroughly considered. Thanks in advance for all expertise given. I currently am a light gamer (world of warcraft mainly), but am planning on going back to school for engineering and want something that will handle both easily. My budget is $2500 max, but would love to spend less than that. I will be purchasing everything new. I have already ordered a keyboard, mouse, and headset to use on this pc until I build the new one then I'll get new for this pc. Here is what I have found on newegg:


ASUS VW 224U BLACK 22" WIDESCREEN LCD
I7 920 PROCESSOR
ASUS P6T DELUXE MOBO
CORSAIR XMS3 3X2GB TRIPLE HANNEL RAM
EVGA 896-P3-1255-A1 GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit
WD CAVIAR BLACK 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
2 X LG SUPER MULTI BLU-RAY DISC BURNER & HD-DVD ROM
ROSEWILL RX850-S-B 80PLUS CERTIFIED SLI CROSSFIRE READY
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 CASE

I tentatively have COOLER MASTER V8 CPU COOLER, but am thinking about liquid cooling so I can delve into some overclocking.

Also have XP Pro SP2C 64-BIT os written down for it but am wondering if i should get vista (heard nothing but bad about it before this forum)?

TOTAL: $2300

The reason for this thread is to determine if I should settle for a c2d or c2q and a lesser graphics card or just go all out now so I can basically future proof myself for at least 4 years. Not afraid to add another hd or graphics card if necessary. Thanks again

 

[wafflehammer]

why 2 blu-ray drives? and would it really be worth it? I mean..blu-ray $100 drive at 22" not even 1080p is kind of a waste.

the PSU is to much...especially if it's over $150 (i don't know price). get the corsair 750xt or PC power & cooling 750watt

besides that, it's some good choices

 

[jtep81]

I have started looking into some 1080p monitors, but that was the first one I found. I'll look into the smaller psu, but if I sli my graphics card, would i need more power. As for the dual blu-ray, I was thinking the same thing, but my wife (please keep laughs to yourself) thought we could use two. I was thinking of getting a blu-ray player for the second drive in case I wanted to make my own copies of movies I own. Just for personal use, not pirating. I was also thinking of getting a plain dvd player for the second drive.

just found Newegg.com - COOLMAX RM-750B 750W ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies is it good enough

 

[Yami]

HAF 932 is a good case You'd think it would get dusty having no air filters, but in two months of using it I can't see any dust inside at all, probably because the dust never has a chance to settle.

I'd also recommend Corsair 750TX, I got that since it'll be able to SLI 2x260s easily, if you're unsure then try the 850TX.

 

[jtep81]

i'm also looking at other monitors. I thought 1080p was the best but i see some monitors with resolution up to 1200. which is actually better?

 

[Yami]

i'm also looking at other monitors. I thought 1080p was the best but i see some monitors with resolution up to 1200. which is actually better?

The 1200p ones, since the max res is higher. I'm saving up for a Samsung T240, it's 24" and 1920x1200, AFAIK very good-quality.

Btw right now I believe that the 'best' monitors are about 30" and can do up to about 2560x1680 O_O

 

[jtep81]

last ? before i let you guys do you thing, is it worth the money to get a gtx 295 now to "future proof" my pc or should the 260 be enough and if so should i go with the 896mb version or pay for the 1tb? thanks

 

[jtep81]

i saw the 30" on newegg, but $1000 for a monitor is too much right now. maybe in few months when i get my bonus, then the one i do choose now will go on the old pc or i'll do dual monitors

 

[Yami]

The GTX260 is still a monster card and will probably be able to able to play everything at decent levels for the next couple years or so, it's very future-proof. And if you ever need a boost in the graphics area, you can always get another and do SLI, which in that case is exactly (roughly) the same as a GTX295.

I didn't know there were any 1GB versions of the 260, and 896MB is plenty IMO

 

[Tenenbaum]

The difference between 1080p and 1200p isn't really much.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but, I've seen both, And saw no difference.
Other then...Resolutions.