Need help building computer ~$900. New to building

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rex_rhade

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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.
 
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 Newegg.com - 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 BX80623I52500

MoBo: ASRock P67 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASRock P67 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX
Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX

GPU: Galaxy 57NKH3HS00GZ GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - Galaxy 57NKH3HS00GZ GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

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
Newegg.com - NZXT HALE 90 HALE90-650-M 650W ATX 12V v2.2, EPS 12V v2.91 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
 
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
(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

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

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
(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)
(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)
(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)

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

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

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.
 
In post #2 you chose a GTX 570. Now you've selected a GTX 460 SE? At least spend $30 more and get the regular GTX 460.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7510&cm_re=MSi_GTX_460-_-14-127-510-_-Product
It overclocks like crazy and stays pretty cool. I've got mine up to 875 core, 1000 memory, 1750 shader @ 1.0v. I could definitely push it further if I wanted to. MSi Afterburner (included on driver disk) makes overclocking very simple. The temps hit 69*C in Furmark and never go above 60*C in games.

Any of the RAM listed will be fine. Might as well go for (3) since it's the cheapest. That's the RAM I am running if it makes you feel better.
 
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