Building A New Gaming PC

[takko]

Introduction:
Hi! I'm trying to build a new gaming PC before the summer is over. I have done a fair amount of research on each part and I think I got it all together. I want to double check if all the parts are compatible with each other before I order them. And if I should use a different part than the one I have selected. Thank you in advance; I appreciate your time looking over my build.

The Usage Of The PC:
1. This PC will primary be use for gaming and occasional multimedia.

The Budget At Hand:
2. I plan to spend around $1,300 on this PC.

Residence:
3. I live in the States.

Brand Loyalty:
4. I definitely want to stick by Intel processor, Western Digital hard drives, Corsair memories, and the rest is pretty much up for grabs.

Recycling Old Parts
5. Just the basic components: keyboard, mouse, speakers, and Windows XP Home Edition.

Research:
6. Yes, and I am still continuing.

Over-clocking:
7. It's not the best of my interest at the moment...maybe in the near future.

Ordering Date:
8. The upcoming month, August.

The Shopping Cart:
Processor: $169.99 ORDERED
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037

Motherboard: $107.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128345

Memory: $86.50 ($20.00 Rebate) ORDERED
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145184

Video Card: $174.99 ($20.00 Rebate) ORDERED
SAPPHIRE 100242L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102747

Hard Drive: $89.99 ORDERED
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical Drive: $25.99 ORDERED
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM
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Case: $109.99 ($40.00 Rebate) ORDERED
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129021

Power Supply: $59.99 ORDERED
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W ATX12V Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119138

Display: $319.99 ($20.00 Rebate) ORDERED
SAMSUNG T220 Rose-Black 22" 2ms GTG Touch of Color series Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20,000:1 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824001273

Total Price: $1,1150.42

After Rebate: $1,070.42

Edit 7/30 @ 9:47 PM:
I forgot to mention that I want to run Window Vista in the near future, so that's why I want to get the 4GB of memory now.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: takko

Recycling Old Parts
5. Just the basic components: keyboard, mouse, speakers, and Windows XP Home Edition.


The Shopping Cart:

Memory: $86.50 ($20.00 Rebate)
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145184

Hard Drive: $79.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136073

Case: $149.99
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119138

Power Supply: $139.99
Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371009

* Your XP Home can't use all the 4GB's of memory. But if you want to buy it anyway...
* The WD 640GB SE16 is THE deal on HDs.
* The Cosmos is a monsterous beast that weighs almost 40lbs. by itself. I bought one for $90 after rebate. It's nice, but simply too much.
I would opt for the... Antec Three Hundred... Antec Nine Hundred or Cooler Master RC-690, in that order.
* Your PS pick is way over the top for your listed components. The Corsair 450VX is cheaper and a much better fit.

 

[MarcVenice]

And I'd get a e8400 instead of a e8500. Get a cheaper PSU as well. If you also spend a little less on the case you could squeeze a HD4870 into your budget, or even a gtx260 for $225.

 

[DSF]

If you feel like 450W isn't really enough (even though it is), Newegg has a very sweet deal on the Corsair 520HX right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16817139001&Tpk=520HX

Agree with everything else that's been said. If you want the Cosmos then get it, but be aware of what you're getting. It's huge.

 

[AiponGkooja]

Or the 650tx for the same price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[takko]

Thanks for the feedbacks! I changed some parts according to your suggestions and I think it's looks better now. Especially thank you for pointing out the dimension of the CoolerMaster. I wouldn't have known what I would had gotten myself...sigh.

 

[modoheo]

The Cosmos is a FULL tower. It's big. However, I have one and I love it. Looks nice sitting on the floor next to my desk. Very easy to build out - anything will fit in there. Sleek, quiet, great airflow. Very solid construction, excellent build quality, lots of nice touches.

But, yes, it's very big.