First Build -- Gaming(?) PC

Hey all,

I'm somewhat(very) new to this building of the computer things. But I want to start, and seeing as how I now have the freedom to build my own computer and have been wanting to get a new computer, I see now is a good chance to begin learning.

Anyways, seeing as how I'm new to this, I figured that I should probably ask for help here and there to make sure that I'm going in the right direction, not forgetting anything, and all my parts are compatible and whatnot.

Okay, so.... This is what I have so far:

• Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
  Item #: N82E16827118030
  Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
  $26.99
  
  
• COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
  Item #: N82E16811119152
  Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
  $59.99
  
  
• Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
  Item #: N82E16822136284
  Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
  $99.99
  
  
• EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR GeForce GTX 275 1792MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
  Item #: N82E16814130476
  Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
  $309.99
  
  
• Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active ... - Retail
  Item #: N82E16817371015
  Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
  $74.99
  
  
• CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5 - Retail
  Item #: N82E16820145215
  Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
  $70.00
  
  
• AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
  Item #: N82E16819103674
  Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
  
  
• GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
  Item #: N82E16813128387
  Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy
  
  
• Subtotal: $966.94

Note: The Processor and the Motherboard are in a combo.

I'm also questioning the graphics card but will probably leave that to the graphics card subsection.
Anyways, is there any where I can improve without increasing the cost drastically? I tried an i7 920 build but it seemed to come out way more expensive. =\
So yeah, that's about it.

Thanks in advance,
Dakure

I would change the PSU to a Corsair 650. I would also add a Xigmatek dark knight for OCing and quieter system. Don't forget you'll need a 64bit OS to use all that memory. I would also upgrade the case to a 690, $15 well spent.

You could easily save yourself 100$ by just getting a GTX260 superclocked from evga or even just the regular 260, obviously the 275 is better but that's a lot of money you could save but it all comes down to what you want and what you will be doing.

RondellBeed said:

You could easily save yourself 100$ by just getting a GTX260 superclocked from evga or even just the regular 260, obviously the 275 is better but that's a lot of money you could save but it all comes down to what you want and what you will be doing.

Click to expand...

a 4890 would work too, will be cheaper too.

Ugh, $300 for $180 performance? Great idea.

spoil yourself with a CM 690 case. it's much better than the Centurion 590.
and i'm not sure if the quality of that Antec PSU is good. by no means do i dislike Antec, i'm actually quite a fanboy
if you can get your hands on a True Power New 650w, i'd get that