My first gaming build!

Hi everyone!
I'm really new to forums and Techspot seems like a good place to start!

I've decided to build my own gaming computer and I need some advices from other people. Since it's my first time building a pc, I don't want to mess things up. So if you have any advices for me or if you think my build is not that great or if some components don't match, I'd be more than happy to know.

So here's the thing:

CPU - Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Item# on newegg : N82E16819115211

MotherBoard- ASUS P7P55D Deluxe LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item# on newegg : N82E16813131400

RAM - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9A G
Item# on newegg : N82E16820145251

Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-1465-AR GeForce GTX 465 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item# on newegg : N82E16814130555

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item# on newegg : N82E16822148433

Power Supply - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
Item# on newegg : N82E16817371015

Case - COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item# on newegg : N82E16811119197

Monitor (First choice) - ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers
Item# on newegg : N82E16824236049

Monitor (Second choice) - I-inc iH-252HPB 25" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 1080p, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Dynamic, 800:1 Native, 2ms, 16:9
Item# on tigerdirect : H94-2502


By the way, I'm planning to spend around 1 500$ on my Pc. I think it should be enough for a decent gaming computer.

I live in Montreal, Canada and newegg.ca seems to be a good place to shop (prices and shipping looks great). But if you have any suggestion on where should I buy my stuff, let me know!

p.s. I can't post links to the components since it's my first post, sorry for that :S

Thanks for your time.
Looking forward to hear from you guys!
 
The CPU and motherboard are not compatible. The CPU is socket 1366 and the motherboard is 1156.
 
Doh ... that's right ... I changed motherboard at the end and forgot to check if the cpu was still matching the socket. Thanks for telling me JMMD!
 
I would suggest scrapping the GTX 465, and going with a 460 or 470. The 465 is a joke, and runs considerably hotter than the 460, while performing about the same (read Anandtech's review).

I would also upgrade the power supply to a minimum of 750w, especially if you plan on adding a 2nd graphics card for sli or Physx later. This can always be done later of course, but why pay for 2 power supplies when you can get the right size the first time?

I would also suggest looking into a better cpu fan/heatsink rather than the stock one that comes with your i7. It will be much more efficient, quieter, and cool your processor much better than stock. Heat is the enemy.

Other than those suggestions, I would say you have a very nice build there! Keep us posted, and welcome to Techspot!
 
Thx for the advices so far guys.
I changed a couple of things as you suggested:

MotherBoard - ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item# on newegg : N82E16813157163

Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-1373-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item# on newegg : N82E16814130568

Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item# on newegg : N82E16817371015

I'm not sure if ASRock is a good brand for MotherBoards, but if not, do you have any suggestions for me?

Plus, I've added this CPU fan/heatsink - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
Item# on newegg : N82E16835103065

I guess this should be better now.
(Once again, if I made a mistake, just tell me ^^)

I really appreciate your help!
 
I've never used ASRock motherboards (I've personally always gone with Asus and MSI), but 51% of the people on Newegg that bought that motherboard say it's great for a low priced board, so I'd say that's something. :grinthumb

Good choice on the psu and graphics card (same model graphics card I use).
 
I suggest a 3x 2GB RAM kit in order to utilise the triple channel memory controller on the i7 die.
 
Yeah, you're right Ritwik7.

Upgraded my RAM to - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
Item# on newegg : N82E16820231225

I don't really know the brand G.SKILL , but it looks like a fair deal.

Thanks
 
Yeah, you're right Ritwik7.

Upgraded my RAM to - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
Item# on newegg : N82E16820231225

I don't really know the brand G.SKILL , but it looks like a fair deal.

Thanks

G.Skill makes nice RAM, and has excellent customer service. I have a 4gb kit in my HTPC and I've been very happy with it so far.
 
Builds looks good. If you're interested in saving some money you may want to go with 1156 CPU and motherboards. I don't think you'll notice that much of a difference for the increase in price for the X58 and i7 1366 CPU.
 
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