$1500 gaming rig

[Niksa]

** I can now afford 2000, university computer loan was approved. **

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Programming, Comp graphics, gaming, browsing/word processing etc. Will need a decent printer for my classes and photos, etc. I play EQ2, Lotro, Sims 3 when it comes out, Fallout, still Oblivion, will also watch movies and almost all my tv shows with it. I do work in grad school with Virtual Reality environments but most games will require higher specs than the work I do on my personal computer.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
<$2000 not including taxes or shipping.
3) Where do you live?
Iowa, USA.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Case, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Hard drive, fans/heatsinks, PSU, printer, monitor (currently have a Dell 20.9" but may upgrade - if necessary, it's a low priority)
I do not need: Mouse, keyboard, Vista (have 64bit ready to go, just got it from the bookstore today)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I will reuse my mouse, keyboard, and monitor if needed. I am ok with my monitor but would upgrade if it's a huge difference.
6) Will you be overclocking?
No plans to do so right now.
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
Currently have a Dell 20.9" widescreen about 3-4 years old, I think.
May upgrade to a higher resolution. Was thinking about a 24".
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP. My last computer had a fatal issue and I figured it was time to move on since it was old anyway and replacement parts are now solely in the ebay realm.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Can't really think of anything in particular.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Vista 64 bit.

Here's what I'm thinking of already:

Case: $80
RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply - Retail

CPU: $295
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

Mobo: $299
ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

RAM: $164
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail

PSU: $99
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

Video Card: $235
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

HD: $109
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD: $30
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Monitor: $430
ASUS VK266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

Cooler:
Vigor Monsoon III LT Dual 120mm Fan CPU Cooler Socket 1366 Ready - Retail

Thank you for any advice! I need to order tonight, so this is somewhat urgent.

Edited to update memory, amount to spend and monitor and video card and cooler. Pink stuff is updated stuff.

 

[Deleted member 72990]

Nice looking parts list, although i would recommend:

Getting a triple channel memory kit since your motherboard supports it.

Video card:
I think you can do better than the GTX 260 for the price. Perhaps get a Radeon 4870 for about $200?

Since you are already buying a power supply, perhaps you can save money by getting a case that doesnt already have one, or buying a better case without a power supply for the same money? Not that there is anything wrong with that case, personally i don't know anything about it.

 

[Niksa]

You know what's funny is that the case I picked comes in two kinds per color: with battery and without. Can you believe it's actually more expensive to purchase it without the battery? Heh, well. I personally like Raidmax as a company because I have had good cases with them, and I want a tool less case with the front panel audio and usb. I would like a case ideally that had a temp output gauge, but it's not necessary. Also, the case is green.

Triple channel, good idea, I have updated the memory to be:
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C9 - Retail

Ok, radeons... I haven't had an ATI for years so I suppose it's time to check them out again.

 

[Torn]

Built a system for a friend with the Smilodon and it is SO nice. The tilt down mobo tray makes everything go together real smooth. Looks good, too!

 

[Niksa]

I updated the monitor, included the radeon and upgraded the memory too. Does this look good to go?

 

[Niksa]

Do i need that cooler with this system? Also, there is another good motherboard out there for $50 less, but I'm not sure which is better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

I'm still considering the ATI vs NVidia thing though. One of my friends swears by ATI's 4870 but I've seen more positive reviews of the 260... Still researching. Honestly I don't care too much as long as my stuff looks great.

 

[Niksa]

Please, could anyone reply? I am using the public library to do this, and I need to start on my homework projects using my own computer before next week, so this is somewhat of an emergency. If I don't hear back from anyone after my classes (2.5 hours from now), I will just order this.

I just need to know if these parts work well together and if they are a good bang for my buck. Thank you, I do appreciate your help.