Halp rate my build!

[Tekki]

I've never built a PC.

So Im wanting to build a PC, and sell my laptop. (XPS m1710)

I want to spend around $800 up to a grand. (Less would be great so I can dump the extra into monitors)

What I want: A gaming beast to say the least. But specifically I want to be able to run dual instances of games or of a game without a drop in performance, at about 1200 x w/e resolution. I don't want bleeding edge, I just want to be able to do just what I said.

The monitors will be bought when I sell my laptop. I plan on getting 2 22" monitors.

Few questions before I go into what I have planned to buy off Newegg.

Will a single good video card be fine or should I shoot for 2 decent ones?

What suggestions to save money?

Im lost on choosing a case. I dont care about style, even it its retardedly big. Just dont want to spend a bunch and I want it to have fast HDD swaps and plenty of space for fans and upgrades.

Anyone want to buy a laptop? lol

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

HDD:
For OS and Games:
Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Dump HD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Powersupply
COOLMAX CUQ-1200B 1200W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Newegg.com - COOLMAX CUQ-1200B 1200W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Memory
Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN - Retail
Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Video Card
VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

EDIT:

I know this is an amateur build. I just want pointers and and better sense of direction on what to look for.

[geno]

Some general thoughts/suggestions about your build:
First, you do NOT need a 1200W PSU lol. Something like Corsair's 620W will more than fit the bill for your system.

For the processor, I'd either go for a Core2duo build, or an i7 build, and probably not in between like you chose. The cheapest i7 is right around the price of the Quad you picked out, but because your other parts will need to be better for the build, it would probably set your system near the top of your budget. So I'll give 2 example systems, one C2D and one i7.

Go for more RAM. Its pretty important.

One videocard should be fine. Which card you get should determine where in your budget you'll fall. For instance, you can get a 4870 1GB and be around the $850-900 range, or you can go for a GTX280 1GB and be around the $950-1000 range.

I don't know much about what cards are better at handling multiple simultaneous game instances, probably because it doesn't come up much for me lol. My assumption though is that doing so will have the most stress on RAM and video RAM, but otherwise performance will be directly linked with how good the card/cards are running a single game. You may want to ask others about this though, I really don't know.

Finally, I'll just give you a suggestion on a case. The Coolermaster RC-690 should fit your needs well enough. Its a fairly cheap case, with plenty of room for a mid-ATX, removable HDD trays, great cooling potential (can have up to 7 120mm fans), and even some cable management options.

All that in mind, here are the builds I would suggest.

First, a Core2Duo build which will save you some money for your monitors:

$100 - Primary HDD - WD 74GB Raptor
$65 - Secondary HDD - WD 500 GB
$190 - GFX Card - ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB & Free Stalker
$190 - PSU+Case combo - Corsair 620W & CM RC-690
$315 - CPU+Mobo combo - Intel e8500 & Gigabyte GA EP45-UD3P
$40 - RAM - (with -$5 promo code: HARDOCP3165 - expires 3/23) - Gskill 2x2GB DDR2 1066

Total: $899
-$50MIR = $849

Alternatively, you could take out the 4870 and throw in this Nvidia GTX280 1GB. If you do, don't forget the promo code GEFORCE442 to save 10% on it. With this card the same build will come out to:

Total: $1006
-$75MIR = $931


And now for a higher end i7 build (note, I took out the Raptor to stay in your budget, if you were going for this build, I'd say its a worthy trade-off):

$65 - HDD - WD 500 GB
$190 - GFX Card - ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB & Free Stalker
$190 - PSU+Case combo - Corsair 620W & CM RC-690
$474 - CPU+Mobo combo - Intel Core i7 920 & Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
$97 - RAM - OCZ 3x2GB DDR3 1333

Total: $1016
-$65MIR = $951

Oh I almost forgot, CD/DVD drive. Don't forget one. I'm too lazy to add one in those lists, but they are like $20 on newegg for a good one, like this

[mootsfox]

Sorry, but I had to lol at that 1.2kW PSU. The system you config'd would probably pull 350w at full load on a hot day.

[Boyiee]

About monitors, I'm very happy with the 22inch monitors from the Dell website, they arent too much higher or lower priced then any other monitors but they are pretty solid choices.

[geno]

They actually have a lot of different 22 inch models there too. I currently have a 22 inch dell that I bought a long time ago (E228WFP), but I also have another one on the way right now (UltraSharp 2208WFP). I agree that they seem more or less like middle of the line in price but are pretty good quality. I remember when I first got this 22" one I'm using now, it was a seriously HUGE difference from what I was used to (19" CRT). Now that I'm used to it, I don't really know how it compared to most others in the market, but I'm pretty happy with it.

[Tythera]

Hijacking the thread rather than making a new one (don't kill me!). I figure I should run this by people even though I've done it many times before, I might be missing something obvious. Here's what I'm currently looking at:

$95, LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B
$140-$30MIR, CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W
$290, ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
$280, Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem (plan to OC close to 4 GHz)
$110-$20MIR, OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
$400-$10MIR, SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2
$77, Noctua NH-U12P SE1366

I already have and will be using a 150 GB raptor, two 1 TB storage drives, and my 22x DVD R/W as I have no need for bluray. Anyone have any opinions one way or the other?

[Tythera]

They actually have a lot of different 22 inch models there too. I currently have a 22 inch dell that I bought a long time ago (E228WFP), but I also have another one on the way right now (UltraSharp 2208WFP). I agree that they seem more or less like middle of the line in price but are pretty good quality. I remember when I first got this 22" one I'm using now, it was a seriously HUGE difference from what I was used to (19" CRT). Now that I'm used to it, I don't really know how it compared to most others in the market, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Believe the 2208WFP (the 2408WFPs I ordered for work are anyways) is a PVA panel, putting it in the middle of the market. Definitely better than a TN panel but also not breaking your bank like an IPS (think most 22" IPS panels are in the $900-$1000 range).

[Olo401]

If you're doing an i7 system, you'll probably want to go straight for 6GB memory (especially if you have a 1GB video card). If you do, remember that you'll have to use 64-bit Windows.

[geno]

Believe the 2208WFP (the 2408WFPs I ordered for work are anyways) is a PVA panel, putting it in the middle of the market. Definitely better than a TN panel but also not breaking your bank like an IPS (think most 22" IPS panels are in the $900-$1000 range).

Really? I thought the SP2208WFP was a PVA, and the 2208WFP was a TN.

[kareface]

I'd go with a 24" LCD that can do 1920x1200. That way you can play full 1080 movies, which is really nice considering how big blueray is getting.

[Tythera]

Really? I thought the SP2208WFP was a PVA, and the 2208WFP was a TN.

Ah, so it is a TN for the 2208, and the 2408 is a PVA. Was just a guess on my part, being the same model number and only the size differing. I imagine it still looks rather nice though.

[Vandole]

I'd go with a 24" LCD that can do 1920x1200. That way you can play full 1080 movies, which is really nice considering how big blueray is getting.

my 17 inch laptop supports that resolution, surely there are 22" monitors that do the same... ya?

[Tythera]

my 17 inch laptop supports that resolution, surely there are 22" monitors that do the same... ya?

Most of the 22s tend to only do 1680x1050, though you could probably find one that does 19x12.

[Mansin]

With the money you save from downgrading the PSU, upgrade to 4GB of RAM.

[Tekki]

Was PM'd some pointers and now waiting... Going to sell my XPS before I buy everything

[geno]

Ah, so it is a TN for the 2208, and the 2408 is a PVA. Was just a guess on my part, being the same model number and only the size differing. I imagine it still looks rather nice though.

Yeah, but I was limited in my selection. My dad is getting a Vostro 220 MT from them, but already has a monitor. So I upgraded the one with the deal to the 2208WFP for like $100 and I'll pay him the difference. For that price, I think its a pretty good deal.

If I was buying the monitor on its own, I would have gone with the Ultrasharp 2209WA. Its an IPS panel, and is only $240 right now.

[Kilorilo]

Never heard of that PSU manufacturer, Ive always used Corsair or Thermaltake, and 1200W seems a bit overkill unless you plan on upgrading to Tri Sli or somethin later on :X Guess it doesn't matter in the end :D

[Weltall]

I didn't read through most of the posts, but 2 things stood out quickly:

1. You don't need that PSU, lol

2. You absolutely want more than 2 GB of RAM. 4 is a minimum

[Tekki]

I didn't read through most of the posts, but 2 things stood out quickly:

1. You don't need that PSU, lol

2. You absolutely want more than 2 GB of RAM. 4 is a minimum

Didnt even read ur above post lol....

Ya I have my build on Que, just waiting to save a little more.

[Boyiee]

I'd go with a 24" LCD that can do 1920x1200. That way you can play full 1080 movies, which is really nice considering how big blueray is getting.

Newer 22's, including the Dell I mentioned, supports 1920x1200.