Planning to build my own for first time, please advise!

[EdwardTeach]

My 6 year old PC has just died, and I am planning to try building my own for the first time to replace it, and would welcome some advice.
Budget – roughly £1000, may be prepared to stretch above, but would also be happy if it was cheaper.
Usage – some gaming, I would like to be able to play most current releases and anything that comes out in the next couple of years, however this is not predominantly a gaming PC. It will be my home computer used for internet, music work etc
Future proofing – I wont be looking to replace this any time soon, I want to get as high end a spec as possible at the moment, with a view that I could buy another graphics card (e.g possibly to set up crossfire) down the line if necessary.
Overclocking –wasn’t planning too, because I want the system to last, and as mentioned I am planning to use it for things other than gaming. I may consider it in a few years time to get a bit more out of the system when it starts to get date.
I already have mouse, keyboard, dvd rw, speakers and monitor from my old computer, so I will not be looking to spend money on these just yet.

This is what I was looking at, please advise:

Do not mention competitors!

If I was spending ~1k with them wil overclockers be willing to price match on some components?)

Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366) - OEM + Assassin's Creed II Game [AT80601000897AA]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-318-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1272
- £229
(is they any difference between this version labeled as OEM and the ‘regular’ version which is £10 more?)

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-235-GI
- £152

Either 5770 ~ £130
0r 5850

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-215-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411

-£225

(There are a lot of different versions of each card – are they exactly the same if not what is the difference, and why would someone pay more for the same card?)

6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 9-9-9-24

(link removed)

£128

(there seem to be a lot of memory manufacturers, who is considered reliable/unreliable or should I just choose based on low price?)

Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ) [HD103SJ]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-082-SA

-£65
Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive

- £189

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-004-IN

Antec TruePower New Modular 650W Power Supply

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-AN

-£83

would this PSU be good enough for the system? Why might it be worth paying slightly more for e.g a 750w? I want to allow or the possibility of doing crossfire down the line and would prefer to spend more now, than have to replace the psu later.

The total (including the 5850 rather than the 5770) = £1065

Still have to add the case, I am choosing between the lian li pc50 and the antec 300 based on price, and deciding how much I want to stretch above £1000.
I would welcome suggestions for alternative cases. It needs to be discrete – no flashing lights etc, not too high and as quiet as possible to pass approval from the missus.

If I have to drop some more off the cost, I could either drop the SSD or drop from the 5850 to the 5770, what would you suggest?

 

[EdwardTeach]

thanks phil. What did you prefer the the wd black caviar?

(p.s dont need a dvd drive atm)

 

[EdwardTeach]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

re monitor i will initially be using my 6r old dell flatscreen. I dont know the exact size of the monitor (edit - it is 15"), or what resolution it can handle, but i would imagine that it certainly would not allow me to get the best out of any graphics card! I am planning to upgrade the monitor at a later date.

I have 46inch hd sony bravia - i was thinking that on occasions i could plug the computer into my tv for gaming - i presume that will be possible?

re - choosing the i7 930 - i appreciate that currently not many applications will make full use of this processors capabilities, and therefore i could save money without much of an appreciable decline if i went for an i5 or phenom ii

however... i am hoping to future proof to an extent - i presume that more applications will come out which make full use of an i7 capabilities over the next few years, therefore going for an i7 now will keep my system from going out of date so fast- is this a logical point of view?

 

[EdwardTeach]

thanks for the explanation marvin.

I think i will definitely go for the 930, for the reason of longevity.

I think the 5770 would be fine for me, but i may try and stretch for the 5850. (dependent on negotiations with the missus over total price!)

question re crossfire- is it always best to use 2 of the same card?

e.g if you had a 5850 & a 5770 would you be wasting the 5850?

 

[EdwardTeach]

Thanks for all the advice thus far. Budget has been upped to £1200, so I think I will be going for a 930, the 5850 and a ssd.

One thing I was wondering about- if I don't overclock is there any need to replace the stock intel heatsink I will get with the 930?

I am currently finding the case the hardest part to choose. I am undecided between the lian li pc50 (excellent cooling & v light so useful for carrying pc into lounge to use with 46" tv)
or the fractal design r2 ( apparently v quiet and looks nice)
they work ou about the same when I add in the price of the extra fans needed for the r2

 

[EdwardTeach]

I think that the fractal should really be compared with cases in the +£100 bracket due to the necessity of buying extra fans.

 

[EdwardTeach]

One thing I was wondering about- if I don't overclock is there any need to replace the stock intel heatsink I will get with the 930?

can anyone answer me this?