Buying new desktop - Need your help!

You listed the Core i7 940, s1366 8MB, a very nice processor. But it requires a 1366 socket motherboard.

The GIGABYTE H57M-USB3 s1156 Core i3/i5/i7, Intel H57, DDR3 2200, motherboard you listed is for a 1156 socket.
These are for i3, i5 and i7 800 series processors.

You will need a X58 motherboard, like the GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

The RAM you listed is also for the 1156 socket boards, which are dual channel, you will need thriple channel RAM in a three or six stick pack. Just be sure to get RAM with 1.5v.

Or, you can get a i5 760, i7 870 and keep the other above components.

I would recommend the i5 760 processor with your original list above, and a SSD and better PSU.

The hard drives are ok, you will get much better performance with one of the SSDs whs suggested, the 30GB or 60GB Vertex are very nice. You will need a good HDD to store all your personal data on.

Graphic Card: GIGABYTE HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 DX11 2xDVI HDMI PCI-E, excellent choice.

For the PSU, get at least 650w, definitely get a brand name like Corsair, Antec, Seasonic or Cooler Master. These will last longer and you won't have any problems with them.



Your new list:
CPU: Core i5 760, 1156 8MB L3 Cache

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible

Mother Board: GIGABYTE H57M-USB3 s1156 Core i3/i5/i7, Intel H57, DDR3 2200, 2xPCI-E, VGA, HDMI

RAM: DDR3 III 1600Mhz 2x2GB G.Skill Ripjaws Edition Dual Channel, F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO if your not planning on overclocking. Or the Corsair CMD4GX3M2B1600C8 if you want to overclock.

SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II

Hard Drives: WD Caviar Black 500 GB, SATA 3 Gb/s, 32 MB Cache, 7200 RPM

Graphic Card: GIGABYTE HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 DX11 2xDVI HDMI PCI-E

Sound Card: On Board 7.1 Channel Audio

CDROM: LG DVD+-RW

CASE: Chieftec Dragon CD-07-B-B Mid-Tower (No PSU)

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i5 & i7

Reverence said:

CPU: Core i7 940, s1366 8MB Tray

This is a very nice processor, we'll match the rest of the equipment to this, first will be the motherboard, then some of the other items will need to be compatible to the motherboard, like RAM.
It's best to get your RAM from the Motherboard (MOBO) compatible list. This means it has been tested by the MOBO manufacturer and works.
Other RAM may work, or may not, you will take the risk that it doesn't and might have to send it back (if it's possible).

You gotten some advice from THW Building Computer - Budget 1000-1250$, it really depends on what you want to do.
If you want a powerful system that will do anything you might ever want to try, your on the right track.
If for 'some general gaming' and you want a balanced system, then you can reduce some of the key components.

If you define your planned usage it's easier to advise.
If for gaming, it's nice to know the resolution and monitor size.
The LG LED screen 24" w/ resolution 1920X1080?

Reverence said:

CPU Cooler: Generic CPU Cooler for s1366 (Need better cooler I think)

Stock coolers are fine if your not OverClocking (OC) and don't do heavy gaming, graphics or video editing.

I would recommend a better CPU cooler for this system, COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible

It's a good air cooler, and the one I am using.

Water cooling is another option, mostly for extreme OC and gaming.
The idea of liquid being under pressure in my case is a little un-nerving.

Reverence said:

Mother Board: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R OR GA-X58A-UD5 (Help me decide)

Again, this depends on the amount of OC'ing, which you might do for graphics and video work, heavy gaming or benchmarking.

The GA-X58A-UD3R is very good and for average+ enthusiast use will be ok, the GA-X58A-UD5 has more features and of coarse will cost more.
It's a personal choice and will depend on your budget.

Reverence said:

RAM: 3X2 6gb ddr3 1333 OCZ

If you give the MOBO you would like and the RAM part number I will help you confirm if it's on the MOBO compatible RAM list.
You can go to the MOBO website and D/L the Approved RAM list.

Reverence said:

Hard Drive 1 OS: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Hard Drive 2: 1 x WD Caviar Black 1TB, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache, 7200 RPM

Both are excellent choices.

There is some debate if the 6 Gb/s interface will be useful for a HDD. You will likely not notice any difference with the 3 Gb/s, this will be a storage drive and the most useful attributes are the 64 MB cache and the 7200 RPM speed.
Save a little money and get the 1 x WD Caviar Black 1TB, SATA 3 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache, 7200 RPM hard drive.

Reverence said:

Graphic Card: Sapphire HD 5870 Vapor-X OC 1GB GDDR5 DX11 2xDVI HDMI DP PCI-E OR HD 5870 2GB GDDR5 DX11 6xMini DP PCI-E (Help me decide)

I agree with bobkn, go with the Sapphire HD 5870 Vapor-X OC 1GB GDDR5 DX11 2xDVI HDMI DP PCI-E.
Unless you have a specific need for the 6 x display ports, if your planning on having 6 monitors.

Reverence said:

Sound Card: On Board 7.1 Channel Audio

CDROM: Dvdrw NEC sata x24

Both are fine.

Reverence said:

CASE: Chieftec Dragon CD-07-B-B Mid-Tower (No PSU) (Or other case help me decide)

The important thing for a case is that is provides adequate cooling and space.
Not familiar with this case but, a with a quick check it appears to be more than adequate.
For the price you might consider a well known name brand like Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair. Build quality and design features will make the installation and overall satisfaction better.

Reverence said:

POWER Adapter: 6AG1B HEC + HEC 600w (Maybe more power needed)

For the system you're currently planning, get a minimum 750w PSU.

Reverence said:

Ok list updated just need some decision to make.

As mentioned, if you want a very powerful system this is good.

You might consider an i5 760 or i7 870, the overall performance and benchmarks will be close to the system you're contemplating.

For some general information and reviews, there is a lot of information here CASES/COOLING/PSUs.



Let us know if you have any more questions.

Good choice.

GA-X58A-UD5 (rev. 2.0) memory support list

3 X 2GB CORSAIR TR3X6G2000C8GT (total 6GB)
Or, if you can't find the above this will do nicely.
3 X 2GB CORSAIR TR3X6G1866C7GT (total 6GB)

If you can't find either of these two go to the link above and pick a 6GB set of DDR3 1600 or higher.
Just be sure the RAM cards are 2GB each and 3 pieces equaling 6GB.

Let us know how it goes.

When you order the MOBO, you should be able to see if it's rev 1 or 2, if not then ask the shop or site before you order.

There will only be a slight speed difference if you are not stressing the computer, if you are planning on heavy gaming then get the higher speed RAM, if your computer isn't going to be stressed that much the 1333Mhz will be fine.

Dave wanted to ask do you familiar with this mobo: ASUS P6T SE s1366 Core i7, Intel X58, DDR3 1333, 3xPCI-E

how good / bad it is compared to the GIGABYTE.

I need another recommendation for the RAM there are no official suppliers of Corsair for those 2 RAMs you mentioned above. That compatible with the mother board.

What about this one: Corsair TR3X6G1600C7D

But I dont see it on the compatible list.

Thanks

I'm not familiar with that ASUS MOBO, just D/L the RAM compatible list and see if you can get RAM for it. ASUS has a good reputation.

The Gigabyte MOBO is good, I would recommend it, go to the RAM compatible list and keep checking with your suppliers and see if they have anything on the list.
If you find some RAM that is available, post it here and we'll offer an opinion.

Let us know how it's going.