New build planned. Need general advice

Hi Lebon. Your build sounds great for the purposes you outline.
Every time someone puts up a thread like this I always ramble on about getting a better monitor. It's a crucial part of the pc in my view but often is added on as an afterthought
I'm sure the Asus you have chosen is a decent piece of kit but it is a TN panel. Once you have seen an IPS or PVA panel there is no comparison.
They have better, truer, colours and a much wider colour gamut plus true blacks and grey scale. Also, unlike a TN panel you do not have to sit exactly in front of it, at exactly the right height etc.
Check this review: PRAD | Review NEC EA231WMi-BK
This is a superb monitor, beautifully engineered with a proper ergo adjustable stand. I just looked on some US sites and you can pick up this model for about $330.

That's my thoughts anyway. Good luck with the build, John:)

i like that monitor, no HDMI input tho

@DirtyElf : My plan was to get a Triple Channel rig. So the 9xx i7 still hold. I'm choosing the 950 because it's 3GHz and well, since I'm not overclocking, I'm getting the highest frequency I can buy. PSU wise, I don't think the overall consommation will go over 620W with 2 HDDs additional HDDs and USB powered scanner. Also, the monitor DO have HDMI... From the picture on Newegg :
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...49-S10?$S640W$

@johnwillyums : Thanks for your input. However, that monitor would burst my budget by a good 100$. I do have a 24" LCD monitor which I believe have a TN panel and even not in front of it I clearly see my monitor and I think the colors are beautiful too. The only thing about my current monitor is OMG IT'S SO D**N BRIGHT (@normal brightness settings)! Last thing, I don't like the design...

I was also looking at the Asus Sabertooth X58 motherboard :
Newegg.ca - ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

What do you think guys?

Lebon14 said:

I do have a 24" LCD monitor which I believe have a TN panel and even not in front of it I clearly see my monitor and I think the colors are beautiful too. The only thing about my current monitor is OMG IT'S SO D**N BRIGHT (@normal brightness settings)!

Are you talking about your ViewSonic? Mine is fracking bright too, it's crazy. I do love their colors though, they look really nice.

I love my ASUS board, and that one looks very nice, and has some nice features.

LiquidSnak said:

Are you talking about your ViewSonic? Mine is fracking bright too, it's crazy. I do love their colors though, they look really nice.

Yep. I'm talking about my Q241wb. The colors are nice I agree,

If you decide to have some on hand go with Arctic Silver5
Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

I was also looking at the Asus Sabertooth X58 motherboard :
Newegg.ca - ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

What do you think guys?

The mobo you list has the Realtec audio. This is not the one having all the audio problems.
This one uses Realtek ALC892 should be good alternative to Gagabyte.
Add the ASUS video card if you want same brand. All good choices.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121390 $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121396 $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121389 $245

I bought the middle of these three. At the time the $245 wasn't available yet.
The $175 was $225 then.
Now I'd go with 1st one for pricing or 3rd for performance advantage.

My two cents.
Mike

For the SSD, I would go with something like the 80GB Intel.
Its about $25 more expensive.

the 40GB ones are excellent performers as well, although slighhtly slower than the 80GB version. However, only around $100.
40GB is plenty of room for Win7 and apps for the most part, if you keep all other User DATA/Games etc on other drives.

The Gskill ones look like they have decent speeds and reviews, but from what im seeing it looks like the Intel may be slightly faster for the OS.

For the record, I only know what Ive read and benchmarks Ive seen on those Gskill SSDs.

If you already have Spinners for user DATA that would be a great setup.

And as mentioned, to save a bit of extra cash, you may want to consider a P55 board (Socket 1156)

You will only have dual channel DDR3, but overall should still be a solid build.