Rate build + recommend MOBO + CPU

I want a monitor like that. In fact, I'm hoping to see it on sale tomorrow at 8 p.m. when the online sale starts at BestBuy.ca

Nice parts. All compatible.

Get this RAM instead. Better timings, better price.
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231209

I'd replace the Palit HD 4870 1GB/Velociraptor combo with a Visiontek HD 4870 X2/WD6400AAKS combo. That saves $100 (newegg prices), Visiontek is more reliable than Palit, the video card would be way better, the hard disk would be twice as big, and the only drawback is somewhat slower access when dealing with lots of small files.

The 620HX is a very good PSU. However, $120 is a lot. $70 buys you an even better (and more powerful) PC Power & Cooling 750W.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341011

MB/CPU: on that budget, GA-EP45-UD3P and Q9550.

I'm guessing you're not from the US because those prices are astronomical.

I'd say get rid of the HDD and change in a Western Digital 640 GB HDD.

Also, for that screen, you'll have some issues with just one GPU, but it should be nice to have a big screen. If it were me, I'd save some cash on the monitor/screen and get a 24" instead (about half price).

Get a solid P45 - Gigabyte or Asus - motherboard

Get a E8400/E8500 or Q6600/Q9550 for CPU, or on a budget, get the E7200/E7300 and OC.

The rest looks good.

Aevm is very wise. Study everything he just said, every component is perfect. In fact, everything he recommended is my machine at home and it owns.

I'll add one thing. I have a raptor and my OS drive and the 640 gig WD as my storage drive. I understand why you want to raptor, but with SSD's where they are today, I'd wait 3 - 4 months and get 2 or 3 ssd's and raid 0 them for insane reads & literally instant access times.

Sorry - should clear up that I'm in Canada, those are prices from NCIX.com.

aevm - Is that a reliable PS? I've only heard good things about Corsair and I have never heard of the one you recommended. I'm open to getting it instead though.

huron - You think I would need 4870x2 for that monitor? Would I then need a bigger PS and different MOBO? Perhaps it's more cost effective to get a really nice 24".

Thanks for the input.

I actually have that PC P&C 750W PSU myself. Love it. It's one of the best ever made. Here's a review:
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooli [...] spx?i=3186

Since you're in Canada, you can't get it from Newegg.com. It's C$130 at NCIX (the 620HX is C$154).

BTW, you do know the current promoid for NCIX (1145), right? It's still valid today but it expires in 12 hours. For example it saves you 49% on this RAM:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145
or $28 on this WD disk:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145

Here's a 24" on sale, and it gives you free shipping for the whole order:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145

A P5Q Pro MB would also be good for your setup. Also on sale, and free shipping for the whole order:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145

This Corsair 650TX is a very nice PSU, good price too:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145

More things from the sales list:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1145

Whether you need a HD 4870 X2 for 1920x1200 depends on your games. Fpor solitaire, you certainly don't. For Crysis, you certainly do. For anything in between, it depends on the game and the level of eye candy. I'll try to find you some benchmarks.

Some benchmarks for HD 4870 X2 and HD 4870 1GB at 1920x1200:

Crysis, 40 fps vs 33 fps
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3415&p=4
Actually, 33 fps is already very good, IMO, and 40 vs 33 is not that much.

Age of Conan, 56 vs 36. This one you would notice.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3415&p=3
(read the table under the chart, column 1920x1200; the chart itself is for 2560x1600)

Quake Wars, 140 vs 98. This one you would NOT notice, IMO.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3415&p=6

Aevm, your statement "Canadian customer gets an extra bill from UPS when he gets the package" is incorrect. Newegg.ca ship from the US, but custom fees are not applicable when one buys from a Canadian site (no matter where they ship from). I've ordered from Newegg.ca. Delivery is pretty good and UPS never sent me a bill.

The prices you see on Newegg.ca is what you pay, plus applicable taxes and other fees. Newegg.ca charge GST and PST for several provinces and they add handling fees. I often find that BestDirect.ca or CanadaDirect.ca are less expensive than NCIX.com or Newegg.ca. In the end, the total invoice is what counts.