[ccAero]

I'm working on building a new desktop for gaming and computation purposes (running engineering programs that require a lot of ram/cpu power). My target budget is about $2500, but I'm willing to spend up to $3000 if I can get a lot of bang for the extra cash. Here's the setup that I have selected so far. I've never built a computer before, so I am especially interested in recommendations/comments from more experienced builders.

CPU: $580 - Intel Core i7 940 Nehalem 2.93GHz

Cooler: $80 - Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler

MOBO: $280 - ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58

GPU: $470 - 2 x HIS Hightech H489FT1GP Radeon HD 4890

RAM: $168 - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3

HDD: $75 - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM

LCD: $300 - SAMSUNG T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen

PSU: $240 - CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W

Case: $100 - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower (Will most likely have to change)

Sound card: $90 - HT | OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface

OS: Free - Windows 7 RC until early 2010


Other:
Wireless adapter: $15 - Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card
Keyboard: $50 - Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Standard Eclipse Keyboard
Mouse: $50 - Logitech G5 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Laser Mouse
Thermal Paste - $9 - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Speakers: Free - Logitech 530 Speakers (currently own)

Total: $2509


Requirements:
-Must be air cooled
-Must have room for growth
-Must be able to overclock CPU in future with minimal system changes

Concerns:
-Cooling (both now and after an OC in the future)
-Power supply (is 1 kW enough for now and future applications? I know that the GPU's are power hungry)
-Are the GPU's/CPU bottlenecking each other?
-Would there be any benefit to double SLi ATI 4870x2?
-ATI or Nvidia? If Nvidia, which card(s)?
-Compatibility of all of the components

Let me know if you have any suggestions/comments. Like I said, I've never built a computer before, but I'm not afraid of dropping the $$$. I have a couple of friends that have built systems before that will help me build it; however, the hardware is my biggest concern right now.

I'm also not afraid of spending up to $3000 if the extra money is worth it. If you have a good idea for a upgrade, let me know!

Edited by ccAero, 03 June 2009 - 03:06 PM.