New Build, Seeking Help

My budget is strictly $2000-2500. Am using this PC primarily for gaming. Only other uses would be simple applications and web browsing. Here is what i am looking at:

- GFX: XFX Radeon HD 5970
- CPU: Intel i5 750
- RAM: 4GB 1600Mhz 
- PSU: Corsair 750w TX
- SSD: Intel 80gb
- Harddrive: WD 500GB, 7200rpm
- Mobo: EVGA P55 SLI
- Case: Coolermaster HAF 922

-OC CPU, GPU
-Blue case lighting


This ends up coming to $2045, which leaves me room to purchase a monitor and speakers and still be about in budget.

Concerns:

1) Will the i5-750 slow down the HD 5970 at all?

2) How does the Mobo work with the HD 5970, does it only take up the x16 PCI slot since it is "one" card?

3) Will the 750w PSU be enough to power OC CPU, GPU?

4) Should i cut the 80gb SSD down to 40gb? This would mean i could only put the OS on there. I like the idea of putting the current games i am playing on there as well. Also, the 80gb has a bit better overall performance since it is larger. But it is a $130 difference which may not be worth it.

5) Will stock fans be enough to cool this thing down? I know the HAF 922 has good airflow, and the 5970 does a pretty good job of staying cool, but i am not sure.

Anyway, thank you for any and all help!

My budget minus peripherals is $2200.

I believe i will be getting these for monitor/speakers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053&cm_re=asus_21.5-_-24-236-053-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836116048


The main reason i wanted the i5 is for budget reasons, and since i will only be gaming it is supposed to provide the same performance as i7.

Why don't u just go AMD and save some money...too many intel whores on this forum.... and i would definitely stick with the 5970 over the Nvidia 480... go with an ASUS mobo as well... and yes, drop down to the 40 GB SSD and only use it for OS.

im pretty sure i did suggest something

I definitely prefer Intel normally, but after looking into the benchmarks, i seems like i can save a lot of money by going AMD. Also, as an added bonus it looks like the Asus crosshair IV motherboard allows x16/x16 for the HD 5970. I made up a configuration with AMD, how does this look:

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=419832


Edited by Compulsion - 04 Jul 2010 at 3:10am

you are saving a bit of money, but factor in the cost of the 2Gb of RAM you are losing the AMD build, and the lower performance.. not a better value, IMHO..I would not get the 5970 GPU, get a GTX 480, or dual 5870's.I thought the 5970 would get a lot better in time, because the drivers were new, but now since it has been out for so long, it just does not perform that well in games.. The GTX 480, would be a lot more "future proof" with 50% more memory, and better tessellation.

Originally posted by rodsmith here is a nice rig that I think you would be happy with!!!   http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=%20419890%20   but if you really must have the 5970 video card here is another config   http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=419892

Yeah, i think i like the first build. I kind of want to upgrade the PSU to the 1000w corsair. If i did that would i be able to support another 480 later if i wanted to?

if you want to do dual sli then you want the 1250 enermax, if not then the 750w corsair will do for you.

For psu-s here go with brand names, they offer better quality and reliability.

Edited by DST4ME - 04 Jul 2010 at 7:41pm