Like the title says.  I'm on the market.

I would like a dual core setup.

At least 2GB of RAM

SLI setup

NVIDIA GEFORCE 7-8K range card or cards (which ever you guys think would be best)

etc etc etc.

So what say you?


Thanks guys!

I am running a system with 2 7800gtx's in sli. Sure its fast, but, the 8800 by itself  is way faster and directx 10 ready.

One of the gamer pc mags had $1500 gamer pc specs.

Bk

got a local computer repair shop?    thats where i work.  


they can build you a computer that will blow any dell or other big store brand computer away

can't beat local support    

I was thinkin about building one myself.  I minored in Comp. Sci and was looking for recommendations.  I'm somewhat computer savvy but could be better as my minor was more concentrated in software and not hardware and therefore it would definately be a learning process.

Any help is appreciated!  Thanks guys!

Let's see...just browsing Newegg..something like:


Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz - $309 (or go with the 2.1GHz for $100 less)
nVidia 590-based mobo - $240
2GB Corsair DDR2 PC5400 Memory - $209 (after $30 rebate)
Antec P180 Case - $100 after rebate
600w Coolmax SLI certified PSU - $100 - but for $144, the Seasonic is the cream of the crop
GeForce 8800GTS w/640MB - $420 after rebate
DVD burner - $32
Twin 250GB Seagate perpendicular SATA drives in RAID 0 - $160 ($80 each)
Twin 20.1" LCD monitors - $420 per pair after rebates (to two different addresses)
X-Fi Fatil1ly sound card - $96 after rebate
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836116153]7.1 90watt Creative Labs speakers - $67 after rebate


That leaves about $50 for keyboard and mouse...so you might go over the $2k mark with the above stuff.

I run twin GF7900GS cards ($155 each) and those things are muy rapido!.  But a single 8800 is supposed to be faster than my twins.  Plus, in a year or two, you can pick up a 2nd 8800 for say $200-300 and instantly have an 80% boost in graphics speed.

Sure, a pair of SCSI 15k rpm drives would be faster, and ton more money.  The SATAs are quite fast and give good capacity with very little complexity of putting them together.

I would suggest the Nforce 680i chipset instead of the 590. Ton more features and Quad cpu ready.

With Vista/DX10 on its way, the 8800 is the only way to go right now.

Buy a GOOD Power Supply!!!

The X-Fi snd card is awesome especially with Zalman 5.1 headphones.

If speed is paramount...Raptor HDD at 10k rpm's...God I love mine, not much space on a 74g drive but man is it quick.

BK

Wow thanks guys....I'm not so worried about the dual monitors and am only sticking w/ a 17" LCD for now and I've already go speakers, a keyboard, and mouse so I can toss those things out the window.


I'll edit this post when I come up w/ a list modified from the ones above.  Thanks again!

ASUS P5N32-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Mobo - $300
2GB Corsair DDR2 PC5400 Memory - $209 (after $30 rebate)
Antec P180 Case - $100 after rebate
SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, FCC - $145
BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $430 (after $20 mail in rebate)
DVD burner - $32
Twin 250GB Seagate perpendicular SATA drives in RAID 0 - $160 ($80 each)
ViewSonic VA1912wb Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 280 cd/m2 700:1 - $230
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - $73 after $20 rebate



Well after rebates I'll be sittin right around $1500

Anything missing off that list?  Would you guys recommend me changing any of it? Like I said I already have a printer, speakers, keyboard, and mouse so I can leave those off the list.  Am I going to need any extra cords or accessories to make this thing work?  


Actually I have to get Windows again.

Quoted: got a local computer repair shop?    thats where i work.   they can build you a computer that will blow any dell or other big store brand computer away can't beat local support

True, if they're still around in a year.  Seems like there is a high turnover for little computer shops.

true.

the one i work for has been around since 1986.   soooo

Quoted: ASUS P5N32-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Mobo - $300 2GB Corsair DDR2 PC5400 Memory - $209 (after $30 rebate) Antec P180 Case - $100 after rebate SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, FCC - $145 BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $430 (after $20 mail in rebate) DVD burner - $32 Twin 250GB Seagate perpendicular SATA drives in RAID 0 - $160 ($80 each) ViewSonic VA1912wb Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 280 cd/m2 700:1 - $230 Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - $73 after $20 rebate Well after rebates I'll be sittin right around $1500 Anything missing off that list?  Would you guys recommend me changing any of it? Like I said I already have a printer, speakers, keyboard, and mouse so I can leave those off the list.  Am I going to need any extra cords or accessories to make this thing work?   Actually I have to get Windows again.

If you are not overclocking that motherboard is really wasted on you especially with DDR2 PC5400 memory, save $100+ and get a cheaper motherboard.

Get a much higher resolution monitor (and bigger) or save money and get a slower video card. The 8800GTS can push hard a lot higher resolutions than 1440 x 900, the card is really MASSIVE overkill on that monitor, just wasted power you cannot use on that monitor.

Did I miss the processor? I suggest the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 as the best bang for the not too much buck.

ETA: Another reason to look at another motherboard are there people having SATA problems the 680i chipset motherboards.

roger that


should i still go w/ an SLI setup?


ETA:  I had the E6600 in my cart on new egg but forgot to list it on here  glad i'm picking the right one though



sorry for all the noobishness

Quoted: roger that should i still go w/ an SLI setup? ETA:  I had the E6600 in my cart on new egg but forgot to list it on here  glad i'm picking the right one though sorry for all the noobishness

SLI is wasted with that monitor (or most monitors for that matter) a good fast single card 79xx something under $300 will do and you can always go SLI later by adding the second card.

Or you can get a solid fast sub $200 like a GeForce 7900GS and wait for the mid price range 8000 series to come out.

Quoted: Not to hi jack this thread. but why is the new intel chip the big gaming chip ? my limited understanding in duo core doesn't have any affect on gaming at this time. duo core is about muti tasking/threading, not something games are doing. sorry i just don't have the time right now to research this more. what say you? mmk

Nope… the newer Core 2 Duo are easily the fastest chips out there for gaming rigs. In benchmarking and real world they stomp everything else.

I haven’t put much thought in to why… Along with them just being very fast I guess most new games take full advantage of both cores

I would stay with the 8800. I would also choose a nice CRT over LCD. I just don't find the LCD's responsive enough.

Once again the only card right now that supports DirectX 10 is the 8800. DirectX 10 games will be coming out soon enough. I would hate to build a new pc today just to have to upgrade it again in a few months.

And besides how cool would it be to have SLi with 2 8800

GO BIG or GO HOME

BadKarma

Quoted: I would stay with the 8800. I would also choose a nice CRT over LCD. I just don't find the LCD's responsive enough. Once again the only card right now that supports DirectX 10 is the 8800. DirectX 10 games will be coming out soon enough. I would hate to build a new pc today just to have to upgrade it again in a few months. And besides how cool would it be to have SLi with 2 8800 GO BIG or GO HOME BadKarma

you hammered the nail on the head

exactly the reason i want both 8800 and SLi

For the future when i need to do an upgrade...just throw in another 8800.  Not to mention maybe double my ram from 2 gigs to 4 on down the road.  

once again thanks for everything guys!  i'll know w/in the next few days the route i'm going and i'll post about it

Regarding the Core2Duo 2.4GHz CPU and the PC5400 memory.  As mentioned above, running the E6600 stock means the PC5400 memory is a little waste of money, and you could memory a tad bit slower.

However, the E6600 overclocks like a Wile E. Coyote rocket sled.  Well...it's a fine overclocker with its 4MB cache.  If overclocking is a possibility, then go with PC6400 and clock the E6600 up to 3GHz.

Here's one example of how quick an overclocked E6600 is:
www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=e6600&page=1&cookie%5Ftest=1

I've built 12 680i systems so far and personally think the evga board is a better bet then the asus (I also like it over the striker extreme which I've built 2 of)- cheaper too....I would wholeheartedly recommend the evga 680i board with a matching evga graphics card...Also, if you can, get the 8800gtx; this round there is a large performance delta between the gts and the gtx..........Lots of board flex on the new Asus mobo's, mainly due to the heavy copper piping plus the stock hsf on the Core2's isn't the lightest....
link to evga board

If you can find an Asus MW201U or MW221U monitor I would recommend them as well.....the panel is excellent as is the fit and finish of the exterior....

If you need to save some money- shitcan the sound card and use the 7.1 soundmax hd audio built into the asus and evga 680i boards.....I'm running klipsch 5.1's and haven't missed my audigy yet....I would recommend at least trying the built in audio before dropping the coin....

I'd go with an 8800 graphics card.  If you are gaming you will want to be DX10 compliant.

I'm going to be building a new PC in the coming months as well buying components between newegg.com and clubit.com. This is what I have come up with:

Thermaltake Armor VA8003BWS(with 25 cm fan on the side)

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel
 
eVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
 
OCZ GameXStream OCZ850GXSSLI ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 850Watts Power Supply
 
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4

Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive  

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model LH-20A1H-185

I already bought and have received the thermaltake case as I found a deal on clubit where I could get 30$ off on a mail in rebate and the base price for the 8003 with the side fan from them was cheaper then the 8000 without the fan from newegg.

I do not have a soundcard picked out as I plan to use the built in sound on this mobo first and see if it sounds good enough for me. My hearing isn't the best in the world and I don't tend to notice all the little things that real audiophiles rave about in top end sound systems especially considering I think the 5.1 sound in my current system with a plain audigy card sounds great and I only bought that soundcard because my gigabyte mobo wouldn't allow surroundsound speakers AND a microphone(not enough jacks).

I listed the two powersupplies because I can't decide which one to get. The OCZ get very good reviews for their value and the one I have in my current system runs like a champ so I will probably stick with this brand. People have said they have built 8800GTX systems using the 700 watt PSU but I want to know if I should just go ahead and spring for the 850 WATT or maybe even get a 1000WATT from another manufacturer? I will initially not be using SLI but I will probably add another card in the future when they get cheaper so I have a feeling this will not be enough juice(evgas site says the video card requires at least 450 watts). Also I am not sure as to if I can overclock this machine AND use the 8800GTX with only 700 watts? What say the masses?

Also for anyone interested to know who are planning vista/DX10 systems newegg has a deal where if you buy windows XP you get a coupon to upgrade to the corresponding edition of vista. So if you buy windows XP media center edition($110) you can upgrade to vista home premium for like 13$ as opposed to buying the retail upgrade when it comes out for 150$ or outright buying vista home premium full for 250$ when it's new. This is a good deal even to people who already own a copy of XP and I figured I should mention it to everyone planning systems or OS upgrades.