know1

The gaming industry has been pretty slow in utilizing dual processing in both CPUs and GPUs considering that gamers are the largest target audience outside of professional use for high-end computers. Real world advantages of SLI or Crossfire are not as high as one would expect, and in some instances barely better than one high-end card. Dual and quad core CPUs offer little to no direct advantage to gaming other than being able to multi task while gaming. In fact, if there is any advantage other than the multi tasking, it can only be attributed to smaller process scale (we're approaching 45nm), larger cache sizes, higher FSB frequencies and better instruction sets. The actual core frequencies have dipped in the newer Core2 duo and AMD Solutions. Whereas the P4s and PentDs were approaching 4GHz, the Core2 Duos started at 1.8, but are OVERALL competitive with the P4s and PentDs. BUT...for single string processes such as gaming, raw GHz muscle still matters. If you wanted to go on the cheap, you would get a 3.6 GHz P4 for around $50 dollars. Just don't try to render hi resolution 3D models with it.

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Tbaism

This is my new build, so give me some suggestions or input. I think it is fairly sufficient for power, memory, and overall performance. I may have some parts that arts compatible though, so a heads up would be nice.

It appears to be specifically a gaming build, but I consider it to have many other uses. I may have placed a part that could easily be substituted for a sufficient offbrand piece, so tell me if that is the case please.

Motherboard - Asus M2N-E SLI NVIDIA Socket AM2 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / SLI Ready / Gigabit LAN / S/PDIF / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA / RAID (2.7lbs)
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.80GHz OEM Processor (0.35 lbs)
Video Card - XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX / 256MB DDR3 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / DL Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card (1.2 lbs)
Sound Card - Turtle Beach Montego 7.1 Dolby Digital Live Surround PCI Sound Card (0.15 lbs)
Cd/DVD ROM - Lite-on SOHC-5236K Retail DVD-ROM Combo Drive - 52x32x CD-R/RW, 16x DVD-ROM, White (2.1 lbs)
DVD Burner - Sony DRU170C Retail DVD Burner - 18x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Internal (2.25 lbs)
Memory/RAM - Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB) (0.4 lbs) (X2 = 4gig)
HardDrive - Htachi / Deskstar T7K500 / 500GB / 16MB / SATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive (1 lbs) - possibly X2 = 1 Terabyte, depends
CPU FAN - Thermaltake / Big Typhoon VX / 4 in 1 / 6 Heatpipes / 120mm Fan / CPU Cooler (2.55 lbs)
Mid-Tower Case - Apevia Blue X-Cruiser Case ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB, Audio and Firewire Ports (16.9 lbs)
Power Supply - Apevia / 520-Watt / ATX / Triple 80mm LED Fan / Black Aluminum / Power Supply (5.1 lbs) - Is this enough power you think?
Monitor - Acer AL1916WAB 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 5ms, 700:1, WXGA+ 1440x900, VGA(D-sub), Black (13.75 lbs)
Keyboard - Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (4.45 lbs)
Mouse - Razer Copperhead 2000 DPI High Precision Laser Mouse (Tempest Blue) (0.8 lbs)
Headphones/Headset - Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones (2.05 lbs)
Speakers - Tritton Sound Bite Portable USB Speaker System (0.75 lbs)

Give me your input I think this might be it. This of course is the full deluxe package.

If you want a reason for this, a comparison was needed in my opinion.

know1

lol. You have the component weights? Unless you are concerned with freight cost or are planning on joining a "computer hurling competition", then those are pretty pointless. Vaguely interesting, but pointless.

I wouldn't recommend buying a soundcard just to push headphones. That motherboard's output will do just fine for headphones and most speakers. Plus if you are buying USB speakers (which by the way look like a terrible investment), what's the point in a soundcard? That motherboard has S/PDIF (Sony-Phillips Digital Interface Format), meaning you can get a pure digital output for a serious set of speakers or receiver. Newer onboard sound technologies have done away with previous buzzing and hissing that plagued older versions. It may slightly bite into system resources, but you would never notice it unless you were listening to a listening to a 5.1/7.1 DVD audio disc or a SACD while gaming.

Also, save your money on the gaming keyboard. Performance gains are a joke and extra programmable buttons are for cheaters. The industry want to put gamer in front of any item just to milk a few extra bucks out of people. Choose any game and meet me online--I'll whoop A** with a $10 dollar IBM 108.

Everything else on your list is pretty stock for a good gaming machine. Nice selection.

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Violent

Bleh I hate AMD processors but jesus that computer is pretty beefed up o.O boy would I love to have this in my computer GeForce 8600 GT lol nice selection ;D

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Obey the forum rules!

aceman67

I have the Geforce 8600, and its a pretty sweet card, but I would give my first born for a GeForce 8800 Ultra.

And I agree with Know1, scrap the USB speakers and the gaming keyboard, waste of money.

Also, most, if not all speaker systems now a days are self powered, and your sound card doesn't need much output to get them to produce sound, since the Amp for the speakers is self contained and powered.

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Tbaism

Well with a copy and paste type situation, the weight was added because I was far too lazy and tired to delete. It has no relevance what so ever here lol

I gathered all of the suggestions so far and made a comparison comp, which is only about $200-$400 more than my last first build(which isn't too shabby in my opinion), since the first didn't even come with a descent video card.

I was questioning the sound card and speakers, but I am still not sure what to do as a substitute. You say the mother board is sufficient correct(no need for sound card), so just a reg set of speakers will be fine? I need speakers along with headphones, because I tend to destroy one headset after another.

Now, the keyboard, case, and mouse, and speakers are purely for flash and style, not really a must have buy in my opinion. I like the keyboard because of the three light settings for night play(a must have for my gaming comp), and the small LCD screen ontop. As you could tell, I decided on the dual core for multi tasking and enjoy the idea of being able to see in-comming e-mails and computer stats. Not to mention the on/off switch to cancle out the function for that windows key. I am one of those gamers who continuously hit that and lag out my entire raid group. The macro keys and such, I don't use; I have no need, nor the knowledge to do so.

For everything else, it is pretty descent huh? More suggestions or ideas are welcome. By the way, that CPU fan is suppose to be massive(5.37 In. height), so I am a little hesitant about that, but it seems pretty descent. Are there enough fans to keep the comp cool enough, or should I add 1 or 2 more? And is the power supply sufficient enough to keep this baby going smooth?

Everything is compatble right? LOL

Skillzpay

I'd recommend dropping from 4gb of ram to 2gb since all you're going to be doing is your typical run of the mill stuff and gaming and possibly dropping one 500gb hdd. Also you may want to consider downgrading your motherboard to one with just a single PC-I Express slot, rather than the current SLI edition you've chosen, if you don't seriously plan on going with dual videocards. This would save you additional money. With all this saved money, you could use it towards upgrading your videocard to a 8800gts. The 8800gts is a DX10 card and will be much better equipped to handle both today's games as well as future games at high settings i.e. Crysis & Alan Wake. Another thing to note, you'll only be able to run DX10 on Vista so you may want to take that into consideration too.

Also, you never mentioned what prices you're getting all these parts for and where you'll be getting them. That would allow us all to help you even more in case we're able to find better prices for you.

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LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble

Also, 4GB of RAM is only usable if you're using the 64 bit version of XP Pro (and try finding drivers for it...) or the 64 bit version of VISTA. All other 32 bit OS can only support 3GB of RAM max, and anything more then that is wasted...

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Tbaism

If Vista is the only OS for the 8800 GTS, why does it say that the minimum requirements for the card include Windows XP? I put down the Geforce 8600 before, and it seemed that nobody had objected to the idea. It is suppose to be the first manufactured card with Dx 10 isn't it?

I am getting the hardware from Tiger Direct. I don't feel like searching multiple sites or buying from multiple ones either. I have purchased form there before and it has never let me down yet. Since I have taken these suggestions into serious consideration, the amount of money being put into the thing has raised to $1600-$1800. But this includes the flashy mouse, keyboard, headset, and so on and so forth. $2k would have to be the limit I guess, this includes S&H.

From what I have heard, this should be more than enough to supply a great computer. How to go about it is a different story.

I was hoping that some of the members here could piece together what they would consider to be the best specced comp for around $2k and some voting to determine which should rule supreme. It oculd be a comparison comp or the actual one I decide to buy.

I realize this isn't what was initially the subject for the thread, but all of these suggestions and info didn't help me in sticking to my originial plan. I haven't been this excited in a while and I want to go all out. Who knows, I have 3 in this houehold, so the available cash might even go up more.

So people, $2k.

$400-$450 set aside for the monitor, mouse, keyboard, headset, speakers, case, mousepad.

That leaves $1550-$1600 for the comp itself. Set aside my past notes for keeping it cheap, show me what you consider to be the best with that amount, while still keeping in mind my tastes. (Gaming, Multi Task, upgradable, enough for future gaming, and with plenty of bragging rights.) Atleast 500gig, Harddrive, 4 gigs ram, the 5400-5600 dual core amd processor(or equivalent).

I will be making another comparison comp soon as well, so show me what you got in mind. Suggestions, opinions, ideas, are still something I want. A little review over what you build would be nice as well.

************************************************** ************************************
Comparison Comp 3 - 8800 GTS Video Card Build

XFX X-Gear Multimedia Gaming Headset (1.1 lbs) – $24.99
Razer Copperhead 2000 DPI High Precision Laser Mouse (Tempest Blue) (0.8 lbs) – $59.99
Razer Exactmat Professional Gaming Mousepad Bundle (1.9 lbs) – $29.99
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (4.45 lbs) – $69.99
Lite-On LH-16D1P-187 Retail DVD-ROM Drive - 16x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-ROM, Black, Internal (1.75 lbs) – $19.99
Sony DRU170C Retail DVD Burner - 18x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Internal (2.25 lbs) – $44.99
Optiquest Q9b 19" LCD Monitor - 8ms, 700:1, SXGA 1280x1024, Black, Built-In Speakers (12.9 lbs) – $199.99
OCZ / GameXStream / 850-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI-Ready / Active PFC / Power Supply (5.75 lbs) – $199.99
Thermaltake Black Armor Full-Tower ATX Case with 11 External Drive Bays, Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports (70 lbs) – $149.99
OCZ / Vindicator / Socket 754/939/940/AM2/775 / Copper Core / CPU Cooler (2.15 lbs) – $49.99
Seagate / Barracuda 7200.10 / 500GB / 7200 / 16MB / Serial ATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive (1 lbs) – $119.99
Patriot Extreme 4096MB Dual Channel PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 2048MB) (0.2 lbs) – $279.99
NVIDIA Socket AM2 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / SLI / Dual Gigabit LAN / S/PDIF / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA / RAID (5 lbs) – $199.97
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS / 640MB GDDR3 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / HDCP Enabled / Video Card (2.6 lbs) – $379.99
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.80GHz / 2MB Cache / 1000MHz (2000 MT/s) FSB / Windsor / Dual Core / Socket AM2 / Processor with Fan (Retail) (1 lbs) – $162.99

Plus S&H it comes out to: $2,095.70 - The final amount of funds cannot exceed $2100. This includes S&H

Obviously some things can go and a few can stay. This is just an example of where I am comming from. The OS isn't included nor any other software of yet, so suggestions would be highly appreciated. (I really really don't care for Vista, and would like to bypass that if at all possible.) Is everything compatible? Do I need to switch out some hardware for a different in order to use the rest? Sorry for the long post, I didn't want to double.

Give me something to stand this build beside so I can figure out what I am actually looking for.

Skillzpay

I just built a new system last month for about $2K that's future proofed to a nice degree and can certainly run today's and tomorrow's games at max/near-max settings. The specs are:

From Newegg
GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - $160
EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $510 (after rebate)
Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - $100 (after rebate)
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - $73 (after rebate)
2X Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $150 ($75 each)
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM - $37
Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM - $112
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM - $6
ZALMAN 9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - $60
Antec 120MM Case Fan - $14
Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - $46
Microsoft Comfort Curve Black USB Wired Ergonomics Keyboard 2000 - $13
PLUS about $120 in CA state taxes

Outpost.com
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $90

From Fry's Electronics
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 - $325 (incl. tax and came with a cheap ECS motherboard)
Viewsonic 22" HD-LCD VX2235wm - $250 (after rebates)

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Tbaism

So are there any suggestions or comparison reviews you might be able to include about mine? I can do fine just looking at what you made, but it doesn't really touch on what I was asking for. Would switching out your Ram with mine be a good investment such as less is better, or scrapping the 8800 GTS, cutting back on the memory to pay for the 8800 GTX? How about the processor, would that show better performance on multitasking and PC video gameplay than the Dual core 5600? If not, or is, what are they?

Or did you just put down what you made a while ago because that is what you thought this thread was for?

Either way thanks for another comparison. I was looking for more specifics and details at the moment though. I am working out the kinks so that I can buy the thing probably in a week or in a few days.