Gaming Machine - What You Think?

[carrot]

My computer is 4+ years old and I am sick and tired of the stuff I am "limited" to do with my PC especially in terms of gaming, and it's getting slower and slower - I'm still using windows 2000 - tho I like it but I mean, face it....windows 2000 isn't the best looking window out there..maybe a time for a new change is appropriate now. I have finally decided to build one from Scratch - originally my budget was about 1000 Canadian..but after my hard core gamer cousin's visit from Alberta, I am laying my eyes on new set of standards. I am not a computer hardware guru and I know nothing about the current trends and specs and what ever mumble jumbo stuff going around the Computer Hardware world...all I know I need a new computer that's good for Gaming and Movies and FAST when running/loading stuff! (and affordable). So please please, for all you hard core gamers/ computer gurus out there...take a look at the specs and see what you think? I think this is a pretty darn good machine here.....cost is around $2000 not including the 22" LCD monitor which I'm planning to get. $2000 + for a computer system + Monitor + other accessories is a lot...but if this machine can keep me going for a few years, I think it's worth the investment.

Below here is what my cousin suggested...or of what he GOT last week!

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Asus P5N-SLI w/ DualDDR2, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, PCI-E x16 SLI

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option2): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 Dominator TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option3): OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Rev. 2 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Video Card (Option 2): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): LG Super Multi DVD Writer 18x18x10 DVD +/-RW Dual-Layer BLACK (OEM)

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)

LCD Monitor (option1 - 90% I think this one) : LG L226WTX-BN 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 5MS 1680X1050 3000:1 VGA DVI-D Tilt Swivel HDCP Monitor

LCD Monitor (option2) : ViewSonic VX2235wm 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) , w/ DVI cable

LCD Monitor (option3) : Samsung SyncMaster 225BW Black Flat panel display TFT 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050/60 Hz 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) - black

LCD Monitor (option4) : Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 1680X1050 800:1 2MS VGA DVI-D HDCP

[r'aggro]

You're supposed to turn your list into links for us.

It will be plenty fast, btw.

[phexac]

Don't see a reason for an SLI board unless you're going with SLI.

And wait for the price cuts from Intel before you buy.

[Un4given]

Good CPU choice.

You don't need PC2-6400 RAM. If you go with PC2-5300/5400 you may be able to save some money.

Good choice on the hard drive.

As for the video card, I would agree with phexac in that if you aren't going to go SLI, don't buy an SLI board. If you end up deciding on not getting an SLI board, I would certainly recommend an Intel 965 or 975 chipset based board.

You don't really need two optical drives, so just get the burner and call it good.

[Reign]

please listen to me, i'm a very dissapointed nvidia chipset owner (intel edition) best about going to intel is you can use their chipset. I'd get a 965. The Asus P5B-Deluxe is very good.

As for the videocard, i'd get a 8800gts. The GTX is way more expensive than the performance gain.

you don't really need expensive memory, ddr2-6400 from the kingston/corsair/ocz value line will suffice. just as fast just not good oc-able.

[mikeki]

Everything said above, then take the few bills you save and get a bigger monitor (assuming your workspace can handle it)! You won't be dissappointed. My Dell 2405 is awesome.

[carrot]

Thanks guys for the reply I have talked to couple of folks and just to outline my findings below and I'm 90% finalized my Dream machine:

1. Maybe wait for another week or so, Intel chip price might fall. But I noticed RAMs, Video cards and the Corsair Power Supply I wanted are going on with Rebates which some of them ends April, 15, 2007. I know...$25, $30 bucks might not be much...but.....I might want to get those components first and wait for the Intel CPU to drop - What do you guys think?

2. Motherboards - Damn I saw some awful reviews on the Gigabytes MBs...particular the GA-965-DS3 boards. So as my friend and one of you guys suggested to get the INTEL board - Good choice - I m going for the DG965 as stated below.

3. Rams - well, i'm gonna stick with my option 1 - 6400 Corsair. I heard a lot of good reviews and know a lot of people using them said they're great. Maybe it wont' make too big of a difference now...but once new games are out and me running Vista on this thing might make a difference. I am willing to make that little extra stretch for good set of RAMs if I am going to use this Machine for more than 3 years.

4. I going for the GTX - gonna get a big LCD and use high Res for games and other stuff. From the source i'm getting the vid card, seems like prices are the same for BFG OC (or OC2 - have to make sure with my friend) and eVGA 837 - if this is the case , I AM DEFINITELY going for the BFG!!!! What do you guys think?

5. All other stuff can pretty much stay the same..I think they're good....DVD rom drive.....20$...bah just throw it in..I"m getting a decent DVD Pioneer writer so want to treat it better :P

6. The only Variable now is ... the Power supply, damn it looks good and performs very nice...I know nothing about computers but I know this thing won't let me down! But if my buddy is getting it for me...it will be Special Order so might cost more - So anyone out there , after knowing about the stuff I am getting..have any recommandations for a Power Supply Unit?

7. I am going for Windows XP for now....directx 10? bah, could care less - not much games out there need directx 10 anyway.....and Vista is still unstable in a sense - even though for some might not agree but XP is cool for me now...actually anything is cool for me since i'm moving from Windows 2000


Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Intel DG965SSCK Mother Board

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V (special order for this item)

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out (2 models...N831 or N837? they are about $60 different. But i just found out their price same as BFG...I would say BFG if same price cos BFG have life time warranty)

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): Pioneer 212DBK SATA 18x DVD+/-RW

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)

[soupnazi]

Looks good. All the components look high quality. Evga also has a lifetime warranty on some of their cards.
http://www.evga.com/support/lifetime...%20default.asp

The cool thing is you can overclock it and install aftermarket cooling without voiding your warranty. Just curious, what monitor do you plan to buy? I recommend the Dell 2407

[carrot]

Guys sorry...By the way...was just talking to my buddy...I am going to add 2 more items:

1. Auzentech AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS sound card
2. Edifier S2.1D Super Multimedia Speaker System
3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX
4. LCD - will be LG 22" or 24" (if exist) - Dell has good deals but I believe the LG is better in quality.

[carrot]

to be more specific for LCD, maybe this one:
LG L226WTX-BN 22IN Widescreen LCD Black

[proxops-pete]

3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX

I assume you meant OCZ, and not OC2?

[Reign]

I assume you meant OCZ, and not OC2?

nope, ocz doesn't make videocards i think it's the oc (overclocked) squared (2)

[proxops-pete]

nope, ocz doesn't make videocards i think it's the oc (overclocked) squared (2)

Uh actually, yes! OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok.

[Reign]

Uh actually, yes! OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok.

oh lol, completely missed that. ah well,...

[r'aggro]

Uh actually, yes! OCZ 8800GTX
But if it's meant to be OC^2, ok.

I had no idea.