the ultimate gaming rig!

[-saki-]

I need help trying to build my system. Some questions:
1. What processor would you recommend? I was going for AMD but then I read some Core 2 vs FX articles. (I have a soft spot for AMD )
2. What are the best Asus (Intel/Crossfire) boards? Or THE BEST mobo?
3. Should I wait for DX10 cards (I could just sell the ones I get now I suppose)?
4. The LCD. I did some research and it came down to Samsung and Dell (24"). I like the look of the 244T but I heard the Dell is better.
5. Any other recommendations? I'm trying to build the ultimate gaming rig, money is not an issue. I'm not too happy with the casing btw.


SYSTEM

OPERATING SYSTEM
+ Windows XP Professional SP 2
+ Ubuntu 6.06 LTS

PROCESSOR
- AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 (64-bit, 2.8GHz, Dedicated 2MB L2 cache, 2000MHz HyperTransport bus)
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ (64-bit, 2.6GHz, Dedicated 2MB L2 cache, 2000MHz HyperTransport bus)

- Intel Core 2 Extreme processor X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm)
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor E6700 (4M L2 cache 2.66 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm)

MOTHERBOARD
- Asus CROSSHAIR (AMD Socket AM2)
- Asus P5W DH Deluxe (INTEL Socket 775)

MEMORY
Corsair XMS2 DOMINATOR DDR2 TWIN2X2048-8500C5D


MEDIA/STORAGE

HARD DRIVE
+ Western Digital RAPTOR 150GB
+ Western Digital Caviar SE16 SATA 500GB WD5000KS (300 MB/s, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM)
+ Western Digital My Book Premium Edition External Hard Drive 500 GB

CD/DVD DRIVE
Sony DRU-700A (Double-layer DVD burner)

FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVE
- MITSUMI Compact Floppy Disk Drive FA404M USB 7 in 1 Media Drive


DISPLAY

GRAPHICS CARD
- Asus EN7950GX2/2PHT/1G
- Asus EAX1950XTX/HTVDP/512M

PHYSICS CARD
Asus PhysX P1

MONITOR
- Samsung SyncMaster 244T
- ?


AUDIO

SOUND CARD
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty

SPEAKERS
Creative GigaWorks S750


CASING, POWER & COOLING

COOLING
Asus Silent Square Pro

CASING
- Asus Vento (Black)
- ?

POWER SUPPLY
Silverstone ST75ZF 750W

 

[-saki-]

So I should go for Intel and wait for DX10 cards? Any suggestions on the mobo, LCD and casing?

 

[Eurasianman]

Get yourself a cheap graphics card, but not too cheap seeing as Windows Vista launch date is very sketchy. For Intel, the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe is the sweet spot. Best Buy, has a Samsung SyncMaster 940BW for $200. It's a 19inch WS 4ms Response Time. Works nice for me, however the resolution only goes to 1440 x 900. Casing, I have the Antec P180B and the only thing I hear is my ATI X1900XT fan! My CPU stays around 30C w/ SpeedStep and I added an extra Antec TriCool Fan 120 MM in the middle of the case to add cooling for the northbridge and video card. And like the guy said, the Intel C2D XE is overkill! But hey, if you got the money, go for it. Have fun!

 

[Giraffe]

i wish i had that much money to buy the best of everythin

yeah the x6800 is definently the best cpu and also a great O/C'er
if u r rich enough and have money 2 burn(which i think you do) get a x1900gt/xt now and then a dx10 card next year(if u plan on getting vista)

 

[-saki-]

I think i'll just use my 6600gt till some decent dx10 card comes out. About the LCD, has anybody here used a Samsung 244T? If yes how was it for games, movies and documents? I want to get one 24" but would it perform well for games? Should i get 2 VX922/4's instead?

 

[tuk]

Got the same difficult choice to make!

Samsung produces the panels used in both models, although they have different models numbers, The reviews are confusing.

Check my thread
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1243625#1243625

 

[blade47]

this is what u should get

1.Intel Core 2 Extreme processor X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm)
2.Asus P5W DH Deluxe (INTEL Socket 775) which supports CROSSFIRE
3. TWO Western Digital RAPTOR 150GB in RAID 0
4. ONE Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB Hard Drive
5.Sony DRU-820A Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer
6. Asus EAX1950XTX/HTVDP/512M + ATI CROSSFIRE EDITION X1950
7.Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro
8. LOGITECH Z-5500 5.1 Speaker System (505 W RMS)
9. TWO CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 800

 

[IcY18]

this is what u should get

1.Intel Core 2 Extreme processor X6800 (4M L2 cache 2.93 GHz 1066 MHz FSB 65nm)
2.Asus P5W DH Deluxe (INTEL Socket 775) which supports CROSSFIRE
3. TWO Western Digital RAPTOR 150GB in RAID 0
4. ONE Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB Hard Drive
5.Sony DRU-820A Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer
6. Asus EAX1950XTX/HTVDP/512M + ATI CROSSFIRE EDITION X1950
7.Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro
8. LOGITECH Z-5500 5.1 Speaker System (505 W RMS)
9. TWO CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 800

you don't need a crossfire edition x1950xtx, you can just use two normal ones x1950xtx, and he shouldnt blow $900 on graphics when he could update in less than a year

 

[angry_ducky]

Here are the changes that I'd make:
1) Change teh CPU to C2D E6600
2) Change the HDD to Seagate 7200.10 w/perpindicular recording
3) Forget the physics card
4) Change the video card to a 7900GT, and then sell that when you upgrade to DX10.
5) Get some cheaper RAM.
6) Forget the Raptor.

The rest looks good.