Need some advice.

[rtfc3po]

I am getting ready to build a new gaming rig in the next 1-2 months.

Here are my considerations:

Budget = $2,000.00

Budget will need to include:

Case
Power Supply
Motherboard
CPU
Memory
Video Card or Cards
Hard Drives (3)
DVD/CD RW Drives

I have a 22" wide screen LCD with a native resolution of 1680 x 1050.

Games I currently play: Battlefield 2142, Battlefield 2, & Call of Duty 2

Games I plan on buying upon their initial release: Crysis, Call of Duty 4, Quake Wars Enemy Territory

Here is a list of the components I am considering.

Cases = Cooler Maser Stacker 830 or 832 /// Antec 900, P180, & P182

Power Supply = PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad

Mother Boards = Asus P5K3 Deluxe, Striker Extreme, P5N32-E SLI Plus /// EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1

CPU = Q6600 or E6850

Video Cards = 8800 GTS 320 MB, 8800 GTS 640 MB, 8800 GTX 768 MB

Memory = 2 or 4 GB DDR3 or DDR2 depending upon the motherboard of course.

Hard Drives = Will be running RAID 1 (Security) plus a third drive for storage.
I plan on using 150 GB Raptors for my array & a 500 GB drive for storage.

Operating System = I have a copy of XP Pro 32 bit. I would like to dual boot with a version of Vista for DX10 games when they are finally released.

I am a little unclear on the 32 bit vs. 64 bit operating systems & their pros & cons for my personal usage.....gaming.

Now for the subject of over clocking I am not 100% against it, I just don't have much experience. If I do over clock.....I will have to do it in moderation, as I don't have the budget for a water cooling system.

Life expectancy: I would like to get 4-5 years out of this system.

All advice & information is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Solariscs]

Here's a system I designed for a customer of mine. Let me know if you like it or not.

NZXT APPLLO
Antec TruePower Trio 650 650W
Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.4GHz
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
STT DDR2-800 2GB (2x1GB) CL4
Western Raptor WD1500AHFD 150GB
Western Raptor WD1500AHFD 150GB
Seagate ST3500630AS 500GB
Lite-On LH-20A1S-12 20X SATA
MSI nVidia GeForce 8800GTX 768MB

Price:1850, 1920 fully assembled.

You'll need 64bit to get full use of 4GB ram. I have 64-bit and would recommend it to everyone.

 

[rtfc3po]

That sounds pretty good!

I have an Antec TruePower 430 W in my current system & It has been excellent!

I built my current rig in June of 2003:

P4 3.0GHz (Northwood)
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
2 GB DDR 400 (2 x 1 GB)
ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition
120 GB Seagate Barracudas (7,200 RPM SATA 1.5) in RAID 1 array

This system still runs great! I'm just getting ready for the new DX10 games!

Will I not encounter problems with a 64 bit OS in the form of drivers etc?

 

[Solariscs]

no, not any more. Most of the software out there supports 64-bit OS and almost all that will be coming in the future will support it. You wont have any probably. You'll be surprised at how fast it loads and operates 64-bit software, its almost twice as fast as 32-bit.

If you wish to talk about products or have questions, feel free to message me on AIM/Yahoo Maximus9102 or Email me at SolarisMax@solariscs.com

 

[rtfc3po]

Good deal! Then I will defiantly get a 64 bit version of Vista. What version of Vista do you recommend?

I also checked out the case & motherboard of the system you specked out & I'm not crazy about the case, although it doesn't look bad at all.

I would defiantly not get that motherboard because it only has one PCI Express x16 slot. I probably can't afford an SLI setup initially unless the 8800GTS 320 MB cards are recommended for my games & resolutions. I want to be able to upgrade to an SLI setup without buying a new motherboard & power supply. (Hence the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad)

 

[Solariscs]

Well if you go with the 8800GTX you wont need sli and the PSU I have is SLI compatible on everything other than two 8800GTX cards. It'll be more than enough for two 8800GTS 640 let alone dual 8800GTS 320.

I picked that motherboard because its one of the best boards out there if you don't need SLI and I would really suggest, if you have the money getting the 8800GTX, it will beat any other 2 cards combined.

And yeah, the case is all what you want and like

 

[Solariscs]

If you really want to do SLI I suggest this board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188019&Tpk= EVGA%2b122-CK-NF63-TR

EVGA makes really great products.

P.S. Do you have AIM/Yahoo/MSN? It would be a lot easier to talk on there if you like.

 

[rtfc3po]

MSN = c3po@rtf-squad.net

I may appear off line but send me a message anyway.......I sometimes stay invisible for privacy

 

[rtfc3po]

I have added you to my contacts! Thanks for your help so far!

Does anyone else have any thoughts or comments?

 

[rtfc3po]

***BUMP***

 

[Maziar]

Very good rig, if u want to keep it long , then get a Q6600 , because :
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3038&p=8

Also , if u want SLI , then those boards are good , but we have 2 good motherboards which arent SLI , but Support Both DDR2 and DDR3 ram and also 45nm suppport (and also maybe even PCI-E2 support):

ASUS P5KC , GIGABYTE P35C DS3R

Also get a GTX , and 4GB DDR2 ram (if u can ) DDR3 isnt worth it for now

 

[rtfc3po]

If I get the Q6600 will the stock heat sink & fan keep it cool if I over clock it to 3 GHz? Will the boards you suggested allow me to OC to 3.0GHz? I am a big ASUS fan! I have had problems with Gigabyte in the past.....What are your thoughts on the P5KC & the P5 DS3R? Compared to each other I mean...

Thanks again for the assistance

 

[Solariscs]

Gigabyte has really made a great board this time. The one you have is very overclock capable. Asus is kinda hit or miss it seems these days. About the cooling, I don't know if the stock one will work out for you. I'd always suggest an aftermarket one if your going to OC that much.