New Gaming System Build - First Time Builder

[Dobbs773]

First time builder, long time enthusist! I am deeply into BF2142 and am playing with a 7600GS currently which is very painfull. I want to run 2142 at full graphics with no freakin lag. I have put together the below list based on my preferences and a budget of $2500. My concerns are: What OS should i go with? Will the 8800GTS 640MB card run 2142 at full graphics? Do I need more cooling?

Initial Build:

GPU BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSOCE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB $399.99
Memory OCZ Flex XLC 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $319.98
Mobo ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX $299.99
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz $285.50
OS Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit $179.99
Case Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower $169.99
PSU PC Power & Cooling S75Q SILENCER 750 QUAD $164.99
HDD Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM $159.99
SPU Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional $135.99
Cooling VIGOR GAMING CLT-M2I 92mm Thermal Electric CPU $129.99
ODD ASUS 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe $35.99
ODD ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T $19.99
Total $2,302.38

6 Month Upgrade:

GPU BFG Tech BFGR88640GTSOCE GeForce 8800GTS 640MB $399.99
HDD Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM $159.99
Total $559.98



Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[mad-dog]

Cut back on the GPU and settle for the 320MB version- $125 saved
Install WinXP SP2 with 2GB CorsairXMS DDR2 800MHz- $210 saved
A pair of Seagate 320's in RAID0 or RAID1 would cost the same as 1 WD 74GB unit
No need for a sound card with the onboard 5.1 on that Striker- $136 saved
CoolerMaster Gemini II cpu cooler instead of thermo-electec- $96 saved

Updated total: $1661
money saved: $641

6 month upgrade:
NVIDIA 8800GTS 320MB- $275
Another pair of Seagate 320's- $170

After upgrades- $2106

now you run the pair of 8800's in SLI and hook up all four HDD's in RAID (1+0)

This machine would rock

 

[Solariscs]

That's a good build, but my suggestion is to get a 320MB 8800 GTS and a p35 motherboard. Save up money to upgrade the 8800 to the new generation cards in 6 months. The new cards are said to better than current cards in SLI. For BF 2142 there is no reason to run sli since the new cards run it just fine on full settings.

For sound, I don't really see a reason for getting the Fatality version, your are just paying for that stupid name. lol. Just get a basic Xtremegamer and I don't think you will loose any quality at all. I would spend money on good speakers instead.

For vista, get the Home premium 64-bit edition, it has all the stuff ultimate does, without all the business crap that you will never use. Save the money.

For cooling, I see no need at all to get that cooling unit, its so expensive. It you want good cooling get something like Scythe or the Thermalright Ultra 120.

If you have any questions message me on aim or yahoo, Maximus9102. I'm always ready to help. good luck with your build

 

[deusex]

First, I commend you on your choice budget - that's where price/peformance meets!


Only if you really like BFG, I suggest going with eVGA - a 640MB can go for low 300s if you look around, with no performance loss...

Good PSU, but the Corsair HX620 (120$ @ Zipzoomfly) is a lot cheaper for same performance..620w's of corsair can power SLI GTS easily..

If you're into OCing,the thermalright 120 Ultra (Kudos to Solarics!) is the top Cooler - just be sure you get a Scythe SFlex 120mm fan for ~20$


The fatal1ty stuff seems to be hype, but there was no point not to get a X-Fi Extremegamer Fatal1ty Pro for 79$ AR shipped , when its only 10-15$ more than regular extremegamer (Zipzoom deal ended yesterday...but there will be quite a few deals every month )