please help me with my future gaming pc

[detals]

I am putting together a new gaming pc (for which I have saved up a long time ) and I want it to rock. I don’t intend to update it anytime soon and need some advice. Are there parts that could/should be replaced? I want a top system, but don’t want to pay for stuff I won’t need so…

1. Is the benq a good (all-round) gaming monitor that can be also used for watching DVDs and stuff?
2. I’m not sure if I should go SLI with 2x8800gts (the next game I’ll be playing is Age of Conan, which I want to play at high/max settings and 1920x1200 resolution)
3. Is it worth getting the raptors (in RAID 0)
4. Is the audio card worth it?
5. What about the case? I will have the PC in the living room, so I don’t want a case with excessive LED that illuminates the whole room
6. What cooling should I go for? As I said the PC will also be used for multimedia purposes as well and I want it to be as silent as possible. Should I get water cooling or will air suffice? And what brand/ product would you recommend?
7. What kind of power supply should I use (so I have the option of going SLI in the future)?
8. Did I forget anything that should be included? Any other advice?

Any input is greatly appreciated! And thanks in advance!
Monitor: $189.99
BenQ G2400W Black 24" 5ms DVI HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

Mobo: $259.99 XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: $219.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

GPU: (overclocked version @ 670Mhz) $254.99
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Memory: $74.99
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996558 - Retail

HD: (in RAID 0) 2x$169.99 / 1x$134.99
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Audio: $174.99
AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Case: $249.99
LIAN LI PC-V1100BPlus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


TOTAL: $1824.91

 

[Muhad]

What you have chosen seems to be a good setup. I just got a BFG 9800 GTX from NewEgg. Runs like a Banshee.
Note that by June there will be newer technology like the ATI 48XX series graphics cards. In my opinion SLI and CrossFire are a waste of money.

If you plan to run Crysis or FSX you might need even more power.

Go here for LCD information http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/index.php

 

[jflongo]

Well for starters, without question, I would go with 8GB Memory, not 4GB Memory. Assuming you are doing Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit or higher. Also, I have a WD Raptor X 150GB, I'm happy with it for sure with performance, but trust me it's not super quiet. You should look into this hard drive and see if it is available yet. http://www.wdvelociraptor.com/

Now as far as cooling goes, certainly water cooling is a nice way to go if you don't mind messing with that stuff. Personally, I'm sitting here with a AMD 64 X2 6000+ overclocked a little, along with a NVidia 8800 GTS. The CPU is only sitting at 37 degrees celcius, and Video Card at 50 degrees celcius. I can play a game like Everquest II, and yes the temps rise, but not too bad. So up to you on water cooling. I'm not as familiar with Intel's Heat Sinks.

Now with an Audio Card, that is up to you and what kind of speaker setup you want. I am very happy with On-Board sound these days. Also in my option you are way overpaying for a case.

I have this one and love it, and it's a full tower, only $124.99 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154

My bro-in-law has this Mid Tower and we love it, it's only $119.99. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Now as far as power supplies, I think one like this or similiar would suffice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

That appears to be a great price on the monitor. I personally love my Acer AL2216W 22" Wide screen. If I were you, I would spend less on a case, possibly less on Audio, get two of those monitors for dual setup, you will love it, double your memory to 8GB, see if that rocking Harddrive I listed is available.

 

[jitpublisher]

Nice choices, good solid setup. Here is my 2 cents:

You don't need RAID for a gaming machine. It won't make much difference at all, really. The raptors are fast, I think they are too pricey for the performance returned. But if you want the fastest HDD with very low seek times, a raptor is what you need. The new velociraptors are supposed to be quieter, and you can just get one of them and forget about messing with RAID. Really, I am not kidding you (I run RAID 0) a fast raptor does not need to be in RAID for gaming. It will not help enough to make any real difference.

You do not need 8 gig like someone else mentioned. Thats a ridiculous amount of memory and you just plain won't use it, unless you are trying to play 2 or 3 high demand games at once! 4 gig is plenty for your purposes.

The 45nm CPU's run pretty cool. I would buy one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043 instead of a q6600. Use the extra money you will save by not buying a sound card.

Never buy a sound card for a new build. The on-board sound is suprisingly very good these days. Give it a try first, most people find that it works quite nicely. If by chance you feel you just have to have a dedicated card, you can always pick one up later.

That is a nice case. I wouldn't mind having one of those myself, there are cheaper good cases available. But that's up to you, cases are really personal preference. I have a cheap Raidmax Ninja that I really like.

 

[Max-i-mus]

Monitor = good...

Mobo = GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail $89.99

CPU = I'd go with an E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail... $274.99

GPU = MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $224.99 - $30 Rebate = $194.99
or
GPU = BFG Tech GeForce 9800 GX2 BFGE981024GX2E Video Card - Retail $549.99

Memory = Good

Hard Drive = I'd go with the 750WD.. It is a good price and a cool running drive..

Audio = Your preference.. I think the onboard 8 channel setup is great tho....

Case = Rosewill R5604-TBK 0.8mm SECC Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $54.99

Power Supply = OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail $124.99 -$35.00 rebate = $89.99

total for build with my suggestions...

with the 8800GTS = $979.93 after rebates = $914.93
with the 9800GX2 = $1304.93 after rebates = $1268.94

The reason for the suggestions I made are for this...
I have 2 sli setups.... 7600GS 512meg sli setup
and an 8800GT sli setup...
The extra heat and power used for sli, are not worth the very few
extra frames ya get.. So I went with the solid board with a single pci express, that could over clock like mad.. past 4ghz with the stock cooler..

All prices were from NewEgg..

The power supply I have 2 of them, running 24/7 for over a year. no problems at all out of either unit..

As far as cases.. well to each their own.. But for a no frills, tool less design, the Rosewill case is really nice..

Add a 80mm fan to the side air duct to draw in air.. fans run between $3-10..

Even yet, I also use a pci slot fan.. It works wonders.
I picked a few up from new egg as well. They are only $3.99

As for the 9800GX2 setup.... umm. one person's comments on NewEgg says it all... One os the reviews of the CPU left a comment..


"3dmarko6 just said im #1 out of 3206computers with the same setup,and im faster than 98percent of all computers(5.5mil.)I got a -19461- @ 4.28ghz(450x9.5)1.35V @ 74C. My 9800gx2 is @ 680/2160 now @ about 77c, all on air cooling!"

I believe the above quote fits the bill of what you are looking for out of your system..

Max-i-mus

 

[cranbers]

First of all if your worried about LIGHTS in yoru living room the Raptors in Raid is going to sound like a harley. Those drives are quite literally the loudest i've ever heard. Now times it by two in raid, wow I feel bad if you really do go that route.

Get seagate 7200.11 they are quiet, much larger capacity and the performance difference won't be missed.

As for sli, don't bother. Way too much work for the benefit and the cost is insane. Even just a single 8800gts or 8900gts will be great, it will play any game on the market and no compatibility issues.

As for the processor and mb, very good choice.

I have the 900 gaming case, its excellent but if your worried about led's prob not hte case for you.

Picking out and buying a computer is easy these days. Max out the ram, get a quad core, the real chicoes lay in psu, case and monitor.

 

[mofish]

If you run two 7200RPM drives in a striped raid you can get better performance than a raptor drive IMO

 

[San Pedro]

I wouldn't pay the premium for raptors. Like others have mentioned they are LOUD. The 640gb hard drives from WD are nice choice. Quiet and good performance, plus pretty cheap.

 

[detals]

Thank you all for the input! I was wrong about the monitor price (sadly) and changed the CPU, dropped the audio card and replaced the HDs. So now it looks like this:

Monitor: $389.99
BenQ G2400W Black 24" 5ms DVI HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

Mobo: $259.99
XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: $284.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9300 - Retail

GPU: (overclocked version @ 670Mhz) $254.99
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Memory: $74.99
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996558 - Retail

HD: 2x$114.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Case: $249.99
LIAN LI PC-V1100BPlus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Power: $129.99
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply - Retail


TOTAL: $1354.93 (w/o display)
$1744.92 (w/ display)

I think I'll go with this setup but additional input is always welcomed

 

[Max-i-mus]

I'd still say go with another motherboard.. I've read alot of bad things on the xfx board...

 

[detals]

Thanks max, but the point is I want a SLI ready mobo... do you have any advice on a good one? Is teh 780i just a bad mobo or just the one from XFX?

Maybe this one is better? The one from ASUS is quite expensive in comparison...

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

 

[Max-i-mus]

the EVGA I've heard good things about it, but then I checked newegg and some of the reviews aren't too good..
The ASUS is $50-80 more, but for the long term use and quality of your build, why not get the better board. It is the foundation of your entire system..
You will still be well under, what you had originally posted as your price for the build...

 

[detals]

thanks again mate, do you think a 8800gtx would be a better choice?

 

[jaibot18]

Skip SLI!!! lol, just save the money, it is pointless to get a sli board now because of all the cards with 2 gpus out now. If i were you i would get the gigabyte p35 ds3l and wait for the 4870s.

 

[Max-i-mus]

heck if you are getting a sli board, and are considering a 8800gtx single setup.. For the money,I'd go with the sli EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR Geforce 8800 GT 512MB.. They seen these going for around $160 over at ZipZoomFly..... The cost/performance is much better.. But then there is the heat factor.. When I ran my 8800gt in sli, along with my lcd.. My room would become an oven.. It is amazing how much heat a pc and a 32"lcd will put out into a room while gaming for long sessions.. -lol- I got a small room 10x10..

 

[DISKCORP]

agree with max-i-mus.Raid 0 like s**t.n't higher performance after all.cpu intel 1333fsb nice 4 ur stuff.Sli@Crossfire...just forget it...waste ur cash.8800GTS? just throw away thas "s" Recomend 8800GT.PSu Gygabyte Odin 550w good enough.other spec jusz okeyzz...