I need to summon the All Knowing!

[stalker_22]

Dear All Knowing,

I recently started to build my friend a computer and I just wanted to make sure i was on the right track. If someone could please take a look at what i got and give me any advice or changes i should make it would be super fantastic. He plans on playing lots of games and using the pc as a media center for movies and music. With next gen video out im not sure what is the best graphics card(s) would be best.

Here is the setup this far minus the case and other addons.

1-GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
2-BFG Tech GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3
3-Thermaltake W0116RU 750W Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version Power supply
4-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
5-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
6-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
7-Scythe SCINF-1000 120mm CPU Cooler


Thank you for your time helping out a fellow nerd.

Stalker out!

 

[grieve]

hmm, what is your budget?

dont buy 8800gtx first thing...

 

[stalker_22]

He really doesnt have a set budget. He just wants something that is worth the money and works great with news games. If you can give me your best suggesting with no price limit and give me a suggesting that would be best for around $400 would be great.


Thank you,

Stalker out!

 

[rsetter1]

Use DDR2-800 RAM. G-Skill is good.
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L does not like DDR2-1066

I like this HDD: Seagate Barracuda ES.2 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s
The one you picked out is OK too

 

[Onus]

Rsetter1's warning is apt; having experienced it personally, I can assure you that mobo does not work reliably with DDR2-1066, and may cause data corruption when it crashes.

What games does he want to play, at what resolution?
nVidia's high end (e.g. newest 8800-series cards) will probably be best at the high end, for things like Crysis. If his gaming needs aren't so great (e.g. WOW or Civilization), and/or his focus is more on watching movies, something like an ATI HD3870 or even HD3850 will be comfortable.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed. Like he said change the RAM to DDR2 800. Also depending on game you might want to consider a 9600 or a 8800GT.

Also if interested in OCing check out: GUIDE: Overclocking On P35-DS3L v1.1

 

[B-Unit]

Yea, the 88GTX is defanatly NOT a good 'bang for your buck' kind of product. I would go with a pair of the G92 8800GTS's (there the 512MB variety) They should hang with the GTXs untill you get to really high resolutions with lots of AA. Might even consider the 9800GTX, tho it doesnt seem to perform any better than a GTS does.

Just noticed the problem here, you do know that you can only run SLi on an nVidia chipset?

EDIT: Sorry, your numbering scheme fooled me into thinking you were looking at 2 8800GTXs, disregard my SLi comments.

 

[grieve]

Here is a pricey one, but awesome. Open for critisism of course

335 - Asus striker II Formula.
395 - Intel quad Q9450 (2.66ghz)
375 - Evga 9800GTX (yummy SLI)
65 - Thermalright Ultra 120
10 - Yate loon d14sm-12
160 - PC Power and cooling silencer 750 quad ATX
10 - Artic silver 5 thermal compound.
150 - 2 sets of ram -(4gig) corsair CM2X1024-6400C4
110 - antec900 gamer case- get the antec 1200 if possible.
110 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB (pick your size)
40 - Samsung SH-s2030N Black Sata DVD+RW

$1760

 

[stalker_22]

Thank you all for your advice. It has been most helpful as always.

Stalker out!