Gaming Build - Sub 1500

[Somban]

I'm not married to any of these components although I do like the 2 video cards, cpu and have always been a fan of Crucial. However, if there is a cost savings in even those I'm open. This comes out to $1250. Should I add an extra raptor in Raid 0 or just keep it as is? I'll be using this build mainly for MMO's (WAR/AoC), new FPS' and an occasional RTS. Should I go with XP64 or stick with 32? Where is this systems bottleneck? Yes, I do some moderate overclocking.

2 X MSI 8800gt -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329

E8400 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

2X2GB Ballistix RAM -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148180

650W Corsair PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052008&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052008-_-PowerSupplies-_-L1C-_-17139005

Antec 900 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Raptor HD -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136011

Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131275

Heatsink - ZALMAN CNPS9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

 

[Shadow of Dawn]

That mobo doesn't support sli, other than that it looks good.

 

[Somban]

Any suggestions on the Motherboard? The ones I was looking at cost a shload in comparison to the components. Is there a nice ASUS one that supports SLI under 200?

 

[ojdp19]

ASUS SLI = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

$150

I am getting this mobo personally, not much more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026&Tpk=evga%2b750i

 

[BlackKnight7891]

i recently bought an "evga 750i ftw" 750i is a cut down cheaper version of the 780i chipset 1 less pcie 1 less network port. picked up for $200 in australia. so probably cheaper in us\canada. overclocking is pretty good, haven't had any issues yet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026&Tpk=evga%2b750i%2bftw


pretty good build actually. i dont know as the raptor is really worth it i usually lean towards capacity over rpm, once you have 4 gb of ram hdd performance isnt that important everything should be running from memory.
maybe go a seagate 500gb drive seagate are fairly reliable

 

[MattC]

I remember a review on Toms or Anands that compared that CPU cooler to some others and the tower of plates design seemed to do consistently better. I myself have the scythe ninja rev B with the same case and the design is as good as it gets - it is light weight, yet takes up just about as much area as possible without making installation uncomfortable. The way the plates lines up in two directions with two fans (the top and the back fans) allows for so much airflow that I left my cpu fan off and still both OC'ed by a Ghz and undervolted by about 15%. My temps still never really pass 50 C.

The only other suggestion I have is a little less serious. I think you should buy a couple of those Syba converters that convert Compact Flash memory modules to SATA. Then you should buy a few of the very new high speed modules and RAID them. This would make a great O.S. drive. Or would it? If you do it tell us how it works!

 

[modode]

Why not ditch the 2 X 8800GT's and just go with a 9800GX2? You'll get at least equal or better gaming performance for a few bucks more, and you can make up the difference by getting a less expensive non-sli motherboard.