Does this dual core system seem alright?

With what you have your building a gaming rig. The X2 4400+ is a waste of money. You are better off with a single core Cpu. For a gaming rig.

Drop the Raptor and get a large hard drive with 16MB cache. You'll never notice the difference in performance (unless you happen to be running a server) and you'll get a much larger drive. I'm currently suffering with 60GB... I'd like to have at least 120GB.

<font color=red> If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it. </font color=red>

1. If you get a Raptor then get the 74GB one - it's faster. You should at some performance comparisons with the 16MB cache/7200RPM drives - they are closing the performance gap, typically quieter and give you extra storage space.
2. If you're not OCing then you can go with the OCZ Performance series 2x1GB for $225.
3. I second that you don't need the dual core - 3700+ or $4000+ should be great. Get the retail box version and use the stock HSF. AMD did a great job with that HSF.
4. For the price of that PSU you could get a PC Power and Cooling PSU! Go for the Seasonic S12 600W and save over $59


*Steam rising*
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BUNNY STEW FOR DINNER!!

I already have an older 100gb hard drive that I'll use for storage, was thinkin' the 10000 rpm would help a bit with load times for windows and newer games.

I chose the dual core because its about 300-500 dollars cheaper than the fx chips. and from the looks of the benchmarks on this site, there doesnt seem to be too much difference on DX9 games and 3dmark05 between the x2 4400+ and the fx57.

The WD 16MB cache is 250GB.

Wusy, have you actually seen the 7800, and dual cores in action? I understand that nvidia could have some of the work unloaded to the second core, but how many pixel pipelines do they have? I mean is this really a 20% improvement, or is it another one of thier floptimizations, where you get more frames, but lower quality images.

I bought the OCZ platinum 2x1gb for $225 after MIR from Newegg. Same price as the performance series mentioned.

Get the XFX 7800gt. Read the reviews - it is OC'ed higher than the BFG and also performs better. Also bundled with Call of Duty 2.

The 4400+ is a good choice if you have the $$. Sure, you won't see any improvement right now in single-threaded apps (read: all current games), but the future is going dual core. Unreal Engine 3.0 will take full advtange of dual core, Windows Vista will, etc. You will be glad you have it in no time... I say stick with it.

Personally, I'd save the $$ on the Raptor and get a bigger drive. Yeah you have an old 100gb but you just said you haven't built a system in 4 years...? That drive will probably poop out soon, and besides, newer drives have many techs that are newer and faster. SATA is also nice. I got a 300gb Seagate SATA (5yr warranty) for just $90 from Fry's a couple weeks ago (after MIR).

Yes, keep the AMD stock cooler. Cools very well.

Good choice sound card.

Can't remember off the top of my head. See how your selected monitor compares to the Viewsonic
VP191b. From what I heard before the VP191b was the best 19" LCD in general, particularly when it comes to gaming.

The new Antec NeoHE 550w PSU is great. Think NeoPower 480 revised, with 70 more watts. $118.00.

I didn't look up your case but mine is the Antec P180 - excellent case. Little spendy but worth it IMO... great cooling, great features, high quality, good looking. It is heavy though.

Anyway looking good should be an awesome system!!


A64 3700 SanD / Asus A8N-SLI Prm / 2GB OCZ Pltnm Pc3200 / XFX 7800GT 256mb / Antec 550W

A64 3000 Ven / Epox 9npa-U / 1GB HyperX DDR 3200 / XFX 6600GT 128mb / Antec 330W

Dont let them knock the dualcore. You will wish you had it in the future! Especially if you like to game while other tasks are running!

<font color=red>"Battling Gimps and Dimbulbs HERE at THGC"</font color=red>

"<font color=blue> Wusy</font color=blue> <-Professional sheep banger"

Yeah if its a gaming rig, dont bother with the 4400+. get a single cored chip, or a cheaper 3800+ and overclock it.

my 3800+ did 2400Mhz (from 2000Mhz stock) without needing to touch the voltage!

Also, i highly recommend the thermaltake big typhoon cooler. most impressive unit, just make sure it fits  

<b>For those who are wondering, I am NOT anti-religion. It is just that most religions have more plot holes than your typical Arnold Schwarzenegger movie.
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>