$800-$1,200 to spend

[Pyroclazm]

It will be used for gaming, video editing, movies, etc.

Order Complete, changed it up a lil.

eVGA 256-P2-N518 Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
7800gt
eVGA 133-K8-NF41 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Mobo
Logitech MX518 931352-0403 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse -
Mouse
ATI Remote Wonder PC / MAC RF Remote Control - OEM
Remote
Microsoft B2M-00015 Black USB Wired Ergonomics Keyboard - OEM
Keyboard
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
HD
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX -
CPU
4x G.SKILL 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory
Model F1-3200PHU1-512NS - Retail
Ram
Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail
Case
SAMSUNG 997mb-TwoTone Silver-Black 19" CRT Monitor D-Sub - Retail
Monitor
$1200.10 (thank you $10.00 off coupon)

Hopin to set the FSB at 230, with the memory @166, ending up around 190 mem speed. I know the memory is a little bit budget, but I wanted everything else and especially the 7800gt.

 

[Pyroclazm]

changed ;/

 

[alimoalem]

the stuff above looks good but since you have the money, i'd change the 3200+ to a 3700+

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Looks pretty good.
Are you planning on overclocking or not?

 

[Pyroclazm]

I will be OCing, but sticking with retail heatsink and fan. I also was debating whether to not upping to a 3700, however in the process I noticed some of the OCing they were getting out of the Opterons.

Opteron

It'd be nice to hear some simple pros and cons, appreciate the help.

 

[aberdeen5]

at least get a 3500+..its only $50 more

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I know the Opteron165 was very popular when it was $300-ish as a great alternative to the 3800+ X2.

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...PROD&Product_Code=120339&AFFIL=dt&NR=1

Looks like the price went up a bit for the few places that still have it in stock.

 

[Pyroclazm]

oops

 

[eXx08]

Nice but when you get it and put it together make sure you post pics of your handy work!

 

[demenion]

why get 4x512.. 2x1024 is better.. you will probably be stuck running 2T..

 

[Pyroclazm]

I take a 3% hit by running 4 512 vs 2 1gigs.

 

[Lyfer]

Case - pick something $50ish
PSU - Fortron AX450 450W $49 (dual 12V rails @ 18A)
Motherboard - Asus A8N5X or Epox NF4 ~$100 (you pick)
CPU - Opteron 144 OEM 1.8GHZ 1MB L2 - $125 right now in hotdeals forum
HSF - Thermalright SP9 w/80MM fan set - $30 at svc.com
Ram - G.Skill TCCD 1gb $150
HD - WD80GB SATA $55 (gaming right?)
Vid Card - XFX Geforce 7800 GT $300 ($270 after MIR, you'd be stupid not get this card)
Mouse/Keyboard (prefer black) - Logitech or MS combo $60
Monitor (optional, wouldn't mind duel display) - Sceptre 20" LCD $380 at cosco (or $390 at newegg)

Total without LCD = $919

You should get FX-53 Speeds easily.

 

[Powermoloch]

Dang dude...that's a sweet built...cost as much for my crappy system ......(at first it costed me 600 dollah ! then the upgrades )

 

[cheesehead]

If you're going to OC, get a decent heatsink. The stock AMD heatsinks are, in my opinion, not great.
Otherwise, you're good to go.