Advice needed for a new SLI computer

[Twigstir]

I'm looking at getting a new AMD SLI computer. I'm have trouble picking some of the parts.

PS choices: which one is better?
ULTRA ULT31554 X-Connect 500W ATX
Thermaltake Xaser Silent Purepower 480W

Memory choices: which one is better?
GEIL ULTRA-X PLATINUM
Kingston Hyper-X High Performance
Corsair XMS High Performance

Hard Drive: which one is better?
Seagate Barracuda 120GB Serial ATA 150 8mb Cache 7200 RPM HD
WESTERN DIGITAL WD1600JB 7200RPM IDE ATA100 8MB

Case: I was thinking of going with CoolerMaster Wave Master. Good choice?

Video Cards choices: Are the ultra's worth and extra $200+?
2 6800 GT's
2 6800 Ultras

Processor: FX-55?
I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get the FX-55 or the 3500. I've read many posts where people state that it isn't that much of a difference in performance. I would think that with an SLI setup and running games at high res with aa/af enabled to take advantage of the SLI, the FX-55 would make a difference in performance. SLI performance benchmarks run into CPU limits even on the FX-55. Not sure what to do and I'd like some opinions. I don't plan on overclocking.

I looking to get a top notch system that will be great for games now and in the future. I hate to do what I've always done. Buy and then 6 months later, wish I had a better system. I was hoping this one whould last me quite some time before I got the upgrade bug.

 

[Twigstir]

Nobody wants to help an old man out? I'm tired of lagging with my dell P4 2.0G with a 9700pro. The young pups are kicking my butt at deathball.

 

[Mik3y]

get hte 3500+ and oc it; both psu's suck. get then ocz modstream 520w; for mem, get the ocz el plat rev 2; for case, get the wave master; for vid cards, get 2 gt's.

 

[Edward Lee]

If you're only worried about a little lag you'd be better spending off your money on a AMD 64 3500, ASUS K8 MOBO, BFG 6800 GT and 2 stix of 512 MB RAM and save yourself $800.00


Then use the money you save for a monitor upgrade or something else that'll last.. (I suggest getting a 50+ inch LCD)
Or buy your wife or girlfriend something nice. SLI systems are only for hardcore system builders who have nothing better to do like to throw thier money away.

 

[Twigstir]

This is for the wife. She's had enought of me yelling at my current computer.

My current lag isn't terrible, but I have all my settings on low or off. I would like to run well and have good graphics. I'd also like to be competitive with my new computer for several years.

 

[Andres3605]

i recommend the 3500+,2x512 ocz pc 3200 rev 2, the seagate SATA II 7200.8, just get a 6800 ultra and wait some time to get the second, you should be able to play every game nicely with just one and wait until you really need it to add a second card.

 

[shinotenshi]

I would go a64 3500(best ban for the buck and use the money saved to get a good monitor)
2 6800gt
a 22inch crt (i use a p225f its awesome for graphics, above avg for text (to take full advatage of sli. 2053x1536 gaming with all the eye candy ie 8xfsaa)
1 gig crucial(you dont need anything special here just somthing reliable)
pc&c 510 sli(if you are gonna invest that much into components, you shouldnt skimp on your psu)
either of those hard drives will be fine.

this will keep you a good while. as this setup can easily run doom3, and is heavily cpu dependent, so its unlikey you will need to upgrade your graphics subsystem for a good while.

if you think your wife should ever become addicted to eq2, get 2gigs of ram instead

 

[pjwinkler]

yeh, or even if you just get one now and save some money so you can buy the FX-55 more confidently... 1 6800 Ultra would be sweet, and buying another one for 400-500 bucks down the road (when you might need it) would be sweeter.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

CPU: get a 3500+ with a good heatsink (id recommend XP-90 or Zalman 7000AlCu) for overclocking
Video: buy one 6800 ultra and then 1 later for a huge upgrade
PSU: if you are dropping that kind of money for sli, get a PC Power and Cooling 510w (those things are awesome)
RAM: get some Corsair or G. Skill PC 4000 for overclocking along with your CPU
Hard Drive: Technically the SATA drive should be better, but either would be fine. (Once again, if youre dropping that kind of money, a raptor for OS/apps would be good)
Case: The Cooler Master is fine, but the Thermaltake Tsunami is also good and you may like the looks better.

 

[Andres3605]

thermaltake wave master , do you mean tsunami

 

[Dough1397]

man dont complain abotu lag unelss you using a p3 733 with 384 mb ram and a tnt2 m64 video card... lol

sorry you may continue now... hahha

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Originally posted by: Andres3605
thermaltake wave master , do you mean tsunami

yup, ill edit

 

[Edward Lee]

But if you insist on a SLI system do this,
AMD64 3500, 2 6800 GT, 2x512 ocz pc 3200 rev 2, the SLI board, a 120 Gig HD for $39.99
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=120

CoolerMaster Wave Master.. two thumbs wayyyy up... or the Thermaltake Tsunami.. both are nice...

There I just saved you about $400.00 and you're not sacrificing much if any performance...

Good Luck


P.S. I hear you need about 500 watts

 

[pjwinkler]

man dont complain abotu lag unelss you using a p3 733 with 384 mb ram and a tnt2 m64 video card... lol

LMAO pshhh

Athlon XP 2200+
256 mb SDRAM
integrated COMPAW VIDEO!!!!!!!!

 

[pjwinkler]

compaq**

 

[Twigstir]

Originally posted by: Dough1397
man dont complain abotu lag unelss you using a p3 733 with 384 mb ram and a tnt2 m64 video card... lol

sorry you may continue now... hahha

Och, I guess I have to stop complaining.