Best brands for these components?

[datamestonic]

So I'm getting the dual core/SLI system I've been talking about for some time now, and have been trying to get an idea of what the best brands (I know there's no ultimate best, but you get the idea) for each component would be and so far this is the concensus that I have gathered, but I'd like to see some comments on if I should reconsider some parts or if you have any other ideas. I know I'm probably wrong about some of these, please correct me.

In parenthesis is the actual product I'm PLANNING to get for that component. They might change though. My budget is $3000.

Chassis: Lian-Li (either one of the V-1000 or V-2000's)
Motherboard: Asus (ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939)
Processor: AMD (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Socket 939)
Memory: OCZ (OCZ Platinum/Gold/Titanium EL 184 Pin)
HDD: Western Digital (WD Raptor 74GB 10kRPM SATA)
Video: XFX (XFX 7800 GTX SLI)
Audio: Creative Labs (Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS or X-Fi?)
Optical: Pioneer (some dvd burner...)
PSU: PCP&C (a model around 500-W)
Extra Cooling: Thermalright (heatsink for the CPU?)
Mouse & KB: Logitech (one of the laser combos)

Extra notes: I don't plan to overclock. I will only get one GFX to start with. Unsure about how the motherboard and chassis will fit together, I heard there's a problem with the LL v's in that they hold the motherboard upside down and that this heatpipe mobo won't be able to cool itself properly... Anyone know if Turtle Beach sound cards are better btw?

 

[n7]

I was going to try to redo your list, but then i realized that'd be silly.

You cannot just pick based on brands, since the most important thing is the product.

How 'bout you give us a list of the items you want, a budget, what you will be using this PC for, & then we'll start talking brand

 

[Twsmit]

For the most part your right on, but I think DFI is a better motherboard choice if your into OCing and ram enthusiast options. Also I have had no problems with XFX, but many people curse them.. lol In all seriousness the videocard manufacturer doesnt matter as long as its one of the main companies, look at the price, bundle (some give BF2 or CoD2 for the bundle) and clock speed etc...

For the hard drives there is nothing wrong with WD, but they do lack NCQ support. The fastest 7200 RPM drives are coming from hitatchi right this moment, but WD offerings as well as Seagates are very competitive. The Raptor is probably the only drive that stands out from the rest, all other current generation 7200 RPM drives are pretty good.

As for audio creative is fine, but most PC audiophiles will go with Klipsch or even Logitech.

 

[datamestonic]

Originally posted by: n7
I was going to try to redo your list, but then i realized that'd be silly.

You cannot just pick based on brands, since the most important thing is the product.

How 'bout you give us a list of the items you want, a budget, what you will be using this PC for, & then we'll start talking brand

Right, that was dumb of me, I'll edit it now.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: datamestonic
So I'm getting the dual core/SLI system I've been talking about for some time now, and have been trying to get an idea of what the best brands (I know there's no ultimate best, but you get the idea) for each component would be and so far this is the concensus that I have gathered, but I'd like to see some comments on if I should reconsider some parts or if you have any other ideas. I know I'm probably wrong about some of these, please correct me.

In parenthesis is the actual product I'm PLANNING to get for that component. They might change though. My budget is $3000.

Chassis: Lian-Li (either one of the V-1000 or V-2000's)
Motherboard: Asus (ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939)
Processor: AMD (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Socket 939)
Memory: OCZ (OCZ Platinum/Gold/Titanium EL 184 Pin)
HDD: Western Digital (WD Raptor 74GB 10kRPM SATA)
Video: XFX (XFX 7800 GTX SLI)
Audio: Creative Labs (Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS or X-Fi?)
Optical: Pioneer (some dvd burner...)
PSU: PCP&C (a model around 500-W)
Extra Cooling: Thermalright (heatsink for the CPU?)
Mouse & KB: Logitech (one of the laser combos)

Extra notes: I don't plan to overclock. I will only get one GFX to start with. Unsure about how the motherboard and chassis will fit together, I heard there's a problem with the LL v's in that they hold the motherboard upside down and that this heatpipe mobo won't be able to cool itself properly... Anyone know if Turtle Beach sound cards are better btw?

Cant go wrong with getting the best PSU money can buy!!
Quality, reliability and even customer service are tops in the industry!
A bit pricey but the addage is very true "you get what you pay for..."

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: datamestonic
Chassis: Lian-Li (either one of the V-1000 or V-2000's)
Motherboard: Asus (ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939)
Processor: AMD (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Socket 939)
Memory: OCZ (OCZ Platinum/Gold/Titanium EL 184 Pin)
HDD: Western Digital (WD Raptor 74GB 10kRPM SATA)
Video: XFX (XFX 7800 GTX SLI)
Audio: Creative Labs (Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS or X-Fi?)
Optical: Pioneer (some dvd burner...)
PSU: PCP&C (a model around 500-W)
Extra Cooling: Thermalright (heatsink for the CPU?)
Mouse & KB: Logitech (one of the laser combos)

Personally, i think the Lian-Li cases are grossly overpriced, but i believe case is a personal preference thing.
Do check out that cooling issue though; i've heard of it before with those cases.

I also feel Asus is overpriced, but that is a damn nice motherboard

X2 4400+ = nice choice

As long as that's a 2x1024 MB pair of OCZ, excellent.

A lot of people here feel the Raptors are unnecessary, since many of the modern SATA2 HDDs perform closely, but i still feel they are nice in a high end system.
You many want to pick up a secondary storage drive. IMO, pretty much all the companies except Maxtors are good.

I'd go with an eVGA 7800GTX, since their warranty is presently the best, & they have very reasonable pricing.

Certainly go with X-Fi for a nice system like that.

BenQ DW1640 is the best DVD burner out there right now.
Pioneer hasn't been on top for a while.

PCP&P seems to be the uber high-end recommendation around here, but a Seasonic 500W would likely be the best value with excellent performance

Thermaltake Big Typhoon seems to be the best air cooler out there right now; Scythe Ninja is excellent also; & for a popular smaller alternative, there's the Thermalright XP-90C

For mouse & keyboard, it's once again a personal preference. Logitech G5 would be the best gaming mouse out there.

 

[datamestonic]

Thank you for that detailed response n7.