Best theoretical Gaming System for under 1500?

[marketsons1985]

I'm looking to build a smaller-time gaming system, just something I can run new games on (i.e. high end video card) and that won't cost me more than 1500 dollars or so.

I'm open to ANY suggestions, just post what you think would be good components to use under 1500 or so, as I'm not in the loop for prices currently.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

1500 is a lot of money for a gaming rig these days. Just ballparking, you should be able to get an A64 3000+, 1GB DDR, 120GB HD, DVD+/-R, and 9800Pro into there.

Edit - I'd wait for the nF3-250 boards to come out if you're going to do an A64 build.

- M4H

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

buy ABS

 

[jdogg707]

I would go A64, 1GB RAM, 9800 Pro or higher, a Raptor, etc. I agree with M4H though, if you go A64 wait a lttle bit for the NF3 250, it looks like it may be worth it.

 

[Tab]

I'd would honestly wait, I dont think $1,500 is that much to be honest. I'd agree its highend, but whats wrong with that. If I had the money I'd wait a while but in the meantime do some research on.

-19" LCD Moniters (I'd get one, I can't stand the eyestrain from CRTs, if you could get a little more cash go for the 2001 FP)

-Raptor Hard Drives, If I were you I'd get a 72Gb Raptor make that my O/S and get a 250 for storage.

-Do some research on PCI-Express and S-ATA, nothing wrong with knowing what the future specs will be and why you should wait.

 

[marketsons1985]

Do you guys think a hercules fortissimo sound card would be fine for sound? provided i output it via the optical connection to say...a 500 W Kenwood surround sound system?

I've got one laying around, and don't feel like buying a new one if i don't have to.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: marketsons1985
Do you guys think a hercules fortissimo sound card would be fine for sound? provided i output it via the optical connection to say...a 500 W Kenwood surround sound system?

I've got one laying around, and don't feel like buying a new one if i don't have to.

Not for games, unless you only care about stereo sound in games. You'd need nForce2 to encode everything into dolby before sending it over spdif. I don't see anything less than an Audigy 2 ZS in a $1500 gaming machine.

 

[marketsons1985]

So these are the approximate stats I'm lookin at:

Athlon 64 3000+
Raptor 74 GB
WD 80 GB 7200rpm drive (eventually upgrading to higher storage)
1 GB (2x512) MB of PC...what ram? 3200? or higher?
NF3 250 mobo, any suggestions for models?
9800pro
DVD +/-
Audigy 2 ZS

Also...any suggestions for cooling on this 64?

And monitors, I'd like, (theoretically) a flat panel monitor, what are some good models of flat panels for gaming?

 

[SilentZero]

I just ordered the follow parts 2 days ago:

AMD64 3400+
MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R
74gb WD Raptor
Enermax 460w PSU
Pioneer 8x DVD+- burner
ATI Radeon 9800 pro 128mb
Audigy 2 gamer soundcard
Antec 160 case
2 x Antex 120mm 79cfm@29db fans
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu heatsink/fan

My grand total was $1,420

Hopefully the parts will arrive on monday so I can start the build.

 

[Mik3y]

thats a good build, i say get that, and save up money for an lcd monitor. its worth the wait. otherwise, stick to the athlon 64 3000+

 

[marketsons1985]

Are there some LCDs that are better for gaming than others? I don't wanna get a crappy monitor that can't keep up with my fps...