Expert advice needed for new gaming box

[vegasDM]

I will be building a system for a friend and he wants it to look pretty. Budget = $2,500

Here's what I am currently looking at:

Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego (not sure what core to go with)
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 ATX
VisionTek XTASY X850XT PCI-E
Corsair XMS 2 1gig sticks
Westernd Digital 250gig 7,200rpm and WD Raptor 36.7gig 10,000rpm
Plextor DVD burner and Sony CD burner
THERMALTAKE Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
ASPIRE Chameleon ATX-AS550W-BL ATX 550W power (not sure about this one)


If anyone knows of any potential hardware issues i may have with this set up PLEASE let me know. If there are any suggestions on changing the hardware listed above to improve performance feel free to share your knowledge of gaming rigs.

 

[casper114]

It looks to me like you got it figures out man!

 

[overst33r]

definitely change your Powersupply, i suggest any powersupply over 400 watts from OCZ, Antec, Enermax, Seasonic

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Change the power supply to an OCZ Powerstream. I'd change the case to a Cooler Master Wave Master (looks a lot better, especially in silver).
Also with that "Budget" of $2500, I'd get a 6800Ultra, and the SLI version of the board....that way you can put in another 6800Ultra. But a much better idea is to wait for the 7800GTX to come out.... SLI'ing THAT will be a beast .

Just note that SLI's performance benifits aren't that much right now, but on an application that supports SLI itll be cool.

-The Pentium Guy

 

[knothead34]

that board is finicky with corsair look into some ocz. definately get a better power supply. enermax.....or ocz....or pc power and cooling. dfi requires at least 480watts with native 24 pin <no adapter>. if going sli i would go with at least 600watts again ocz....enermax......pc power and cooling. next gen cards are power hungry your gonna need it.

 

[vegasDM]

Thanks guys for all your help. I don't wanna screw this one up. hehe