First Build , Need help with the components to use

[shrewd]

I have most of the core components that I will be going with, on paper that is. Unless someone finds something very wrong with the config I have so far. And can explain why I shouldnt go this route.

So far this is what I have on paper

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor

DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

Two - Patriot 1GB sticks (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PDC1G3200+XBLK
Timing: 2-2-2-5

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM Average Latency: 2.99ms Average Seek Time: 4.5ms Average
Write Time: 5.9ms Cache: 8MB

Cooler Master 550W "Real Power" Power Supply

Heres where I would like some help

I dont know if I should go with Dual 6800 gt's or with a single 7800 gt.
I have seen the BFG Tech GTOCX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express card
for $ 309.00.

then there is the BFG Tech GTOC Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video
for $ 385.00

I feel that if I went with the 6800 gt set up I would be splitting
the work load. But I also see the 7800 gts taking the place of the 6800's
and pushing them out of the market, atleast making the 6800's drop in price.
so what do I do here?

and yes this is a SLI rig.

 

[xanis]

First, get a bigger hard drive. I don't know what it is with people getting these measley 74GB Raptors. If you want a Raptor at least get a nother one so you can do RAID or get a little more storage. Secondly, I would get a single 7800GT right now, because in the future if you get more money you can just buy another and you've got a dual-7800GT Sli setup.

 

[shrewd]

do you use more then 50 gigs at a time ?
I have never come close to 30 gigs , If I do I burn it to a disk so I dont need it on the HD.Games I dont play anymore dont stay on the HD either.I dont use raid I dont need a back up that needs me to buy 3 or 4 hard drives.

 

[Ike0069]

7800 GTX.

Personally I would get a better brand PSU also.

 

[l Xes l]

7800gtx

 

[Mesix]

I just broke 40 Gigs after 2 months

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

SLI is the most useless waste of money ever... A single 7800GTX outperforms 2 6800 Ultras in SLI while costing a lot less. Go with a single 7800GT(X). I also recommend dropping down to a 3700+, since they overclock about the same anyways. Also, 1GB probably won't be enough now, since BF2 and F.E.A.R. both run much better with 2GB of RAM. 2GB of value RAM will be MUCH better than 1GB of performance RAM. And about the power supply, Cooler Master's not that bad, but there are much better manufacturers out there like Fortron, Sparkle, Enermax, and Antec just to name a few.

 

[biff 24 2000]

i would get the 7800gt and i love mine

 

[CraigRT]

Definitely single 78xx card... the 7800GT for example uses even less power than a 6800GT.. imagine 2 6800GT's... so much power draw.. the 7800GT would be really hydro friendly while giving you similar frame rates to an SLI 6800GT setup.

Some benches would sway towards the SLI setup, some would sway towards the 7800GT.. but when you factor in the fact that with 1 7800GT you get A. room to upgrade to another later. B. lower power consumption and C. you save money since the dual 6800GT's will cost a LOT more than 1 7800GT.

To me the choice is clear ....

 

[lordsaytor]

Yeah. Every review suggests getting a 7800GTX. One 7800GTX can outperform two 6800 Ultras and that shows how much of a beast it is. The 7800GT is not bad either and it generates very little heat and is not too intensive on power. The only scenario where you should get a 6800 is if you already have one and you can get another one for cheap.

 

[Bona Fide]

Old Part || New Part
4000+ || X2 3800+
2x 6800GT || 1x 7800GTX
1GB RAM || 2GB RAM
Raptor || 250GB Seagate Barracuda

 

[Burkhead]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Old Part || New Part
4000+ || X2 3800+
2x 6800GT || 1x 7800GTX
1GB RAM || 2GB RAM
Raptor || 250GB Seagate Barracuda

good suggestions, you could get free motherboard with that gtx as well as battlefield 2. dual core is also the way to go, you could get a 4200 dual core as well, just depends how much you want to spend.

 

[shrewd]

better brand PSU

what do you mean, Are you talking about AMD vrs Intel ?

 

[l Xes l]

brand for ur power supply... Power Supply Unit

 

[shrewd]

I am not sure what kind of mobo I would get for free, but its worth a look.I really like the DFI board though.Dont need BF2 its in the cd tray as I write this
I looked at the dual cores, thought about them but then I backed off.Not the money so much as I dont really do much multitasking.Not alot of programs running at the same time.