Gaming Machine - What do you think?

[carrot]

My computer is 4+ years old and I am sick and tired of the stuff I am "limited" to do with my PC especially in terms of gaming, and it's getting slower and slower - I'm still using windows 2000 - tho I like it but I mean, face it....windows 2000 isn't the best looking window out there..maybe a time for a new change is appropriate now. I have finally decided to build one from Scratch - originally my budget was about 1000 Canadian..but after my hard core gamer cousin's visit from Alberta, I am laying my eyes on new set of standards. I am not a computer hardware guru and I know nothing about the current trends and specs and what ever mumble jumbo stuff going around the Computer Hardware world...all I know I need a new computer that's good for Gaming and Movies and FAST when running/loading stuff! (and affordable). So please please, for all you hard core gamers/ computer gurus out there...take a look at the specs and see what you think? I think this is a pretty darn good machine here.....cost is around $2000 not including the 22" LCD monitor which I'm planning to get. $2000 + for a computer system + Monitor + other accessories is a lot...but if this machine can keep me going for a few years, I think it's worth the investment.

Below here is what my cousin suggested...or of what he GOT last week!

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Asus P5N-SLI w/ DualDDR2, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, PCI-E x16 SLI

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option2): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 Dominator TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Memory (option3): OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Rev. 2 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Video Card (Option 2): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): LG Super Multi DVD Writer 18x18x10 DVD +/-RW Dual-Layer BLACK (OEM)

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)

LCD Monitor (option1 - 90% I think this one) : LG L226WTX-BN 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 5MS 1680X1050 3000:1 VGA DVI-D Tilt Swivel HDCP Monitor

LCD Monitor (option2) : ViewSonic VX2235wm 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) , w/ DVI cable

LCD Monitor (option3) : Samsung SyncMaster 225BW Black Flat panel display TFT 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050/60 Hz 280 cd/m2 700:1 5 ms 0.282 mm DVI, VGA (HD-15) - black

LCD Monitor (option4) : Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22IN Widescreen LCD Black 1680X1050 800:1 2MS VGA DVI-D HDCP

 

[idiotekniQues]

that would rip thru games. if money is no object, get the gtx, if it is, get the gts or wait a month or sofor the prices to go down when nvidia releases round 2 of their dx10 cards and ati enters the fray

are you going to OC?

that would make a difference on ram if you are going to hardcore oc or not.

are you planning on going sli? if not, think about an intel chipset board.

 

[carrot]

thanks idiotekniQues

I am not planning to OC or SLI, and I think you are Definitely right about going for Intel Motherboards as well people say now a days there are a lot of problems with ASUS boards.

So I guess if I'm not going to OC the best option would be the OCZ (option 3) cheapest among Options 1, 2 and 3 I have up there for my spec. I heard alot of good things about Corsair but if I don't do OC and performance would be the same if I choose either of the 3 options AND I can save $100 bucks going for the OCZ ram...then I think the OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC would definitely be the best choice.

Now in terms of Motherboard, what do you suggest? or anybody suggest? I am so tempedd about the GTX!!! but GTS (640MB) is definitely good card too! But as you said, prices might be going down very soon as new Nvidia cards for dx10 are coming out (not sure when?) and ATI for sure will be coming out with their set of new dx10 cards as well!

 

[Hans5849]

Option 1
Option 1
No opinion

Im not to up on the current LCD scene, all i know is i like mine.

 

[carrot]

Really, in terms of RAMs: you think in terms of performance the Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB) will make a difference if I am NOT Overclocking than to use OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Rev. 2 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

 

[idiotekniQues]

negligible.

personally, i dunno why you wouldnt overclock. these core2 duos oc like champs. grab a good heatsink and you are golden and safe.

even still the ocz ram is plenty good since it is pc6400. a mild oc, well sure with the corsair u might get slightly better timings, but worth the $100 difference? i dont think so.

save your money and spend it elsewhere in the rig, like maybe a raptor hard drive.

great choice on your cpu (btw core2 prices are dropping in a few weeks, so hold out), on your ps, nice case and gc and all the other stuff. hard drive anything from wd or seagate is dandy. you could go the raptor route but it is pricey, and you would want a second hard drive for data if you have a lot of it. something to think about. it will speed up windows and application loading time. worth the money? again, maybe not, check the benchies on taht one.

ive been lookin at that same samsung as my graduation gift, the 226bw. read great reviews on it, only thing is the height is not adjustable, but no biggie, my 21" crt that ive had for 14 years has no height adjustment and i did fine with it.

for mobos, i am partial to the gigabyte dq6, i have had a great experience with it. but that is a biased opinion. but if you plan on going sli down the road, stick with the mobo you said.

 

[carrot]

Thanks guys for the reply I have talked to couple of folks and just to outline my findings below and I'm 90% finalized my Dream machine:

1. Maybe wait for another week or so, Intel chip price might fall. But I noticed RAMs, Video cards and the Corsair Power Supply I wanted are going on with Rebates which some of them ends April, 15, 2007. I know...$25, $30 bucks might not be much...but.....I might want to get those components first and wait for the Intel CPU to drop - What do you guys think?

2. Motherboards - Damn I saw some awful reviews on the Gigabytes MBs...particular the GA-965-DS3 boards. So as my friend and one of you guys suggested to get the INTEL board - Good choice - I m going for the DG965 as stated below.

3. Rams - well, i'm gonna stick with my option 1 - 6400 Corsair. I heard a lot of good reviews and know a lot of people using them said they're great. Maybe it wont' make too big of a difference now...but once new games are out and me running Vista on this thing might make a difference. I am willing to make that little extra stretch for good set of RAMs if I am going to use this Machine for more than 3 years.

4. I going for the GTX - gonna get a big LCD and use high Res for games and other stuff. From the source i'm getting the vid card, seems like prices are the same for BFG OC (or OC2 - have to make sure with my friend) and eVGA 837 - if this is the case , I AM DEFINITELY going for the BFG!!!! What do you guys think?

5. All other stuff can pretty much stay the same..I think they're good....DVD rom drive.....20$...bah just throw it in..I"m getting a decent DVD Pioneer writer so want to treat it better

6. The only Variable now is ... the Power supply, damn it looks good and performs very nice...I know nothing about computers but I know this thing won't let me down! But if my buddy is getting it for me...it will be Special Order so might cost more - So anyone out there , after knowing about the stuff I am getting..have any recommandations for a Power Supply Unit?

7. I am going for Windows XP for now....directx 10? bah, could care less - not much games out there need directx 10 anyway.....and Vista is still unstable in a sense - even though for some might not agree but XP is cool for me now...actually anything is cool for me since i'm moving from Windows 2000


Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache

Motherboard: Intel DG965SSCK Mother Board

Memory (option1): Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supplies: Corsair HX 620W Modular Power Supply w/ Triple +12V (special order for this item)

Video Card (Option 1): eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out (2 models...N831 or N837? they are about $60 different. But i just found out their price same as BFG...I would say BFG if same price cos BFG have life time warranty)

Hard Drive (1): Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache

Optical Drive (1): Pioneer 212DBK SATA 18x DVD+/-RW

Optical Drive (2): LG 16X DVD-ROM, BLACK (OEM)

 

[bX510]

Get a 32" HDTV !!

 

[carrot]

Guys sorry...By the way...was just talking to my buddy...I am going to add 2 more items:

1. Auzentech AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS sound card
2. Edifier S2.1D Super Multimedia Speaker System
3. I have decided to get the OC2 version of the BFG 8800 GTX

 

[carrot]

4. LCD - will be LG 22" or 24" (if exist) - Dell has good deals but I believe the LG is better in quality.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

1. why not go with X-Fi, they're much more popular, allowing many more people to help you with sound-related problems
2. what other speaker options have u considered? how about M-Audio LX4's, klipsch iFi's, or Swan M200's
3. evga with the step up program and lifetime warranty, why did u chose OCZ?

 

[bob4432]

don't go an actual intel board - but an intel chipset board. if you ever want to o/c, and you probably will eventually, the intel board has little to no o/cing options. go with the gigabyte 965p-ds3.

also, i would go a 6400 - the extra cache is not worth it imho and you can o/c to make up for it easily

why go a 7.1 dts sound card if you are going into 2.1 speakers? is it just so you can get dts realtime encoding out on optical? if so, i believe that card only supports the early version of eax, not that it will really matter atm but in the future if you go surround for gaming - definatey check it out to make sure if that is what you are doing....