Help building a new SLI gaming computer

[iluvjo]

Hello, I am trying to build a gaming computer ultilizing the new SLI technology that has just come out. I really want a gaming computer that I will not have to upgrade for a *very* long time and I thought that a high-end SLI AMD-based computer would do the trick. I do not want to put it together myself, and am prepared to absorb the cost of someone doing it for me. But, I found a site, http://www.cyberpowersystem.com that lets you pick the parts. I compared the prices with this site and Alienware's, Falcon Northwest, and so on, and this site, with the same parts is significantly less expensive. So, I think this is the place to go.

Here is the url for configuring an SLI computer. http://www.cyberpowersystem.co...ystem/ultrasli.asp?v=d

I was hoping someone with the time and/or inclination could puruse this site and let me know which configuration would be best for me. I play every type of game and am most looking forward to Half Life 2 and WoW. My real questions are do I really need an FX-55 or would a 4000+ do just fine? Is there a significant performance difference? What kind of RAM, Hard drive? Sound card? Case? Monitor? I do know I want the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB 16X PCI EXPRESS video card for both SLI slots.

I realize this might take some time and I *very* much appreciate any help you can give me. I have come to rely on you guys for my computer info. Thanks a lot!!

 

[Duvie]

I don't know I think it is a waste.... SLI doesn't double performance in anything I have seen for double the cost, plus the chipset and technology is new and there will be its first revision glitches to deal with.

Other then clock speed and maybe some cache size they are both dual channel memory controllers now, I believe. I would really wate for a matured chipset. Get one card now at its still inflated price and wate to see which boads come out and have the best application and peformance and least amount of glitches. Then you can pick up a board and another card which will likely be cheaper....

You gamers are quite funning sometimes!!! FPS are all you see...The fact is will it make it any more or less playable??? or is this a size of the wand thing???


Good Luck though any route you go!!

 

[tomstevens26]

Might want to read this before you go any further. Honestly, I just can't see the point right now. But hey, if you have the money to spend then more power to ya!

Tom

 

[Duvie]

Just as I stated...

Not double the performance for likley more then double the price when you figure 2 pci-e cards (not inexpensive there), beefier PSU, Maybe better monitor if you normally don't run at 1600x1200. Its seemed in quite few of those games performance increase at that level could be anywhere from better, equal, or less.....Then lets talk about the likely premium for the board.


Aslo reviewer pointed to intial stability issues...can you say revisions...

Design issues with spacing on the board....revisions....

Final thing was all the cards he tested he said they were all well playable with very aggressive settings he used.....



If you want to spend for that 3dmark score or those benchmark fps, then by all means go ahead....PPL who will buy this later need earll adopters to be beta testers!!!!

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you want SLI, go for it. Don't listen to these haters, they're just jealous
However, as far as your config I have a few comments:
(1) Standard Power Supply OH JESUS NO!!! The LAST place you want to skimp is your PSU. I don't prefer any of their brands, but I guess I would go with the Ultra X-Connect.
(2) GEIL Value RAM See above, just insert RAM. RAM is very important to system stability/performance and OCing if you ever do that. For the $57 more, get the Corsair XMS; that's good stuff.

From what I can see, the price is significantly lower because you're using lower parts. The highest end piece of your system is the 2x6800GT's. You're using a relatively low-end A64, cheap PSU, cheap RAM, etc. I don't think those other companies use cheap PSU's & cheap RAM in the first place, so that will account for a price difference. Also you need to consider customer service & warranty. GL

 

[LatinJones]

Another point about SLI is that currently only Nvidia cards support SLI, which is okay because there cards are good, but the bad part about it is that in order for games to support SLI it has to be implemented in the driver released by nvidia. So you'll have to wait for driver upgrades in order to take advantage of SLI in newer games.

This will probobly change in the future. Don't waste your money. There is no such thing as future proofing in computers.

 

[Duvie]

I am not jealous. NOt a big gamer....BUt I have been an early adopter and know new technologies like this have some growing pains and i am just trying to spread my experiences.

however I guess it takes beta testers and early adopters to buy, keep the format alive, and thus reduce the cost for all of us....

IN that case GO AHEAD!!!!!

Get a POwer Supply like Antec or Enermax and 480 or greater. One power hungry Nvidia card is enough for most but 2!!!! Value ram may work in an non-overclocked machine with the appropriate settings, however those may be to conservative and thus hurt performance a little.

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: Duvie
I am not jealous. NOt a big gamer....

Hmm...OK, I admit it....I'm a gamer, and jealous.

 

[high]

why not grab just the one card now....grab a second one later if in fact you need it...would be a nice upgrade when games start to tax the one card

 

[Akira1224]

I am a system builder and I would be more than happy to build you an SLI set up. It wont ship until mid to late December (depending on the Motherboard vendors) but then again neither will AW or Falcon or any of them. My SLI set ups are dual water cooled and yes I run water to BOTH GPU's as well as the CPU and northbridge. PM me and let me know if you are intrested!

If not thats cool and best of luck. I would get a Falcon if you arent going to order from me or build yourself.

 

[slash196]

Hey Duvie, I'm a gamer, and it's mostly a size of the wand thing, but there's also a legitamate interest in future-proofing your computer.

 

[LatinJones]

I don't understand why you would spend a thousand dollars now to 'future proof' your computer when you could just spend $400 dollars for a new video card in the future which will undoubtedly have more advanced features, upgraded pixel shaders, and better perfomance than an SLI system now....

If future proofing is the goal it just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[GnomeCop]

if you are gonna spend a lot of money and have someone build it for you go get a voodoopc RAGE SLI,
get the RAGE SLI F:5 liquid cooled version if you want to go nuts.
www.voodoopc.com


go nuts.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: high
why not grab just the one card now....grab a second one later if in fact you need it...would be a nice upgrade when games start to tax the one card

 

[iluvjo]

Thanks you guys for all of your repsonses. My computer knowledge is admittedly limited and I am still a little confused. I do realize I don't need SLI *right* now, but I do need a computer in the next month or two and wanted to get one that would last a very long time. You guys have been very informative. A lot of people think I should wait until the tech stablizes which does sound like a good idea.

I guess I have a few more questions. If I opt for the AMD 64 4000 instead of the FX-55 will i be disappointed in the future? How upgradable will that system be? Which is the best case for that set up? Speakers?(Not too important to me if I can save some $$) Is there *any* reason I would want XP professional instead? Or, should I just get a non-SLI computer and keep upgrading that one video card as one poster suggested? Sorry if I'm being annoying. I just want to get the best I can for the money I will spend. Thanks again for your time.

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: iluvjo
Thanks you guys for all of your repsonses. My computer knowledge is admittedly limited and I am still a little confused. I do realize I don't need SLI *right* now, but I do need a computer in the next month or two and wanted to get one that would last a very long time. You guys have been very informative. A lot of people think I should wait until the tech stablizes which does sound like a good idea.

I guess I have a few more questions. If I opt for the AMD 64 4000 instead of the FX-55 will i be disappointed in the future? How upgradable will that system be? Which is the best case for that set up? Speakers?(Not too important to me if I can save some $$) Is there *any* reason I would want XP professional instead? Or, should I just get a non-SLI computer and keep upgrading that one video card as one poster suggested? Sorry if I'm being annoying. I just want to get the best I can for the money I will spend. Thanks again for your time.

i am also building a new system in the next couple of months and have decided to go with sli. sli or not going with a 939 mb is as good as it gets for 'future proof'. i would recommend getting a 3000+ or 3200+ as they are the sweet spot for price/performance and you can always upgrade to a faster chip in a year or two as 939 will be around for a while.

 

[Blain]

Go with Alienware