Help with choosing parts for new Build

[ap90033]

I sold my system for $850 and will probably be able to come up with 2-3 hundred to go with it for a total of around $1150. I would like a good SLI setup. Looking to run 2- 8800gt cards probably. Already have an Antec nine hundred case that I will use.

Here is what I am pretty sure I want
PC Power and Cooling 750 watt
(2) @ Gig DDR2 800 GSkill Ram
400 Gig SATA either WD or Seagate
(2) 8800GT (Brand? MSI or EVGA)
Motherboard???
Intel Quad Core 6600 or E8400 dual core??? - which would be better?
Heatsink? Whats the best bang for the buck and for overclocking
(2) DVDRW's

I use a Samsung 226BW 22 Inch Widescreen LCD Max res 1680x1050 fyi.

Thanks!

 

[v8envy]

8800GT -- evga. Think warranty and possible step-up.
board: anything with a nvidia 780i chipset. The Asus http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131247 there is the current pick of the litter. Realize that none of the nvidia chipsets for intel are anywhere near problem free as the Intel chipset counterparts, but they're the only game in town if you absolutely must have SLI.
E8400 is the current champ for gaming. In the future you'll want the QX9450 most likely.
Tuniq tower 120.

Are you absolutely positively sure you need SLI for 16x10? For many games the HD3870x2 should be more than plenty at that resolution and would save you a bucket of dough and plenty of troubleshooting headaches. Nvidia sandwich cards are due out any moment as well.

 

[ap90033]

hmm well no Im not sure about SLI, my current system that Im selling has a evga 8800gt so since i have sold it i would like to get a notch better of course. I thought the 3870x2 was pretty even with the 8800gt? If not how much faster is it? I play UT3, TF2 and Call of Duty 4 mostly if that helps.

Here is the system I sold:

Core 2 E6600 @ 3.2
4 gigs OCZ DDR2 800
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
8800gt
320 gig drive

I want better than that for gaming... Thanks!

 

[Midnight Rambler]

The 3870x2 is not even with an 8800GT.

If you still want a pair of 8800GT's though, besides the EVGA you might also look at MSI's 8800GT which features a very nice H.P.-based cooler. Was on sale at NE for $199 ...

 

[ap90033]

So is it better to get 3870x2 for 450 or 8800gt's?

 

[Midnight Rambler]

I think Micro Center still has the 3870x2 for approx. $383 plus around $6-7 for ground shipping, IF it's still available on-line. I know my local B&M store still had it yesterday for $383 plus sales tax ---> approx. $420 with tax.

 

[ap90033]

Wonderful, but that doesnt really answer my question...

 

[ap90033]

Uh so whats the best board, gpu, etc for my price range?

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Well, you might start by reading the reviews of the 3870x2 that are right here on AT ...

Link # 1

Link # 2

 

[ap90033]

Hey guys I am trying to decide the best motherboard for me. I was thinking the heck with sli and get a 8800gts or 3870x2, probably 8800gts since its cheaper. What would be the best motherboard for say $100 or so? I was wanted to be able to run a wolfdale and will definitely overclock.

 

[krnmastersgt]

The P35-DS3R from Gigabyte, keep in mind that it only has 1 PCI-E x16 slot so you won't get able to add a card later on, but otherwise nice solid board.