Rate my 2k Core 2 Build

[towely]

Purpose: Extreme Gaming @ 1680*1050 until DX10 games are out.

Budget: Around 2k.

Current Configuration:

1 x LG GSA-H10N DVD+RW 16X8X16 DVD-RW 16X6X16 Dual Layer 10X/6X DVD-RAM 12X Writer 2MB Black OEM W/ SW
1 x OCZ GameXStream 600W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black
1 x ATI Radeon X1900XT 625MHZ 512MB 256BIT 1.45GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I VIVO HDTV Video Card
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
1 x OCZ Platinum XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-5-4-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
1 x Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ATX LGA775 Conroe P965 DDR2 PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 GBLAN Audio Motherboard
1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 4MB Retail *Limit 1 / Cust*
1 x Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OEM
1 x Thermaltake Armor VA8003SWA Silver ATX 11X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS W/ Window And 25CM Fan

Total: $1,950 CAD

Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips?

 

[Tarrant64]

OS?
(Is it Vista Ready? )

LCD?
Widescreen? Hopefully a 24" widescreen?
CRT?

 

[Stiganator]

That's a pretty weak OS choice, go pro or don't use XP at all.
I say 24in Dell widescreen.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Nothing wrong with XP home. i doubt many use the features of XP Pro which is basically more network stuff.

 

[towely]

I already have a Dell 2005fpw 20" widescreen LCD.

As for OS, currently I have 1 PC with Home and 1 PC with Pro and I notice ZERO difference with gaming. For a pure gaming machine, there is really no difference whatsoever.

Regardless, I indend on upgrading to Vista within the year.

Any thoughts on component choices? I am still kinda hung up on GPU. Might go for a 7950 or wait and see how the 1950 stacks up. However at 400 canadian, the x1900xt is a tasty buy.

 

[Tarrant64]

Originally posted by: towely
I already have a Dell 2005fpw 20" widescreen LCD.

As for OS, currently I have 1 PC with Home and 1 PC with Pro and I notice ZERO difference with gaming. For a pure gaming machine, there is really no difference whatsoever.
True. There is no difference but that wasn't the point performance wise. It was overall features such as joining networking domains, etc. Should you ever need to you'll kick yourself later. I would opt for Home myself but I do every so often join a domain(especially on my own home network).

Regardless, I indend on upgrading to Vista within the year.

I'm still waiting to see if Vista is going to crash and burn. I wouldn't commit to it just yet...

Any thoughts on component choices? I am still kinda hung up on GPU. Might go for a 7950 or wait and see how the 1950 stacks up. However at 400 canadian, the x1900xt is a tasty buy.

 

[towely]

Does Pro offer any benefit when connected to my home's wireless network? My primary gaming PC is pro right now, but I never use Windows to connect to the network only the Linksys software.

Also, will I notice any performance uprade if I and a basic sound card like an x-fi music? I originally had one in there for an extra $100, but a bunch of other forum users insisted onboard audio is more than sufficient. Will I gain anything in terms of sound quality or fram rates by adding a sound card?

Thanks again.

 

[PingSpike]

Only reason to get XP Pro is if you're going to join a domain really.

 

[gramboh]

You would know if you would be joining a domain, 99.9% of home users won't be so you don't need it and thus get Home.

As for X-Fi, the only reason is for stupid EAX as Creative has a lock-down on 3D game sound support (I hate Creative but still bought an Audigy 2 for this reason). My onboard sound is really poor compared to the Audigy 2 and doesn't support EAX, but it is old. I'd buy an X-Fi (There's a $45US rebate going on I think) if you do a lot of gaming.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

good parts, i'd chose a nicer Lian Li case to put all those parts in. they're quiet and provide very good airflow, and the panels on my lian li and anondized aluminum that don't scratch at all even if i took a screwdriver and banged on it

 

[Baked]

Change the optical drive and case.

 

[Bobthelost]

Good build, you can go for a cheaper PSU if you want, a 500W will run that with no problems, stick with OCZ if you want, others to look at are crucial (rebranded seasonic M12s) Seasonic, Enermax, silverstone and others.

 

[gwag]

the only good thing about pro is remote desktop, domains @ home why bother?