Component Product (with review link) Price Summary
CPU Intel Core 2 QX6850
$1249
Bumping up quad-core to the new 1333MHz FSB seems to boost performance, even with DDR2 memory; the price, though high, now seems rational.
Motherboard eVGA nForce 680i SLI
$175
This might be the best Nvidia motherboard chipset yet, and it's certainly the best motherboard layout they've yet made.
Memory Corsair Dominator PC-9136 C5 (2x 1GB)
$379
This matched pair of modules works hand-in-hand with the 680i motherboard we're using to deliver pretty impressive clock rates and lantecies.
Graphics PNY, ASUS GeForce 8800 GTX
$1108
Raw graphics horsepower, superb new image quality features, and an impressive new video processing engine.
Case Customized Antec Nine Hundred
$189
A great high-end case that might get a little cramped inside.
Cooling
Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX
$50
We've paid twice as much for coolers that worked half as well. This is a great buy.
Power supply Tagan TurboJet TG1100 (1100W)
$299
It's massive, and delivers nearly a kilowatt of power, which should be enough for anyone.
Hard drives Western Digital Raptor X 150GB x2
$458
If you need a fast single SATA drive and you don't care how much it costs, this is it. You'll dig the clear cover (but there's a solid-top version for $50 less).
Optical drive Plextor PX-760A
$99
Especially speedy dual-layer DVD+R burning and great performance all around for just under $100.
Sound card X-Fi Fatal1ty
$145
A great sound card for gamers, but a bit pricey.
Keyboard Logitech G15
$59
If you're into MMOs, the macro functions make this keyboard immensely useful. If its LCD programs take off, that could change everything.
Mouse Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse
$46
This is the best gaming mouse we've ever used.
Display Dell UltraSharp 3007 WFP
$1274
If you need lots of screen area, or just want games to blow your mind, the 30-inch 2560x1600- resolution Dell 3007WFP is a great fit.
Speakers Creative GigaWorks S750
$352
Rivals good home audio speakers; tons of bass response; optional decoder box adds versatile I/O for connecting multiple game consoles or other devices.
Media reader Mitsumi FA404A $25
You still need the floppy for installing RAID drivers, and you can use it for your memory cards, too.
Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional (OEM) $135
It's the best OS for hard core gamers.
Total $5992
only if i had the money
CPU Intel Core 2 QX6850
$1249
Bumping up quad-core to the new 1333MHz FSB seems to boost performance, even with DDR2 memory; the price, though high, now seems rational.
Motherboard eVGA nForce 680i SLI
$175
This might be the best Nvidia motherboard chipset yet, and it's certainly the best motherboard layout they've yet made.
Memory Corsair Dominator PC-9136 C5 (2x 1GB)
$379
This matched pair of modules works hand-in-hand with the 680i motherboard we're using to deliver pretty impressive clock rates and lantecies.
Graphics PNY, ASUS GeForce 8800 GTX
$1108
Raw graphics horsepower, superb new image quality features, and an impressive new video processing engine.
Case Customized Antec Nine Hundred
$189
A great high-end case that might get a little cramped inside.
Cooling
Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX
$50
We've paid twice as much for coolers that worked half as well. This is a great buy.
Power supply Tagan TurboJet TG1100 (1100W)
$299
It's massive, and delivers nearly a kilowatt of power, which should be enough for anyone.
Hard drives Western Digital Raptor X 150GB x2
$458
If you need a fast single SATA drive and you don't care how much it costs, this is it. You'll dig the clear cover (but there's a solid-top version for $50 less).
Optical drive Plextor PX-760A
$99
Especially speedy dual-layer DVD+R burning and great performance all around for just under $100.
Sound card X-Fi Fatal1ty
$145
A great sound card for gamers, but a bit pricey.
Keyboard Logitech G15
$59
If you're into MMOs, the macro functions make this keyboard immensely useful. If its LCD programs take off, that could change everything.
Mouse Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse
$46
This is the best gaming mouse we've ever used.
Display Dell UltraSharp 3007 WFP
$1274
If you need lots of screen area, or just want games to blow your mind, the 30-inch 2560x1600- resolution Dell 3007WFP is a great fit.
Speakers Creative GigaWorks S750
$352
Rivals good home audio speakers; tons of bass response; optional decoder box adds versatile I/O for connecting multiple game consoles or other devices.
Media reader Mitsumi FA404A $25
You still need the floppy for installing RAID drivers, and you can use it for your memory cards, too.
Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional (OEM) $135
It's the best OS for hard core gamers.
Total $5992
only if i had the money
