Advice needed . . .

[mcr888]

I am ready to purchase my components to build my gaming computer. Could guys please look at my choices? Is there something that is not going to be compatible with everything else? I would also like to hear your opinions on my choices and if you would have went a different route. Thanks for the help!!

CPU:
Athlon 64 3800+
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-465&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Motherboard:
DFI "LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR" NVIDIA nForce4 SLI
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-151&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

HD:
2 X Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Memory:
CORSAIR XMS Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MB x 2) DDR PC-4400
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-550&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

PSU:
OCZ PowerStream 520W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-152&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Video Card:
MSI ATI RADEON X800 XT
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-138&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Sound Card:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-162&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

CPU Fan:
ZALMAN Copper CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-115&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Case:
Lian-Li Black Aluminum Case
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-040&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

CD/DVD:
Lacie Dual Layer 16x DVD±RW
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-187-033&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

 

[Trifid]

Get a 6800gt and save the money left over until you get enough money to buy a second 6800gt. this one is well thought of:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-215&depa=0

Might want to get a cd-rw and dvd read combo as well as the dvd burner.


Everything looks good though.

 

[Elbatrop1]

That looks like a pretty sweet computer! Here is my suggestions:

Get some PC3200 RAM unless you plan on overclocking.

Lose the Sound Card, because the onboard sound is actually really good.

I think you should either get the motherboard that does not have SLi and keep the vid card, or get 2x6600GTs and end up saving a bit of money, while getting some better performance.

If you want to use aftermarket CPU cooling, get the OEM CPU, the retail CPU comes with heatsink and fan.

I have not heard about Lacie optical drives, so I do not know how good they are. I do know that the LG 4163B is a pretty sweet one.

 

[Trifid]

2 6600gt's are not worth it, get a 6800gt now (which will out perform 2 6600gt's) and get the secound later for a nice upgrade.

agreed on the sound card though, my onboard is great.

 

[mcr888]

is the 6800 ultra worth the money or would you suggest just going with the 6800gt?

 

[Trifid]

I wouldn't put it as just going for the 6800gt.

I personally don't see the point, as the 6800gt can be overclocked to 6800 ultra speeds and beyond. I remember reading on these forums, that the gt can be overclocked higher than the ultra can be overclocked.

 

[mcr888]

If you want to use aftermarket CPU cooling, get the OEM CPU, the retail CPU comes with heatsink and fan.

Any reason why the OEM is a few bucks more than the Retail?

 

[PoisonPorkchop]

different core probably. dont let them sway you. i would go for the x800 xl because it offers the same performance as a 6800 gt for 100 bucks cheaper. also i would wait to get 2 graphics cards.they havent worked out all the problems with sli yet.
there isnt a point to raiding those hds as it is proven that 2 raptors raided arent that much faster than 1 by itself.
other than that, that is my DREAM pc. i really wanted that x 800 xl but couldent afford it so i got 6600 gt.

 

[mcr888]

there isnt a point to raiding those hds as it is proven that 2 raptors raided arent that much faster than 1 by itself.

really? I planned on raiding them. Would two 7200rpm drives raided be faster than getting the raptors non-raided?

 

[Elbatrop1]

Any reason why the OEM is a few bucks more than the Retail?

I did not even notice that. Well, in that case, you might as well get the retail.

there isnt a point to raiding those hds as it is proven that 2 raptors raided arent that much faster than 1 by itself.

Can we maybe see a link to some benchmarks?