[JonnyW@dd]

Now that I got this train conductor job, I'm Going to put together a new PC. I was Just wondering If you all had any suggestions on what route to take (i.e. PCI express, MOBO ect)

I want an intel based rig. I think I'm going n-Vidia as well. I also think I want to go with an SLI config.
I'll get the second card later on when needed.


My price range is btween $2000- $3000

thanx
EDIT:
Not to sure about the memory yet
Heres what I'm thinkin so far.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131564
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102191
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144160

[Horsepower]

if you're going all out and don't mind taking a chance on a newly released piece of hardware, check out the 150gb 16mb cache 10,000rpm Raptor. it's should smoke all other drives for common desktop users.

as for the intel chip, Prescotts are known to run very warm. not a big deal if you're not going to overclock, but make sure u get a good case with plently of fans. an aftermarket cooler might be a good idea. i can't comment on nVidia's chipset for Intels, but i doubt that Intels chipset can be beat by anyone for any platform as far as stability goes.

for ram, most people like Corsair. personally, i like www.mushkin.com. go there ask them what you should get, preferably at least something in the High Performance line, or Extreme Performance line if you're gonna overclock. the HP line will overclock as well. that memory is no slouch.

[JonnyW@dd]

I most likely will overclock (with a little help from you of course)

as far as cooling, I will go water cooled.
I want to have the power but dont want to have to wear ear-plugs as they are uncomfortable

would you suggest another MOBO?

[Horsepower]

i really couldn't tell ya about the mobo. i haven't delved into this hardware stuff too deeply lately. i've always used Asus boards though. Abit makes good boards too. the trick is to finding out if the board/chipset has any issues you don't want to deal with, but this takes a lot of research and reading.

overclocking an intel chip is easy. some chips OC better than others so knowing which one to get takes research. also, you cannot adjust the multpliers on intel chips, so you have to OC the ram speed. if that's what u truly intend to do, get really good ram. you're gonna pay through the nose for it though.

[Bonez]

unless your going to be doing studio work with your computer ditch the PLatPro X-Fi and just get the Xmusic.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102188

[Smurf]

A couple of things, first things first, since I was unable to verify a fix for the Nforce4/X-FI cards, if your X-FI card works, let me know ASAP. Ah yes, I have to ask though, if you are going with Intel for stability (Yea, I'm now supporting AMD until Intel get's the new Conroe cores out) you may want to consider AMD. Most AMD's issues are with the mobo, and if your gonna go with the same chipset used in most AMD computers, you might as well go AMD. Save 200 dollars and get better performance. (Also, you should really look into Dual-Core. I know 3 people with them (One has a 3800 X2 OCed to 2.2Ghz while the other two have 2 4200 X2s. and they are certainly faster than my Intel 3.4Ghz 650) If I you are determined to go Intel, I'd go with an Intel mobo. They are better than the Nforce 4 for sure. Lots to think about.

One more note, one, if you can, the 150 GB Raptor is slightly better speed wise over the 74GB.

[Bonez]

yes my X-Fi works, and perfectly.

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by Bonez

yes my X-Fi works, and perfectly.

Thank you!

[Drayu]

DUDE!!!! $2k-$3k!!!! You could build a MONSTER!!!

My Suggestions (with links to follow):

MOBO: Asus
Proc: AMDX2
RAM: Corsair
HD: Raptors
Sound: X-FI Fatality (extra memory on it, means alot now? Maybe not, down the line...yes)
Video: 7800GTX
Optical: Dual layer DVD
Optical 2: DVD drive
PSU: Antec TruPower 550w or more
Cooling: not much idea on water cooling


i think you could put that all together for around 2k

[Bonez]

my system total is only 2k USD.