geko42 wrote:
ya i dont have a set buget i am most likely to spend on average $200-$400 but maby more (sorry didnt say sooner) hmmm but ya for a little more then $100 i could get the single gtx.(ill just have to keep my roomate from trying to over clock it more)
again thank you every one when i get the system built i will post all the speces and the bench marks when its done (a month or 2)
as of right now im looking at the:
-64 3800 (i have overclocked this chip to over 3gigs stable but did have to keep the side of the case off and use a leafblower for cooling but thats another story)
-im gona start with 1 gig of corsair xms memory (will bump up to 2 after more funds)
-160 gig sata hd games
-40 gig sata for os (with software partition raid)
-a8n32-sli or a8n-sli delux
-Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum sound card
but i may change the mother board nothing is set till i buy it
A8N-SLI (non-deluxe) will save you $100, though you'll be deprived of some USB ports. You can take that $100 and invest it in another gig of memory. You really should get 2x1GB modules in a single package. OCZ Plats or Corsair XMS's will get you where you need to go, and the good 2x1GB modules are around $190, with a mfg $50 mail-in rebate from Newegg (though there have been reports of corporate delays in getting that money back to buyers).
For the hard drive, unless you're recycling an old one, grab a Western Digital 250GB SATA-300 16MB cache for $90. Yes, you heard me right. For the OS and a few important applications, the 36GB Raptor will be nice and quick. This isn't necessary, and you can always just get another 250GB instead (my recommendation). I always advise against placing the OS on the same hard drive as your data, regardless of partitioning. Maybe it's just my decade-point-five old paranoia.
If you're trying to keep your budget tight, go for the X-Fi XtremeMusic instead. The Fatal1ty is marginally better, but overpriced, and the Platinum is little different than the Xtreme. Sure, you get a remote and a 5.25 bay, but you don't get the 64MB. If you absolutely, positively must have a bay, stick it out and go for the Fatal1ty. I hate paying extra money for sponsorship, but there's no denying the card's good.
For single core, you're right. No reason to get 4000+'s and above. However, I must recommend the 3700+ over the 3800+. Why?
3800+ = 512KB L2 Cache Newcastle
3700+ = 1MB L2 Cache San Diego, $50 cheaper
Similar clock speeds.
Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2006-04-29 19:32:26)