Hello,

Ok, you guys have convinced me that I should go cheaper. Could someone like customize a rig and post it here so I could see how I should change some components. Yes I would like my comp to be future proof for at least 3 years and still run games very smooth.

Someone posted how more powerful components will be coming out in 6 WEEKs, could someone tell me like whats coming out?


Thank You

I have done many research, deciding which components would best fit my needs. What I look into my gaming rig is extreme performance, fast, durable, high tech, long lasting. I have configured 2 systems that I cant decide which to choose; If you guys could help me out here I would appreciate it. I will mainly be using my system for Gaming, I will also be watching movies, online activities, and school work. Games that I will be playing: Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 4, Counter Strike Source, Return To Castle Wolfenstien: ET, Command & Conquer Generals and Tiberium Wars. Here are my two configured gaming rigs:


GAMING RIG A

Video Card $730 [www.tigerdirect.com]
BFG GeForce 8800 Ultra OC / 768MB GDDR3 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / Dual Link Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card


Sound Card $180 [www.tiger direct.com]
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Fatality Platinum


Power Supply $390 [www.newegg.com]
Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU ATX12V / EPS12V 1200W Power Supply 115/230 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified


Processors $1150 [www.tigerdirect.com]
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Processor EU80569XJ080NL - 45nm, 3.0GHz, 12MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Yorkfield XE, Quad-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor


Case $200 [www.newegg.com]
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003SWA Silver ATX Full Tower Computer Case w/ 25CM Fan - Retail


Hard Drive $185 ($370) [www.newegg.com]
2x Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive


Motherboard $300 [www.newegg.com]
GIGABYTE GA-X38T-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard


Memory/ Ram $490 ($980) [www.newegg.com]
2x CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory


Optical Drive $35 [www.tigerdirect.com]
Lite-On LH-20A1P SuperAllwrite DVD Burner - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black


Operating System $140 [www.directron.com]
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition 64-Bit Operation System Software, Model: ZAT-00094. 1 Pack. OEM


Network Card $40 [www.directron.com]
D-Link DGE-560T PCI-Express Gigabit Network Adapter, up to 2Gbps, VLAN, Flow
Control, High-Speed, ds-dh


GAMING RIG B

Memory $295 ($590) [www.newegg.com]
2x CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory


Hard Drive $185 ($370) [www.newegg.com]
2x Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive


Video Card $580 ($1160) [www.newegg.com]
2x BFG Tech BFGR88768GTXOC2E GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


Processor $1050 [www.directon.com]
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor BX80562QX6850, 3.0 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 8 MB L2 Cache, 65 nm


Case $200 [www.newegg.com]
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003SWA Silver ATX Full Tower Computer Case w/ 25CM Fan


Motherboard $350
Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 Socket 775 ATX Main board, nForce 680i SLI Chipset


Power Supply $390 [www.newegg.com]
Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU ATX12V / EPS12V 1200W Power Supply 115/230 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified


Sound Card $180 [www.tigerdirect.com]
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Fatality Platinum


Optical Drive $35 [www.tigerdirect.com]
Lite-On LH-20A1P SuperAllwrite DVD Burner - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black


Operating System $140 [www.directron.com]
Microsoft Windows XP PRO x64 Edition Operation System Software ZAT-00124, SP2c 64-bit on CD for OEM Computers Only, 1 Pack. OEM


Network Card $40 [www.directron.com]
D-Link DGE-560T PCI-Express Gigabit Network Adapter, up to 2Gbps, VLAN, Flow Control, High-Speed, ds-dh


Do I have a good optical drive that will support my games, and dvds, and can I burn on it? Did I choose a good network card that will increase my cable modem spee? (Charter High-Spped)

Please tell me your review of the two Gaming Rig's, which one is powerfuler than the other? Any changes you would make? Which Gaming Rig would you choose?


Thanks For Your Help.

any thoughts?

Some members around here reported the GA-X38T-DQ6 can't run 4 sticks of ddr2 at speed higher than 800mhz.

Oh,I think you got that confused with the GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6

The GIGABYTE GA-X38T-DQ6 can support DDR3 at 1600mhz.

Check the specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128068

Anyone who is going to spend $4000 on a "gaming rig" needs help in a big way.

Why do you need a $400 1200W PSU? That's just an arrogant waste of money. As is 4GB of DDR3 memory for $1000. Also $500 for DDR2 memory that you can get for $100? It appears you are just trying to waste money or are trying to flaunt that you have so much that you could care less if you waste $1000.

My 2 cents.

Yeah, you are putting a lot of money into little performance. Drop the DDR3 ram, maybe go with PC8500, you should be able to get 2gig for around $150. If you're spending over a grand on a CPU you might as well go with the 45nm chip. Drop the 8800 Ultra/GTX and get 2 8800GT or Hd 3870s. Send me some money since you have so much!

My advice: pick parts that are just a small step down and save your self like $2k... and spend that money on other things... like beer.. or a woman... or both if your lucky!

lets just let him waste his money... then in a few months he can come back crying when his machine is out dated.

Also about the optical drives:

The samsung is a much better burner, and obviously it will support your games (why wouldnt it...). However the samsung isnt all that great when it comes to ripping dvds... The liteon should kick its ass in that department.

I can build 2 very nice gaming rigs for $4000. Sometimes more is not more, as in this case, you are just wasting money.

Hrm, $4000 worth of "gaming" computer and not a word on a monitor?

I would get DDR2 ram, PC Power and Cooling 800W PSU, 8800GTX or GT, a Q6600. Board is a little overkill too. You really don't need to spend that kind of money if you need help. You are paying for items that you may not take advantage of.

ASUS P5N32-E SLI $205
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131073

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017

Antec Nine Hundred $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

OCZ Titanium XTC 4GB(2 x 2GB) $196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227270

2 x XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800GT $270 x 2 = $540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150252

AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829156005

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151153

2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB RAID-0 setup $125 x 2 = $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835109140

Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm Case Fan $9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185060

2 x Thermaltake Du Orb $43 x 2 = $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106112

Dell 30" $1399
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=222-7175

Total $3579

Overclock the Q6600 to 3.2ghz no problems.. Overclock both 8800GT's to 700mhz clock no problems.. would kick the **** out of what you have there (prolly barring the GTX SLI but not much in it) for less and with 30" monitor