Hey Folks,

Gonna try this a different way. My budget for this gaming computer is $2500-$3000. This includes a monitor, KB, speakers, and OS (I have a good mouse). I can wait for the next gen GFX cards to come out if you want me to wait for that.

Only thing I will keep as items not to look up are these:

BenQ 24" Monitor http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6824014158

Saitek KB http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6823175001

The rest is yours to suggest to me. I would like Vista 64 bit OS but if you recommend something else I am all ears. Would like to do SLI or Xfire ONLY if you think I need it to do 1900x1280 gaming on max res. If ya need any more input please let me know. Thank you very much!

Oh btw..OCing is an option but I have never done it before. So I would almost rather go with a higher end CPU then to OC unless it is VERY easy!

After much deliberation and research, I selected the following components for my new build:

1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139006
Standard Return Policy $129.99
1 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115036
Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $269.99
1 ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131284
Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $289.99
1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy $84.99
1 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136131
Limited 30-Day Return Policy $129.99
1 Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan - Retail
Item #: N82E16835185006
Standard Return Policy $19.99
1 Rosewill RCR-FD200 All-in-one USB 2.0 Black 3.5" Card Reader with 1.44MB Floppy Drive - Retail
Item #: N82E16820223072
Standard Return Policy $31.99
1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Consumable Items Return Policy $5.99
1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
Software Return Policy $94.99
2 SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151153
Standard Return Policy $53.98
($26.99 ea)
1 XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835233003
Standard Return Policy $36.99
1 COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119138
Standard Return Policy $199.99
4 Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan - Retail

All the above parts are in transit via UPS to me for my new build currently. Plan to oc the CPU to 3.8 ghz or so, which should be easily achievable with that setup. If you prefer a quad core CPU, the Q9300 is about the same price and is overclockable to 3.0 to 3.3 pretty easily.

Already own 8800GTX GPU - will use until I feel the need to upgrade to the new family of GPU's coming out soon.

Total cost of your BenQ monitor, the saitek keyboard, and the above components plus 8800GTX would be about $2200, less than your budget, and will produce a very, very fast system.

Step 1- you don't need to spend $3k on a computer. So with that said.

Do you already have that monitor or that one you want? That is a very average 24" monitor. This one is MUCH MUCH better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001246 Yes its $650, but that because its a quality (read not using a TN panel) monitor.
KB- check

Now let's look at the rest of your system. Would not be a bad idea to wait for the next gen video cards.

CPU: Q9450 and overclock it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=Q9450

Motherboard: With the new line of video cards, I don't like SLI is going to be something you will need. Look at a good X48 motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

Video: Next gen ATI/nVidia card whichever is better. If its ATI, great thats a Xfire board.

Hard drive: 500GB Seagate 32MB cache (larger if you wish)

Sound: onboard is fine unless you are going to buy high end speakers (no like $99 ones, $600-700 ones)

Speakers: Your choice

PSU: PC Power and Cooling 610W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703005

OS- Vista Home Prem

Case- Antec 900 or P182.

That should about do it.

He's got the right idea. Only thing you will need that he did not mention is the CPU HS/F, if you aren't overclocking then no need. But assuming you overclock, I would get the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler. Excellent cooling for about $40, and its what the second poster recommended for you as well. $3k should get you an awesome computer! Oh and definitely wait for next gen gfx... I keep hearing that they are going to blow current cards out of the water.

yea, definately wait for next gen cards. Overall, I think the other posters hit it right on the money. You might also want to look at the antec 1200, thing's a beast. Btw, 3K is overkill.

Yeah I know $3k is overkill, just like to have a decent budget especially since I want a 24" LCD. Great list guys and yeah, I'll wait till next gen cards and see what you all think of them before I pull the trigger!

If I go with your monitor Shadow, why not go with the Dell Ultrasharp?
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=320-6272

Any comments on the monitor guys?

Ok this is what I am going to get so far based on you all's very good advice:

Case: Antec Nine Hundred http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129021

MoBo: Asus Rampage http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131284

PSU: PC P&C 610W http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817703005

CPU: Q9450 http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115042

Ram: OCZ Reaper 2x2GB http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820227267

HDD: WD6400AAKS http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822136218

CD: Samsung 20x http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6827151153

OS: Vista 64 Home Premium http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6832116488

Cooler: Xigmatek HDT-S-1283 http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6835233003
*********************************************************************************

Waiting on next gen GPU to see what I will go with. Monitor..still waiting to see opinion on the Samsung vs the Dell

Samsung SyncMaster 245T http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001246

Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=320-6272

Dell uses Samsung panels on their monitors. It very well could be the exact same panel.

Hmm sounds like the Dell is in the lead then saving me $50 over the Samsung then