Ultimate gaming machine

U

Ulrezaj

Weaksauce
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
65
Well, maybe not ultimate, but pretty darn powerful for a student budget :)
I need feedback on this system in terms of component compatability and choice. I've been using Intel/ATI all my life so this will be a switch to hardware I'm not familiar with, so anything you guys can tell me about this stuff that isn't printed on the box would help me immensely!

Athlon 64 FX-55
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
Corsair TWINX1024-3200XL
2x GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI (would the 7800-series be a better choice?)
2x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA (striped RAID)
*Some sort of 550W+ PSU*
*sound card, case, peripherals, etc*

That's the bulk of the money in the system. Any suggestions on how to improve it without blowing more than my $3500-odd budget would be appreciated!
 
if you are going to go with SLI system I would get a PSU with more grunt up its sleeve and I would rather get 1 7800GTX or 7800GT and then at some point in time get another one. :)

If you get one 7800GTX now you will be set for the futre cuz if some new games comes out that need a lot of GPU power you will just be able to get another 7800GTX and if you get 2 ULTRAS then you will be stuck with them unless you got a BEEP load of money to spend.
 
Well, its a excellent system but if you want to make it ultimate, there are a few things you can change (doesnt have to be all, cause it might not fit into your budget).

1) Yes, two 7800GTXs would be better. Cant afford it, just get two 7800GTs. ZZF has a Evga 7800gt for $399.
2) Change Asus mobo to DFI
3) Id also get 2Gb (2x1gb) instead of just 1Gb, because if ur gonna play games like BF2 and want to pump up those resolutions, 2gb will help alot.
4) For sound card, the Audigy4 Pro is good, but if you can wait untill late august, you can get your hands on the X-Fi cards.
5) For a powersupply, id get the PCP&C 510 SLi. Its an amazing power-supply.
 
I agree with everything the above poster said, except for the vid. card. I'd get one 7800GTX. It will be faster than two 6800Ultras, and you can alaways add another one later when the prices are lower if you can't afford it now. I wouldn't mess with two 7800GTs, that wouldn't leave you with much of an upgrade path.
 
Yea thats true. One 7800gtx will be suffcient and you can always upgrade later when prices are lower.
 
Thanks a lot for the feedback!

Couple clarifications needed though:
When you say 2GB ram are you talking 2GB dual channel? Or just two standard 1GB sticks?
Why do you recommend DFI over ASUS? (I know so little about the nForce chipset >_< )
 
2GB dual channel is the same thing as two 1GB sticks....

I would recommend the ASUS board for you...it will "just work" right out of the box and is a solid performer. Decent amount of tweakability, nothing close to the DFI, but I don't think that seems to be your focus.
 
Ether said:
2GB dual channel is the same thing as two 1GB sticks....

I would recommend the ASUS board for you...it will "just work" right out of the box and is a solid performer. Decent amount of tweakability, nothing close to the DFI, but I don't think that seems to be your focus.
Click to expand...

Dual channel is slightly faster than two individual sticks
 
hrmm i dont really understand the RAM question...he means get 2x1gb sticks and run them in dual channel...as for motherboard...if u plan on overclockin then go for the DFI but if u just want a nice stable stock system, then get the ASUS...or the DFI still if u want :p
 
If you get 2x1gb sticks (same sticks - perferably dual channel kit) and you place it in the right ram slots that work with dual channel, then yes, it will be in dual channel.
 
Read the sig. I'm sure your pc you build will be great but I know the one in my sig runs great as well. I don't know of a game I can't run at 1600x1200 16x af 4x anti alliasing with all graphics maxed...
 
For a nothing-but-gaming machine, the FX is the best. Althought, the 4400+ is an amazing cpu.
 
Everything is good except for the video. I would highly recommend getting one 7800 GTX now and get another later when prices drop.
 
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