new gaming rig advice

[warpus]

So I've had my p4 1.8 for 5 years or so. It's slowly falling apart and I've been waiting a bit too long for prices to drop. I think the time is right to buy a new gaming rig

So I need some advice. I've been sort of keeping up with new technology and computer parts, but I am not an expert by any means. I figure some of you might be able to give me some good advice.

I am planning on reusing the following from my old rig:
- Soundblaster Audigy 2 / PCI
- Digital Logitech 5.1 speakers (z680 or something, cost around $400)

I did some research and found this page: http://megacomputer.ca/systems.php One of my friends highly recommends it.

I am planning on purchasing the AMD AM2 SLI Gamer System (It's the last AMD system on the page I linked.)

I am listing all the parts that this will come with again, for easy reference:

Motherboard Asus M2N4-SLI nForce4 SLI MCP
RAM OCZ Gold XTC DDR2 1GB 667MHz Dual Channel Kit
Hard Drive WD 250GB 7200rpm 16MB Cache SATAII
Floppy Drive Sony 1.44MB FDD
DVD-RW Pioneer DVR-111D 16X DVD+/-RW DL
Case Startech Aluminum Case w/Motorizied Door
Power Supply Thermaltake TR2 430W (W0070RUC)
Video Card 2 X BFG 7600GS 256MB DDR2 PCI-E in SLI
CPU Athlon 64 AM2 X2 4600+

Now, what I want from you, the reader, is advice on which of these parts I could/should replace with something else, that would be a better bang for my buck.. or just better quality/speed. I am willing to use this list as a template, and then pricematch the parts on otehr sites (ie. tigerdirect.ca / ncix.com).. but I might just go with megacomputer.ca, since the price looks good (and don't forget that the $1089) is in Canadian dollars

My only requirements are:
- It has to be SLI and 2 video cards
- I want 2GB of RAM, not 1, so that will change for sure

Questions:
- At some point in the future I will want to add a physics card to this system. Are the physics cards compatible with any video cards? Will it only work with some?
- Is the BUS speed on the mobo reasonable?
- Shouuld I get a smaller drive? 250gb might be too big, since I will also use my old rig as a storage/media server. So this new pc that i'm buying will only have 1 harddrive with games/programs on it.
- Any sugguestions for other video cards I could use in this rig?

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

 

[taper]

My only requirements are:
- It has to be SLI and 2 video cards

Why? The 7600GS is a low midrange card now, SLI is meant for high performance systems when one card isn't enough. SLI doesn't even come close to doubling the performace of a single card either. You'd be better off buying a 7900GT for about the same price. At least get a 7600GT over the GS. Either one of those should handle any of today's games without too much trouble.

Questions:
- Shouuld I get a smaller drive? 250gb might be too big, since I will also use my old rig as a storage/media server. So this new pc that i'm buying will only have 1 harddrive with games/programs on it.

Hard drives are amazingly cheap, 250 isn't really that expensive, and you might end up filling it anyway. It's easy to add more later if you decide to go with something smaller though.

If you get 2GB RAM make sure it's 2x1GB dual channel. Your MB says it'll support DDR2 800, but dropping down to 667 or 533 will save a bit of money if you want.

If you do go SLI, a 430 watt PSU might be pushing it. Just make sure you get a 24 pin power cord if you replace it.

 

[baboonfan]

If you do go SLI, a 430 watt PSU might be pushing it. Just make sure you get a 24 pin power cord if you replace it.

I don't know if I'm a freak, but my 20-pin cord on 400w power supply fit fine to the 24-pin motherboard slot and no problems yet. 4 pins are free yes, but. Just got a new system today.

I have the same HD and Graphics Card as that set-up you're showing. Almost the same Motherboard too (M2N-E). GS is a good budget solution but I would really think about 7900 already, that would go a long way.

Oh yea, I also thought my 80GB HD would be too big when I bought it a year ago.

Sorry, can't help much.

 

[warpus]

Why? The 7600GS is a low midrange card now, SLI is meant for high performance systems when one card isn't enough. SLI doesn't even come close to doubling the performace of a single card either. You'd be better off buying a 7900GT for about the same price. At least get a 7600GT over the GS. Either one of those should handle any of today's games without too much trouble.

Yeah? What if I got a 7900GT with the intent to get another 7900GT at some point in the future and to hook them up via SLI? Would you recommend that?

Thanks for the tips!

 

[dragokatzov]

oh my, where do i start?
The Intel core 2 duo E6600 is faster, a lot faster and cheaper than the Athlon x2 4600.
the 7600 is an decent card. 7800 would be better, or wate till the 8800's come down in price or the 8600 come out, due to there native support to Direct X 10. Diffinally 2 gigs of ram. OCZ is a great brand.
OCZ also makes really good power supplies. that psu is pretty much useless if you want to use SLI. look for a SLI/crossfire PSU.