Upgrading my computer -- Need parts list/recommendations

[the100thballoon]

Im going to be upgrading my computer next summer. I already have a crazy computer but Im going for the best of the best of the best. The primary use of this new computer will be gaming.

Here is what I am considering buying soon:

• (1) GeForce 7800 GT
• (1) 4800+ AMD Athlon 64
• (2-4 sticks) 4 GB RAM PC2 8000
• (1) FAST Motherboard that also supports the video card, processor, and HDs (need suggestions pls)
• (1) DVD Burner
• (?) As many silent fans as possible
• (2) SATA150 10,000 RPM 74GB
• (1) 19" LCD Monitor
• (1 [or do I need more?]) Power Supply (how much wattage?)

Please continue commenting/critiquing/informing. You are very helpful. Please tell me if you've seen the above for cheaper than I listed.

O! Current specs:

AMD Athlon 64 3000+

1 GB RAM
MSI MS-7100
200 GB SATA3

and other less notable hardware.

 

[dannyevilcat]

The ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard looks awesome.

BTW, It isn't SATA3, it's SATA II with a 3.0GB/s transfer rate.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I Hate You

 

[logical_psycho]

Get a 600W or something PSU, don't make the same mistake I did.



I would advice you to buy 2 hard drives of 250 Gb, that will definitely be a lot cheaper than 1 hard drive of 500 Gb... strange, I know, but true.


I wouldn't look at the fastest dvd burner per definition either, look for the best. Burning at maximum speed isn't always the best idea. Plextor is a great brand.

 

[Speedo]

2 GeForce 7800 GT to SLI

You would probably be better off with a single GF7800GTX 512 if you've got that kind of money to spend.

2 or more 4200 (or faster) AMD processors (obviously 64-bit) (as fast as physically possible and as many processors as physically possible)

You do realize that the 4200 is dual core, right? If you really do want mulitple dual core, you're going to have to go for a Socket 940 Opteron setup, which means SLI is out of the question, and you'll have to get registered RAM... not to mention the cost will shoot through the roof.

There's definetly no need for more than two cores though. The VAST majority of games are not the slightest bit SMP aware. Sure, you get a slight performance boost since Windows automatically balances threads between the cores (or CPUs), but we're talking about a minimal increase. As a matter of fact, I was just doing some benchmarking for a review a few days ago with BF2 on single core and dual core, by disabling one of my cores. The peformance gain with the 2nd core was exactly 3%, or 2 fps. Where dual core really shines is in non-gaming uses, but there's no need for more than dual-core, especially considering how it vastly bloats the cost.

And, if you're looking for "fastest," you want the 4800, not the 4200.

4 GB RAM to dual channel (whatever fastest speed is right now)

That's absolutely pointless if your main use is gaming. I will tell you that I've never seen a scenario where even 75% of my 2GB RAM was in use, and I run the most intensive games out there (like FEAR) at the highest settings. Not to mention that you'll be forced to use 4x 1GB DIMMs, which will drop you to a 2T command rate.

There are a handful of (non-gaming) applications where > 2GB memory would be useful, and if you'll be doing one of those you should know it.

Motherboard

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe, if you can get your hands on one.

500 GB SATA3 (3 is the fastest to-date correct?)

There's little practical difference between SATA150 and SATAII, but you'll probably end up getting it with a drive of that size.

Since you're willing to spend so much money, you might also consider doing a RAID solution. 3 250GB drives in a RAID5, or etc, to give some redundancy to your data.

Amazing power supply for all my crap

Seasonic S12-600W. Hands down.

 

[the100thballoon]

Thanks! All should note that this is a very gradual upgrade. I am absolutely NOT rolling in money (i wish i was!) but I want to eventually be able to afford the best computer physically possible on the market at the time. Im gonna hv to save up $3000+ and then buy the best of the best. Im just testing the water right now.

Next summer im sure ill net $1500+ for use on a computer.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Thanks! All should note that this is a very gradual upgrade. I am absolutely NOT rolling in money

I dont hate you so much

Personally I would alway buy mid range when building a new PC, Then upgrading and modding the system over its life. Since CPU and GPU prices depreciate the most be weary when shelling out top dollar for such items.

One of my friends spent a little over $10,000au on a system to have it depreciate 70% over a year.

 

[the100thballoon]

I dont hate you so much

Personally I would alway buy mid range when building a new PC, Then upgrading and modding the system over its life. Since CPU and GPU prices depreciate the most be weary when shelling out top dollar for such items.

One of my friends spent a little over $10,000au on a system to have it depreciate 70% over a year.

You're right, but Im not gonna wait forever. Prices will depreciate constantly until the part is no longer physically usable (ex. newegg doesnt sells vacuum tubes). Ill always have the parts I buy depreciate so I might as well just get it now and use it now. By the time its really cheap I will have my sights set on something better.

 

[DaEezT]

I mostly second what speedo said, apart from the mainboard, but thats because I only had bad experiences with Asus so far

For the HDD I'd to recommend a WD Raptor. They are SATA II with 10.000 rpm and access times around 4,5ms. Fastest non-SCSI disks around.
As for RAID: If you really only use it for gaming (meaning you can live without any of the data on the disks) go for RAID-0. Else don't go for RAID at alls and isntead get 2 HDDs and manually "distribute" the partitions.

 

[Speedo]

Raptors are waaaaay overpriced (and they're only SATA150, btw). Wouldn't bother with them. The largest Raptor you can get is a 74GB, which costs about $140. By comparison, a "normal" SATAII 80GB drive will cost about $60. You're paying more than twice as much per GB, for no performance increase. That's right, Raptors or any other high performance hard drives don't affect game performance a bit, they will only help with load times.

If you want a faster HDD solution you're much better off getting a pair of SATAII drives and striping them.

 

[logical_psycho]

A raptor is good for installing your operating system onto it, that way it'll start up quicker. Other than that it's good to decrease load times for large programs.... but even then, it isn't that much faster than other hard drives to justify its price.

 

[DaEezT]

Raptors are waaaaay overpriced (and they're only SATA150, btw).

http://www.alternate.de/html/shop/productDetails.html?showTechData=true&artno=A9BW18&#tecData

SATA II raptors with 150 GB came out this month. And yes, they are ridiculously overpriced but you don't need 500 GB for gaming and they somewhat help loading times when you think of games like Doom III and BF2

And like the op said:

Im going for the best of the best of the best

 

[dragokatzov]

Wow, ok, where do i begin?
please note that i'm not trying to knock you down

First, You can not run dual processors with an Athlon XP. You can however with the AMD Opteron, however, for all intensive purposes, a single Athlon 64 s939 should do you just fine. The Opterons also require ECC RAM which is expensive.
don't bother with the FX-series, they are a waste of money, instead, get a 4000+ not quite as fast, but less than half the price.
Second, SLI is currently a waste of money, one 7800 GTX 512 mb is more than you will need for a while yet to come.
4 gigs of RAM is pointless. Biscally windows XP can only address 2, and 2 right now, is more than enough. Windows XP 64-bit can address 4 gigs, however, this is still a waste. 2 gigs of dual channel RAM at 400Mhz is more than you will ever need for a while yet to come.
SATA provides almost no improvement over EIDE right now, unless your using a disk at 10,000rpm's. however, might want to grab it anyways for future proofing.
one thing i will say, if you buy a DVD burner, don't burn faster than 4x right now, the technology isn't all right there yet.

these are my suggestings....

 

[Speedo]

SATA II raptors with 150 GB came out this month. And yes, they are ridiculously overpriced but you don't need 500 GB for gaming and they somewhat help loading times when you think of games like Doom III and BF2

Hm, interesting. Doesn't look like they're out in the US yet though. Look forward to seeing the reviews of them.

Still though, unless money is just no object to you I can't recommend them. You can build a striped array of SATAII drives that will scream for just over $100. The nearly $300 savings vs that Raptor is a pretty hefty sum that's much better applied to CPU and/or graphics.

 

[the100thballoon]

ok: my initial thread has changed to meet the comments posted by you wonderful civers

 

[the100thballoon]

Please reread my initial thread and respond.

 

[Speedo]

I would get the 4400 instead of the 4800. You are paying $250-300 more for a very small performance increase. In fact, if your main priority is gaming, there's really no reason for you to go dualcore at all.

 

[the100thballoon]

I would get the 4400 instead of the 4800. You are paying $250-300 more for a very small performance increase.

ill consider a 4400. thanks!

In fact, if your main priority is gaming, there's really no reason for you to go dualcore at all.

...except that I want an ridiculously powerful machine...

 

[Speedo]

...except that I want an ridiculously powerful machine...

Dualcore has minimal impact on gaming performance. Even going from a 4400 to a (single core) 4000 would save an additional $200 or so. But it's your money.

Btw, if you're looking at LCDs I would consider a 20", which will give you a native resolution of 1600x1200. I have a Samsung Syncmaster 204T 20.1", and absolutely love it. It's probably the best $530 I've spent on my comp.

 

[BriantheBold]

Monitors are one of the most neglected pieces of hardware when people think about designing an uber-gaming machine. If money is the least of your concerns I recommend the Dell 2405 FPW 24 inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, 1900x1200 maximum resolution, 500 candelas (nits) brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, .27mm dot pitch, and last but not least a 12ms response time for no ghosting in fast-paced shooters like BF2.
This monitor will set you back $1200 on Dell's website but that is a bargain considering the quality and size you are getting. You said you wanted the very best and this is it. You might as well buy a video card with a TV-tuner and watch TV on it.