OT: New PC!

[AgentZero]

No, I don't have one yet, but I'm planning on getting one soon. I've got a rough spec on it, but I'd really like to hear what y'all think.

Especially Fyron, since you really seem to know your stuff, especially in regards to what's good, what's not, and why. So here's the spec I've currently got in mind. Lemme know what you think, and where I could maybe get better performance for less money, or at least shave a few bob off the pricetag without a noticable difference in performance.

Intel® Pentium® Processor 840 w/ Dual Core Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB
Enermax EG701AX-VE (W) 600 Watt Power Supply SLI ready
nForce™4 SLI™ Intel Edition Chipset Motherboard PCI Express SLI
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Dual 256MB PCI-Express x16 NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7800 GT - SLI Enabled
160 GB Serial ATA 7,200 rpm w/ 8MB Cache
16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Recorder
Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi XtremeMusic
NEC 19" MultiSync LCD1970NXi-BK
Creative® 7.1 Inspire™ T7900
Logitech Internet Keyboard
Razer Diamondback Mouse


The only thing that aren't open to debate is the sound system & the RAM. Rest of it is wide open.

[Fyron]

This site has some good info:

http://shsc.info/PCPartsPickingGuide

I personally don't like the quality of Creative sound cards or speakers... That site mentions the M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1 ($75/$90).

The only place where high end audio is appropriate is music, and for that you only need two channels. Swan m200's are great speakers. They are a basic pair of self-amplified two-channel speakers. They are a good way to get into high end audio without breaking the bank or getting too complex. CD Music is not mastered for more than 2 channels anyways.

What are you planning to use those extravagant creative speakers for?

[AgentZero]

Cool, thanks. The extravegant speakers are mainly for turning small animals into piles of gelatenous goo, but also for a having "ooo... wow!" quality set up for gaming, and to double as a home theatre system.

[Combat Wombat]

I'd go with a AMD processer and motherboard personally.

[Fyron]

From what I have heard, "home theater" setups generally aren't worth it without going high end. You would probably get better quality sound with the Swan m200s, not just mediocre sound pumped from a bunch of speakers. Its up to you whether you prefer impressing the small animals with high audio quality or "turning [them] into piles of gelatenous goo."

[NullAshton]

First, get an AMD processor. They tend to work better for games.

Second, I'd probally get the 6800, not the 7800. The 7800 is only a minor increase in power, for a big pricetag.

And Fyron, it would be awsome to play Battlefield 2 with a large monitor, and surround sound speakers. Most people would start drooling once they heard surround sound.

[Ragnarok-X]

Agent, in what price-segment do you expect your configuration from post #1 to end ? Im going to buy a new pc as well, though in january, and i personally feel like spending a max of 1300 $ (= 1100 € for me) is by far enough to get a system which will stand about 2 years.


edit: given im only talking about a tower here, no display, no keyboard/mouse, no boxes.

[Renegade 13]

AgentZero said:
Intel® Pentium® Processor 840 w/ Dual Core Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB

If you're looking to use this rig for gaming, I'd go AMD, not Intel.

[AgentZero]

OK, so I've done a little revision after reading that parts guide Fyron was kind enough to supply, and I've done a little revision. Biggest change is swapping over to AMD from Intel, since AMD scores higher points in gaming. Even though Intel scores higher in 3D rendering, I doubt I'll be doing anything complex enough to notice a difference for some time yet.
All the bits & pieces are basically those recommended by Fyron's link, and bits taken from the Alienware website. I know Alienware makes wicked gaming machines, but f***ed if I'm going to pay THAT much. I took this shopping list to Newegg.com and it came out 1550.00EUR cheaper, even without a case, and I know that even if NewEgg delivers to Ireland (anybody know anything about that?), I'm gonna get drilled on the shipping, but I don't think shipping'll cost me 1550EUR.

So, without further ado,

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Processor
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX AMD Motherboard
Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300R0 300GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive
2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
eVGA 256-P2-N383-TX Geforce 6800 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card x2 SLI
SONY 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
NEC IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
Creative Inspire P7800 7.1 Speakers
Sennheiser HDR120 Wireless Headphones
NEC Display Solutions 19" 16ms LCD Monitor
Logitech Media Keyboard
Razer Diamondback Mouse
Enermax EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) ATX12V 600W Power Supply
3com 3C996B-T 10/100/1000Mbps PCI Network Adapter

Couple extra questions on top of the obvious, 'what do you think?' One, since I need a case, how exactly would you recommend I make sure everything fits? Get all the parts together then go out and find one the right size? Or is there some sort of number/model system for cases that would let me know which is the right one?
And two, that 3com Network Adapter is what I want to plug my broadband (ADSL or DSL) line into. Is that the right one?
Three, does the brand of RAM make much of a difference? If so, what manufacturers are recommended?
Four, if anyone sees any components on the list that'll go boom (or something equally unpleasant) if combined with other components on the list, please let me know now rather than later.
Finally, um, am I missing anything?

Edit: Took Ashton's advice and switched to a 6800

[AgentZero]

Ragnarok-X said:
Agent, in what price-segment do you expect your configuration from post #1 to end ? Im going to buy a new pc as well, though in january, and i personally feel like spending a max of 1300 $ (= 1100 € for me) is by far enough to get a system which will stand about 2 years.


edit: given im only talking about a tower here, no display, no keyboard/mouse, no boxes.

Ignore post #1, it's obsolete. The second system comes out at USD2370.60 on NewEgg, but if you just want the box it's USD1866.00, or USD1647.00 if you don't want dual SLI video cards. And you could probably shave a few bob here and there if you don't ease off on the processor a bit, take a RAM hit and go for a smaller HD.
In case you're wondering, here's the price breakdown of the above system:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Processor $400.00
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX AMD Motherboard $249.00
Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300R0 300GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive $126.50
2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) $219.00
eVGA 256-P2-N383-TX Geforce 6800 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card $219.00x2
SONY 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive $10.00
NEC IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A $38.99x2
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card $93.00
Creative Inspire P7800 7.1 Speakers $85.25
Sennheiser HDR120 Wireless Headphones $49.00
NEC Display Solutions 19" 16ms LCD Monitor $299.99
Logitech Media Keyboard $19.95
Razer Diamondback Mouse $49.99
Enermax EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) ATX12V 600W Power Supply $129.99
3com 3C996B-T 10/100/1000Mbps PCI Network Adapter $123.00

Total $2370.65USD