Need some help with new Rig.

[sixfiend]

Hi guys, this is my first post Alright after being away from the computer / gaming scene for about 2 years (army / national service), certainly lots have changed and been updated. Well I'm going back to school this August and will be needing a new desktop (been using some Fujitsu laptop since). So I thought what the hell... I'd get a new souped up computer. The problem is, I don't really know whats good and whats not.

My primary uses for my computer are: Gaming (I mean some serious gaming. Loads of 3D, big fan of Blizzard games like WC3 / WOW, Quake series, Rainbow 6 and Ghost Recon, MMORPGs etc..., looking forward to games like supreme commander), Schoolwork (MS Office, Photoshop, Macromedia stuff). I'd prolly run Winamp / iTunes, a Antivirus program, some Widgets, MSN Messenger and some other misc software in the background. I use Bit Torrent so I tend to leave my computer on for days at a go.

Note:
I do not plan to overclock my system. I want something that already runs good and cool without having me to tweak around too much. I don't mind adding fans and etc. I don't wish to use water cooling too.

Budget: USD$2500

Questions:

1. Do I need a Quad-Core Processor? Anyone know where I can see some benchmarks between the E6700 / QX6700 / X6800 / Q6600? Been looking at Intel's site but I still need some help.

2. Should I get Win XP Pro SP2 or Vista Ultimate (I heard its not very good)?

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Planned Config:

Case: Coolermaster Stacker 830 / Antec Nine-Hundred (either one / any recommendations ? I like some air room between my HDDs and good ventilation. I don't wanna go for water cooling.)

CPU: Intel E6700 / QX6700 / Q6600 (would decide once my questions have been answered, most likely E6700 to keep costs lower)

MoBo: Asus Commando (Need Recommendation anyone got recommendations for a good stable Asus MoBo? I don't really like other brands but suggestions would be appreciated)

RAM: 2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 PC6400/800

HDD1: Western Digital Raptor 150GB (System / Apps)
HDD2: Western Digital 7200rpm 500GB (Storage)

DVD: ?(Need Recommendation for DVD / CDR Burner, possibly region free, no lightscribe is fine)

Graphics Card: 1 x 8800GTX 756MB

Sound Card: On-board ( Need Recommendation for a Sound card that is good for Music / Audiophile stuff. I only want to use a 2.1 system)

Power Supply: A good 650watts PSU ( Need Recommendation for a good PSU, and also is 650watts enough? based on my current specs)

OS: Vista Ultimate or XP PRO SP2 (Need Recommendation with which OS is better)

Monitor: ? ( Need Recommendation for good 19" monitor, non-widescreen, good viewing angles, high contrast and fast response. gaming needs )

Mouse and Keyboard: Some Razer Mouse / Saitek Backlit Keyboard

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Okay, I know that was a long post. But any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much guys!

 

[sixfiend]

help anyone?

 

[trOver]

you will get some really detailed responses pretty soon. hang in there!

its almost 8 am. most anandtechers are stil asleep or at work! wait til this evening....

 

[daizone88]

For quality PSUs, go with a Seasonic or a PC Power & cooling If you willing to spend a couple of hundred bucks on a PSU.

As for the sound card what will you be using with it? Speakers or headphones and an amp? You might want to look into an EMU 1212m (around $100), Chaintech AV-170 ($22), or even the juli@ (around $130) if you're just planning on listening to music. I would suggest you checkout the head.org (computer as source) forums. For everything audiophile related.

Are you planning on going SLI or not?