New gaming system - $2000

[YodasBrains]

I haven?t built an all new computer for about 4-5 years now. So feel free to make suggestions and voice any concerns. Also keep an eye out to make sure I haven?t made some incompatible combos. Thanks!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Gaming is my main concern

2. What YOUR budget is.
$2000ish for the core components.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA ? probably all from newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
none

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
OS ? XP

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yup, quite a few. Needed something to do while waiting for 4870 release

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I will do some overclocking, but its not a major thing for me.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
As soon as I finalize the parts, so hopefully within a week. Also have to get my hands on the GPU.


THE BUILD

CPU:
E8400 $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...px?Item=N82E1681911503
I hadn?t thought about aftermarket cooling, will that be necessary for any overclocking?


MB:
Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 $224.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128336
Not completely sure about this, I picked this off the latest sticky builds. I noticed there is a DQ6 version, wondering if its worth the extra cash. Also wondering if i could go with something like the DFI x38.

GPU:
two 4870 crossfired $619.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...EPA=0&Description=4870
Based on the reviews I've read, I'm definetly wanting to go this route. Always wanted to try dual gpus and this seems like a good time to do it. Big question I have though is should I go for any particular brand?

RAM:
G.Skill 4gb (2x2) ddr2 1000 $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

PSU:
Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139006
I'm assuming this is enough for crossfire based on the ati recommendations.

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 640GB $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218
I wanted to get the velociraptor but its out of the budget. Is it worth a future upgrade? Will i see better performance in gaming?

Case:
LIAN LI PC-A71B Black $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16811112144&Tpk=a71b
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=BA24895
Had the Cooler Master Cosmos S RC-1100 but after reading some reviews on it, decided on the Lian Li instead. Still Open to suggestions though.

Monitor:
BenQ G2400WD 24inch $399.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824014173

Optical:
Lite-on DVD burner with Litescribe $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106072
I actually have a decent burner, BENQ 1655, which has an ATA interface. I dont know if its compatible with the motherboard. Is the PATA listed in the specs for a board an ATA interface? I'm a noob when in comes to SATA.

Total: $2006.90
Assuming my math is correct and I didnt leave anything out

 

[akhilles]

Ati recommends 600w for HD4870 CF. So yeah, the 750w is plenty even for some overclocking.

http://ati.amd.com/products/Ra...4800/requirements.html

Dame, I wish I had the dough for that CF setup. I dropped my jaws looking at the benchies from different sources. I'm getting the HD4850 at a discount.

Overall, the list is solid. Note the XP 32 will see up to 3.5GB of ram.

 

[Isaac MM]

Solid list, but i would consider getting a GTX 280 or even just one 4870 instead of 2x 4870s, SLI/CF still have many problems and if you want solid performance with no problems at all i would stick to a single card solution.

 

[MarcVenice]

2 Hd4870's in CF completely own a gtx280. I'd do the same, the gtx280 isn't worth more then 450-500$ if you ask me. You could go with the DFI x38 mobo for 185$ if you wanted to save some cash. Expensive case as well, it's an investment that lasts for years though, but you could go a little cheaper. Stick with the WD 640gb, velociraptor is only usefull for faster load times of file transfers

 

[Isaac MM]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
2 Hd4870's in CF completely own a gtx280. I'd do the same, the gtx280 isn't worth more then 450-500$ if you ask me. You could go with the DFI x38 mobo for 185$ if you wanted to save some cash. Expensive case as well, it's an investment that lasts for years though, but you could go a little cheaper. Stick with the WD 640gb, velociraptor is only usefull for faster load times of file transfers

True, but the GTX 280, being a single card solution, brings more of a solid performance and he won't have to worry "is X game going to work with my CF or it will play at 10 FPS when it should be getting 80?", personal choice really.

 

[DaveSimmons]

GTX 280 won't make sense untl nvidia drops the price to $400-450, it's not fast enough compared to a $310 4870 to be worth more.

A single 4870 should be enough for everything except Crysis at 1900x1200 though.

 

[YodasBrains]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I updated the case as I would really like a solid case and after some reviews of the Cosmos, decided the Lian Li might be a better path.

As for video card, probably still going to go 4870 in crossfire. I had contemplated the 280 but i'm willing to take the risk of increased performance from crossfire versus the hassle it may create.

As for a single 4870, I had thought about that too, but i'd like to have a computer that can handle the Crysis . Yeah, its partly the e-peen thing, but thats what happens after a few years of friends dissing your outdated system.