Ok time for a new rig, input please :)

[BrokenKingdom]

A few weeks ago I had posted specs for a new (pretty) low budget gaming rig which I needed for gaming and programming/graphics design.

I bought the rig because I was using a back up pc at the time which was a 5 year old emachine and it just did not hack it. I had full intentions of upgrading about now, and selling the computer I bought earlier to my step brother (who was having issues with his old computer as well).

So now that I have sold him my new computer (which I was just begining to like a lot its like loseing a best friend. ) I am finally ready to upgrade to the specs that I need.

Heres a list of parts I have:

2 WD HHD's
1 gig paired corsair value select
Monitor
keyboard, mouse, speakers.
CD drive
dvd drive
floppy drive

My budget is about $1000 this time around and what I need is a gaming rig that will handle multitasking really well (I use maya 7, soft image, 3ds max heavily) and being that those are threaded programs I wanted to get a dual core CPU. Here is what I am thinking about I really appreciate all input from your guys. You are awesome!

RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208 Beige 0.7mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS CO SE 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail

That puts me right under $1000 including shiping

My heart is set on overclocking, its something I am very very interested in and really want to persue. So any suggestions are very very welcome

P.S. I also already purchased a new windows xp so no need for an os.

[glc]

Why the SLI board?

[blue60007]

At the very least drop to the regular A8N-SLI and use the saved money to get a 6800GT or even a 7800GT -unless you aren't interested in hard-core gaming, then there isn't a need to get an SLI board at all.

[BrokenKingdom]

Well I wanted a somewhat "future proof" board and eventualy plan on getting dual video cards. From what I hear this motherboard is one of the few mother boards that support SLI at x2 x16 where most only support x2 x8. Plus I really like the copper watercooling.

Why? would two 6800 gs's on this board not run as good as one 7800gt? haha I'm still catching up with SLI I only know the basics about it right now so do you think one better card will run better then two weaker ones with the x2 x16? Because I may be able to sqeeze out the extra to pick up the 7800gt instead... but ide really be pushing the limits.

Is that a good CPU? Or is there a cheaper one that will run just as good with some tweeking? Thanks for all the input so far

And what do you think about overclocking? Would this set up be good for it? I would really really like to get into ocing, not just for the performance boost but because I think its so interesting and sounds fun! I love that kind of stuff!

Thanks again for all your help so far!

P.S. yeah I'm a hard core gamer plus the graphics and models i make, I use in the games I program (well at least try to haha seems like the progress of them is crawling along)

[glc]

That is correct. One 7800GT will run better than two 6800GS's. SLI is for the hardcore gamer that is trying to squeak every last bit of performance out of a rig regardless of the cost - it is NOT cost effective. You can save BIG bucks with an A8N5X, so you COULD afford the 7800GT.

I think overclocking your production machine is not wise. Overclocking is a hobby, and it has a lot of risks. One boo-boo and your data can all go bye-bye or expensive parts can get zapped. If you want to play, use another machine.

[blue60007]

Read this article. I wouldn't be overclocking a dual core, as the power supply may not be able handle the overclock.

[BrokenKingdom]

Awesome ok so I should go with the A8N5X and a 7800gt then? And no overclocking then What about trying out Overclocking on my old (old) computer? Its an emachine t1105 would that be a good place to start?

Ok so the A8n5x, athlon 4400+ x2, the gig of corsiar Valueram i have, and a 7800gt. How will that hold up with most recent games? Im not to worried about Maya 7 because I'm sure the x2 will increase its performance exponentialy... I think haha anyone know for sure?

[blue60007]

Sorry, E-machine's aren't going to be an overclocking machine. Even if the BIOS has such options, the hardware isn't designed to overclock. You gotta be careful getting into overclocking - it can get real expensive real quick.

Yeah sounds good - that'll play any game out there wonderfully, and games to come. If Maya has multi-thread optmizations, it'll be sure to be fast.