Building Gaming System

[Valo916]

Hi, new to forums. I'm looking to build my own computer. I have a few years ago. So looking to build a whole brand new gaming machine.I have about $2000 to spend maybe little more. Less money the better but more power the better. So far this is what some people recommended me and which I like, what do you guys think? Any suggestions?

I was thinking maybe Crossfiring two x1900's but i'm not sure if it would be worth the extra money, is it worth it? I've never overclocked ever, so I don't think I would here either.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103584
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127234
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102672
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145575
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194004
Harddrive: (2) RAID0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145082
Storage Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136003
Dvd Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106015

Comes out to around $1,953.96

I'm really unsure about harddrives and whats fast and if i should RAID etc.

I have a monitor,keyboard,sound card, mouse, etc allready. Want this computer to last awhile. Thanks if you can help

[786ARS]

you dont need an opteron, you could get a dual core athlon 64 X2 for much less. Opterons are server oriented. Try this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103546

[rspassey]

Also, if you aren't doing any Overclocking, you can scale the RAM to Value Select... no need for XMS.

[786ARS]

also with hard drives, the price differences between 80gb and 120gb and like $10/$15

[Valo916]

Whats the difference between the athlon 64 and opteron? All i see is one has HT 1000MHz and other 2000mhz. Not sure what that is.

Whats difference between xms and value?

I rather pay more money for more performace etc. If I can get something better for less money, or something the same for less then i'm for it. But I don't want to cut down speed or anything else just for a couple bucks.

[786ARS]

xms is overclocking ram, you only notice the difference if you are planning to overclock. As for opteron, opterons, are built for servers, meaning they are not gaming designed, you can use them for gaming, but they wont be as effective, like using a quadaro gfx card for gaming, it will do it, but not as good as a 7800 even though its more expensive. Why?, because a quadaro is meant for graphical designing, not gaming, as opterons are server chips, and athlons are home user chips.

[Adams551]

I still don't see the value of crossfire or SLI. The performance boost is just not worth the money for 2 high-end cards. Some argue just to get 1 card now and in 6 months or so add the second since the price will be down. The problem with that is by the time you add the second, a new generation card is out that will smoke the 2 old cards. Not for that much more money either. I say by a quality motherboard and a high-end card now. Wait till games come out that will actually need a better card and get a whole new card. Just my 2cents.

[jfk]

Originally Posted by 786ARS As for opteron, opterons, are built for servers, meaning they are not gaming designed, you can use them for gaming, but they wont be as effective, like using a quadaro gfx card for gaming, it will do it, but not as good as a 7800 even though its more expensive. Why?, because a quadaro is meant for graphical designing, not gaming, as opterons are server chips, and athlons are home user chips.

I disagree strongly with this statement. Although it is true that Opterons are built for servers, they are overclocking fiends, and I have two friends who have built blazing fast gamers with them. Both used 170's and have them clocked faster than an FX60 on air. They also tend to be cheaper than comparable speed X2's.