Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

[Spongebob]

I found out I now have a $3000 allowance to build a gaming rig for the people I was talking about in my link below. I have a list of what they think they want so let me know what should be changed. I'd still like to cut corners for them were its senseless or add where there appears to be a bottleneck.

Video= EVGAa Geforce 8800GTX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130072

CPU=Itel Core 2 Dou E6400, I talked them into up grading that to a 6600. Not sure if its worth an extra $100 though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003

Mainboard= EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188009

System Ram= G.Skill 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 (PC2 6400). This looks like overkill to me atleast until they upgrade to Vista. I have never used the G.Skill brand before either. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231112

Sound card Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Fatallity . This really sounds like overkill to since they told me they want a 22 in widscreen monitor WITH SPAEKERS BUILT IN . Correct me if I'm wrong but don't built in speakers sound like crap? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102005

Harddrive= Western digital Raptor 150GB. I talked them into something MUCH cheaper and bigger like this. Is this a good idea?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148139

They want this CPU cooling fan but I don't think they paln to overclock so is this overkill?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835702002

One other thing I'm not sure about is the PSU. With that video card I'm guessing it'll have to be heavy duty. Someone in my previous post pointed out a nice one but that was before the funds so I'm not sure if that will do the job.

[Kheldar]

Re: Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

TV tuners are good - you might want to have a look at the HTPC software that exists , medai portal, sagetv, mythtv, medio and make sure thats its compatible with the software.

[casecutter]

Re: Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

That Seagate HD is just as fast if not faster than the Raptor with less noise.

As for the 22" Widescreen, they are not the best choice, I'd push them into a 24" Dell or Acer and drop the video card down to an 8800 GTS and they can SLI later on if/when it's needed.

And yes, it is STUPID to spend $150+ on a soundcard and use **** speakers. Get a set of refurbished Logitech Z5500's at least.

[Spongebob]

Re: Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

As for the 22" Widescreen, they are not the best choice,

Whats so bad about having a 22in Widescreen monitor?

[casecutter]

Re: Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

They use larger pixles being a 1650X1080 just like the 20" LCD's. It's not a huge deal, but an 8800GTS + a 24" LCD should cost the same as the GTX and 22" and the 24" LCD's use a far superior LCD panel and would be a MAJOR upgrade from the 22". It would be a shame to build a high end machine around a 22" when the 24" is completely superior to ANY 22".

[Yawgm0th]

Re: Wait! Things have changed considerably!!!!!

That Seagate HD is just as fast if not faster than the Raptor with less noise.

Uh, no. Perpendicular 7200RPM < Raptor in terms of speed. I'm much rather have a big, 7200RPM drive than a raptop, but don't think for one second that Raptors aren't faster in most applications. I'd recommend a couple of big, SATA drives for a machine like this. The one you linked to is pretty good.

24'' LCD + 8800GTS > 22'' + 8800GTX. The 8800GTX will not provide any discernible improvement in any existing nor in any upcoming games over the 8800GTS at any resolution those monitors can produce.

Agreed on the speakers.

Don't get 4GB of RAM. That's just excessive. I'd rather buy a Core 2 Quadro than 4GBs of RAM for one computer.