Need Help With Buying Computer Parts...

Well, I just graduated a four year and my grandparents are willing to help me buy a computer... They know someone that will customize and build the parts... They, however, asked me to do the research... I went looking around the internet on their internet tv... and I found some cool sites like TigerDirect and NewEgg and NCIX... But I really think I like NewEgg... I saw some really cool graphics cards... I really Like the Idea of SLI... So my question is can anyone help me decide on what parts to tell them... believe it or not... they are more internet savy than I am... I am more a gamer... love the xbox 360... I am really impressed by that new alienware quad sli deal... but my grandparents are putting in 1500 and I have about 800 for a total of 2300... I saw what I want so far:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811148028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182043

I read that you need at least 550w for cards in SLI... But that is all I know about what I want... but I know I want really nice graphics cards and lots of processor speed and ram...

Thank you for your help in advance...

 

I'd say your right on the PSU but what is important is the Make and Model, many underate the importnace of a good PSU, get SLI happening and start to experience problems. Here are a couple of threads on PSU, the better brands, etc etc.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10854
Antec:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...78&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=58&Manufactory=1516

And another link on good advice:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602

From this thread you will find tons of info on the better PSU's.

As far as the case goes make sure it can take a decent size front inlet (120mm, bottom front), possibly a side inlet and a rear extraction fan (top, back) plus the PSU outlet.

 

Well.. I think that I'll go with this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932

Next on the agenda is the motherboard... as you know I want SLI... I was looking at the forum and people are saying that the s939 is going to fade out soon...so I was wondering basically...what is the best AMD processor... and Then I'll go down from there... I have heard that the AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-60 Processor with HyperTransport Technology 2.6GHz, 2000MHz FSB, 2 x 1MB Full-Speed Level 2 Cache is the best AMD so the best compliant board would be?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...k=all&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=15&Go.y=18

 

Here you go buddy. If you have that much money to lay down then you should go with this:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_700?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Oh Hells yeah you go with this!

 

Just one problem with this is it's a DELL I wouldn't touch anything from them with a barge pole. They sell their systems pre-loaded with spyware for a start, have a look prginally from this site:

http://www.michaelrighi.com/2005/07/21/dell-spyware-my-way/

Also it doesn't have an AMD CPU as was requested! Still looking for a good mobo.

 

Thank you pad for the dell link... I looked through it and found some of what I would like... but I think I stumbledupon something that might be the best thing I could ever want: tell me what you guys think..

Yeah... AMD is really the right choice for me...

I finished this configuration with:

Black NZXT Trinity ATX Mid-Tower Case
NZXT PRC-550 550W Power Supply [SLI-Ready]
[939-pin] AMD® Athlon-64 X2 3800+ CPU w/ HT
Liquid CPU Cooling Fan System Kit
eVGA nForce-4 SLI Chipset Dual DDR w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA, USB 2
2048 MB DDR-400 PC3200 Memory
2G Quad SLI [2x 1G Nvidia] GeForce 7950GX2
160 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial]
2x 16X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drives
I can't believe all this for a total: USD $2,195.35

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/Store/Configurator.aspx?mid=132&c=654777

 

Can only comment on the PSU now (have to go out) I would consider the Enermax especially for top end SLI (I don't know much about them but the OC'ers are very exp in this are). Do not underate a decent PSU!!!!!!;

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=136602&page=1&pp=20
SLI PSU's:
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showpost.php?p=1615995&postcount=234
about half way down and their 3rd choice (same as in your offer).

As far as the mobo goes do a PM to a member called ASUS he should be really switched on for this aspect.

Do you really need 2 CD/DVD roms? Can you save money there and get the next higher CPU?!?

 

You might also want to go for the Gamer-SLI [Socket AM2] since it is the new standard with DDR2 memory. Socket 939 is being phased out.

 

Okay here is a real spanner in the works if you can be patient and find the time to read this article and then the forum links it's entirely upto you, AMD or Intel, but personally I am about to put my current sys (PC1) on the market and go for it:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/10/dual_41_ghz_cores/print.html

With this I think I will get a Fortran PSU and Gigabyte mobo, have a look and see what you think. To build a PC is only about 4X's harder than putting the home entertainment system toghether, thus quite acheviable and just requires research (you just finished your edu thus shouldn't be to hard). My 2c.

 

i like your idea WhiteTiger84. I know my opinion probably doesn't matter, but i think you would be happy with that setup. Plus if it's what you want then you should buy it. I would.

 

Thanx for advice all.... I have upgraded the processor up one and the psu to that one... I found a coupon for 5% off...IBUYPOWER
So Thanx again....