Building New Computer, Please Suggest...

[keichan82]

I can spend about $600 max on CPU and Motherboard. I was thinking maybe
3700+ San Deigo for $234 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
or X2 3800+ for $329 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562
Does the 1Mb Cache make a big performance difference?

DFi motherboard SLI... but there are so many. Which one do I get for better OC?

Fan for CPU??

Hopefully 2 7800 GTX in Sli... or one if I can't Afford it.

4 x 512mb OCZ Platinum Rev2

I am going to use OCZ 520 w Power Stream

I got 2 raptors raid 0 and a few other hard drives.

Please Advise. I am planning to OC. Thanks!!

 

[Aenslead]

Just get the X2.

 

[forumposter32]

2x1GB, not 4x512MB (too many negative comments about that setup)

Also, I read so many messages about problems with dual cores, it boggles my mind about how people can pretend those threads don't exist here. I just don't understand those dual core people.

Fan for CPU, well, a lot of people use XP-90 and Panaflo fan.
Although my Gigabyte Neon Cooler 8 is silent and cool, I might get a Zalman 7000-ALCU just because of the sound factor. I wanna get a almost completely silent computer next time.

BTW, you're never going to be able to overclock two 7800 GTX and CPU with 520 watts (especially with those Raptors in there). Please post results if you do.

 

[keichan82]

lol so I guess I need a new power supply too
any suggestions?

 

[keitaro]

I hear that the L2 cache makes little difference in overall performance. Meaning, the difference is so small and miniscule that it's not going to be visibly seen or "felt" when you use it. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Dual-core has its issues but its primary issues are due to softwares not being thread-friendly. I think the future of computing will turn out to be multi-core so I believe dual-core is the way to go. (see sig for my setup) For gaming, things can swing both ways... single-core will do quite well. But at the same time, support for multi-threading is slowly increasing. Popular games out today, like BF2 for instance, run fine with dual-core. Some have small and minor issues, but nothing an affinity set won't fix.

I wish I can suggest a power supply. It's something I'm not very familiar with.

Seeing that you're going to get 1 (or 2) 7800GTX card(s), forumposter32 hits it right on the nose with the RAM config. You're likely better off grabbing a pair of 1GB sticks than to populate it with 4 512MB ones. Then again, it's cheaper going with 4 sticks than a pair of 1GB. It's yer money so I won't question how you spend it. If performance is an issue, go with the 1GB pair. Otherwise, you're fine/okay with 4 sticks.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: keichan82
I can spend about $600 max on CPU and Motherboard. I was thinking maybe
3700+ San Deigo for $234 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
or X2 3800+ for $329 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

If you can afford it, I'd get the X2. It really is an amazing CPU. If you need to make room in your budget, ditch SLI.

Does the 1Mb Cache make a big performance difference?

No, it doesn't. Here are some relevant benchmarks comparing the Venice 3500+ (2.2 GHz, 512KB L2) to the San Diego 3700+ (2.2 GHz, 1MB L2).

DFi motherboard SLI... but there are so many. Which one do I get for better OC?

DFI's boards all seem to have great OC'ing options. I'd get the cheapest one with all your required features.

By the way, why SLI? Are you really going to get two graphics cards, or do you plan to add a second some time in the future? I don't know much about gaming performance, admittedly, but I've heard SLI is very overpriced, and not worth buying.

Fan for CPU??

I'd at least try the retail fan, first. If you aren't satisfied with your OC, then go for something more elaborate.

Hopefully 2 7800 GTX in Sli... or one if I can't Afford it.

That's crazy. I can't believe people spend $1,000+ just to play some silly computer games. But, if that's your cup of tea, go for it.

4 x 512mb OCZ Platinum Rev2

4x512MB often causes problems. Get 2x1GB.

I am going to use OCZ 520 w Power Stream

That's overkill, unless you already own it. Just use whatever PSU you're using right now, otherwise pick up a $40 FPS.

I got 2 raptors raid 0 and a few other hard drives.

Very nice.

Please Advise. I am planning to OC. Thanks!!

Eh, what you have are all relatively decent choices. It comes down to personal taste, and small tweaking. I suggest the X2 3800+, 2x1GB, 1xgraphics card (no SLI), any 25A or greater +12v FPS, and the cheapest Epox or DFI board with all the features you need. But that's me.