System Dilemma

[Murr0w]

I'm starting my BA in Game Design this fall, and I can think of half a dozen classes off the top of my head that will require a new computer. @ the moment, I'm using a 3-year old blue iMac, so it isn't really a question of if but which. I do game pretty heavily (on friends' computers ), stuff like CS:S, BF2, Doom 3, and I'm anticipating the next-gen ones like UT2k7. Here's the two setups I'm aiming for.

Single-Core Box
AMD 64 3200+ Venice
Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D
OCZ Platinum EL Rev. 2 1GB (2x512)
XFX 7800GTX (490/1300)
Thermalright XP-120 + AS5, Panaflo 114.7CFM 120mm

Dual-Core Box
AMD 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
Lanparty nF4 SLI-DR*
OCZ Platinum 2GB (2x1GB)
Asus 7800GTX (486/1350)**
Thermalright XP-120 + AS5, Panaflo 114.7CFM 120mm

I'm aiming for a Chenbro Gaming Bomb II, that is if I can find one anywhere... :| Toss a couple more Panaflos into it, add a fan controller, a Raptor, and a couple of DVD drives, and we're gold. I just need advice on if I should go ahead and break the piggy bank open, or just crack it.

* I know the Ultra-D can be pencil-modded, but supposedly the chipsets of the SLIs are more robust, correct? Either way, later on I can add another GTX if I have a couple hundred lying around. An OCZ 520W should do fine, neh?
** Also pondering if the extra mem clock is worth it or not. And the heatsink that's supposed to cool the GPU 'by as much as 20 degrees less than generic GF 7800 GTX fansink'.


So, exactly how should I spend the odd $2300 or so?

 

[Markfw]

Dual-core, one video card, 2 gig memory, and a Seasonic S12 500 watt PSU. And welcome to the forums.

 

[Murr0w]

That was quick! :Q And thanks.

 

[Cobalt]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Dual-core, one video card, 2 gig memory, and a Seasonic S12 500 watt PSU. And welcome to the forums.

 

[MBrown]

Originally posted by: cobalt

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Dual-core, one video card, 2 gig memory, and a Seasonic S12 500 watt PSU. And welcome to the forums.

 

[Murr0w]

One question, why Seasonic? I mostly hear OCZ, Antec, etc.

 

[Furen]

Seasonic is the best "mid-range" PSU manufacturer. Their PSUs are very efficient and more silent than most. The voltages and the current ratings on their PSUs are also top notch.

By the way, by midrange I mean under 200 dollars or so.

EDIT: One last thing--I've heard so many horror stories (instability, cpu/ram/psu killing, etc) about the DFI LP NF4 that I'd go for something else.

 

[ElTorrente]

I work in the game industry and use, or have used, all the "big" packages.

A Geforce Ti4600, about 1GB or more RAM, and a Pentium 2.2ghz or so, will run something like Maya very nicely and handle most models just fine.

The most important thing for 3D packages is RAM. Any 3D card/CPU available nowadays is plenty powerful - but RAM is always useful. Don't get just 1GB or you'll be SORRY!!!!!!!!!!! Trust me on this one.. whatever you do, get as much RAM as you can get for using any sort of 3D packages.