A Question Of Inches............

[Boondawg]

Stock-Box Gaming Rig: Which Would Give Better Results?

Top-of-the-line PCIe-x2 Motherboard -$200.00
Upper-end Processor -----------------$300.00
2 Gig of 400MHz Memory--------------$250.00
Top-of-the-line Video card------------$500.00
Total------------------------------=$1,250.00

~OR~

Lower-end PCIe-x2 Motherboard-------$100.00
Lower-end Processor------------------$150.00
1 Gig of 333MHz Memory----------------Free
Top-of-the-line Video card------------$500.00
Top-of-the-line Video card------------$500.00
Total------------------------------=$1,250.00

Which would be the stronger Battlefield 2 gamer?

High-end system with 1 high-end video card
~or~
Low-end system with 2 high-end video cards?

P.S. As you can see, my budget has become rock solid at $1,250.00.

[kraftmayo]

It's all relative, we need specifics.

Looks like you're going for gaming, so I'd grab an AMD64, maybe X2 if you can afford it, and work from there.

Edit: You'll take a huge hit with slower memory, dont

Edit again: My understanding is that a 7800GTX will outperform SLId 6800Us. A 68U is by no means a low line card. It's all about how much you want to spend now, and how far (time) you want it to go.

[Nexus Realized]

TBH, I wouldn't build either system. I'm 100% sure you can build a ROCK SOLID gaming machine for $1,250.00 or less. Just not compromised of the components you've selected. Pricing may be a little high as well. I'm pretty sure they're are 7800GTX's out there that can be had for less than $500. Mobo seems a bit high too.

[ju5tin99]

If you're planning on running stock, there's no need for a top of the line processor or motherboard. Pretty much anything will run stock speeds with no bottleneck. Get a normal value PCI-E motherboard and maybe an AMD 3200+ or 3500+. I've heard BF2 requires a lot of ram, so maybe 2 gigs running in dual channel would be good. Then a top of the line video card, at least a 6800GT or X800, and a 7800 if you can fit it into your budget. I would avoid the dual core processors if you're just looking to game. They're a lot more expensive right now, and the big advantage from them is for multitasking, there's no real advantage for gaming since the code for all the games haven't been written with multi-threading in mind.

[Nexus Realized]

Are you including a PSU and Case, Keyboard, mouse etc...In your budget?

[Nexus Realized]

If I were to build a system for $1,000 right now to slightly resemble that you want it would probably look something like this.

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 - $160

S939 Operton 144 - $150

2GB Ballistix - $300

nVidia 7800GTX - $450

Total: $1,060

That's about $200 lower than your mark. But as stated earlier You havent included a Case, PSU, HD...

[EL_BaRTO]

Yeah that's a nice suggestion Nexus for a system. Boondawg, you wouldn't need TWO 7800GTX's (SLi) for many games right now. ONE 7800GTX would do VERY WELL for games such as BF2. As stated earlier one 7800GTX can outperform two 6800GTs. I would stick with one 7800GTX and as more games come out in need for two 7800GTX's then I would consider a second. By then, prices would drop or you could go for the next top video card by then. Laterz.

EDIT: In other words your first choice would be my choice. Laterz.

[9mmCensor]

I would go with #1. Then add another vid card later.