Help me build my system

[archerman]

Here is what I have coming or already have waiting for the rest of the components;

AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 / 400MHz / Platinum / Dual Channel 2x1gb RAM
2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 300GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive(s)
Antec Phantom500 500W PSU
VIEWSONIC N2750W 27" LCD w/ DVI


Need to get (and your opinion requested)

Video Card either - Pricing is only a few dollars difference so don't consider price - I really like my A-I-W X800 because I can watch TV - don't think these can do that but I will take suggestions other then these two if I can watch TV on my PC
BFG Tech Geforce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI
ATI Radeon X1900 XTX 512MB PCI Express

Motherboard
DFI something - DFI drives me nuts with their model names and their specs are often exactly the same (on their site) for two different boards. I'm thinking my Video card will make a difference here.

Case
Will take suggestions for case but this isn't a big factor to me - don't need anything crazy just something that works - don't need windows as they will be facing away from me and under a desk. Solid case - little noise - I don't buy them with PSU's and have the Phantom in route

Price does matter to me but I'm willing to save a little extra to get something that is worth the wait and as you can see I have resisted many time the jump to the AMD 64 platform... it has been killing me but I'm ready to upgrade.

I do very little gaming, on occasion I play COD2 online. I do mainly graphic design with CS suite and MX 2004, Lots-o-file sharing (all legal if the cop are watching).

I want a system that will live forever (LMAO) well maybe just another 2 years and keep up with my graphic designing and occasional gaming.

Okay if you need more info ask, if not I will shut up.

Thanks in advance!


Currently I have a AMD 3200+, all IDE drives (think 4 drives w/ ~ 700GB total), A-I-W X800 AGP, 1GB RAM, Plextor CD-RW, Plextor DVD-RW, 19" LCD, MSI MB

 

[archerman]

Oh yeah no SLI planned because for me it may not be worth the few extra bucks to get a MB that is SLI compatible.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Might want to look into workstation cards if you plan on doing mainly graphics design. Also, you can buy a seperate TV tuner card, so don't worry about having to buy a card with an integreted tv tuner.

 

[AZNBoiOnFIYA]

i think the mobo youre looking for is the dfi ultra-d. for the vid card id go with the 7900gt, but if money isnt an issue just get the x1900xtx

 

[archerman]

For the video card I can get either of the two listed (new) for a few dollars difference. So your saving the ATI video card is better then the 5900GT - do you know if I can watch TV on my PC with the ATI?

 

[rseven]

Archerman, you haven't said anything about overclocking. I assume you plan to OC with a 165. The Ultra D is probably the best OC board followed by the Epox 9NPA+ Ultra, ahich I prefer because of it's ease of use and superior suport, but if you only plan a modest OC, then you may want to consider an Asus.

Video card wise, I bought a 7800GT before tha 7900's came out. In looking at the cooling on the 7900's it looks very shimpy and for this reason I question how they will hold up over time. I would go with the ATI given your choice. Another reason for this, is your limited number of PCI slots on the newer NF4 boards.

 

[archerman]

I plan on doing everything I can to get this machine OC'ed to it's full potential, but before I go into OC the machine I need to have one to OC. lol.

 

[rseven]

You mean, you never heard of virtual overclocking?

 

[ShadowPho]

i think the mobo youre looking for is the dfi ultra-d. for the vid card id go with the 7900gt, but if money isnt an issue just get the x1900xtx

I do very little gaming, on occasion I play COD2 online. I do mainly graphic design with CS suite and MX 2004, Lots-o-file sharing (all legal if the cop are watching).

Graphig design = Might want to look into Quadros.

 

[archerman]

I was looking into that market but I'm thinking that since most of my design is 2D (illustrator - photoshop - flash) that the quadro line up maybe a little over kill. However do you have a specific suggestion for a good card that won't run me $1K in the quadro line-up?