Yet another revision to my upcoming system - need opinions/suggestions

[Janus67]

Upcoming system, updated 6/20 - Opinions?

UPDATED (SAME AS POST #9 AT THE END)

DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR
$194.00

eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N376-AX
-$14.00 Instant $345.00

SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: S12-600
$161.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200DAA4BP - OEM
Model #: ADA3200DAA4BP
$194.00

MITSUMI Black USB2.0 & FDD Digital Card Reader/Writer W/FD (Black)INTERNAL - OEM
Model #: FA404A/404M BLK
$26.50

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 14R9463 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: HDS722516VLSA80
$84.00 x2 $168.00 (for RAID 0 power)

Microsoft A11-00347 White PS/2 Wired Ergonomics Keyboard - OEM
Model #: A11-00347
$19.99

LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1693S Black - Retail
Model #: SOHW-1693S Black
$55.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
$7.99

THERMALRIGHT XP-90 Heatsink - Retail
Model #: XP-90
$36.99

Panasonic Panaflo FBA09A12M1A 92mm Hydro Wave Case Cooling Fan - Retail
Model #: FBA09A12M1A
$14.99


Subtotal: $1,224.45

Plus ~$50 for shipping + ~$125 for an Antec P-180.

 

[Know Nuttin]

Looks like a very nice system.

FWIW, i replaced my TR XP-90C/Delta Triblade combo with the TT Big Typhoon, and it is both quieter and cooler. You may want to look into it as well. Only issue would be whether it will interfere with your future SLI setup.

 

[Flip-Mode]

Alright, I have few points to make:

1 DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR
$196.00

I really think you can go with the UT version, it comes with "only" 4 SATA ports and no Front X panel which IMO is cool but you can live without it. Those things just are not worth the extra 20$.

eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N376-AX
-$14.00 Instant $345.00

Are you sure about this? I know you want to go SLi in few months but by then new gen cards will be out. Spending 345$ now and in few months another 300$ as I don't expect the cards to drop much lower by then, you will be able to get a top of the line next gen card that will kick your SLi setups ***. What I suggest is buying either a 6600GT now for 160$ and less and then in few months a 500$ card that will probebly be better then a 6800GT setup. And you will be able to sell that 6600GT for some refound.
Think about it a bit, might save you some serius cash.

 

[Janus67]

what about doing a dual-6600GT setup? I also can't justify myself spending $500 on a single video card though as well. It is just too much for one component. Spending the $700 for the two though might be justifiable depending on the performance I would likely see. Besides the point that if I didn't go the SLI route I would probably get ATI instead.

 

[Flip-Mode]

You want to spend 700$ on two cards that will give you less performance then a single 500$ one...
You see my point here...
Anyhow, I might be wrong all together but seeing benchies with the 6800 SLi setup I'm not even close to be impressed. A "wimpy" X800XL is tailing them in most games with only few games being exception, that just doesn't justify spending 700$ on them.
About the only place where SLi setup rule are 3Dmark benchmarks, when I mean rule I mean justifying the price. If benching is what you do

I'm just saying that you should really consider this, think about it and do some more research on SLi vs. single card setups.

 

[Janus67]

what about getting one of these:

nm, was looking at the 512mb X800XL and it's performance wasn't even as good as a 6800GT.

 

[Flip-Mode]

what about getting one of these:

nm, was looking at the 512mb X800XL and it's performance wasn't even as good as a 6800GT.

What are you talking about? X800XL is par with the 6800GT and even surpass it in some tests and that with a lower price tag.
I use this article usualy for reference.
I belive the X800XL is the best value for money right now, I'm not an ATI fanboy or anything.
Before spending this much money I urge you to do some serious homework as you can save a few bucks on one part and invest more in another and get a much better result in the end.

EDIT: I don't think the 512mb version is better, in only few selected games. By the time 512mb is needed the R430 core will be really out dated and that 512mb isn't going to to help much.

 

[BrutalDrew]

Get the NEC burner.

 

[Janus67]

by looking at this review, the 6800GT stayed even with or beat the XL in most cases: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Nzgw

 

[Janus67]

DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR
$194.00

eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N376-AX
-$14.00 Instant $345.00

SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: S12-600
$161.00

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200DAA4BP - OEM
Model #: ADA3200DAA4BP
$194.00

MITSUMI Black USB2.0 & FDD Digital Card Reader/Writer W/FD (Black)INTERNAL - OEM
Model #: FA404A/404M BLK
$26.50

HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 14R9463 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: HDS722516VLSA80
$84.00 x2 $168.00 (for RAID 0 power)

Microsoft A11-00347 White PS/2 Wired Ergonomics Keyboard - OEM
Model #: A11-00347
$19.99

LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1693S Black - Retail
Model #: SOHW-1693S Black
$55.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
$7.99

THERMALRIGHT XP-90 Heatsink - Retail
Model #: XP-90
$36.99

Panasonic Panaflo FBA09A12M1A 92mm Hydro Wave Case Cooling Fan - Retail
Model #: FBA09A12M1A
$14.99


Subtotal: $1,224.45

Plus ~$50 for shipping + ~$125 for an Antec P-180.