Heres my planned build, does everything look ok.

[shanty140]

Hey, I am not sure if this goes here, but I couldn't find just a normal desktop sections. But anyways here is my planned build:

Case: Thermaltake Armor
CPU: E8400
CPU Heatsink: Thermaltake Ultra 120 Extreme
Motherboard: Asus Rampage
RAM: Mushkin XP PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory
GPU: HIS 3870x2
PSU: PC Power and Cooling 750W (I know it's alot, but I want some room to upgrade.)
HDD: 2x 250GB WD 7,200RPM in RAID 0
Optical Drive: Lite On Writer
Card Read 3.5"

Now some questions I have are, is the Asus Rampage a better option the the Gigabyte X48-DS4 or X48-DQ6? Also does everything look ok, is there anything thats not going to work with each other.

Thanks
Nice forum here is seems
-Shawn

[Eldonko]

First off, welcome. Looks like a great system to me, you obviously arent new to this.

[Cptn Vortex]

The Rampage and Gigabyte are very similar boards. I like the LCD posting thing Asus has, and they have a good bundle with their ROG boards. I also like the look of the boards more than the Gigabyte too. Either way, they are both great choices. You build looks to be good, great pick on the RAM too.

[mmmstew]

Only thing I'd change is the 3870x2, mostly because I'm not a ATI fan and nvidia has been doing better gpu wise.Of course this is coming from a guy who bought a x2 6400+....and a 8800gt

[shanty140]

I am not a fan of any brand really other then right now I like Intel over AMD. I am going with the 3870x2 instead of Nvidia because it still gives me the option to go crossfire if I decide to go that route.

The only thing really I am confused on is what ATI brand I should go with. I have read and it seems that Diamond, HIS, and Asus are the top ones. But not sure which one I should go for. Is there one you guys prefer.

[Decembermouse]

I like HIS and Sapphire personally. I've also used MSI and like them. Right now if you're gonna get a 3870 I'd go with Sapphire, as they have a really good (and innovative) cooling solution. Check out the review of the Toxic here on the forums:

Sapphire HD3870 512MB TOXIC Edition Review

Honestly though if you have a couple weeks, I would wait for the Radeon 4000 series. It's going to be leaps and bounds faster than ATi's current best offerings.

[shanty140]

I was planning on waiting till the new 48** series cards come out but not because I am going to get one, I was going to wait because the price will be going down for the 38** cards. The 38** cards are actually more then enough for the screen I will be playing on. Also when the new cards come out they will be over the cost of MRSP for a a couple months or so. Just like the 8800GT/etc when they come out. You never know though, if I find a good deal on the new coming out I will go that way.

[shanty140]

Well today was a expensive day. I bought everything I need except the video card. Heres what I got:

Case: Thermaltake Armor $140
PSU: PC Power and Cooling 750W $150
HDD: 2x 250GB WD 7,200RPM $100
Motherboard: Asus Rampage $300
RAM: 4GB G.Skill PC2-8500 $145
CPU: E8400 $200
CPU Heatsink: Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 with Noctua Fan $60
Optical Drive: Lite On Writer $40
Total: $1135

I used price match on NCIX

So that leaves me needing a Video Card, I will probably wait and see what happens with the new ones coming out. But time to go pay off the bill and go to work.

[JD]

Originally Posted by shanty140

Well today was a expensive day. I bought everything I need except the video card. Heres what I got:

Case: Thermaltake Armor $140
PSU: PC Power and Cooling 750W $150
HDD: 2x 250GB WD 7,200RPM $100
Motherboard: Asus Rampage $300
RAM: 4GB G.Skill PC2-8500 $145
CPU: E8400 $200
CPU Heatsink: Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 with Noctua Fan $60
Optical Drive: Lite On Writer $40
Total: $1135

I used price match on NCIX

So that leaves me needing a Video Card, I will probably wait and see what happens with the new ones coming out. But time to go pay off the bill and go to work.

Very nice. Good luck paying it off

Should be quite a fast computer once its done and overclocked.

[enaberif]

get rid of the lite-on those things are UTTTTTER junk.

otherwise nice build.