Pow42

Budget: ~$3,000

Brands: Preferably Nvidia and Intel

Multitasking: I'll be doing enough of it I guess

Gaming: I am hoping that I'll be able to play a few year's worth of games to come on reasonable settings. I'm really looking forward to Warhammer Online, Starcraft 2, Crysis, and other such games.

Calculations: I'm looking into doing some blender as a hobby, and hope to progress to CAD provided the cards are in my favour.

Overclocking: Not in the near future at least.

Storage: I'm looking @ a 10,000 RPM Hard drive for some games, and maybe another (slower) hard drive for general storage?

Legacy Support: None req.

Operating System: Looking for a 64-bit operating system. I'm thinking Windows xp 64-bit, but I'm pretty foggy on the details. Worst case scenario, I will go with vista.

Case: Size is not an issue. I'm personally looking for something big, ugly, easy to cool, and with plenty of room.

Accessories: Already have a decent keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers.

Recycled Components:

Monitor: Got one already

Stores: No preference

Location: Canada

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This is what I’m thinking:

Case: Undecided atm.
PSU: Corsair 750 Watts (will this be enough?)
Mobo: Nforce 780i SLI ATX Intel (looking for something that is as future-proof as possible. Not afraid to spend a few extra $$ here)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (I've heard that computer games aren't quite ready to make full use of 4 cores, but what about the near future?)
GPU: I'm thinking of going with an SLI configuration. I've been looking around, and have no clue what would work really well.
HDD: 150 GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM
RAM: 4 GB (2 x (2 x 1GB)) Corsair Dominator

emosun

For 3,000$ you might as well max it out. Unless your trying to go as low as you can. Heres what I think.

Keep that same motherboard , the 780i
Get three of these 9800 gtx's cards and run them in tri sli
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...445&CatId=3670

Then a 1kw psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153054

And I think you should go for a core two extreme.

__________________

Speedfan-->http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Everest -->http://filehippo.com/download_everest_home
Demon3 Case / asrock dual series / Pentium D 2.8ghz / 2048mb ram / Radeon 2600xt 830mhz core 1.86ghz mem / 420gb hdd / Antec trio 430w

Pow42

For the operating system, would windows 64-bit be able to play all the games I want, and work with blender/cad?

Would I really benefit with going over to vista?

emosun

Vista isn't worth the hassle and since windows 7 will replace it , theres no reason to upgrade to it. Windows 64 bit has some issues with incompatibility with some games and programs , but most newer games and programs should support it.

__________________

Speedfan-->http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Everest -->http://filehippo.com/download_everest_home
Demon3 Case / asrock dual series / Pentium D 2.8ghz / 2048mb ram / Radeon 2600xt 830mhz core 1.86ghz mem / 420gb hdd / Antec trio 430w

darkcow

Get Alienware *sizzle* :O

emosun

thats as bad as saying get an hp blackbird , lol

__________________

Speedfan-->http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Everest -->http://filehippo.com/download_everest_home
Demon3 Case / asrock dual series / Pentium D 2.8ghz / 2048mb ram / Radeon 2600xt 830mhz core 1.86ghz mem / 420gb hdd / Antec trio 430w

Pow42

Firstly, thankyou for your input emosun, I appreciate it.

Now, hopefully lastly: The computer case. Looking around, I found the Thermaltake Armor Series V8000BWS Black. While on paper it looks great, I'm wondering if this thing could support a 3-way SLI, and a potential liquid cooling.

Would there be a better option for liquid cooling?

Again, size is not an issue for me. I don't go to lan parties, and have no reason to move my computer.

emosun

The thermaltake armor is pretty good , I would stick with that. Has enough room for 3 graphics cards , and has some good spots for radiators.

__________________

Speedfan-->http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Everest -->http://filehippo.com/download_everest_home
Demon3 Case / asrock dual series / Pentium D 2.8ghz / 2048mb ram / Radeon 2600xt 830mhz core 1.86ghz mem / 420gb hdd / Antec trio 430w

0siris85

In my humble opinion 3 grand is overkill. For half that you could build a really mean gaming rig that will swallow Crysis whole. If you really insist though...I'll agree with emosun and say max that sucker out