How to build the ultimate gaming computer?

Question

so my computer specs are:

2 9800GTX in SLI mode

500GB HDD (with Vista)

320GB HDD (with XP)

4GB RAM (2x2GB RAM at 800MHz)

Intel Q6600 Quad-Core (2.4GHz)

XFX 3-Way SLI Motherboard (the 780i one)

800 Watt PSU

XION II Mid ATX Case

now i am not one who will spend $350+ on a computer part,unless its absolutely necessary .also i am not willing to pay $900+ on Intels Extreme Processors either.so my question is what else should i add?

Answer 1

Just get a cheap P35 board. The Gigabytes cost 85$ and overclock a Q6600 G0 stepping on air to 3.6GHZ without raising the vcore too much. Don't buy the cheapest of the Gigabyte P35s, because it just doesn't have OC headroom unlike its big brothers. P45s work too, but cost far more without offering too many new features. Obviously neither works with SLI, leading us to...

SLI performs poorly and has trouble like visual tearing. If you need the power, it's best to spend the money on a GTX-series. They handle crazy resolutions better two, because they have more RAM than most 9800GTX cards.

Just get one WD6400AAKS. They cost 85$, store 640GB before partitioning, and use just two platters for blazing transfer rates and minimal heat and noise. Buy two if you want two drives, but not for RAID 0, as that's just plain risky.

See if you can't still get that DDR2-1000 OCZ RAM for 62$ at Newegg. Great deal on a great product.

Buy a CoolerMaster Centurion 5 case. They only cost 50$, but have okay airflow and good build quality. Only concern is that they just have a 80MM and 120MM fan cutout; not adequate for hardcore SLI unless you upgrade to louder high CFM units.

Answer 2

my experience with state-of-the-art, top-of-the-line chasing is that newer faster products come out 6months to a year from the time you purchase it on average.  

Unless, we really are reaching the physical quantum limits at the atomic level.  I think technology has a ways to go as far as something that will be top for a long time.

I like PC platforms (this includes gaming platforms) that are linux-friendly.  Because, after Windows, the next step up is open-source.  I think this is where the fun really begins.

If you ask me, and I forget what is currently top-of-the-line.  My advice is get a setup that will run all of your programs (graphics intensive games) reasonably well.  Save your money for the faster model of what is gonna come out next year.

But, that dream list of hardware you got sounds pretty top-of-the-line.  Looks like you did your homework.

  

Answer 3

Instead of having 800 MHz RAM get 1066 or even better...also I'd get an Antec 900 or the new one that came out with, just a big case with huge fans to keep the computer cool...