Recommendations for a new gaming PC?

[Chacal Profile Website]

My 7-year-old P4 is overdue for a replacement.

So far I'm thinking of these specs (money not being a concern):

CPU: Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad or Q6850
MB: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 2PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN 1394
RAM: 4GB DDR2 1066
Graphic: Nvidia 8800 GT
Sound: Hercules Digifire 7.1 PCI card (already have)
Disk: 1TB SATA2 with as little noise as possible
Monitor: 22 inches wide-format LCD at 1980 x 1050 + 19" LCD + 19" LCD (already have)
Case: some beige box with the biggest power supply money can buy. As little noise as possible. Liquid cooling a possibility.
OS: Windows Vista Business 64-bit (already have)

Discussion:
- After reading around, I'll avoid AMD because at the time I'm writing this, they seem to have missed the boat on a quad-core CPU.
- DDR3 isn't ready and there's little performance gain over DDR2 right now. I'll just buy a DDR3-ready Mobo, overclock the DDR2 and maybe upgrade the RAM later.
- I already have the Hercules sound card.
- I want the SATA speed so I'll get a disk, and I'll add my existing IDE drives.
- I already have the monitors. I'm hoping someday more games will support multiple monitors.
- I'll need a 2nd video card for my 3rd monitor. Anything will do, as this is mostly for text.
- I've checked the "eVGA nForce 780i SLI ATX LGA 775" motherboard that TheOneVader bought and it looks good also. But I'm not sure about that SLI thing. Is it worth it? With the power of the 8800GT, is there a need for SLI?

What do you guys think?

[Jungle_Fowl Profile]

*Drools*

can I have one too?

[Wesley Profile YIM]

I would definatly make it SLI capable from the start.

[goochillini Profile]

what OS? the only way your pc machine will use all 4GB of RAM is to have a 64-bit OS. you maybe able to map out the other gig, depending on the MB BIOS...

and the SLI is WAY worth it if you are going to start playing the newer games and/or running at a resolution of 1280x1024 or up. not sure where you qould prefer your resolution at on a 22" lcd...

[CreepingCharlie Profile]

*Drools*

can I have one too?

Yeah me too.

Oh and Chacal, if your thinking about getting the QX6850, you might as well spend the extra $80 and get the QX9650. But I would get SLI. You could always try one card and then get another to see if you get any difference.

[TheOneVader Profile YIM]

If money is no concern get 2 8800GTs. You will definitely not be disappointed. I have almost the exact setup as you and it runs games incredibly well. Vista 64 has a lot of room to spread its legs and it runs fine. Also you have the advantage of DirectX 10.

[Chacal Profile Website]

The problem with SLI is the 2 cards will only give one output. I have 3 monitors. Looking at the specs for the board, it is not clear how many physical PCI-E slots are available. I would need 2 8800GTs for my main display and one other card for the two secondary displays.

[TheOneVader Profile YIM]

The problem with SLI is the 2 cards will only give one output. I have 3 monitors. Looking at the specs for the board, it is not clear how many physical PCI-E slots are available. I would need 2 8800GTs for my main display and one other card for the two secondary displays.

Wait, why would you need more video cards? Each 8800GT has 2 DVI outputs, and as far as I know they can both output separate monitors, giving you 4 displays. I've even had it set up on 2 displays before, and I'm sure it can support 3, unless I'm horribly mistaken.

Also, the motherboard I have actually has 3 PCI-e slots, in case you want to go Tri-SLI with 2 8800GTUltras.

[Destructor Profile]

I'm looking to build a computer at the end of this month myself. My problem is i'm so out of touch with the newest technologies. For example this is the first i've heard of "SLI" so what is it? ugh...too much too deal with.

[Chacal Profile Website]

Wait, why would you need more video cards? Each 8800GT has 2 DVI outputs, and as far as I know they can both output separate monitors, giving you 4 displays.

Not using SLI, if I understand this correctly. Both video cards are working on rendering the same image.

[TChicken Profile]

Good luck finding a quiet case, beige is usually just another word for loud. After much looking I went with the Antec Sonata 2, quiet but not silent. I'd recommend it except it comes with a 450 watt power supply (the new ones are up to 500w), which may not be enough for you. It looks nice though.

I'm also thinking you'd be better off with a faster dual core processor, like the 6750 over the slower quad core. Games like speed, not cores (yet).

[Blaster Profile]

I should take E8400 is better cheaper then e6850.
Or upcomming q9450 instead of q6600 thats perhaps out now in us, otherwise its coming very soon!

You could get an Sli moderboard like 750i - 780i and use both 8800gt cards and if your gonna be gaming You can aktivate Sli and only use one monitor. when your fininsh you go back to normal and can support 4 screens.

If you get 780i Get 2 8800gt aktivate Sli, Install a third card use nvidia soo drivers would not go weird.
now You have Sli for main monitor, and third card to the other 2 monitors.

[[ecgn] btt Profile]

Chacal I think that rig will play BF 1942 on high settings.

[[ecgn] btt Profile]

I have 3 monitors.

Then you will need on of these. I just came across this and this thread came to mind. I have never seen anything like it and me wants one.

http://www.thev1chair.com/visionmain/flagship.jpg

image is from here. http://www.thev1chair.com/

[Chacal Profile Website]

Thanks but I prefer my setup.
I have the same keyboard though (Eclipse). It glows blue in the dark.