Suggestions for a new gaming rig? =)

[vigilantegamer]

First post here so I would like to say hey to everyone and thanks to those in advance for any advice or guidance! Down to the point though I need a new system this store bought one just wont cut it anymore. My max budget is around $2,500 and I would like a good stable gaming system. It's been 4 years since my last custom build and 4 years is a long time as far as new technology goes so I really need advice before I get my parts. =P I can give details as far as what I have researched here and on the net but still a bit confused with a lot of the new techs. I need to start from the ground up and I will be doing a lot of reading around the forums here and anywhere else I can find info but can't hurt to hear from someone who knows or has some of the hardware I will be looking into.

Here is all the parts i need in a list form and feel free to add anything I miss and I will put what I have seen to be a good product for that component:

Case- CoolerMaster Cosmos S Gaming Full Tower
Mobo- (3-Way SLI Support) Asus P5N-T Deluxe nForce 780i SLI Mainboard FSB1333 DDR2 3 x PCIe x16 SATA RAID w/ USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio
OS- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 (32-bit Edition)
PSU- 1,000 Watts Power Supplies CoolerMaster Real Power Pro-Quad SLI
CPU/Heatsink- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83GHz 1333FSB 12MB L2 Cache 64-bit
GPU(s)- 2x NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 16X PCI Express
Memory- 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory
HDD(s)- (RAID-0) with 2 Identical Hard Drives (640GB (320GBx2) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
CD/DVD Drive(s)- 2x LG 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER
Mouse- Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse
Keyboard- Razer Lycosa Black USB Gaming Keyboard
Monitor- Yet to be decided.. would like a 24 widescreen
other hardware possible- INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer

Well that is about all I can think of at the moment. If you think there is a better but similar part to these please feel free to tear it up =). I would like to stay around this area of components from what I have heard it is a decent build. But I am open to any single or total system suggestion. Thank you so much in advanced and let me know if you need any more information about what I listed above. This system I listed is for $2,300 on cyberpowerpc.com. Also should I be looking into a better cooling system or would the stock fans and heat sink be good?(water cooling, or more fans) I picked the case cause its open and has more fan slots at the ready.

Thanks
,Bo

[George Hallam]

Hello there vigilantegamer ;)

With that sort of budget you would be best off going with the new technology (i7, X58 and tri DDr3)
what i would suggest is

Case - Same or a nice Lian Li
MOBO - ASUS Rampage II Extreme (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131352) $398.99
OS - Vista home premium 64 bit $99.99
PSU - Corsair 750w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006) $119
CPU - Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202) $299.99
GPU's - 2 x GTX 260 core 216 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398) in SLI $500 You could alternatively go with 2 x 4850 in CF and save $200 but loose performance, but then maybe that could be gained in CPU power by either watercooling just the CPU or adding extra air cooling
RAM - Patriot Viper 6GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220365)$269.99
HDD's - 1Tb for storage + Western Digital VelociRaptor 150Gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136296) for OS and games $285
DVD-rw - same $30
Mouse - Logitech G9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104079&Tpk=Logitech%20G9) #89.99
Keyboard - Same but the G15 is also good $79.99
Monitor - I love the Asus G24 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009155) its big, it glossy, its amazing for a TN panel and its bright orange. Maybe not everyone taste but from what i have heard its very very good.. If thats not your thing you could go either for a dell or the Acer P243WAid (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125) $380 (for the Asus G24)


Total $2455 (- $200 if you get 2 x 4850)

This system will own that system from cyberpowerpc ;)

Hope thats some help

[vigilantegamer]

Awesome suggestions =P. I have done a bit of research on each of them and looks like I will be changing the whole system around. Good thing I came here then, just a question if you wouldn't mind =).

Seems like the CPU does not come with a heatsink/fan so should I just get into a water cooling system or go for stock hs/f? The only LGA 1366 heatsink on newegg shows poor quality or would any of the lower ones fit on there?

Thanks again =)

*edit*

Here is what I am going for so far:

Case - Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO - ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD
PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
CPU - Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz LGA 1366 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
GPU's - EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card x2
RAM - Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PVT36G1600ELK
HDD's - Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive and Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD4001ABYS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive for storage
DVD - LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 x2
Mouse - Logitech G9 Black 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse
Keyboard - Logitech G15 2-Tone USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard
Monitor - Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support
Other Stuff - XTRAC Ripper Optical Mouse pad and CABLES UNLIMITED USB-1610B All-in-one USB 2.0 Card Reader

Is that the right os? It is the builder one but seemed the only one I could buy =S

[George Hallam]

all looks good i would get this mouse mat instead ;)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999030

the CPU does come with a heatsink and fan and cool it fine at stock speeds...

yes that OS is fine

But do you wish to overclock?

[vigilantegamer]

I don't "plan" on oc'ing anything past how it comes out of the box but you never know =P. Thanks for the help big time, I keep getting good reviews on different sites and such so this is what I will be getting tomorrow! yay!

[George Hallam]

if you are building it yourself take a few pictures so we can see how it gets along

Thanks for the help big time

No problem ;)

[vigilantegamer]

good idea...I will take some pictures as I put her together =) yipee just ordered it