CyberPower PC...?

[ZeonZumDeikun]

Yes, I'll be using the PC for a whole lot of gaming.

I'll check out the prices on the quad-core as well than.

ASUS Mobo? Is that for the motherboard? Is SLI that as well?
Would you happen to have a suggestion of something I should look for? Like I've said, I know next to nothing about hardware.

Multiple harddrives... Alrighty than. Though I kind of thought that's what the "150GBx2" meant in the harddrive I picked. Maybe not.
But I'm just curious, why multiple harddrives over one large one? I just want to find out as much as I can.

I'd thought about upgrading the sound card. I probably should. I think I will, too. Anything you recommend?

[michaels39]

If you go with quad core,the best deal is the Q 6600,about the same price as the dual core 6850.SLI is the dual graphics card chipset from Nvidia,most major motherboard makers have their version of it,including ASUS,as well as versions of Intel's chipsets.But while it gives you ability to use two Nvidia vid cards,it has also had a lot of problems.The P35 chipset from Intel is a lot more stable and is a favorite of overclockers,ABIT has gotten a lot of good reviews for their IP35 PRO board,which is what I'm planning on getting in my system.As for sound cards,if you're using Windows XP,a CREATIVE AUDIGY card is good.Vista is another story,it's driver support for sound cards is so poor that onboard sound is as good as anything.

[ZeonZumDeikun]

I'm trying to avoid Windows Vista as much as possible, at least until they work out more of the kinks. I've heard there are a lot of problems with it. So I'd prefer to stick with XP... I'm more familiar with it anyway.

As for using two video cards, I've never really though about it. I gather it boosts graphic performance or something? Though really, I'd just be happy with one graphics card of a high quality (8800 GST or something).

And what is the difference between a dual-core and a quad-core motherboard? Does the quad-core perform better or something?
I'd just like to find a good motherboard, good performance and such. Overclock stuff doesn't really matter to me, I don't really know enough about hardward and overclocking to attempt it, so whether or not a motherboard is good for overclocking, it doesn't really matter to me. I'd just like something that's overall a good motherboard and should perform quite well.
I just don't really know what to look for exactly, especially for specs.
I guess I should try to look for a "Q 6600" or "dual-core 6850" motherboard?
I think the motherboard part is what's confusing me the most.

[swartzism]

Avoid Vista. Although new games coming out with directx10 are vista exclusive, it won't last. Most mobos are SLI ready, but definitely ask around for good mobo specs and brands (Not a big hardware guy either). Since you're a gamer, I would recommend getting a linux OS because a lot of games running off of Steam and made by EA Games take up a lot of memory even after they are closed, not a problem with linux. Plus you can get them for free. I didn't order an OS with mine, but I have an extra XP Pro, like I said earlier, you won't be able to upgrade the OS when you need to because they won't give you a CD key. Don't be freaked out by customer reviews, remember: patience is a virtue.

[swartzism]

Here's what I would look at - Configurators, Intel, Quad core:

# *BASE_PRICE: [+895]
# CAS: CyberPower X-Titan Tower 420Watt Case with 8 Open Bays & Side Window [+7] (($40 off Mail-in Rebate) BLACK COLOR)
# CASUPGRADE: NONE
# CS_FAN: Extra Case Cooling Fan [+3] (1 x Fan)
# CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme QX6850 @ 3.00GHz 1333FSB 8MB L2 Cache 64-bit [+804]
# CD: (Special Price) 18X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
# CD2: NONE
# CABLE: None
# FLOPPY: 1.44 MB FLOPPY DRIVE (BLACK COLOR)
# FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
# FREEBIE_VC2: None
# FAN: CoolerMaster Hyper TX2 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent Operation at only 22dBA + Overclock Proof) [+19]
# HDD: Single Hard Drive (320GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+16])
# HDD2: 320GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM Hard Drive [+85]
# IEEE_CARD: NONE
# KEYBOARD: PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET CONTROL KEYBOARD (BLACK COLOR)
# MOUSE: Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse (BLACK COLOR)
# MODEM: NONE
# MONITOR: NONE
# MONITOR2: NONE
# MOTHERBOARD: (Quad-Core FSB1333) MSI G31M-F Intel G31 Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard [-30]
# MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Value Select or Major Brand)
# NETWORK: ONBOARD 10/100 NETWORK CARD
# OS: NONE - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
# PRINTER: None
# PRINTER_CABLE: None
# PRO_WIRING: Professional Wiring for All WIRINGs Inside The System Chasis with High Performance Thermal Compound on CPU [+19]
# POWERSUPPLY: 600 Watts Power Supplies [+59] (CoolerMaster Unit 600 Watts eXtreme Power - SLI Supports)
# RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
# SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS 24/7 LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
# SOUND: Creative Labs SB Audigy SE [+30]
# SPEAKERS: 600WATT PMPO SUBWOOFER STEREO SPEAKERS
# TEMP: THERMAL TEMPERATURE LCD DISPLAY WITH 3X FAN CONTROLLER [+12] (BLACK COLOR)
# TVRC: None
# USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
# UPS: None
# USBHD: NONE
# VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB 16X PCI Express [+130] (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA [+5])
# VIDEO2: NONE [-82]
# VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
# WNC: NONE
# _PRICE: (+1972)
# _view_: detail

Update w/ the crap you want (graphics, power supply, monitor, hard drives) but the quad core is legit

[ZeonZumDeikun]

Mm, alrighty than. So that motherboard is the way to go, eh?

[swartzism]

If I were you, I would copy and paste the mobo I picked and ask around. Like I said, I'm not a big hardware guy. I picked it because it was quad core compatible and I've heard good things about ASUS.

[ZeonZumDeikun]

Yeah, I've posted on a few other forums that I frequent and asked for opinions as well (I want to get as much information as I can ).
I've gotten a few people who have recommended the "GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard" as well.

[swartzism]

Have you checked out newegg.com? You might want to create a hybrid cyberpower-newegg computer.

[michaels39]

The Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R is a good board,close to the IP35 PRO in price and performance.Both boards will support dual and quad core,including the new CPU's Intel will be releasing next year,so you'll have room to upgrade later on.The Gigabyte has one advantage,it supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. DDR3 is still too new and expensive right now,but again,you have room for future upgrades.