Maximum PC

Taking Vista/DX10 out of the equation, you're left with a videocard that would lag behind, and you'd be better off with the X1900GT (unless you need nVidia's PureVideo HD). My only real gripe with the X1900GT is with the limited stock I'm seeing on Newegg, you're looking at roughly $220 shipped, which is getting fairly close to 8800GTS/320MB pricing territory...

Thanks for the reply! Supply does seem to be getting low on the X1900GT, the Sapphire one I was looking at ($140) is now out of stock. However, the Sapphire X1950GT is about $120 after rebates currently.

just a question reguarding the CPU, why the QX6700 not the QX6800?

I think it was because the QX6800 was only released to system vendors when the list was not updated, and although it was out there, it was not available for sale to the average user, or even power users.

ah ok thanks for clearing that up im planning my first Intel build and just not sure about the cpus yet

If you wait about a month, the Q600 will be dropping to about $266. (226? I don't remember) That would probably be the processor I would recommend, although the QX6700 is the best for over clocking thanks to the unlocked multiplier.

Great suggestions here folks - I would seriously check out this soundcard if you are looking to upgrade:

HT OMEGA CLARO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829271002 $140

I switched from an X-Fi Platinum after hearing one for myself. The best soundcard out there regardless of price and plays perfect in Vista to boot!

One4yu2c, will you have an update on Component list and pricing before the price drops? I'm gonna order everything on the HIGH END POWERHOUSE! Only 3 days away and im ready to checkout my cart...lol.
What i'm waiting for is the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600! Please udate before the price drop. thanks in advance!

Other than the processor there's not really anything to change on the High End build...most of those components are still very good. You can change a few things for personal preference (case, PSU, etc).

I hadn't planned on it, but hey, how can I say no to a ScorpionWarLord? Chances are it's just a nick and not an accurate description, but to play it safe, the list has been updated.

For the sake of convenience, all of the price quotes are taken from Newegg. If you're willing to shop from multiple vendors, you may be able to save a few bucks. I'd specifically recommend looking at ZipZoomFly and mWave. And speaking of mWave, I know right off hand that some of Crucial's Ballistix 1066 kits are a good chunk less expensive over there:

2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2-1066 - $135 shipped (after $20 MIR)
2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracers DDR2-1066 - $162 shipped

And finally, if you're a proponent of mail-in-rebates, play around with component selection. Because rebates constantly change and the mixed experiences people have with them (including myself), I don't factor them into the pricing or selection process.

I've got a tip from a IP consultant at another forum.

If you add up the voltage to their corresponding AMPs you should get the real watts.

In example lets look at the 500w Cooler Master

3.3v x 20a = 88
5v x 20a = 100
12v1 x 16a = 192
12v2 x 16a = 192
12v x 0.8a = 9.6
5vsb x 2a = 10

total= 591.6W of max power. Efficiency is 70% to new total = 414.12W. I'm pretty sure that's how it went. The firewall is blocking the website and I can only go onto it at school until I can get a new computer.

I noticed that only the Dream Machine had a soundcard configuration. Is sound really that unimportant? Or is it because the onboard audio is sufficient?

Depends on who you ask, really. As an enthusiast, my home rigs are always outfitted with whatever flavor of Creative's soundcards are the hot item at the time (currently running an X-Fi Fatal1ty), but it's not as crucial to the gaming experience as it once was. Onboard sound has come a long way, and with multi-cored chips now the rule and not the exception, off loading sound duties from the processor isn't as big of a deal as it once was.

Just wondering, how come the top end systems you specc'ed only suggest 2gb of memory? I thought 2gb was the minimum for good performance in Vista. Have I been left out of the loop for too long? (school started so I haven't been able to research everything)

I would say 1GB is not really enough in Vista, but 2GB is fine. This of course depends on your uses, but for gaming 2GB is plenty.

Then you also have the issue of a 32-bit OS having a limit of 4GB of RAM, but due to memory mapping, you will only see 3GB-3.5GB depending on your hardware.
Look around the forums, there are many posts on the subject lately.

One4yu2c, what would you recommend in the dream machine setup if i wanted to use a board that is SLi capable?

For SLI, the 780i chipset is really the only game in town, and I'd look at the Asus Striker II Formula 780i for a Dream Machine build.

I will mention that over long term usage, I've had my share of quirky issues and dead hardware come from using the 680i chipset, which has left a sour taste in my mouth for current generation NVIDIA chipsets, hence why Intel chipsets dominate the recommended configurations.

why woudl u pick the ASUS over say the EVGA 780i FTW edition? im in the same situation of trying to pick a mobo, atm i have a ASUS and i really hate it, horrid tech support, and EVGA offers stepup wich seems nice in the long run for when a 790i comes out i can move to that.

Personal preference first and foremost. But equally important is availability. It's tough to recommend a board that can't be bought yet...

true. i guess it falls under that "should i buy XXX or wait for XXX V2" question. im still stuck in that perpetual loop where i cant figure wich to do