Have you seen the new ATI cards? HD4850 and HD4870? the 4870 is really close in performance with the NVIDIA GTX280 which is $550 the 4870 is $350, i know which one i would go. Also if you dont mind spending extra a 4870x2 card came out yesterday $660 it shits on a GTX280.

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MY06 WR BLUE WRX

Verso = 220hp, 17psi

ok guys thanks for the input, im left with the following two options for build!

which would be better in terms of saving money etc and still meeting demand.
occasional gamer, downloading, surfing etc.


BUILD A

This will be a future proof computer that will allow for future overlocking and crossfiring an extra 4870

CPU: E8400 = $187
CPU COOLER: ZALMAN 9700 = $78
MoBo: GB-X48-DS4 = $259
MEMORY: 4GB (2 x 2GB) Corsair 1066 Dominator = $209
HDD: 2 x WD 640 GB Hard Drive = $197
GPU: Saphire HD4870 = $317
PSU: Corsair 620W = $145
CASE: Lian Li PC-B25 = $302
MOUSE: Logitech G9 Gaming Laser Mouse = $97
KEYBOARD: Logitech G15 = $89
MONITOR: 24" BenQ V2400W = $476
OS: Vista Home Prem. 64Bit = $149
DVD: 2 x ASUS w/lightscribe = $78
SPEAKERS: Logitech Z5500 5.1 Sytem = $329

TOTAL: $2910



BUILD B

This will be a system that will last for a couple of years at least.

No Overclocking
No crossfiring.

CPU: E8500 = $209
MoBo: GB-EP45-DS3 = $139
MEMORY: 4GB (2 x 2GB) Kingston 800MHz Hyperx = $115
HDD: 2 x WD 640 GB Hard Drive = $197
GPU: Saphire HD4870x2 = $699
PSU: Corsair 620W = $145
CASE: Lian Li PC-B25 = $302
MOUSE: Logitech G9 Gaming Laser Mouse = $97
KEYBOARD: Logitech G15 = $89
MONITOR: 24" BenQ V2400W = $476
OS: Vista Home Prem. 64Bit = $149
DVD: 2 x ASUS w/lightscribe = $78
SPEAKERS: Logitech Z5500 5.1 Sytem = $329



TOTAL: $3022



BUILD C - Same as build B but with 4870 instead of 4870x2

This will be the cheapest option.

No Overclocking
No crossfiring.

CPU: E8500 = $209
MoBo: GB-EP45-DS3 = $139
MEMORY: 4GB (2 x 2GB) Kingston 800MHz Hyperx = $115
HDD: 2 x WD 640 GB Hard Drive = $197
GPU: Saphire HD4870 = $317
PSU: Corsair 620W = $145
CASE: Lian Li PC-B25 = $302
MOUSE: Logitech G9 Gaming Laser Mouse = $97
KEYBOARD: Logitech G15 = $89
MONITOR: 24" BenQ V2400W = $476
OS: Vista Home Prem. 64Bit = $149
DVD: 2 x ASUS w/lightscribe = $78
SPEAKERS: Logitech Z5500 5.1 Sytem = $329



TOTAL: ~$2600







Please state reason.

MUCH appreciated.

Build A, just because the motherboard is better and ram for overclocking. Otherwise build B for graphics performance.


EDIT: Actually just got for Build B. Its your best option for gaming and just as good as the other 2 builds for multitasking. If the DS3 motherboard has xfire than you can just throw in another card later on, if your 4870x2 starts getting slow.. But right now it can max anything. (apart from crysis) which no card can max. lol

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MY06 WR BLUE WRX

Verso = 220hp, 17psi

you can get that benq monitor for so much cheaper then that.

i have the LG 24" and thats a quality unit i would recommend that.

http://www.mcgtech.com.au/index.php?...&stock_id=9926

also x48 chipset is not as good as it sounds.

this is the one im going for

http://www.trustedreviews.com/displa...LCD-monitor/p1

and i think im leaning towards goinf for build C as its cheapest and most effective, can save money and upgrade later i guess.

ahh alright i was thinking its the cheaper benq unit... i havent seen that monitor but would still recommend the LG as its 3 year Dead pixel warranty and thats a replacement warranty.... also these days they all run cheap china panels so you buying the same unit for cheaper with better warranty..

up to you mate.

i would personally go for build c... this will do everything you want for the next 12-18months... however i would change the choice of memory.

what would u do for memory