Rich's Tongfamily (Richtong.net add-on)

OK, given the choices right now there are two options for building a fast machine right now. Actually, not exactly right now, but if you can wait to January…
h3. nForce 4 SLI (for January)
If you want the maximum in performance, then you want the upcoming SLI boards. These are first coming December 28 but have a pretty big premium. The ASUS motherboard is now out
| Component | Price | Comment |
| ASUS K8N SLI | “$247”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=5361437/blsrt=1159 | Drops to $180 in January hopefully |
| nVidia 6800GT | “$440”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3105472/blsrt=1 | Very short supply, again wait if you can |
| AMD Athlon 3200+ | “$207”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4605951/search=athlon%25203200%252B | Socket 939 retail with warranty |
| Thermalright XP-120 Heatsink | “$50”:http://www.coolerguys.com/840556031185.html | Optional but very quiet |
| Geil Ultra X 2×512 | “$275”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4446853 | Alternative Corsair 3200XL for “$250”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=2848985/search=corsair%203200xl |
| NEC 3500A | “$68”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3648375/blsrt=1 | Dual layer DVD Writer |
| Western Digital WD740GD | “$179”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1733497/blsrt=1 | Very fast system drive |
| Maxtor DiamondMax 300 | “$205”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3173558/blsrt=1 | Fast and Big data drive |
| Ever Case 4252 | “$80”:http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-127-028&DEPA=0 | Very quiet case |
| Globe 120 | 2x$12 | 5″ fans for CPU and case |
| Seasonic Silent Tornado 400 | “$100”:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-151-018&depa=0 | Very quiet power supply |
| Total | $1875 | Without monitor, keyboard, mouse |
h3. High End Computer for right now
There is about a $200 premium for SLI and the 6800GT. If you don’t have quite the need or want to buy it in December then you can get the AGP socket 939 and substitue the MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum for “$135”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3625539/blsrt=1 and also get the ASUS 6800GT for “$330”:http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3648305/blsrt=1.
This lowers the $1850 by $225 so it is $1625 right now and a good buy. Only small thing to consider is that the 6800gt is older than the 6600GT and that the new ATI line is not yet available but also coming out in January. The entire ATI X-series is very hard to get right now.
Finally, if you want a monitor, then the Viewsonic Q190mb is about “$465”:http://shopper.cnet.com/ViewSonic_Q190mb_flat_panel_display_TFT_19/4014-3174_9-30989792.html?ccmd=add&q=&zip=98004