Make a TRUE "Dream Machine"

[IsZi]

Okay, nothing against Kryten, but that $1K limit kinda killed the concept, I think. So, here's what I propose:

Given UNLIMITED RESOURCES, I want y'allz to post in here to build the ULTIMATE DREAM MACHINE! And I want EVERYTHING! I mean literally everything you can find! This means inside the box and out! Anything from the hottest processer to the most frigid full-system cooling rig. From the biggest monitor (Or otherwise-compatible screen :twisted:) to even the little things like a mousepad or wrist wrest.

Don't forget the baby's gotta be surge-protected too! Hell, don't just build the computer. Build a whole computer STATION! Desk and all! Or maybe we could just park the machine next to a big-screen TV with full 5.1 surround-sound system, and have a bean-bag for the computer chair, with the wireless keyboard in our lap and a gyro-mouse in hand.

You don't have to post a whole machine at once. Everyone could just post a few parts and we could vote on the best ones to put in.

You don't need a link to where to buy your part. Just to the page on the manufacturer's site that has the product info.

So, without further ado, RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!!!

[Kryten121]

Well I would swing towards an athlon, so my mobo would be...

Gigabyte - 7VAXP - Socket A ATX Motherboard with Audio, AGP 4X/8X, USB, LAN, and RAID Support

Priced at $114.99 http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-7VAXP%20Ultra.htm

Add to that a AMD Athlon XP3000+ CPU Barton Core 333FSB Priced at $349.95

Then add Water cooling by Abanix for $99.99 http://www.ahanix.com/iceberg.html

Soyo - Mid-Tower Transparent Blue Acrylic Case @ $199.99 http://www.soyousa.com/products/proddesc.php?id=183

2x Kingston KVR400X64C25/512 512MB DDR400 PC3200 CL2.5 Memory
priced at $97 a piece

More to come later, I need to goto bed!!!

[IsZi]

Okay, I do think there are a few questions to be answered first, before we really start into this thing.

First, I believe is a no-brainer: We building a PC or Mac? Since all of us play AA, that generally shows a tendancy towards a PC preference.

Second, I also believe will be rather one-sided, but not quite so unanimously: Is the processor gonna be Intel or AMD? My vote? AMD

Third is where things start to get tricky. The video card. There's plenty video card manufacturers out there, but I think we can all agree that there are two prime leaders right now: Nvidia and ATI. My vote is for ATI right now, but I'm kinda on the fence on this one.

Fourth, Operating System. Assuming we're buidling a PC (Which we are, right? Everyone nod and smile...), are we gonna run it under a Windows OS, or will it be a 'nix system? I personally prefer Windows (XP Pro to be exact), simply because I don't have that much experience with any of the 'nix, or other non-MS operating systems.

As for sound, I believe everyone will agree that there is only one top dog: Creative Labs. Speakers, on the other hand, are wide open.

Oh, and when it comes to a motherboard, please try to stay away from integration. It tends to take up PCI slot space.

[ncarda]

Tower case w/ 550 watt pwr supply
P 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB (and heat sink)
Intel D875PBZ P 4 Mobo
4 GB DDR Ram PC-3200 <=====Updated (yes, I checked and it can take that much)
Promise FastTrak100 TX2 IDE RAID Controller
2x 200GB Western Digital Ultra ATA 7200RPM w/ 8MB Cache
PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A DVD-ROM/CD-RW IDE
Pioneer DVR-A05 DVD-RW IDE
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB AGP 8x Dual Monitor
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum 6.1
Intel Pro/1000 MT Gigabit NIC
US Robotics V.92 56K modem
Planar PDP-60B 60" 1280x720 Plasma Display <=====Edited(60" Guys!)
Klipsch ProMedia GMX D-5.1 Speakers
Microsoft Internet Keyboard/Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 USB
Iomega Zip 250 MB USB
MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel w/ Pedals USB
MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick USB
Powerware 3110 700VA 420 Watt UPS
Windows XP Pro and Office XP Professional

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

ASUS P4C800-DX
Intel Pentium 4 3GHz 800MHz FSB

Edit -
4GB Corsair Twin XMS LL DDR400

Adaptec SCSI RAID 2200S
2x Seagate Cheetah X15 18GB in RAID0
Adaptec 29320 SCSI Card
2x Seagate Cheetah X15 75GB
Pioneer 16x DVD-ROM
2x Pioneer DVR-AO5 (Not sure if you can do this like CDRW's, but burn 2 discs at once)
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
Creative Labs Audigy 2 Platinum Ex
Logitech Z-680 Surround Speakers
NEC 30" LCD3000 Monitor <-- Good Call Ncarda :D

PC Power & Cooling Dual Power 840 Redundant How Swap Power Supply

Will Edit with updates later

[Father-Time.]

My system would be as above ^^^

Gota be a P4 based system coby :D
Intel rocks!! Most of time :?

my prefernce would have to be a projector Epson do a nice 2200 ansi lumens with a xga screen (1024*768) Awesome man. Of a samsung 42 plasma screen. Seen as money no object.
The case could also be the latest vaporchill case, featuring cpu cooling to -30c. that would make a P4 3.0 cpable of 4.0 i reckon with no problems.
Weeeheeee Go P4 Go!



Father

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Ok, to go with that projector ( the primary display :D ), i suggest the following for long range.

http://www.gyration.com/ultrasuite.htm

It works very well, and is not hard to get used to, only had it for a little bit, client has a 62" TV that he hooked his machine up to, doesnt want to sit 2 feet in front of it :wink:


Not sure what to use while at the monitor though, keyboard and mouse preference is a very personal decision.

I left the case decision out because i was thinking of something similar to Dsotm's prometia case, but i really know nothing about overclocking, water cooling etc. so i'll leave that to the Pro's :twisted:

What am i forgetting?

[IsZi]

Keyboards/Mice, I prefer Logitech. :2cents:

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Me too

[IsZi]

Oh, and has no one considered a Dual-Processor motherboard? And I know most motherboards these days can take more than just 2 GB ram, right?

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

True, but when you go dual processor with intel, you are talking Xeons, which with hyper threading enabled, make up 4 processors. And it is my understanding that Xeons are not really optimized for gaming, as they don't have MMX, or something like that. Thats my story and im sticking to it! :D

[Dead Pygmie]

Ok, here's the monitor I want. I'd be lucky to find a pc I can afford after, lol.
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/10244.asp?promo=el_computer

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Sweet Merciful Crap!

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Ditto

[IsZi]

Neat-o sweet-oh!

[TR-JustinMc06-]

$20,594.95

Nice but ^^^ ouch.... and i don't think a round screen would be the best from gaming :)

[ncarda]

I still like my 60" plasma flatscreen monitor 13,999.99

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=P610-2018%20P

[Father-Time.]

Keyboard and mouse, i would havce to go with Bluetooth Microsoft wireless internet and multimedia set. Very cool.
And monitors, wow you guys i would need to remortgage my house...car and possibly the WIFE.

I think on it :D

Sel