I'm thinking about getting a dash configured like this

[fred-foobar]

Well I'm thinking about getting an entry level gaming box. The components on this system are newer than the Prelude's. I am also an AMD Fan boy.

[theDreamer]

:welcome:

The dash I would not look as a gaming rig, but for an entry level rig it might be able to meet the needs you want. The graphics is the one thing you will need to upgrade, the current choice you have might be able to play low end games, but I do not know your limit or budget. Upgrading the graphics would be the first choice, but would you share what your budget, games you want to play, etc.

[fred-foobar]

the page reset on me. I had a better config for 16,000 with a phenom and what not. This is the machine I meant to post:

Dash (Dash)
$799.99 $799.99




Customizations:

Color: Black Brushed Aluminum Finish (FFPC)


Power Supply: 500W Ultra Quiet Power Supply


Motherboard: AMD 690G Chipset Motherboard


Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9600 (2.3GHz x 4) (AWESOME)


$256.24

Memory: 3GB Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400 (BEST)


$99.99

Hard Drive One: 500GB Western Digital 7200RPM 16MB (BEST)


$56.26

Flash Card Reader: All-in-One Internal USB 2.0 Flash Card Reader & Writer


$29.99

Optical Drive One: 20X Dual Layer DVD±RW Drive w/ LightScribe Technology - black


Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB (AWESOME)


$299.99

Sound Card: Integrated 8-channel High Def Audio (GOOD)


Network Card: Integrated Gigabit Network Card


Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-Bit)


$95.62

Warranty: 1 Year Maingear Warranty


Reconfigure Dash
Product Subtotal: $1,638.08

[RottynDawg]

Welcome to the boards fred!

[theDreamer]

Alright, that one makes much more sense for a "entry" level system. Overall I feel that would be a good smart system to start out with, I would also talk to Maingear about the upgrade path the dash can achieve. While you may not upgrade for a few years or something, you may want to little things to your system throughout your ownership and I would just make sure everything is nicely fitted for you.

I have not checked, but how much would a Prelude cost with similar specs. You will get a few different items, but the Prelude may offer a bit more for a reasonable price.

[blindem]

If I'm reading that right, any reason in particular you're paying for the flash card reader? (Doesn't seem like you'd need one for an entry level gaming system unless you had some other use in mind as well.)

[fred-foobar]

I also want to use it for media stuff in addition to gaming. My budget is ~ 1.6 Grand. I am good with software, But I break everything I touch hardware wise.[/code]

[fred-foobar]

My name is george not fred. It's just a funny pseudonym.

[RottynDawg]

My name isn't RottynDawg either...well, I sure hope not anyway ;)

At $1.6K, I think Dreamer's suggestion of seeing what you can get in a Prelude for that amount is a great idea although that Dash case is pretty sweet.

[fred-foobar]

I talked to Maingear on the phone, and i changed my mind to the F131 -- with an over clocked phenom and XP. specked out like this:



F131 AMD CrossFire (F131AMDXFire)
$1,639.84 $1,639.84




Customizations:

Exterior Automotive Color: Black Brushed Aluminum Finish


Power Supply: MAINGEAR 750W Ultra Quiet Power Supply


Motherboard: MSI K9A2 Platinum AMD 790FX™ Chipset


Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9500 (2.2GHz x 4)


$37.50

CPU Cooling: AMD Quiet CPU Cooler


Memory: 2GB Corsair XMS2-8500 DDR2-1066


Do you want us to Redline™ your CPU?: YES


Hard Drive One: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache - SATA II


$56.24

Optical Drive One: 20X Dual Layer DVD±RW Drive w/ LightScribe Technology - black


Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB


Do you want us to Redline™ your GPU?: YES


Sound Card: Integrated 8-channel High Definition Audio


Network Card: Integrated Gigabit Network Card


Security Software: Norton Anti-Virus 2007 CD 1-Year Subscription, Preinstalled & Updated


$49.99

Game: Yes, Give me 6 FREE Games!


Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition


$33.67

Warranty: 1 Year Maingear Warranty


Reconfigure F131 AMD CrossFire
Product Subtotal: $1,817.24

[theDreamer]

A bit over your budget, but I think you will be much more pleased with the performance you will receive from the F131. Also, not to attempt to bump your budget anymore, but you might want to think of investing in the Zalman they offer. Since you are thinking of over clocking, picking that up will help cool it, keep the heat down, and may be a bit quieter. This will push your budget even tighter so you may just want to stick with the AMD cooler, but I am just throwing that out there.

[fred-foobar]

I know it's over my original budget but hey who's paying; Not Me, and with that here is my new configuration:



Unit Price


Price


F131 AMD CrossFire (F131AMDXFire)
$1,639.84 $1,639.84




Customizations:

Exterior Automotive Color: Black Brushed Aluminum Finish


Side Window: Translucent Window Side Panel w/ LED Lighting Bundle


$99.99

Power Supply: MAINGEAR 750W Ultra Quiet Power Supply


Motherboard: MSI K9A2 Platinum AMD 790FX™ Chipset


Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9500 (2.2GHz x 4)


$37.50

CPU Cooling: Zalman Ultra Quiet CNPS9500 LED 92mm CPU Cooler w/ Copper Base


$99.99

Memory: 2GB Corsair XMS2-8500 DDR2-1066


Do you want us to Redline™ your CPU?: YES


Hard Drive One: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache - SATA II


$56.24

Optical Drive One: 20X Dual Layer DVD±RW Drive w/ LightScribe Technology - black


Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB


Do you want us to Redline™ your GPU?: YES


Sound Card: Integrated 8-channel High Definition Audio


Network Card: Integrated Gigabit Network Card


Game: Yes, Give me 6 FREE Games!


Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition


$33.67

Warranty: 1 Year Maingear Warranty


Reconfigure F131 AMD CrossFire
Product Subtotal: $1,967.23

[theDreamer]

I know it's over my original budget but hey who's paying; Not Me.

Well if you are not paying, get the Zalman, maybe we should look at some other options. ;)

[RottynDawg]

Nice system...F131 no less!