Anxiously awaiting Oblivion

[Mizutsuki]

I've been prowling the Internet looking for anyone who might have even a clue as to what the sys reqs are going to be for oblivion and no one has any idea, so I'm just going to proceed based on some assumptions.
Ok, so I love Morrowind, but my computer has trouble running even that, so Oblivion is out of the question until I upgrade, which leads me to all of you people.
I'm just going to do an upgrade, I have a big ATX case which a really nice Antec 550W PS, I a sound card, speakers, a monitor, keyboard mouse, etc.
All I want to buy new are these four parts: a motherboard, a graphics card, some RAM, and a processor.
Now, keep in mind that I'd really like to be able to make smooth upgrades after I make this purchase, with that in mind I sorta just cruised until I came up with this lineup:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131517
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103535
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814143037
Could y'all let me know if any of that is terribly astray? Rationale: It'd be nice to have the SLI so that in the future when I need an additional boost of speed all I have to do is buy another identical card. Also, I chose such a high end card because It looks like pretty good value, for being nearly top of the line. The step down looks like it's only $50 and a significant decrease in framerates at the 7600 line.
Concerns: it's quit expensive, my budget is somewhat elastic, but I'd like to push it down to $600 instead of $800 if at all possible.
So tell me, are those considerations unimportant? Is there a really obvious thing I'm missing that says that I could get much better value and flexibility from another product.
Keep in mind, I won't overclock anything. I'm somewhat risk averse.
Thank you.

[NeXus 6]

After reading some info over at the Elder Scrolls forum, the game probably won't run real smooth even on the lastest hardware that's available now at super high resolutions. Graphic detail and screen resolution will most likely need to be turned down to get a smooth frame rate. But, this is all just speculation...

http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/inde ... pic=168520

I won't be getting the game until I upgrade.

[Mizutsuki]

After reading some info over at the Elder Scrolls forum, the game probably won't run real smooth even on the lastest hardware that's available now at super high resolutions. Graphic detail and screen resolution will most likely need to be turned down to get a smooth frame rate. But, this is all just speculation...

http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/inde ... pic=168520

I won't be getting the game until I upgrade.

In that article it says that the following is a typical dev machine at Bethesda:
* AMD AthlonXP 2500+ or 2600+ (Barton Core, 333MHz FSB)
* 1024MB (1GB) RAM
* ATi Radeon 9800pro, AGP with 256MB video RAM
That doesn't look too scary. Besides, I really don't think I need every bell and whistle, it'd just be nice to get decent framerates on something that doesn't look rediculously pixelated. Moderation.

[paco]

get a 3500+ over the 3200+ it's only a little bit more.

[NeXus 6]

In that article it says that the following is a typical dev machine at Bethesda:
* AMD AthlonXP 2500+ or 2600+ (Barton Core, 333MHz FSB)
* 1024MB (1GB) RAM
* ATi Radeon 9800pro, AGP with 256MB video RAM
That doesn't look too scary. Besides, I really don't think I need every bell and whistle, it'd just be nice to get decent framerates on something that doesn't look rediculously pixelated. Moderation.

That's what I have now, except I have a P4 2.8C cpu and my 9800 pro has only 128 MB RAM. It'll run the game but will be choppy with the eye candy maxed. I'm definitely upgrading before I play it.

[JustAnEngineer]

Your component choices look fine. Do consider the Athlon64 3500+ and possibly 2x1GB of RAM.

[Mizutsuki]

BTW, I realize the BFGTech is a pretty well respected brand, but I might change my mind before I make this purchase (IE, before Oblivion comes out) so I wanted to know if there were any manufacturers of the 7800 (256M) that I should avoid. There's a kind of cheap one made by JATON, and Albatron on Newegg, but I've never heard of either of them. Any others I shoud know about?
Thank you.

[Rolling20s]

The XFX 7800GT is pretty excellent. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6814150108

I'm purchasing one tonight for my new build. My roommate has one as well and it had worked extremely well for him, thus far.

[Mizutsuki]

Something about the RAM being so cheap makes me feel slightly nervous. I don't feel I have any need just yet of 2 gigs of RAM, and I'd also like to leave that venue of upgrade free for future purchases, but still $89 for a gig of quality RAM? My mother used to say, "If something seems to good to be true, it probably is."
Any thoughts? Is that stuff good, is there any "valueRAM" type stuff that is better? (bear in mind I will not be overclocking, I'm just worried about stability.

[osiris]

The value ram from Corsair is just fine, although it usually doesn't run fast timings. Crucial ballistix will be able to give you high performance with low latency at an acceptable price and quite a bit cheaper than the high performance Corsair. Just my $.02. I'm waiting anxiously for Oblivion also.

[Mizutsuki]

I was just looking through some other system designs, and I came upon this motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6813136164
It's cheaper, and it looks pretty good. Which is better, the asus I chose up top or this one?

[Usacomp2k3]

I'd go with the DFI over the Asus, personally.

[Mizutsuki]

I'd go with the DFI over the Asus, personally.

Hmm... no offense or anything, but can I ask for some second opinions. It just seems like a pretty important basic part and I don't want to screw it up.
Also, if you wouldn't mind, could I ask you to explain why it is that that would be your personal choice?
Thank you.

[steelcity_ballin]

I have a 2500 mobiel @ 2.2ghz, a 6800gt at 425/1100, and 1024 of ram. I guarantee I run it at 1280x1024 wil 2x aa and 4x af.

[Rolling20s]

I would also go with the DFI. Simply put, you're going to save a good bit (around $40) and you will get darn near the same features/functionaility from the DFI board. Nothing against Asus personally, I just know that DFI puts together an excellent part and has an excellent reputation. That and $40 helps DFI get the nod from me.

[Usacomp2k3]

I'd go with the DFI over the Asus, personally.

Hmm... no offense or anything, but can I ask for some second opinions. It just seems like a pretty important basic part and I don't want to screw it up.
Also, if you wouldn't mind, could I ask you to explain why it is that that would be your personal choice?
Thank you.

No offense at all. If everyone always took my advice, they'd probably be back here alot troubleshooting
I have an Asus board in my system now. It's the 3rd of the exact same one. Both the previous ones died, and so I had to RMA it through newegg. They also have been known to have capacitor problems. Asus used to be the board to get, IMHO, but lately, they've just had problems, and that's why I don't recommend them to anyone anymore.
DFI, on the other hand, has always been kinda the uber-enthusiast supplier, but now, general sites are beginning to give them alot of praise. Their LanParty NF4 UT boards are pretty much 2nd to none in alot of departments, most noticeable overclocking. Most reviews heap praise on them, including the TR one that summarizes: "Those are minor quibbles, though, in the big picture. DFI has put together an excellent board in the NF4 Ultra-D, proving that paying attention to the little things can really make a board unique. If you're looking for an enthusiast-oriented nForce4 Ultra, the NF4 Ultra-D should be on your list, probably at the top."
http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q1/df ... dex.x?pg=1

[LicketySplit]

I recommend the DFI board as well.

[Mizutsuki]

DFI, on the other hand, has always been kinda the uber-enthusiast supplier, but now, general sites are beginning to give them alot of praise. Their LanParty NF4 UT boards are pretty much 2nd to none in alot of departments, most noticeable overclocking. Most reviews heap praise on them, including the TR one that summarizes: "Those are minor quibbles, though, in the big picture. DFI has put together an excellent board in the NF4 Ultra-D, proving that paying attention to the little things can really make a board unique. If you're looking for an enthusiast-oriented nForce4 Ultra, the NF4 Ultra-D should be on your list, probably at the top."
http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q1/df ... dex.x?pg=1

Hmm, well, the one that I listed wasn't a LanParty, and it wastn't in the ultra line either, it's the Infinity SLI, and the fact that it isn't the LanParty series (of which I had heard so much) is a great part of what gives me pause for thought. It looks (from the reviews I've seen) like this is a similar board but without some of the frills, but I don't really know much about SLI or motherboards... or really anything about computers for that matter, but stuff like that just makes me nervous. Anyway, I do get your point about ASUS being less than reputable, I changed my tentative list, but I'll hold out to see if anyone else has an opinion before I actually make the purchase.
Thanks.

[Rolling20s]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=2548

Anandtech did a write-up of overclocking with the 3000+ and 3200+ and they used the DFI Infinity SLI board that we've been talking about. They liked it a lot. My roommate also has one and as pleased, as I hope to be when mine comes tomorrow or Saturday.

[Mizutsuki]

Ok, so here's the final lineup as far as I can tell. I'd really like it if I could just get maybe one more round of opinions before I hit the purchase button (sorry for being so needy, I just hate screwing up!)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6813136164
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814150108
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103533
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145440
The total including tax and shipping from newegg is $884.35 I just wanted to make sure this is the best value and upgradeability possible.
Any final thoughts?