Widescreen Gaming Forum

I do have currently seleted parts but the sites SPAM filter won't let post what parts I want to get . . . . . Anyway . . .
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Current specs:
CPU: AMD Athlon 3800+ (dual core) @ 2 GHZ
RAM: DDR2 - 3 GB
Vram: 128 MB
HD 250 GB connected by ATA
Motherboard: Asus A8N-BR (Pyrite) [BIOS]
GPU: Nvidia gForce 6150 LE (I think)
Misc: This computer is a HP slimline (s7700n)
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And what I wanted in a new system:

Hardware

- USB 2.0 speeds that are minimum of 30 MB a second
- USB 3.0 speeds that are at lest 300+ MB/s [I will get / use an SSD]
- Firewire (and or eSata port) --- because I have a external hardrive that has both along with USB
- At lest a solid terabyte (1.5 TB)
- Has either a VGA or DVI port (current monitor I have has both)
- Also has support for HDMI (for the future monitor)
- Multicard reader (although I mainly need SD and Memory Pro Stick Duo)
- Able to use a PS3 controller AND A XBOX 360 controller (yes I know 360 is native support . . .)
- I would like a quad core.
- Multiple internal DVD drives - one blu-ray drive (watch movies, burn backups)
- Plenty of 3.5/5.25 drive bays . . .

Software

- Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit) (Main OS) -- Mostly for languages
- Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit (if needed)
- May first run Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit - as I have both 32/64 bit discs now)
- Windows XP (if 64 bit won't run some of the games I have) (if needed)
- Folding@home (although I use my PS3 for that when I'm not using it)
- Able to run most games from DOS era on, probably high settings

Gaming Software:

- Will use steam:
-- Elder Scrolls (3 - 5)
-- Portal 1 & 2
-- Batman Arkham (Asylum/City)
-- Sonic Generations
-- Quake
-- Wolfenstein (3D) & 2009
-- Commander keen
-- Bioshock (1/2)
-- L.A. Noire
and others

- Will use CD/DVD's of the games I have:
-- Warcraft 2 - Tides of Darkness & Beyond the Dark Portal
-- Warcraft 3 - Reign of Chaos & Frozen Throne
-- Diablo 1 - 3 (when it comes out)
-- The Sims 1 - And all expansions
-- The Sims 2 (probably)
-- Simcity 4000 & Rushhour
- May use emulation (to run up to the PS2/Wii)

Other Thoughts

- Eventually a dual monitor setup (and one be HD resolution)
- Budget - Within about $1200 - $1500 dollars
- I will wait for some parts (hard drives, GPU, etc) to drop in price.
- I don't need the absolute latest but this system should still be update-able in years to come.
- I WANT UEFI, NOT regular old BIOS (that this slimline has)

I am grateful for input . . .

In years to come? If you buy an intel System.. At least in4-5 years they will have a new socket, and new RAM so you won't be able to upgrade anymore! Except you upgrade CPU,MB,RAM. Not sure how this will go with AMD but normaly they stay longer on the same socket.
Still i expect DDR4 to hit the market in 3-6 Years.

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We gonna send it to outa space!

I'd build something similar to the specs in my sig.

Get a Z68 Board with an i5 2500K and 8GB DDR3 RAM, probably an AMD 7770, a dell u2312hm and some oem keyboard and mouse if you don't already have one. Go with a 600 or 700 watt power supply and you're gravy. You could upgrade to ivy bridge when it comes out and you could always upgrade the video card. But I don't see the point of getting a bluray drive and another drive. Just get a combo drive (dvd and cd burner / bluray reader).

Also for ps3 controller support use MotionJoy, it's free.

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System Core: | Intel Core i5-2500K + ASUS P8Z68-V + 16GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333 MHz | Win7 x64 | MSI R7970 Lightning 3GB [1105/1400] |
Display: | 3 x Dell Ultrasharp 3007WFP-HC @ 7680x1600 | Dell u3011 |