Need Advice on New Rig

[Marzeth]

I've separated and my ex has the computer on my signature (excluding sound card... I got that out!)

I want to get a new rig, something reaaaaally nice. Want to build something I can upgrade later on without spending all my dough right this instance. I'm hooking it up to my Full HD LCD TV and I'll use my receiver for sound. All I need, is the backbone basically.

I've been looking at the following things that will determine my computer build:
1. Intel Core 2 Quad processors. But I want to know if they are worth the extra cash I would put instead of buying Core 2 Dual.
2. I want to go Crossfire or SLI. Had ATI previously, which ones do you recommend and why? If price is a factor, then I will most likely consider it.

Any type of special Motherboard anyone suggest I should get? Any other suggestions outside what I've written are more than welcome.

Thanks!

 

[PabloTeK]

If you really want to splash the cash then the eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR board is the way to go:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

Damned expensive though!

 

[Geoff]

The Core 2 Quads are very nice processors, but are overpriced right now. Especially if your a gamer, since most games arent even optimized very well for dual-cores. I'd hold off on the quads until they come down in price.

Also, SLI and CF have similar advantages and disadvantages, however SLI has alot more supported motherboards to choose from.

 

[thealmightyone]

Core 2 Quad is unnecessary right now, unless you plan on encoding 4 movies at the same time, non-stop.
So, go for Core 2 Duo.
And, SLI over Crossfire, as Nvidia provide better drivers than ATI at the moment. It's the drivers that determine how much of a benefit you get from SLI/Crossfire.

 

[Marzeth]

Thanks guys! Really good input.

 

[ceewi1]

I'd favor SLI over Crossfire at the moment, mainly due to the fact that nVidia is the only company with cards that support DX10.

 

[macnoob]

Core 2 Quad is unnecessary right now, unless you plan on encoding 4 movies at the same time, non-stop.
So, go for Core 2 Duo.
And, SLI over Crossfire, as Nvidia provide better drivers than ATI at the moment. It's the drivers that determine how much of a benefit you get from SLI/Crossfire.

honestly, they arent usefull for everyone right now, id be hppy with the regular duo cores, i dont need one of the iggest ones, because i dont kno what requires that much power to run. even basic physics calculations an be done with 2.0GHzand a nice graphics card.