New gaming computer

Hi, I'm in the process of buying a new computer that will be used for gaming (WoW and possibly other MMORPGs, RPGs and strategy games but we're not big on first person shooters) as well as general use.  I want something that's reasonably versatile that can be upgraded as needed but I also want to keep the total cost under $2000.00.  My current computer (a DELL xps with a single core processor) still runs WoW well enough, but a lot of the new games coming out require dual core or better processors, so it's time for an upgrade.

I was trying to decide between the level 2 crusader set up as my starting point (with a few upgrades) or the level 2 renegade.  It seems that the basic set up for these two is the same except for the case design (same MB, processor, RAM, cooling system etc.) and the cost is very similar--is there a significant difference between the two that I'm missing here?  The total cost so far the way I've specced it is 1817.00, so I can go a little higher if needed.


Questions:  Should I upgrade the MB from the basic starting point?  I'm not sure if supporting SLI is something I need right now, but might it become important later on?  I'd like to be able to use this machine for years.  Also, should I go to 16 MB ram right off the bat?  I've heard that Win 7 is such a memory hog that you need a ton of RAM just to run the OS (my current machine runs windows xp and has 4MB of RAM, which is a bit sluggish at times).

Thanks,

Erica

Level 2 Crusader

-Chassis model=Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced
-processor=Intel Core i7 2600K 3.40GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core) [+$146]
-Motherboard=ASUS P8P67 (Intel P67 Chipset) (New B3 Revision) (Does Not Support SLI)
-Memory=8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
-power supply=800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible)
-Hard drive=1x (500GB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (Model: Blue Edition)
-optical drive=DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
-Video card=1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology) (EVGA Edition)
-audio=Integrated Motherboard Audio
-cooling=H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition)
-fans=Standard Factory Chassis Fans
-FREE: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
-OS=Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition) [+$32]
-Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
-Monitor etc.=!PROMO BUNDLE: Acer 22 inch LCD + Logitech (Keyboard + Mouse) + Logitech Speakers [+$198]

Edited by EricaW - 04 Nov 2011 at 11:01pm

We can't help you till we know what you need.

1. you building this pc for wow or newer games like bf3?

2. What is the native resolution of the monitor you gonna be gaming at?

bf3 = battle field 3

that monitor we need to know its res.


for rpg games and mmo you don't really need sli, so I would say ode 1 is a good choice.

but if you want sli ability Ticket Number: 613117

Looking at this build since the monitor package adds to the total costs:  It would save some money to go with the crusader or renegade line but that the dreadnought case is better for cooling.  It's pushing the upper end of our budget with the delivery costs.  It looks like this MB is also SLi compatible but is a step down from the other recommendation.

Ticket Number: 613310
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,094.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=613310

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 2600K 3.40GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core) <b></b>
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 Deluxe (Intel P67 Chipset) (New & Improved B3 Revision Without SATA 3G Issue) <b></b>
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended)  <b></b>
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (Model: Blue Edition)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology) (EVGA Edition)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex Liquid CPU Cooler (High-Performance Edition)
H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: FREE: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition) <b></b>
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
Display: !PROMO BUNDLE: Acer 22 inch LCD + Logitech (Keyboard + Mouse) + Logitech Speakers <b></b>
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty

Thanks for the feedback.  So the 560 GTX video card would work for the monitor's resolution then?

If so, I may go with that for now. I agree that with out current gaming interests, SLI is probably overkill, but I know that things can change quickly and today's high end requirements could become 'average' in a couple of years (when I bought my current computer, people said dual core was only necessary if you were into high end shooters, but now nearly every new game coming out recommends or requires dual core or higher). I hope to have this machine for a while...   If we want/need to go to SLI at some point in the future, we can upgrade the video card then couldn't we?