Video
(Decoder): Sigma Designs Hollywood Plus MPEG Decoder PCI
Price: $47.95 (latest price
here)
Sure we're got enough processor power to do software
decoding without
any problems, it would be practical to just forget about a decoder card
for our DVD drive and leave it up to the processors and software to do
it. However, since practicality really isn't of much concern here we're
going to go for one of the nicest DVD decoder cards on the
market, the Sigma Hollywood Plus. Sure it's overkill and most features
might never get used but it'll give you silky smooth DVD playback with
full surround sound audio goodness and not steal any processor cycles
while it's doing it. Even better we can run the decoder card to a TV
since most monitors aren't best viewed from the undeniable comfort of a
couch.
Monitor:
NEC Multisync FP1370 22" (x2)
Price: $1150.96 each (latest price
here)
While flat panel LCD monitors satisfy the cool factor in
this case,
they're really not at the point yet where their refresh rates can keep
up with rabid gaming... With the kind of frame rates this machine is
going to pump out we want something that will display every frame
without distortion or blurring... something that as of yet only a CRT
can really do. NEC has been making monitors forever, and with their
alliance with Mitsubishi they're pumping out some really great high end
monitors that really make me question just how big a monitor needs to
be... but since we all know bigger is better, we're going to go for
not one, but two of the lovely FP1370 22" monitors. With a .24mm dot
pitch (incredible for a monitor of this size) and a totally flat screen
this bad boy can do 2048x1536 at 55-80 Hz. Pretty damn impressive if
you ask me. And of course having dual video cards we're going to take
two monitors... now just think about how impressive two 22" mammoth
monitors would look like on your desk.
While this is an ultimate system with every component
being maxed out,
it's important to remember that a monitor does play a huge role in a
gaming experience. Sure all the other components matter but the
monitor is what you're staring at the entire time and I've seen a lot
of crappy monitors with horrible refresh rates and ugly curved
screens. These monitors are the top of the line when it comes to CRTs so we have
nothing to worry about, but would even be acceptable on a lower end
system since a monitor is something you really wan to be
quality. Additionally monitors are something that can last through several PC
upgrades because monitor technology doesn't tend to change all that
rapidly, something to keep in mind when considering dropping a few
extra bills on a beauty of a monitor like this one.
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