First-time Computer Build

[louic877]

Hey,

I'm doing some research about custom-built desktops, but I was wondering what would be a good build for a computer? I know computers but at the same time, I don't know computers. I'm not quite sure what's the best of what, but I do know what I want.

I'm looking for an above average creative media desktop (one that can run adobe as close as to flawless as possible) and at the same time, a desktop that can kick the shit out of demanding PC games (ie. WAR).

My budget is $1200 to $1800.

Would anyone be willing to help with this?

[louic877]

CHASIS
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062 )

POWER SUPPLY

MOTHERBOARD
Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121059 )

PROCESSOR
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017 )

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145 )

HARD DRIVE
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288 )

OPTICAL DRIVE

GRAPHICS CARD

KEYBOARD

MOUSE

MONITOR

[platinumsword]

Some suggestions for ya.

[B]Video Card[/B]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

[B]Mouse [/B]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104076

[B]Keyboard[/B]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126009

[B]Monitor[/B]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001310

[B]Optical Drive[/B]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032

[Bob]

What OS are you putting on it? I’d go for Vi$ta Ultimate 64 bit.

[louic877]

Yeah, I’m going for Vista 64-bit, but I keep hearing it’s not worth 64bit and just go for 32. What’s your take on that?

[louic877]

Are the parts I chose going to work with the suggested?

[platinumsword]

Yes

Your biggest concerned was that you make sure the your motherboard and processor work together and that they fit in your case

I run Vista 64-bit, I have had no issues yet with running 32-bit applications.

[Bob]

[QUOTE=louic877;2143240]Yeah, I’m going for Vista 64-bit, but I keep hearing it’s not worth 64bit and just go for 32. What’s your take on that?[/QUOTE]Runs a lot faster for me and same as platinumsword i have no problems with it.

[platinumsword]

I just notice this.

Your ram needs to be DDR2 800 not DDR2 1000. Unless there is a firmware update that will allow it to support DDR2 1000.

[jflan]

Case :
Lian-Li PC-7B
http://www.xpcgear.com/pc7bplus.html
Classic, elegant, professional.
120mm intake, 120mm exhaust

Power Supply :
SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151028
Top range SeaSonic…what else need be said ?

[RJL65]

I’d pick a different motherboard which uses a newer Intel chipset than the nearly three-year-old 975X chipset that’s on the D975XBX2 motherboard. The 975X chipset cannot support many of the current Core 2 processors due to its FSB1066 maximum processor front-side-bus support.

[eric93se]

Okay here’s a kick ass modern build that will anhillate any adobe product. Monitor taken from above.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Above is combo deal, saves $25
Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Above two are a combo deal.
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
SAMSUNG 2232BW+ Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

Total is $1200, doesn’t include keyboard and mouse, and $65 in rebates, shipping nor tax.

[louic877]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

@ eric : Very nice, looked at some of the configuration. Only question is the graphics card and I guess what it would be compared to on the NVIDIA-scale.

[eric93se]

[QUOTE=louic877;2143348]Thanks for the suggestions guys!

@ eric : Very nice, looked at some of the configuration. Only question is the graphics card and I guess what it would be compared to on the NVIDIA-scale.[/QUOTE]

Its faster than a 9800gtx, but a bit slower than a gtx260. A good upgrade, if you wanted to spend more would be the AMD 4870 which beats the gtx260, and can be had for less than the gtx260.

[eric93se]

Don’t be afraid of the above PSU, it should be Seasonic quality at a fraction of the cost and has excellent reviews. The only thing it lacks is a shinny black finish

Also, in order to get the combo discounts you have to go to the page of one of the items and at the bottom of the page on the left there is a combo deals link and click “view all” and then add the combo deal from the page that follows.

[DiiZzY]

Looking at the above (Eric’s suggestion) I’d say it looks quite good (best so far), I would on the other hand go with something more known brand on memory such as Kingston, Corsair, Mushkin (Micron) rather than G.SKill.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 would be a good buy for instance.

I would also go for 32-bit Vista for compatibility reasons, 64-bit doesnt work that great (in Windows) to be honest especially with “multimedia devices” such as video cameras.

You probably want to go with another monitor though if you want to edit photos etc
//Danne

[jflan]

Excellent suggestions from Eric.
I’ve had very good luck with Antec power supplies and if there is a problem they stand behind them, IME.
The memory that DiiZzy posted is JEDEC compliant @ 1.8v and seems to get good reviews.
I’m hoping it’s good as I ordered some a few days ago

[eric93se]

The high performance G.skill that I linked to does support booting at 1.8V. Also any modern/quality MB can read JDEC which is usually setup the memory to boot without issues.

[jflan]

Yeah, I just looked at it, nice stuff.
Low latency @ 1.8v
G.Skill is quite popular over here in the New World

[DiiZzY]

G.Skill is still an underdog compared to Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair and I sure as hell wouldnt buy from a manufacturer that doesnt even have the model on their website and apparently their rating is for 1.9V. Go for something branded if you want quality and stability not to mention customer support.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/gskill_pi_cl4/
//Danne