New computer plan, what do you think?

07/31/2007 02:54:50 PM · #1

I'm going to be putting together a new computer in a few weeks and wanted to get some opinions on parts.
Here's what I have planned so far:

2.66GHz Intel E6750 Core2Duo CPU
2GB (2x1GB) OCZ Gold DDR2 800 RAM
NVidia GeForce 8800GTS graphics card
2x320GB Western Digital 7200rpm SATA hard drives
Gigabyte motherboard with Intel P35 chipset and optical digital audio output(a must!)
Thermaltake Matrix Aluminum case w/2x120mm fans
Antec 550W power supply
A TBD LCD monitor
Logitech G5 laser mouse
Whatever keyboard is the cheapest
Built in card reader (USB 2.0 front mount)

Those are all the new parts, I already have the following and am going to cannibalize as much as possible:
LITE-ON DVD burner
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX speakers
Copy of Windoze

So now for the questions:
1.) Should I go for the quad core cpu? Should I go for the E6850? either option will cost me around $100 more. Or is what I have fine?
2.) Recommended monitors? I can't afford anything that's expensive.
3.) Is there anything I'm missing?
4.) Any other changes you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Edit to add: Computer will be used for games, photoshop, internet, and messing around. I have a laptop for all my school work.

Message edited by author 2007-07-31 18:02:47.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

07/31/2007 03:00:41 PM · #2

Chuck all that silliness and get a Mac.

07/31/2007 03:01:54 PM · #3

I would recommend a larger power supply, things will probably be getting pretty darn close to 500W with that setup (no future upgrading!)

Also, instead of two 320GB 7200RPM hard drives, try getting one smaller 10,000 rpm hard drive. Use the 7200rpm 320GB for storage and the smaller 10,000 rpm drive for highly active files (games, etc.).

Other than that it looks pretty decent.

Or get a mac (though as far as software support/selection and system power, windows systems have always beat macs).

Message edited by author 2007-07-31 15:03:58.

pgirish007

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

07/31/2007 03:03:49 PM · #4

Configuration is looking good to me as what you want to do, if you want to do some serious work in photoshop then you look for "Drawing tablets". I have one 5x7 and it is really handy.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/31/2007 03:08:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Chuck all that silliness and get a Mac.

No thank you for the mac. Bash Windows all you want, but I'm still a fan.

Originally posted by Atropos:

Bigger PSU...maybe a good idea, will have to check up on the cost of that. If nothing else, this can be added later too right?

I was thinking about the hard drive config you suggested, but the 10k rpm drive is $160 as it is! Can't afford that even though I'd love it.

Message edited by author 2007-07-31 15:10:02.

smellyfish1002

Canon EOS-20D

07/31/2007 03:10:14 PM · #6

I agree with the 10,000 rpm drive.
I have a Western Digital Raptor for my operating system and Photoshop to run on, and have additional hard drives for storage. My system does well with a separate drive for the software...

I have built a number of computers and have found that AMD processors are fast and cost less than Intel, on average. I was a project manager for Intel for the last seven years, and had to keep my AMD builds a secret at work. Dollar for dollar, I have found AMD to be a great value. Try out a X2 series (their dual core).

Also, a multi card reader built into the case is such a great thing to have, considering how inexpensive they are. I installed a multi function card reader/floppy drive combo (I think it was made my Mitsubishi) for about $23. I love being able to take a card out of camera and stick it into a slot. That allows me to keep my CF reader in my laptop case for on location. I once forgot my card reader at a wedding and had to send my assistant out to buy one...

Good luck.
JD

07/31/2007 03:14:04 PM · #7

Originally posted by smellyfish1002:

10k rpm drive = awesome but VERY expensive, maybe in the future (I like to format my OS drive a lot to keep things fresh).

AMD CPU's are more expensive than Intel ones currently and do not perform as well. I've read all the reviews and benchmark tests, they all point to Intel winning out over AMD.

Internal card reader, great idea, I'll put that in the plan.

07/31/2007 03:16:02 PM · #8

Yes, you can always add in a new power supply later on. I'm not sure exactly how much wattage you'll need for all of that, but I'd just make sure 500W is enough to run it. I know the geforce 8800 series cards use alot of power.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/31/2007 03:28:40 PM · #9

I did some more research and you're right. The 8800gts requires 400w of power by ITSELF. That means out with that case and in with a case without a PSU. I'll find the cheapest case I can, I don't care so much how it looks.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

07/31/2007 03:32:51 PM · #10

Shame you don't live in the UK. I am about to scrap my PC which has a Spiderman/Nokia/Alien silver case. It has temp readings on front for CPU/HDD/Case.

Message edited by author 2007-07-31 15:33:04.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

07/31/2007 03:40:55 PM · #11

the specs look pretty impressive to me (altho not top of the line), but I haven't been keeping up with the latest and greatest too much.

07/31/2007 03:48:17 PM · #12

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

Nevermind, I found a site that you can configure your PC the way you have it and it'll tell you the total power draw at whatever capacity you have it set on and the way mine is currently configured will draw 402W at 95% capacity and 413W at 100% capacity. So all is good.

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM A

07/31/2007 03:49:36 PM · #13

Originally posted by kyebosh:

the specs look pretty impressive to me (altho not top of the line), but I haven't been keeping up with the latest and greatest too much.

No not top of the line. The Intel Core2Extreme CPU's generally go for $1000+ and there's no way I can afford that. Also the 8800GTX goes for $600 and there's no way I can afford that either. This is set up to be relatively high end with a big possibility of upgrades in the future.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

07/31/2007 04:24:39 PM · #14

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Chuck all that silliness and get a Mac.

No thank you for the mac. Bash Windows all you want, but I'm still a fan.

Often, Macs run windows better than PC's.

Enjoy your BSOD's.

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

07/31/2007 04:47:11 PM · #15

I'm a PC user but i'd say if u want the easy way out get a MAC.
That said! If u'r like me, like to dabble and want total control, go for the PC.
If u just want to use photoshop u can get by with a basic setup. Once u start gaming or 3d software everything changes.

POWERSUPPLY:
The power supply is extremely important. It says 500w, but prob. only runs efficiently at 350w max. The machine may post OK on completion, but once u start gaming u can expect to have a lot of instability that may only show up when the computer is under pressure from games and demanding 3d software.
Dont pinch pennies on this, look for a good brand like this antec or thermaltake, OCZ or Coolermaster of your choosing.

CASE:
Full tower aluminum case impprtant for proper cooling and efficient airflow.
Recommend this Gigabyte case or a antec, thermaltake, cooler master of your choosing.

MOTHERBOARD:
Gamers mostly go for ASUS AMD boards with SLI configurations (SLI allows u to run 2 video cards at the same time allowing u to double the video processing power)
If u must have the intel I would still go for an ASUS board but it should say 32 for the SLI not 16.

Suggested AMD board: ASUS

Processor:
AMD: AM2 series
INTEL: well anything u'r heart desires

Sound:
Creative labs X-FI

Memory:
DDR2 800
Corsair, Kingston, OCZ

Video:
NVIDIA 8800 series
or ATI

Thermal paste:
for the processor: Artic Silver

Men too can give birth so build your baby :)

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM A

07/31/2007 04:49:19 PM · #16

I FORGOT
Dell 20.1 widescreen or bigger

g5 mouse & saitek keyboard

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/31/2007 05:11:14 PM · #17

Originally posted by dmadden:

I FORGOT
Dell 20.1 widescreen or bigger

g5 mouse & saitek keyboard

You're killin me man... This thing is going to be so much more expensive now. I'm already at $1100 instead of $980, haha. The case and power supply was probably a good idea to spend some more on. I skimped down a bit on the hard drives and went with 2 250gb instead of 2 320gb drives. I can add more later as these fill up. Another question for you:
If I went with a 2.33GHz C2D cpu instead of the 2.66GHz, would it make that much of a difference? It's a saving of about $40.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

07/31/2007 05:23:40 PM · #18

Check out Asrock mobos, made by Asus.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

07/31/2007 05:24:44 PM · #19

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

Originally posted by dmadden:
I FORGOT
Dell 20.1 widescreen or bigger

g5 mouse & saitek keyboard

You're killin me man... This thing is going to be so much more expensive now. I'm already at $1100 instead of $980, haha. The case and power supply was probably a good idea to spend some more on. I skimped down a bit on the hard drives and went with 2 250gb instead of 2 320gb drives. I can add more later as these fill up. Another question for you:
If I went with a 2.33GHz C2D cpu instead of the 2.66GHz, would it make that much of a difference? It's a saving of about $40.

The difference will be minimal, if at all noticable.

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

07/31/2007 05:27:05 PM · #20

I would not get the MSI Board or the N force chipset, I am not a big fan of it. I would recommend an ASUS or Abit with an intel chipset. I have used 3 msi boards in recent history and all were flawed in one way or another.

Also you might want to look at Hitachi Hard drives. They are manufactured by former IBM plants. IBM hard drives have always had the rep of being nearly unstoppable tanks, they may be a bit slower but the stability is impressive.

For a monitor Samsung makes some nice LCD monitors for reasonable prices, another option is to look up Gateway or dell monitors as those are usally Sony or Hitchi monitors that were made as OEM and run cheaper than the respective name brands.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/31/2007 05:33:06 PM · #21

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Often, Macs run windows better than PC's.

Mac owners are switching to XP? There's all the proof I need. Never heard of a PC owner using OSX.

And since Macs use Intel x86 architecture now, that statement is seriously flawed.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Voigtlander Ultron 21mm f1.8

07/31/2007 05:36:50 PM · #22

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Chuck all that silliness and get a Mac.

Good advice, then set up windows on an external drive and run it from there...

07/31/2007 05:39:08 PM · #23

He already said he didn't want a mac. Give up already, this isn't a pc vs. mac debate.

Message edited by author 2007-07-31 17:39:24.

07/31/2007 05:45:18 PM · #24

Originally posted by Atropos:

The difference will be minimal, if at all noticable.

So then what's the point in using the latest and greatest CPUs? For example, why buy the 3.0GHz Core2Extreme chip ($1000) as opposed to the 2.66GHz C2D($225)?