About to pull the trigger on 1st build components...Here's my list.

[Salamero]

Just so you guys know, I'm looking for a fast, STABLE, reliable, MULTITASKING system.
I'm an engineer and do alot of 3D modeling/rendering and don't play any state-of-the-art video games.
I'm a huge multi-tasker due to my profession.
Will be using Windows Media Center xp m(unless you'all think its a bad idea). Apart from work, I want to be able to record/edit video from cable/sat.
Audio-wise I want to connect my pc to my receiver for music playback through 1 optical cable. This is what I put together and I'm about to buy through newegg.Also, which of these components are not a good idea to buy OEM?
Please help me out with any final touches or alternatives:



1 MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:K8N NEO4 Platinum
** This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model within 30 days only. what's this?
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$112.99 $112.99

ATX Computer Cases

1 Sunbeam TRIO IC-TRIO-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply - Retail
Model #:IC-TRIO-BK

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$78.00 -$4.50 Instant
$73.50

CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)

1 SONY Combo Drive Black IDE Model CRX320EE/B2S W/O SW - OEM
Model #:CRX320EE/B2S W/O SW
** This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model within 30 days only. what's this?
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$35.98 -$7.99 Combo $27.99
Philips 700MB 52X CD-R 10 Pack Disc - Retail


1 SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SH-S162L/BEBN - OEM
Model #:SH-S162L/BEBN
** This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model within 30 days only. what's this?
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$64.99 -$5.00 Combo-$8.00 Instant $51.99
Verbatim 700MB 52X CD-R 10 Pack LightScribe Disc - Retail

1 BenQ 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With exclusive SolidBurn Technology Black ATA/ATAPI Model DW1650 BK - OEM
Model #W1650 BK
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$35.99 $35.99

Floppy Drives

1 SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Model #:SFD321B/LBL1
** This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model within 30 days only. what's this?
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$6.99 $6.99

Internal Hard Drives

1 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3250824A 250GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250824A
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$103.00 $103.00

1 Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD740GD
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$155.00 $155.00

Keyboards

1 Logitech Internet Pro Desktop 967457-0403 Black PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM
Model #:967457-0403

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$17.99 $17.99

Memory - System

1 CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TwinX2048-3200PT - Retail
Model #:TwinX2048-3200PT

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$178.00 -$15.00 Instant
$163.00

Power Supplies

1 COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:CP-500T

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$54.99 $54.99

Processors

1 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400CDBOX - Retail
Model #:ADA4400CDBOX
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only. what's this?
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$458.00 $458.00

Sound Cards

1 Diamond XtremeSound XS71DDL 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #:XS71DDL

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$57.00 $57.00

Video Cards

1 XFX PVT42EUDE3 Geforce 6800 XTreme 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #VT42EUDE3

$35.00 Mail-in Rebate
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$129.99 $129.99


SubTotal: $1,448.42

 

[Nick5324]

Why buy a case with a PSU when you are buying a PSU seperate? As for the PSU, I don't know anything about Coolmax PSU's (maybe another ATer knows something about this unit); I'd stick with a FSP/Enermax/Seasonic unit.

Since you aren't a gamer, a big AMD advantage, maybe an Intel 9xx chip would fit your needs better. To be honest, I don't follow Intel CPUs close enough to say for sure, I'm sure someone on here will have some insight.

You have two DVD burners listed..... I'm not sure why you want two burners, and even if you do, why you want two different models. Buying these as OEM is fine IF you already have burning software (Nero), but if you don't, a retail kit comes with a copy.

 

[Salamero]

Originally posted by: Nick5324
Why buy a case with a PSU when you are buying a PSU seperate? As for the PSU, I don't know anything about Coolmax PSU's (maybe another ATer knows something about this unit); I'd stick with a FSP/Enermax/Seasonic unit.

Case only comes with the stock PSU and I like the case's looks. Plus its a good price.
OK. I'LL LOOK INTO THE ENERMAX. I had it as my 2nd option.

Since you aren't a gamer, a big AMD advantage, maybe an Intel 9xx chip would fit your needs better. To be honest, I don't follow Intel CPUs close enough to say for sure, I'm sure someone on here will have some insight.

I've seen benchmarks and the AMD's cream all the Intel dual cores and since miltitasking is a big thing for me, Im going with the AMD with the Toledo core. If someone can convince me that the intel D's on an intel MBO is a much more stable system I would recoinsider the Intel 940D .

You have two DVD burners listed..... I'm not sure why you want two burners, and even if you do, why you want two different models. Buying these as OEM is fine IF you already have burning software (Nero), but if you don't, a retail kit comes with a copy.

Wanted a dedicated cd-r/rw at the fastest speed. Same with the dvd burner which I needed with dvd-ram capabilities. The 3rd drive is for redundancy/fault-tolerance, plus it has some features i like! Only 35 bucks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Look at the Antec SLK300-B for a nice $50 case without a power supply.

For 3 different burner models you might need a full (not bundled) Nero, if they're still locking the bundled versions to specific drives.

 

[Salamero]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

For 3 different burner models you might need a full (not bundled) Nero, if they're still locking the bundled versions to specific drives.

Wasn't aware of that. Maybe I'll stick to 2.

 

[GnomeCop]

hmm so far, that looks like a pretty nice build to me taking all those options into account. Where do you plan on ordering? All from one place, or from multiple places?

 

[Salamero]

Right now, all from newegg. It looks like a good price at $1488 w/shipping.

 

[GnomeCop]

wow that is a pretty nice price, you will probably have it all within the week too, good luck with the build!

 

[Crescent13]

K8N NEO4 Platinum
Antec SLK3000-B
NEC 3550A
Samsung Floppy
Seagate 500GB SATAII HDD
Logitech Internet Pro
Fortron 450W PSU
AMD Opteron 175
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
I would get a quadro GPU if you can save up enough money for one because those are alot better for graphic design.
Windows XP Professional


That's what I think you should get.

 

[Salamero]

I won't be overclocking so why the opteron 172 over the x2 +4400? Same specs. Is the opteron that much more reliable/stable?
Also, does the Audoigy 2 ZS have Dolby Digital Live? I plan on connecting my card to my receiver.

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: Salamero
I won't be overclocking so why the opteron 172 over the x2 +4400? Same specs. Is the opteron that much more reliable/stable?
Also, does the Audoigy 2 ZS have Dolby Digital Live? I plan on connecting my card to my receiver.

The opteron is a buisiness proc so yes it would be more stable. Sorry didn't read that part go with the sound card you chose.

 

[drpootums]

if you're not planning on overclocking i'd go with the 4400+ over the 175.

Also, i dont know if this holds any truth, but i heard a rumor that AMD pulled it's support on all non-business Opterons, so if you're not overclocking then i'd definitally go with the 4400+ for the warrenty.

just my $.02

 

[Salamero]

That's what I heard as well. Also motherboard manfctrs. don't seem to offer support either.