Best mobo/cpu/memory/case combo? and place to buy?

[erikk]

Ok I've built my own machines and I've bought prefab machines and I've come to the following conclusion: if you want to get the best available, top of the line, state of the art stuff you build it yourself; if you just want a computer you buy prebuilt. Dell/etc buy components so much cheaper than we can buy them that they can build whole computers for ridiculously low prices but they never use the state of the art stuff (or for that matter even pretty good stuff).

So now I want to build myself a state of the art system; so it's a build it yourself situation. The last time I built a state of the art system (Thunder K7 when they FIRST came out) I had a god awful time getting all the components to match up well and its still not very stable. I'm hoping that this was just a case of a exceedingly picky mobo (STRICT requirements on power supply and memory) and won't plague me on this build but from that I've learned that you want to get at VERY least the memory and power supply "certified" by the mobo manufacturer and probably the easiest way to guarantee this is to buy the cpu/mobo/memory/case in a kit from one place.

So whats the best combo right now (and where is the best place to buy it pre-tested)? I'd prefer a dual proc system and I'd like to use it as a home theater PC but one of my most important considerations is stability; I don't want this thing crashing ever. I plan on running XP Pro on it, and putting in a SB Audigy, DVD writer, and some sort of PVR capable video card.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Zepper]

Erikk et al.,
. As I've often said here and elsewhere, there is no such thing as a generic best of anything. There is only the best for you.
. Since there is almost no consumer-level software that can take advantage of dual processors, why spend the money? Any good single-processor mobo can keep up with the application you've outlined.
. Thus I'd use the new Tyan S2495ANRS Trinity KT400 (best shipped price from a reliable reseller - ProVantage w/ an AMD 1800+ XP (more if you want to spend the money) with a Fanner/Speeze 5F263B1M3G HSF (very effective, quiet and cheap) and AS3 on it (add a copper shim from SVC if you're the least clumsy - the clip on that Speeze is STRONG!). Put in 256MBx2 of PC-2700 DDR ECC CAS2 (Crucial, Kingston or Samsung) (two modules so if something goes wrong with one, you will still be functional!) (ECC for best reliability of RAID array- ref. Linux uptime project), either an ATI-8500 AIW or an SiS-based Xabre 400 w/ 64MB DDR (128MB if you want to spend the money, but not nec. for the app.) and that popular TV tuner card that provides AIW-like functions.
. I couldn't be paid to use a CL sound card. I'd use a Hercules/Guillemot, Turtle Beach or Philips - whatever model covers your needs.
. Not sure on the case. For your app., I would think compactness would ba a plus. Something like the Antec "Lanboy". And I'd use the biggest, slowest, quietest cooling fan(s) in there that I could find and would fit w/o mods. Probably would also treat the case covers with some of that sound-deadening material from SVC.
. Can't go far wrong with a Pioneer DVD burner plus a Pioneer slot-load (or an Artec if you're willing to trade cool appearance (P) for quieter operation (A)) DVD/CD-ROM player to copy from and for general playback to reduce wear and tear on the expensive DVD burner.
. For storage, I'd go with a 4-drive RAID-0,1 array - say 4x60GB or so @ 5400rpm (5400s seem to be more reliable in RAID setups) of the quietest drives I could find. I might add a drive on the normal IDE channels for Boot, OS and progs - just use the array for data files (and a complete backup of the boot drive).
.
Well, that's what I'd do, but I'm one who hates to spend money needlessly - I squeeze my nickles so hard that Jefferson tears up...
.bh.
:beer: