Build for a friend

[KoolDrew]

This PC is going to be used for graphic work, flash etc.

Foxconn Intel 915P Motherboard
2x Western Digital Raptor, 36.7 Gb, 10,000 RPM Harddrives, configured at RAID 0
Coolmax 500 Watt Power Supply
Antec Solution SLK1650B w/ 350w PSU
pqi Turbo 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin RAM
19' Inch Samsung Flat Screen LCD -Upgrading to Dual Monitors at Christmas
Intel 3.0 Ghz Prescott Processor with Hyper Threading Technology

These are the parts he chose. I know the RAID-0 choice is a bad idea, but what would you guys suggest? Do you suggest getting 2 seperate drives and have Photoshop scratch on one? Also what drives in particular woudl you suggest?

He also picked a seperate PSU. Wouldn't the one with the Antec case be enough?

The LCD he chose doesn't have DVI so what would eb a good choice at around the same price (~$300)

I know nothing about Intel, but Foxcon? Shouldn't he get a better mobo?

 

[Silversierra]

I'd think the antec would be much better than a "coolmax".
I ran my a64 3000+ of the antec 350w for a while and it worked. I now have a 480w.


Here's a lcd that seems ok.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

Here's another mobo possibility(if the cpu is 775).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127182

 

[Mrvile]

I don't know much about Intel, but if your friend isn't going to be overclocking Foxcon makes some pretty nice budget mobos IIRC.

What vid card is he gonna be getting? If he won't be gaming get him a 6600GT. Also, what about that PSU? I've never heard of Coolmax...and even if he won't be overclocking a 385 or 400 watt quality PSU is definately better than a generic POS 500 watt PSU.

As for LCDs, maybe something like this would be good.

And I don't think he really needs two 36GB raptors, they can be quite expensive...if you can convince him to stray away from them you can get a large 300 or 400GBish 7200rpm hard drive instead. Good brands are like Seagate, Maxtor, WD etc.

 

[Promethply]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
This PC is going to be used for graphic work, flash etc.

Foxconn Intel 915P Motherboard
2x Western Digital Raptor, 36.7 Gb, 10,000 RPM Harddrives, configured at RAID 0
Coolmax 500 Watt Power Supply
Antec Solution SLK1650B w/ 350w PSU
pqi Turbo 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin RAM
19' Inch Samsung Flat Screen LCD -Upgrading to Dual Monitors at Christmas
Intel 3.0 Ghz Prescott Processor with Hyper Threading Technology

These are the parts he chose. I know the RAID-0 choice is a bad idea, but what would you guys suggest? Do you suggest getting 2 seperate drives and have Photoshop scratch on one? Also what drives in particular woudl you suggest?

He also picked a seperate PSU. Wouldn't the one with the Antec case be enough?

The LCD he chose doesn't have DVI so what would eb a good choice at around the same price (~$300)

I know nothing about Intel, but Foxcon? Shouldn't he get a better mobo?

Yeah, I think he may just as well get a single 74GB Raptor (quite a bit cheaper than 2 X 36GB Raptors, and not much slower), and get another drive, while for the PSU, the 550W XClio is a better choice than the Coolmax.

If he's using this PC for graphics work and want to use LCD, he should get ones with the DVI connector. But the CPU choice is a good one for its intended use, and believe it or not, Foxconn is the parent company of Leadtek, and supply various components and boards to other board brands, so they're pretty good.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
As for LCDs, maybe something like this would be good.

Very bad idea. For graphics work, speed is less important than color quality, and a 6 bit panel (indicated by the "16.2M colors" spec) is not a good choice. An 8 bit panel (16.7M) is much better, and of course getting DVI goes without saying. If the monitor has DVI, then of course the graphics card needs it as well, and I doubt that the onboard video has the DVI connection that would be necessary.

 

[KoolDrew]

So ProviaFan What LCD weould you suggest?

 

[KoolDrew]

Also he has $1700 to spend on the PC. I was thinking of him going with a Pentuim D, but I do not know anything about Intel really such as what are good motherboards etc. So any suggestions are welcome.

For example when I look at the CPU is says "LGA 775" as the socket type, but when I look at motherboards there is "Socket T (LGA 775)" and "Socket 478/LAG 775." So I am really confused here.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
So ProviaFan What LCD weould you suggest?

Something with an 8 bit panel, like this. I'm not the authoritative expert on best 17 and 19 inch LCDs around the US$300 mark, as I spent a bit more than that on a Samsung 213T and haven't tried anything else long enough to form a decent opinion on it.

 

[andyfasthands]

Dell widescreen LCD's all teh way. Spend less on the hardware, more on the software for graphics...

Link to Dell Monitors (scroll down to wide aspect monitors)

There are usually special deals for these puppies.