Need help building a $5000 rig

[Throckmorton]

SLI doesn't make video cards burn out

 

[Dricen]

Thanks for all your responses guys! Like I said before though, he only wants 1 monitor, 1 graphics card. Other than that, I'll give him your recommendations so far and see if he likes that. Hes really looking at ibuypower.com though, so I'll tell him about the bad experience you had.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

What about the sound system? I assume that's factored into the price. You can spend a lot on that alone (even if it's just headphones). Or will he be happy with some cookie-cutter 2.1/5.1 Logitech setup?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Tell him he doesn't need a $5000 computer. If he still insists, tell him to ask his mom to buy him a new friend.

 

[Dricen]

Hes not getting a sound system now either, hes using headphones.

 

[mnewsham]

Hes not getting a sound system now either, hes using headphones.

Denon AH D-7000's Im pretty sure match those with a decent amp (1.2k-2k?) that his current headphones wont compare.

Actually to be realistic, these with this.

Or these

or these

 

[mfenn]

I agree with all sentiments along the lines of "he's being a dumbass, don't spend $5K on a computer". It sounds like the OP is part of the choir on this one though, so I'll leave it be.

Thanks for all your responses guys! Like I said before though, he only wants 1 monitor, 1 graphics card. Other than that, I'll give him your recommendations so far and see if he likes that. Hes really looking at ibuypower.com though, so I'll tell him about the bad experience you had.

The problem with a $5K is that it's really hard to "reasonably" blow that much without getting dual-GPUs or a monitor that basically necessitates dual-GPUs. Perhaps you can fake him out with a 6990?

Seriously though, a 30"-er is the only way to go when you have this kind of money to spend. An Alienware Aurora fully kitted out with i7 2600K, 16GB of RAM, 6990, 256GB SSD, 2TB HDDs in RAID1, and a U3011 should come out to around $5K.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Man, 5k on the computer alone. He is a dumbass. You can tell him I said so. Only after he realizes that you choose a computer based on one's needs & wants and not by maxing out your budget, then I'll help. Otherwise we're all just making things worse by feeding this stupidity.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wow, for that money, buy TWO high-end computers, and when one breaks, just switch over to the other one.

 

[mnewsham]

Is it bad that i am tempted to spend more on some headphones then the computer?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Is it bad that i am tempted to spend more on some headphones then the computer?

Nope. I'd say spend more both on the headphones and monitor than the computer.

 

[mnewsham]

Nope. I'd say spend more both on the headphones and monitor than the computer.

Lol at least it isnt only me, i would go with a U2711 and Sennheiser HD800's balanced with a balanced AMP then spend the rest on the rig.

And yes i realize that only leaves about 1k for the rig, but i could manage
But for a better rig i might save some money and get AH-D7000's (balanced) or AKG K701 (balanced). That would leave about 1.5-2k for the rig.

 

[Snakecharmed]

Again, it's a wedding gift from his mom. Say what you want about that, but it's not the groom who is spending the $5,000. That said, I'd build a machine based on Sandy Bridge rather than Gulftown so extra money can go towards accessories that won't go obsolete.

Is it bad that i am tempted to spend more on some headphones then the computer?

I have a friend who bought AKG K1000 headphones. I'd never do that, but I understand.

(Says the guy who intends to buy a $350 2.1 Class T amplifier to drive a pair of Wharfedale bookshelf speakers and a 10" The Speaker Company subwoofer for his desktop.)

 

[gevorg]

Is it bad that i am tempted to spend more on some headphones then the computer?

And what headphones would be that? Hard to beat $995 Audeze LCD-2.

 

[mnewsham]

And what headphones would be that? Hard to beat $995 Audeze LCD-2.

Sure you can, Sennheiser HD 800 balanced. (not the regular the balanced pair) $1,649.99

The AKG K701 Balanced for 650 bucks would probably come close WITH a decent balanced AMP.

 

[Dricen]

Ok, seriously, stop talking about how stupid he is. I know this, you are just spamming the thread. He's going to spend $5000 on ONE computer and ONE Monitor and there's no way around it. So please if you have nothing to contribute don't For those that are trying to help with this ridiculous request, thank you very much!

 

[mnewsham]

How do you spend 5 grand on a SINGLE GPU computer anyway? Grow up and get SLI or get out and stop asking for something that need not exist.

 

[gevorg]

Sure you can, Sennheiser HD 800 balanced. (not the regular the balanced pair) $1,649.99

The AKG K701 Balanced for 650 bucks would probably come close WITH a decent balanced AMP.

HD800? Ugh! To each their own I guess.

 

[mnewsham]

HD800? Ugh! To each their own I guess.

They are overpriced i agree, BUT if you haven't heard them dont judge.

 

[sandorski]

One word: Peripherals

Gamepad, Joystick/throttle, FFB Wheel(get one of those Chair setups too), etc etc. Might as well not forget the important parts with that kind of budget. Going AMD for video with a 3 Monitor Eyefinity setup with Stand seems logical as well. The actual PC is going to change in a few years regardless of what you buy now, so loading up on parts that will last beyond it just makes the most sense IMO.

 

[parks853]

He could get a really nice monitor, a top end computer, something to stream video to from the computer, a huge NAS and a sound system. I'm trying to be cheap as possible and put together a home network that allows sharing and backing up of all files (from MAC and Win), time machine backups, streams media to my TV, and have a quick computer for normal task and encoding videos. I know my task would be much easier with $5000 instead of using old parts and buying little as possible.

So my vote would be for a high end computer, but not ridiculous not needed things, and all the networking to surround it, making everything easier for the whole house. I would much rather access my media from my couch using my laptop, with my tv and surround sound. The computer is for working or playing and won't benefit much stand alone in an office. Maybe pay a professional to come in and set everything up including a server, home entertainment, and a top end PC all with tech support and warranty.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a Mac Pro yet. He can get a 12 core for $4,999.

 

[anyusername]

With that kind of money I'd be getting 3x 30''IPS monitor and run quad-sli...

 

[TheStu]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a Mac Pro yet. He can get a 12 core for $4,999.

For a gaming system it is lacking. Someone else suggested a dual xeon system though.

Honestly, I definitely second the recommendations to get a great pair of headphones and amp. Maybe a solid 2.1 system for when he wants to take the headphones off. It is reasonably difficult to setup a 5.1 setup correctly, and unless he has a dedicated computer room he probably won't be able to do it anyway.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

For a gaming system it is lacking. Someone else suggested a dual xeon system though.

Honestly, I definitely second the recommendations to get a great pair of headphones and amp. Maybe a solid 2.1 system for when he wants to take the headphones off. It is reasonably difficult to setup a 5.1 setup correctly, and unless he has a dedicated computer room he probably won't be able to do it anyway.

Anyone who's got to have a $5000 computer just to have a $5000 computer isn't going to know it's lacking as a gaming system.