Suggestions before final build

[captblarney]

First off let me say that these forums have been invaluable while I mulled over various options, so thanks!

This is my first build, and i'm tying to build a relatively beastly box. Before I put the order through on newegg, just wanted to see what everyone thought and hear any suggestions for potential tweeks.

The 411:
1. I will be using this PC as my home box for personal and business (programming, web dev, mobile dev, audio/video/multimedia production, etc ). I do zero gaming however, I will be using this box to run a DAW as the center of a home recording and audio setup for my living room. I expect it to get moderate to heavy use for audio/video editing/production. Eventually I hope to have a condenser mike with phantom power integrated to the setup (drum machine, turntables, etc). My interests continue to broaden so i want it to have the cojones to handle anything i might decide to jump into. Funds are not always readily available for this sort of thing so I want this build to last me for 3-5 years, probably with some minor upgrades along the way.

2. Budget around the 1700-2000 mark.

3. Buying through newegg (because i know...)

4. Minimal brand pref. Quality varies by product.

5. Current parts: WD external hardrive.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads: Yes.

7. Over Clocking: I plan to do some moderate overclocking (just get my feet wet as someone else put it) but not much, which is one of the reasons i went with the quad core. Possibly more down the line but, little experience with it --> i have to read up on it.

8. WHEN: Within the next month.

My current plans look like this:

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827135156


(2) - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152100


GIGABYTE GV-NX88T512HPV1 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125088

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827135143

Creative 70SB046A00003 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series Sound Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829102014


PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703009


Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC34G1333LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220278


ASUS P5KC LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131188


Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9300 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115043


Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835154001


Probably could have gotten this done a little cheaper but I feel like i'm getting good value for what its costing (agree/disagree?). I've gone back and forth over the cpu, but i think the quad suits my needs/situation best. Any suggestions, comments, or somthing blatant i've missed would be great (Plan to add two 22in lcd monitors to the setup, but have to read up in that forum for brand suggestions. Might even pick up a mouse and a keyboard somewhere). Thanks for the help.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: captblarney

1. I will be using this PC as my home box for personal and business (programming, web dev, mobile dev, audio/video/multimedia production, etc ).

Might even pick up a mouse and a keyboard somewhere). Thanks for the help.

Please give us more information about the video production you're planning.
As far as keyboards goes... Bella makes very nice keyboards for different editing applications. :thumbsup::laugh:

 

[DSF]

In terms of value, I have to disagree with DDR3. The performance just isn't there to justify the enormous price jump over DDR2. Your CPU speed, video card and quantity of RAM are far and away more important than RAM speed. The difference between the fastest and slowest RAM is generally around 6% at the most.

Also, 750W is considerable overkill even if you plan to add a beefier video card down the road. Any of these power supplies would serve you fine and cost considerably less:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151027
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/203270716.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007

If you really want more than 500W:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/206178324.html

Notice that buy.com has better PSU prices than Newegg. Those Corsairs are a steal at that price.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

If you're looking for something to last a bit, I'd look for another motherboard. That one isn't bad, but considering you already have gone with ddr3 memory, I would suggest a board that only supports ddr3 (perhaps one that natively supports a 1333/1600mhz fsb). That way, you could have more than 4 gigs in the future if need be.

What about the case? Is this going to be a mid-tower, or a full-size? Is a quiet case essential, or cooling (I like coolermaster and antec personally)?

Another thing I would point out is the x-fi card. Asus makes some pretty competitive designs (http://usa.asus.com/products.a...odel=1989&modelmenu=1), and this has x-fi, but the hardware seems a bit more flexible (they sell better opamps and such..) http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php . Their other products besides the x-fi you might want to look at. I have a feeling quality is your aim here- the x-fi reduces overhead, and is awesome for gaming with eax beyond 2.0, but some cards out there have better snr and other stats.

I would take a consideration look @ the thermalright 120 extreem (with a scythe kaze fan), or the zerotherm nv120- both cool well and are relatively quiet.

I agree that with the broad usage you'll be putting the computer towards, a quadcore may be best. Def stick with 45nm if you go dual.

looks like a solid build

 

[captblarney]

Blain,
You weren't kidding, sweet kb.
Nothing too heavy on the video production end. No massive decoding/encoding. A client has a series of spots they want to post to a website. Production is done but i'll need to get it to a web friendly format. I'd expect more of the same. Not nearly as much video work as audio however as i learn more i'm sure the video workload will increase.

I know the video card is not great but I was getting a little close to my cap and i figured i could upgrade that if I started doing more video work. Just from my reading (and because i want this box to last) i'm concerned about heat, so i didnt want to put a killer video card in there thats going to heat things up without addressing the heat problem (although i've heard good things about the Tuniq Tower). I could see going with a better graphics card but only if its worth it. Might have to scale back in a few other sections (especially after seeing those Bella boards)

DSF,
Point taken. Could easily scale back there. ty.


Comdrpopnfresh,
Full size. I was trying to decide between the a Lian Li and Antec thermal cases but i a.) wanted to get all my internals set because i've heard of people having trouble fitting some setups into some cases b.) have yet to address the wiring issue.

Good suggestion on the x-fi. I forgot to mention that i already had the creative x-fi card as well from my last box. I had planned on upgrading the card when i bought the mic and phantom power, but I do have someone who will give me a couple bucks for the SB, so it probably makes sense to get the the x-fi now.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: captblarney
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827135156

Cheaper and just the fact I own a few samsung drives.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151171

(2) - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152100

I would avoid the 750GB F1, as it is using the old drive platters while the 1TB version isn't. I would suggest either of these two drives instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827135143

You don't even need this if your purchasing the DVD burner drive...

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703009

For a non-gaming machine this PSU is beyond overkill and it is going to be noisy due to it uses a single 80MM fan. I suggest this (even though it too is overkill).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139002

Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC34G1333LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220278

DDR3 is absolutely not worth the price at the moment, please stick to DDR2 for now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146785

ASUS P5KC LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131188

Just about ever motherboard that lets you mix both DDR2 and DDR3 have issues. Just stick with DDR2 for now.
I suggest...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128087

Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835154001

It's big and heavy. Their are better heatsinks on the market than it now. I suggest one of these...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233012
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835887011

Your lacking on OS(althought with the creative stuff I suggest staying away from vista) and Case btw.

 

[DSF]

There's nothing wrong with the graphics card you chose - it's no slouch. If anything I was going to recommend that you cut back on the graphics card, unless you're pretty sure you want the option for gaming in the near future.

 

[captblarney]

Any favorites in the scaled back graphics card department?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: captblarney
Any favorites in the scaled back graphics card department?

Just go with onboard graphics. That's all you're going to need.
Spend the extra $$ on a VelociRaptor HD.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

^^ agreed on the hdd. I'd get an 8600gt or 8400gs. Onboard will take away from your system memory too much

 

[Urtho]

Originally posted by: captblarney
Any favorites in the scaled back graphics card department?

XFX GeForce 8800GS 384MB - $100 AR

Fairly cheap card that can still handle moderate gaming needs. If you're sure you won't be gaming, one of the lesser/cheaper models would probably suffice. You can pick up an 8400GS for around $35 right now that should handle basic desktop tasks.

 

[captblarney]

Urtho, that looks like a nice card for the money. I need a card with two DVI ports for the dual monitor setup, and an svideo would be nice. Considering i dont plan on doing any gaming, is there any reason to go that route vs a 8600 like this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121097


Also,
I decided to go with two samsung f1 750gb hdd set up in raid. How would a raptor fit into that configuration? I was thinking i could run the os off the raptor and use the f1's for storage. Is this the most efficient way to use each drive?

 

[Urtho]

Originally posted by: captblarney[/b]
Urtho, that looks like a nice card for the money. I need a card with two DVI ports for the dual monitor setup, and an svideo would be nice. Considering i dont plan on doing any gaming, is there any reason to go that route vs a 8600 like this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121097

For a gaming system, the 8800GS is about is as low powered of a card as I'd ever recommend. Since you're absolutely sure you're not gaming on this system, go down the list from there and find a card with the features like 2 DVI ports you want for a price you can live with. The card you linked should be fine FWIW.

I decided to go with two samsung f1 750gb hdd set up in raid. How would a raptor fit into that configuration? I was thinking i could run the os off the raptor and use the f1's for storage. Is this the most efficient way to use each drive?

If that's your choice, your planned setup should work ok although using RAID0 for data storage isn't the best idea really. If you're running a raid backup solution than that should be fine but RAID0 is too risky for my liking if critical business work or unreplaceable data such as family photos is involved.

I like to run at least 3 logical/physical drives on my systems:

C - OS
D - Games
E - Data storage

You can play around with how this is managed, and for your needs you can obviously omit the D partition here. On my current system I'm running only 1 physical drive and 3 partitions. I didn't bother with a second physical drive as the E partition on this drive is more than large enough for my storage needs at this time.

EDIT -> Oh yeah and if you don't plan on gaming than get that 8800GS and send me the copy of COD4 if you don't want it. I'm sure I can find a use for it.