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First time builder. Would like some input on this build.

D

dadams312

Member
First off, I've never once built a computer. This will obviously be a learning experience. I have pieced together a system that I would like checked out. Keep in mind I don't know a whole lot about how to put individual pieces together to get the most out of the money I am spending.

I have $1000 to spend, but am willing to go up to $1200 if it makes more sense and would put together a noticeably better computer.

It will be used primarily for photo editing...but, would like to be able to run some of the new games if I feel the need.

Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Lightroom (which is fairly memory intenstive) will be used the most.

Here is what I came up with, this is all strictly from newegg. I need to add a case that will fit all this in comfortably, but also look decent.

I don't know if the 4gb of memory is needed because I don't know if I should run XP Pro or Vista? I have a copy of XP Pro, I would have to buy a copy of Vista should I go that route.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$119.99


XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$239.99


G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$89.99


ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$179.99


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
$276.99


ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
$26.99

Corsair VX 550W Power Supply - CMPSU-550VX
$67.99 (from buy.com)
Click to expand...

Total: ~$990 plus shipping.

 
Sorry, forgot to mention.

This totals to ~$990.

I would like a CD/DVD drive. I have one from the computer I currently have if I can reuse it, or I'll add that to the total if necessary.
 
Originally posted by: jterrell
nothing at all wrong with that build.

looks like you have done your research well.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Do you think the CPU cooler is a necessary piece for it?

I was also wondering if the Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (45nm) is a better processor? It's a bit cheaper than the q6600 but I don't know much about the performance side.
 
It has more cache, is 45nm, runs at 3.0ghz, but only has 2 cores vs 4 cores. For photo editing, photoshop ? the q6600 will be awesome, but I'd have to see benchmarks where they compare a e8400 and a q6600 in photoshop, because I don't know for sure. For gaming, the e8400 will be better though, and it's of course a little cheaper. You could quite easily overclock the q6600 to 3.0ghz, but the e8400 can be overclock even easier to 3.6ghz or higher.

Last but not least, the case you should get if you were to ask me, is the p182. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16811129025&Tpk=p182 it's 90$ and you won't find many better cases that for less money. It's also very quiet, provides adequate cooling, and looks awesome. Good luck with your build.
 
Originally posted by: MarcVenice
It has more cache, is 45nm, runs at 3.0ghz, but only has 2 cores vs 4 cores. For photo editing, photoshop ? the q6600 will be awesome, but I'd have to see benchmarks where they compare a e8400 and a q6600 in photoshop, because I don't know for sure. For gaming, the e8400 will be better though, and it's of course a little cheaper. You could quite easily overclock the q6600 to 3.0ghz, but the e8400 can be overclock even easier to 3.6ghz or higher.

Last but not least, the case you should get if you were to ask me, is the p182. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16811129025&Tpk=p182 it's 90$ and you won't find many better cases that for less money. It's also very quiet, provides adequate cooling, and looks awesome. Good luck with your build.
Click to expand...

Sounds like I could go either way with the processor then? I'm not doing extreme editing with photoshop, but I use it daily.

Was also wondering if the GIGABYTE GA-P35 would be a huge step down from the motherboard I selected? Not a huge deal, but trying to penny pinch as much as possible without really degrading the system.

I have actually looked at that case and will likely go for it. You think that will hold everything with no issue?
 
Originally posted by: MarcVenice
It has more cache, is 45nm, runs at 3.0ghz, but only has 2 cores vs 4 cores. For photo editing, photoshop ? the q6600 will be awesome, but I'd have to see benchmarks where they compare a e8400 and a q6600 in photoshop, because I don't know for sure. For gaming, the e8400 will be better though, and it's of course a little cheaper. You could quite easily overclock the q6600 to 3.0ghz, but the e8400 can be overclock even easier to 3.6ghz or higher.

Last but not least, the case you should get if you were to ask me, is the p182. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16811129025&Tpk=p182 it's 90$ and you won't find many better cases that for less money. It's also very quiet, provides adequate cooling, and looks awesome. Good luck with your build.
Click to expand...

The E8400 outperforms the Q6600 in Photoshop, although not by much.

Xbit Labs Quad Core Shootout
Xbit Labs Dual Core Shootout

Both shootouts used the same memory, hard drives, graphics, etc.


 
What features do you need in a motherboard? The P35-DS3L is great if you don't need RAID or Firewire. If you want more SATA ports and RAID, the DS3R is good. All boards mentioned can OC pretty well. Don't pay a huge premium for features you'll never use. The IP35 Pro is the crowd favorite because of its uGuru OC'ing and FanEQ software.

If you don't plan on OC'ing, then you don't need an aftermarket cooler. If you'd like to OC, I'd recommend something better than the AC Freezer 7 Pro. I'd suggest one of these instead:
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF (optional $7 Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit; recommended if using w/ quadcore)
$45 - Tuniq Tower 120 CPU HSF
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$50 - ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler ($10 MIR)
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)
 
my personal feelings are that, if you do not know why you need a quad, then you do not need a quad, and a faster dual core will benefit you more.
 
Would I be able to use that video card to it's potential with that motherboard? I've been told that it doesn't support 2.0.

 
I just had that mobo and switched to an Asus P5K.

Read carefully into your motherboard selection. The Abit pro's have some issues. All of them do of course, but I thought they were untouchable until I had one
 
Antec P182 has good ratings, I have just bought one, and it is on sale (Original Price: $169.99 and $89.99 after rebates) plus a free ($20) shipping. Best case deal ever. If you care, here is a detailed review.

IMHO, mainboards are trickiest to pick nowadays, so check thrice before buying.
 
Yes you can use your videocard to it's full potential, the bandwith on PCI-e 1.0 isn't maxed out yet, so there is no real need for PCI-e 2.0. And PCI-e 2.0 cards are backwards compatible with PCI-1.0. Or well, with PCI-E 1.1, like a new revision of PCI-e 1.0, and newer mobo's are all PCI-e 1.1, so don't worry about it. And yes, the p182 will hold everything you intend on buying, and a little more if need be 🙂
 
Originally posted by: kirilus
Antec P182 has good ratings, I have just bought one, and it is on sale (Original Price: $169.99 and $89.99 after rebates) plus a free ($20) shipping. Best case deal ever. If you care, here is a detailed review.

IMHO, mainboards are trickiest to pick nowadays, so check thrice before buying.
Click to expand...

Did the newegg coupon code expire? There was a $30 coupon code to make it $110 w/ free shipping; it comes out to $60AR.
 
everything looks good, a bit overpriced since you're buying from newegg.

you're aware that the mounting mechanism on the af7 sucks right. unless you're ready to shell out another $10 for the lga775 bolt thru. but with that money, u might as well get a tuniq tower...
 
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