Hello, this is my first post, just joined- thankyou your welcome!

[locam]

Hello everyone,

Good to be here - hope I can add something. Anyway,

I learned how to turn on a computer in 2005 on a Dell 3000.
Since then I have bought several used dells and am ready to move on.
Good or bad, I have seven people (computers) that depend on me as an administrator.
I can cut/copy-paste. I still have trouble a lot of trouble with scripts but I read everything I can get my hands on -
but at the end of the day I'm a first year student; I know more than some but way less than
you do.

I'm a why kind of guy. I like knowing how things work but what gets me going is knowing why they work. So there is no way that you can be too detailed when you explain things to me.
And I don't mind hearing your way of doing it even if I all ready consider myself proficient in it. What I find, is that hearing it from a different perspective deepens my understanding.

So with that being said, I am going to build my next computer. I'm not asking you to do my homework. But I could definitely us some pointers from the more experienced.

My goal is to build the best computer that can be upgraded and added to for years to come. Even if it becomes the "backup computer", I want it to be strong enough to be considered a excellent work station into the next decade.

Here is my draft list of parts that I've come up with.
My budget is 1,500.00.

Lian Li PC-V2010 $269.99

ASUS P6T DELUXE LGA1366 Socket X58 ATX Motherboard $301.99

INTEL CORE i7 920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU OEM $285.00

G.SKILL 6GB(3X2GB)240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM SDRAM
DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory $161.99


150GB VelociRaptor SATA 3GB/s 10K RPM / 2.5" Internal
Hard Drive Enclosed in a Backplane ready 3.5" enterprise
class mounting frame with a built-in heat sink $214.99


Visiontek Radeon X1600 XT Video Card X1600 XT XGE $ 70.00
(VERY WEAK WILL BE FIRST MAJOR UPGRADE)

PC POWER & COOLING S75QB Silencer 750w Quad (Black)
Power Supply, SLI & 80+ Certified $130.00
______

$1,494.00

I know I'm weak on the video card. Pointers?
I still need (want) a 24" monitor that will run excellent color for photoshop, video editing,
My boy is eight so he will be playing some games (secondary) but for the most part
this is a work station that will have open 5 to 8 apps at a time many read write cycles
heavy photo shopping. I use WinRAR and eventually I would like to be able to watch videos
with dvr capability.

What parts am I missing? What parts are incompatible?

EDIT: I do not plan on overclocking. American parts, I have no parts available that would work in this system- so all parts have to be purchased.
Sorry about rambling on.

 

[Syran]

#1 Check ou tthe ASUS P6T from newegg, if you are a newsletter subscriber, you can pick it up for $220 w/ Free shipping.
#2 No need for the Raptor, pick up a 640GB WD Caviar Blue or Black for $60-75
#3 Cases are a personal choice, but you may want to check out a Thermaltake Armor or Armor+, great cases, tons of room. Lian Li does make a good case.
#4 You don't have your profile set, so I don't know where you are other then somewhere in the US (assumption based on "American Parts"), but if you are near a frys or microcenter, they have the i7 920 for $230
#5 If you don't want to spend money on the video card, at least get a Nvidia 9800GT or AMD 4830, they are $30-50 more (depending on rebates) and offer a much higher bang for your buck.
#6 The PC Power and Cooling is a good PSU, might also want to look at the corsair 520W or 620W Modular PSUs.

 

[locam]

I will spend some time reading on your suggestions, and will sign up for neweggs newletter!

I'm in the frozen midwest, not real close to a fry's.
I guess the reason for the velociraptor is the incredibles seek time.
I had (waiting for parts) a precision 450 with 15k seagates and xeons
a dinosaur but way faster than this consumer grade dimension.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Just to give you some food for thought.

I made a switched to a raptor for both my machines from an old Maxtor Atlas 15k 36g u320 drive and I have to say, "raptors? PPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF" sorry to sound childish about it but when I first stepped up to my SCSI drive, it has been the biggest WOW ever since. And that's why I'm selling mine (sig). Going back to SCSI

 

[Boobs McGee]

Originally posted by: Syran
#1 Check ou tthe ASUS P6T from newegg, if you are a newsletter subscriber, you can pick it up for $220 w/ Free shipping.
#2 No need for the Raptor, pick up a 640GB WD Caviar Blue or Black for $60-75
#3 Cases are a personal choice, but you may want to check out a Thermaltake Armor or Armor+, great cases, tons of room. Lian Li does make a good case.
#4 You don't have your profile set, so I don't know where you are other then somewhere in the US (assumption based on "American Parts"), but if you are near a frys or microcenter, they have the i7 920 for $230
#5 If you don't want to spend money on the video card, at least get a Nvidia 9800GT or AMD 4830, they are $30-50 more (depending on rebates) and offer a much higher bang for your buck.
#6 The PC Power and Cooling is a good PSU, might also want to look at the corsair 520W or 620W Modular PSUs.

These are great points. I would also emphasize the video card choice. Don't bother with a card that old, when you can get a better performing modrange card from the current generations for close to the same price. Also the raptor is IMO a bad choice considering some of the things you say you would like to eventually do. You could get the 640 as suggested above and add another 1TB drive for less than the raptor costs.

 

[fairenough]

Heya, just wanted to say welcome to you on your joining here. I think you'll love it. It's an amazingly helpful and knowledgeable community!

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: locam
I could definitely us some pointers from the more experienced.

My goal is to build the best computer that can be upgraded and added to for years to come.
Even if it becomes the "backup computer", I want it to be strong enough to be considered a excellent work station into the next decade.

You can build an "excellent work station" PC today, if you bump your budget up.
But trying to pull that off for the "next decade" is asking too much. :roll:
Try and be realistic, tone down your dreams and you can build a very competent computer that will last you several years.

Just say the word, IF you do want to build a work satation PC that will up STRONG over the next several years...
We can do it for you, IF you can budget for that. :thumbsup::laugh:

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: locam

My goal is to build the best computer that can be upgraded and added to for years to come. Even if it becomes the "backup computer", I want it to be strong enough to be considered a excellent work station into the next decade.

If you are in it for the long term I would slash your budget 50%+. You are running a marathon---not a sprint. In months, not years, faster hardware will be cheaper and more capable --- saving cash up front will allow you to upgrade components incrementally on those 'can't miss' deals. And the next decade is less than 11 months away - LOL

.... for the most part this is a work station that will have open 5 to 8 apps at a time many read write cycles heavy photo shopping.

An e8400 with 6-8Gb of RAMs and multiple hard disks for scratch. Extra cores and hyperthreads will be of little benefit in PS. For less than $400 you may spec an e8400/P43-45/8Gb ram combo that will wear out that i7 in PS - and with a slight OC will thump it by 25%!. And then there is this e8400/X48 combo. Probably not for the faint of heart but with some tweaking has an incredible upside.

If you have to quad there are some great cost-effective Phenom II 940 combo deals - some with excellent video options.

That Lian is a great case but you can get an Antec twelve hundred with the same number of drive bays with a bunch o' fans and better ventilation for $200 less - and free shipping on top of that.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 $50 With Promo Code EMCLNLP42


Tom's Photoshop CPU Chart

Photoshop - Phenom II 940 and i7 920


:thumbsup: to the Egg Mail list - use multiple orders to take advantage of multiple combo deals and promo codes

 

[locam]

Author Icon
BTRY B 529th FA BN
Platinum Member

"Just to give you some food for thought.

I made a switched to a raptor for both my machines from an old Maxtor Atlas 15k 36g u320 drive and I have to say, "raptors? PPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF" sorry to sound childish about it but when I first stepped up to my SCSI drive, it has been the biggest WOW ever since. And that's why I'm selling mine (sig). Going back to SCSI"




I like the precision 450 with U320/SCSI. It's blazing fast compared to the other C's that I
have but its also starting to flake me. When I bought it came clean and I loaded a retail XP PRO and I've had so many crashes that now I have to call Micro#$pft when I reinstall.

The only reason that I was looking at the 10K WD was because of the 3GB/s - figured that it would run much faster paired with the i7. The only faster one I could find was the Intel's SSD
that was reviewed here at anantech.

 

[locam]

Originally posted by: fairenough
Heya, just wanted to say welcome to you on your joining here. I think you'll love it. It's an amazingly helpful and knowledgeable community!

Thanks man, I like the reviews and seems like a "knowing community" Not a lot of tude here - I like that.

 

[locam]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: locam
I could definitely us some pointers from the more experienced.

My goal is to build the best computer that can be upgraded and added to for years to come.
Even if it becomes the "backup computer", I want it to be strong enough to be considered a excellent work station into the next decade.

You can build an "excellent work station" PC today, if you bump your budget up.
But trying to pull that off for the "next decade" is asking too much. :roll:
Try and be realistic, tone down your dreams and you can build a very competent computer that will last you several years.

Just say the word, IF you do want to build a work satation PC that will up STRONG over the next several years...
We can do it for you, IF you can budget for that. :thumbsup::laugh:

So what kind of a bump are talking? Another grand? I guess the reason that I was thinking that if I incorporated the 3gb/s - i7 architecture that it would give me 3 years of front line
use and then move it back into secondary position until it became one of the kids computers.

All though I would've like to have seen the USB3 on the motherboard.

 

[locam]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: locam

My goal is to build the best computer that can be upgraded and added to for years to come. Even if it becomes the "backup computer", I want it to be strong enough to be considered a excellent work station into the next decade.

If you are in it for the long term I would slash your budget 50%+. You are running a marathon---not a sprint. In months, not years, faster hardware will be cheaper and more capable --- saving cash up front will allow you to upgrade components incrementally on those 'can't miss' deals. And the next decade is less than 11 months away - LOL

.... for the most part this is a work station that will have open 5 to 8 apps at a time many read write cycles heavy photo shopping.

An e8400 with 6-8Gb of RAMs and multiple hard disks for scratch. Extra cores and hyperthreads will be of little benefit in PS. For less than $400 you may spec an e8400/P43-45/8Gb ram combo that will wear out that i7 in PS - and with a slight OC will thump it by 25%!. And then there is this e8400/X48 combo. Probably not for the faint of heart but with some tweaking has an incredible upside.

If you have to quad there are some great cost-effective Phenom II 940 combo deals - some with excellent video options.

That Lian is a great case but you can get an Antec twelve hundred with the same number of drive bays with a bunch o' fans and better ventilation for $200 less - and free shipping on top of that.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 $50 With Promo Code EMCLNLP42


Tom's Photoshop CPU Chart

Photoshop - Phenom II 940 and i7 920


:thumbsup: to the Egg Mail list - use multiple orders to take advantage of multiple combo deals and promo codes

It's going to take me a little bit to work through your post. I'm going to check this out.
Thanks

 

[locam]

If you are in it for the long term I would slash your budget 50%+. You are running a marathon---not a sprint. In months, not years, faster hardware will be cheaper and more capable --- saving cash up front will allow you to upgrade components incrementally on those 'can't miss' deals. And the next decade is less than 11 months away - LOL

So sticking to the tried and true hardware that has already seen its price decrease is what your saying here?

I did want to build this with the view of letting my boy play some of the faster games (once in awhile) would they utilize the extra cores? Does ps even use multi-cores?

I'm definitely game for saving money. And if I can build a computer that will not freeze on me when heavily in ps or multi-window (severals apps) mode for less money I'm all for it.

 

[imported_wired247]

locam - core i7 is very feature-rich, and a great platform. The whole thing is a system on a chip. But subtract those features (integrated memory controller, and quickpath) the inner workings of the CPU cores of the i7 are quite similar to the core2 series, from what I understand. The feature-rich platform could very well revolutionize PCs and change the way we use them, particularly in the future. But right now... I am not convinced that the added cost gives you enough extra performance at the current time. DDR2 and 3 are comparable at the moment. But for every $300 motherboard that exists today, there will be a sub-$100 motherboard in a year. You're concerned about freezing in PS or during multitasking? That's precisely what a core2quad can accomplish for you today. And meanwhile, you get a motherboard for under $100. And 4GB of ram for $50.

Core2quads are still very much state of the art, and we are fortunate that they are so affordable right now. The core i7 is ahead of its time.



Oh wait... I forgot the cardinal rule of PC building. If you have the money do whatever the hell you want!

 

[locam]

I've always held back and let them work the kinks out of cutting edge before.
I think I just got caught up in the speed frenzy.
You guys have answered a lot of my questions, and saved me about a grand, or at least steered me into
getting a lot more for the money I spend.
I think I'll wait on that i7 until prices drop, maybe by that time they'll have incorporated USB3.

I appreciate the advice! It will take me a little while to work through it all and do the research (footwork),
I know you guys are speed freaks and like the over clocking thing and my pc probably seems pretty boring
but its more the doing it myself and learning it as I go. I'll be back.

 

[imported_wired247]

actually what I've found about this forum is that most people here are value freaks, not speed freaks.

when it comes to my own builds however, I tend to make my own decisions rather than do what everyone else has done. that usually ends up costing me a few extra bucks, but I've always been happy with my decisions in the end.

Example... I doubt anyone on AT would recommend the PSU in my signature, but it is a perfectly good, reliable, modular, beautiful PSU that came with quality cables and all for a decent price. Most people would tell you to forget about RAID-5, and indeed my raid card cost more than my mobo. In the end, I have a great performing RAID array that I'm very happy with. It's all about what you want to accomplish.


glad to be of service. good luck

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: wired247
actually what I've found about this forum is that most people here are value freaks, not speed freaks.

You're a little off...
They're speed freaks until the bill comes due, then they slowly turn into value freaks.
They have big eyes at first, then narrow their focus when it comes to shelling out real bucks on their "dream PC".
At that point they just fall back on the default AT gaming system config. :laugh:

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: locam
The only reason that I was looking at the 10K WD was because of the 3GB/s - figured that it would run much faster paired with the i7. The only faster one I could find was the Intel's SSD that was reviewed here at anantech.

3GB/s = interface limit. This is not the same as actual transfer speed. Many drives are marketed as SATAII or 3GB/s, but this is only a compatability "standard". Fast SATA drives like the Raptor may exceed 1.5GB/s in exceptional circumstances (SATA150 interface limit), but 3GB/s is going to happen.

 

[imported_wired247]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: wired247
actually what I've found about this forum is that most people here are value freaks, not speed freaks.

You're a little off...
They're speed freaks until the bill comes due, then they slowly turn into value freaks.
They have big eyes at first, then narrow their focus when it comes to shelling out real bucks on their "dream PC".
At that point they just fall back on the default AT gaming system config. :laugh:

True true

 

[MegaVovaN]

It is impossible to build a computer that will last you 10 years. PERIOD. Spend $20,000 now and I will build a PC for less than 1000 in 10 years that will rape your $20k monster.

Here is what I recommend:
Spend about $800 on a gaming system TODAY, then in 4-5 years build another system from scratch.
$110 mobo LGA 775 with 4 memory slots ddr2
$165 Dual core CPU like e8400
$100 or less for 8 GB RAM (ddr2) [or buy 2x2 gb for $50 now then look for hot deal on another 2x2gb
~$150 two fast 640 GB disks (one for system other for scratch photoshop work)
~$150 gaming video card (dont know much, maybe 512mb 9800GTx or spend about $225 for 4870 1gb
~$80 quality PSU about 550 watt (corsair)
~70 on a decent case

This totals to $825. You'll need a copy of Windows Vista too.

Four-five years down the road you build another one, replacing everything except case (yes hard drives should be replaced too).

Forget about USB3. Don't wait for anything - when core7 will become cheap, something will come up again, just like now core 2 duo are cheap and look core 7 is there.

3 gb/s is max interface speed. your hard drives are around 70 mb/s


This is mid-high end PC now, and you will build another mid-hi end in 5 yrs, this will give you, on average, MUCH faster performance than spending $2-3k on a PC now and seeing it old and useless in 7 years.