Help with a build

[VanTheMan]

This is a build for my gymnastics team. We have a $1000 budget for a ground up build. I've been out of the building game for about a year, so that basically means I'm clueless now. The main thing is has to be able to do is put video out to three screens as it will be used to run media onto three projector screens for a large show.

So far I'm thinking about:

CPU: E6750- $211

Video: 2x EVGA 7600GT- $200 ($160 AR)

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5- $49

Hard drive: WD7500AAKS or WD5000AAKS- $199 or $109

PSU: OCZ 700GXSSKI 700W- $139 ($104AR)

RAM: 2x G.Skill 2GB DDR2 800- $178

Motherboard: I'm not really sure, but how about ASUS P5N-E SLI $127 or ASUS P5K $137

I think that's it, right? I'm also possible open to an AMD based rig as this computer will likely be replaced within 2 years, so future proofing is not a huge concern.

 

[LightningRider]

You might wanna take the E6550 instead of the E6750 if you're looking to save cash. Otherwise it looks solid for a gymnastics machine... Though I don't really know what you're doing with it.

 

[MarcVenice]

can the p5k handle 2 7600gt's ? Not sure. Of course go with the single 500gb drive, or even 320/400gb, around that amount 1gb costs the least, if you buy 2, it should cost less and net you the same or more harddrive space. Not sure if 4gb is needed to project video on 3 screens. The corsair 450w, or the antec earthwatts 500, which I think is on sale at fry's will power that rig just fine, and cost less a fair bit less.

Abit ip35 is on sale at newegg too, comes for 70$ or so, if it handles 2 7600gt's I think that's the way to go.

 

[LightningRider]

ASUS P5K has 2 PCI-Ex16 slots I believe, so it should work with the video cards.

 

[MarcVenice]

I think it's 2 x PCI-E x16 (blue @ x16 mode, black @ x4 or x1 mode)

perhaps x4 will be enough for the 7600gt, it won't do SLI though.

 

[gtsing]

thats looks pree good to me...but...from a money saving perspective, i'd first go with the e6550, or even the e6320. the 7600's look good but im trying to think of an ati solution because ive heard they have superior image quality (+ avivo or w/e the hell) and since you're going to be running video...its just logical but i cant really think of one. case is good, maybe go with a 400gb hard drive, and a 600w gamexstream would be fine, its sli certified if it bothers you. ram is fine although you can find much cheaper kits and i'd go with the p5n-e. hmm also, maybe an optical drive would be a good idea?

 

[VanTheMan]

Alright, I'm fine with stepping down the processor to save cash. I'd like the mobo I get to support quad-core for possible upgradeability. I don't need to SLI or CrossFire. I just need 2 PCI-E slots so I can have two video cards. They don't even need to both be 16x. I'm sure any speed PCI-E slot would be fine since it's just video and no 3D.

This computer is basically going to be a HTPC, only instead of playing theater type movies it will be used to output gymnastics type content and whatnot onto 3 screens. A center screen for main content and two side screens for secondary content. One side screen will possibly be a clone of the other side screen.

I'll check out PSUs with lower output.

Thanks and keep the recommendations coming!

 

[LightningRider]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I think it's 2 x PCI-E x16 (blue @ x16 mode, black @ x4 or x1 mode)

perhaps x4 will be enough for the 7600gt, it won't do SLI though.

I think he just wants to run the monitors out of the card though.