Intel Q6600 Photo Editing System - verify my list

[pcunite]

1. System will be used for Photo Editing
2. Maximum $1,200
3. Live in USA
4. AMD Fanboy tired of waiting
5. Will use all new parts
6. I have searched and read threads
7. No overclocking

I am unsure of my motherboard and case.

The parts I have chosen are for stability only. Please sing with me to the tune of Developers "stability, stability, stability". Thank you I feel closer to you now!

If you feel I need to change something I do appreciate your feedback. The motherboard I chose is because of the quality capacitors it has. I just want a stable mainboard to mount my CPU and video card. Would someone prefer a Tyan board? I must admit that I really want an Intel motherboard if a good one exists. I like Crucial brand memory. What kind of case do you recommend?


Parts:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $280
Asus P5K-E $145
PNY VCQFX370-PCIE-PB $150
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX $125
Crucial CT2KIT25664AA667 $160
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS $105


Links:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139001
http://crucial.com/store/parts...odule=CT2KIT25664AA667
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136073

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmz, any p35 chipset is pretty much ROCKsolid. First thing that came to mind was, do you need that qaudro fx ? Didn't know those helped when photoshopping, seeing as Photoshop is pretty much CPU dependant. Second thing, shop around for better deals, the 520hx can be had for 80$ if you get some nice rebates, try clubIT.com for example. Newegg is pretty expensive. I'd rather get this ram for example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220269 It's faster, better timings, similar price. 2x2gb of ddr2 800mhz can be had for 130$ or so if you look around at newegg.com.

And if you're an AMD fanboy, give them till the 19th ? We should be seeing reviews of th Phenom 2.2-2.3ghz qaudcores by then, they might even suit your needs better then an Intel q6600, and come with a cheaper mobo too?

 

[akhilles]

I would get 2 x 2x1gb kits & when the 2x2gb prices come down to what 2x1gb is like now, I would upgrade them all.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...uctCode=85025-5&ps=ho1

For cases:

http://www.compusa.com/product...ven=Performics&cm_cat=**Slick%20Deals**&cm_pla=General&cm_ite=generic%20120gb&ref=performics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16811119137&Tpk=cm690

 

[pcunite]

Ok, this is my list now. I want to stay with Crucial memory because I am their fanboy. I have changed my video card because I don't need the Quadro chipset. I would also like to purchase from NewEgg for the ease of returns should anything be DOA.


Parts:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $280
Asus P5K-E $145
PNY VCG8600GXPB GeForce 8600GT 256MB $120
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX $125
Crucial CT2KIT25664AA667 $160
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS $105
Antec P180B $100

 

[MarcVenice]

Step up the 8600gt to a ATI HD3850 for 180$ or so. You get more then twice the speed for only 60$ extra.

 

[Blain]

I'd use something like the PowerColor 2600XT @ 512MB.

:laugh: Generally my views are...
Gaming - nVidia
Real work - ATI

 

[MrBond]

I just built a similar system for a workstation at work. I used different RAM and the Seasonic equivalent of that power supply (since Newegg was out of the Corsair) and an 8800GTS because the 8800GT was out of stock everywhere and we couldn't wait.

I have the Corsair on my rig (well, the 620 watt version) and I was a little more impressed with it than the Seasonic just because it came with a pouch to hold all the extra cables, other than that they're exactly the same.

I should have Photoshop and AutoCAD installed on Monday, I can post my impressions about the setup if you don't mind waiting until then.

 

[pcunite]

Originally posted by: MrBondI should have Photoshop and AutoCAD installed on Monday, I can post my impressions about the setup if you don't mind waiting until then.

Yes please post I would be glad to hear it. With the /3GB switch on XP 32bit Adobe Photoshop CS3 will actually use 3gb of RAM. One of the few applications that will. So try that too if you don't mind.

 

[AmdInside]

I guess the only suggestion would be to go with a higher end hard drive. I do photography work also and I've gone with enterprise class hard drives for better reliability:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136143

Not too much more as far as price but adds to feeling of stability long term.

As for AMD Phenom processors coming out, I would still recommend Intel mainly because they have the best motherboard chipsets as far as stability is concerned and of course, you can not use AMD processors on Intel chipset motherboards. Yes, I know it is strange to recommend Intel given my username but just think Intel has a better solution for your needs. For case, you may be adding a lot of hard drives to your system over time so I would suggest a quiet case with a lot of hard drive expansion bays.

 

[pcunite]

Another question forum members. I want ECC RAM as I plan on running this as a 8GB x64 workstation. Any suggestions on a motherboard with Q6600 support?

After reading this link:
http://searchwincomputing.tech...d68_gci1251848,00.html

You would think that even at 8GB I will mostly like be fine as I won't be keeping 8GB of data in memory. I will put things into memory and remove them etc. However from now on I am only to buy ECC supporting motherboards...

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: pcunite
Parts:
Asus P5K-E $145

Originally posted by: pcunite
Another question forum members. I want ECC RAM as I plan on running this as a 8GB x64 workstation.
I am only to buy ECC supporting motherboards...

Asus P5K-E + ECC support = :thumbsdown::roll:

For ECC support on a desktop socket 775 MB, you'll need one with one of the following chipsets...
X38
975X
955X
925X
875P (yes there is one... DFI LanParty 875-T)

If you want Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad support, the list get cut down to the 975X or X38.