Need help building new computer ~ PLEASE :)

[jmiasi]

Okay here it is. I'm ordering tonight. Please look this over to make sure everything looks good. I added the 2nd hard drive, although I really wish I could have my 2nd be like 80gb instead of 320gb, I don't need that much. Then I'll add ram through Newegg.

Case
GX Black - Velocity Micro Classic Case - Pure Aluminum, matching aluminum drive covers, 2 x 120mm fans

Power Supply 500 Watt Velocity Micro® Power Supply with Dual Blue Lighted Fans

Motherboard Genuine Intel® G965 ATX Motherboard, 1066MHz FSB, 775-Pin Socket, PCI-Express

Processor Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor E6600, dual 2.4GHz cores, 4MB L2 Cache (+$170.00)

CPU Cooling Arctic Cooling® Freezer 7 Pro Heatsink, Ultra Quiet Fan, Copper Heat Pipes, plus Arctic Silver? 5 Thermal Compound

DDR2 Memory 1024MB Corsair? DDR2 PC5300 DDR667 (1x1024)


PCX Video Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3000

Monitor None

Audio On-Board Integrated 5.1 Channel Sound

Speakers None


Hard Drive 1 320GB Western Digital WD3200JD 7200rpm SATA/150, 8MB Cache

Hard Drive 2 320GB Western Digital WD3200JD 7200rpm SATA/150, 8MB Cache (+$120.00)

Optical Drive 1 20x Lite On® DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner with LightScribe Labeling Technology, Black (+$40.00)

Optical Drive 2 None

Floppy Drive & Media Reader None

USB Drive None


Network Adapter Integrated 10/100/1000MBps Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter

Network Adapter 2 or WiFi Adapter None

WiFi Router None

Modem None

FireWire 2 Integrated IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports, 1 front & 1 rear

USB 2.0 Ports 6 USB 2.0 Ports, 2 front & 4 rear


Operating System Genuine Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Productivity Software None

Security Software None


Keyboard None (-$15.00)

Mouse None (-$10.00)

Network Cable None

Printers None

Printer Cable None

Power Protection None

T-Shirt No Thanks


Assembly Careful custom hand wiring for maximum air flow, assembled in Richmond, Virginia, USA

Quality Assurance Individual custom testing for complete system functionality, signed by the system builder and QA inspector

Documentation Owner's Manual and Accessory Pack

Installation None

Warranty** 3 Yr VelocityCare? Parts & Labor Ltd Warranty, 1 Yr 24/7 Support with Emergency Hours, and On-Site Service (+$99.00)

Upgrade Plan Velocity Micro Lifetime Upgrade Plan allows you to return your system for maintenance, discounted upgrades, and tuning


Subtotal $1403.00

 

[crimson117]

Everything looks good!

On the 2nd hard disk, know that you can get that Western Digital 320GB SATA drive at newegg for about $90, so essentially you're paying them $30 on top of that to install it for you. If you truly don't think you'll need the extra capacity right now, then I'd say don't get it right now. Photoshop will be plenty fast without it.

If you're still considering upgrading the video card later, then I'd suggest you get the video card now (from velocity) and save the hard drive upgrade for later. Adding a new hard drive is pain-free, while adding a new video card can be tricky with all the drivers and stuff.

 

[jmiasi]

Originally posted by: crimson117
Everything looks good!

On the 2nd hard disk, know that you can get that Western Digital 320GB SATA drive at newegg for about $90, so essentially you're paying them $30 on top of that to install it for you. If you truly don't think you'll need the extra capacity right now, then I'd say don't get it right now. Photoshop will be plenty fast without it.

If you're still considering upgrading the video card later, then I'd suggest you get the video card now (from velocity) and save the hard drive upgrade for later. Adding a new hard drive is pain-free, while adding a new video card can be tricky with all the drivers and stuff.

Ohhh good to know. I just really don't even think I'd use up 320gb to begin with, let alone 640gb. So maybe I will dump the 2nd hard drive and add the video card from Velocity. Thanks!!!

 

[jmiasi]

Okay I'm posting this here because I'm getting no replies by posting separately. My plan is to buy 3gb of RAM from Newegg and add it. BUT, my husband thinks I should max it out at 4gb total, even though Vista can only use 3.25gb (correct). But, if I go my way, with 3gb. What's the best way to do it? Buy 3x1gb from Newegg? What about the current 1gb stick that comes with it? HELP Please! My husband keeps arguing with me that I loose way more by only doing 3gb because of that 5% loss plus the .25 I'd lose just by not having 4gb. UGH.

 

[crimson117]

Well it's up to you and your husband If you have the money, go for it and grab that extra .25gb. If not, it's a pretty good spot to save some money.

If you want to have 3GB total, keep the one that comes with the machine and get one (pair) of these:
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail

If you want to have 4GB total, keep the one that comes with the machine and buy
one CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
and one CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[jmiasi]

Okay, I want to do 3gb to save some money. Hubby sees otherwise (even though he doesn't use the computer). So if I go the 3gb route, will I still lose 5% like mentioned above?

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: jmiasi
Okay, I want to do 3gb to save some money. Hubby sees otherwise (even though he doesn't use the computer). So if I go the 3gb route, will I still lose 5% like mentioned above?

Maybe, maybe not. You're not going to notice it anyway. And you can always buy and install that single (fourth) stick later if you think your computer is too slow with just 3GB.

Hubby can chip in $60 and buy the stick for you, then everybody wins

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: jmiasi
If I were to get that 24" Dell monitor, what kind of video card would I need?

If you do any 3D work, then a later graphic card is necessary (not professional level), but just something like 7900~8800

 

[zerogear]

3GB is fine for Vista 32-bit (Considering it only recognizes up to 3.5GB) which leaves you with a memory hole. I currently do graphic design as well as Digital editing, here is my system specs if you want for reference (I use almost all the same programs as you do, nonprofessional though, strictly hobby). 4GB in the future if you use 64-bit later on. Also, just in case those 'gigabyte-memory' application comes out in the future.

If you do a lot of graphic designing, I think a extra drive would definately be nice, since many raw formats take huge amounts of space. But its really up to you, you can also archive everything on DVD if you don't frequently access finished work or such.

I think the main point of your computer should be:
Duo Core
Lots of RAM (3~GB)
If you're doing 2D, don't worry too much about graphics card, 7600~7900 series will do
and plenty of HD space.
If you have spare cash, a RAID array will probably be the best for you.

My system is a little bit dated in terms of chipset, you probably want to go with Duo 2 Core nowadays.

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
AMD 64 X2 4800+
4GB OCZ Platinum PC3200
eVGA 8800GTX
Enermax Liberty 600W (Modular)
X-Fi Elite Pro/E-MU 1212m (I also do music creation)
1x WD Raptor 150GB
1x Seagate 7200.9 250GB
2x Seagate 7200.9 300GB
1x Seagate 7200.10 500GB
1x Hitachi 7200 250GB
1x WD 200GB
1x WD 120GB

 

[jmiasi]

Thanks so much for the replies! I don't do any 3D work. I only do print design and photo work. I also don't access old files often so I will be writing them to DVD's to store off of the computer. I also have a external Western Digital hard drive that holds 100gb (I think)! If you think 4gb is something I'll do later on, no matter what then I would rather add it now.

 

[jmiasi]

Okay, just placed my Velocity order. Now I need to go to Newegg and get the RAM. Any good wireless keyboard/mouse sets that you could recommend? Or are there better places to buy? I also have to buy my monitor too. Trying to decide if I want 2 22" widescreen, or 1 24".

 

[airhd823]

what kind of monitor....a sweet one?

 

[jmiasi]

If I go with the 22" then it will be the Acer if I go with the 24" then it will be the Dell. Hubby thinks I should get two 22" but I don't really think I'd like having Dual Monitors. He does at work and claims its the best. I would rather have simplicity and go with one 24"

 

[zerogear]

I think, if you're a graphic designer, 2 22" would serve you better then a 24", simply because you can do much more work at once (also once you have Dual Core, you'll be multitasking more if you're doing graphics arts). But overall, its really up to you, 24" is nice, but 2 22" will probably boost overall productivity. (I personally went for a 24" since I have desk constraints and I didn't want to have too many monitors cluttering it up, at first I was thinking about 1x 24" and 2 22" panels.. but... cost prohibitive). If you like single 24", then go for that, you won't complain much from either setup . As for wireless, I recommend getting bluetooth sets. I like Logitech, but for their bluetooth, it seems to be a little too expensive. I personally like wired since it provides more precision when I am working on delicate projects (I had an old wireless set that jumped around a little when trying to do the small details. Frustrated me to no end, but it also was a while ago, so they might have fixed it since then). Just make sure you go with Laser/Bluetooth though, if you're going wireless.

I use:
Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (I like Ergonomic keyboards )
Logitech G5 Mouse (This is a gaming mouse, but it has on-the-fly adjustable DPI control from 400 DPI, for detail work up to 2000 DPI (for gaming, haha), it also has adjust weight chamber to change the weight of the mouse)

Both are wired though, so probably not what you are looking for.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: jmiasi
If I go with the 22" then it will be the Acer if I go with the 24" then it will be the Dell. Hubby thinks I should get two 22" but I don't really think I'd like having Dual Monitors. He does at work and claims its the best. I would rather have simplicity and go with one 24"

personally i would go with the 2x22" - much more real estate. i need to make the move myself as i am still on a 17" lcd - working with illustrator/ps/golive/premiere is a pita!!!!2x1680x1050 is what i need

 

[zerogear]

My dream would be 1 30" and 2 24" vertically *drool*