New pre-built ..... advice needed

[bruce ack]

It's time for a new pc and all the research has turned my brain into mush. The goal is a very stable system that will be used primarily for digital photo editing working with .raw ( .nef ) files in the 16-20mb range using Nikon Capture and Photoshop. I am currently not a gamer but I'd like to have a config that gives me a mid-level gaming ability should I get the urge. I know nothing about oc'ing so that is not part of the mix. I want to stay under $2000 and will be using existing peripheral hardware.

As far as the builder goes I've narrowed it down to Monarch. They have a good overall rating and offer cases with washable dust filters. This is important ..... you wouldn't want to have surgery in my den! I considered Velocity Micro but none of their cases have filters. I really wanted to try Maingear having read the Prelude review in HardOCP and had a good conversation with Rafael at Maingear but their systems are all sli which I don't need and the cost is north of $2000. Any insight into Monarch and the quality of their builds?

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to consider this and offering your advice!

Here is my current proposed config along with my specific questions and a link to the Monarch config page to see other component choices:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...n=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=80327



80327 Monarch Furia Custom Workstation (PCI-E) 1 $89.00 $89.00


Case: 100744 - NO PS - Lian-Li PC-6070 Plus Aluminum Ult $145.68 $145.68

This case has a small foam dust filter. Do any of you have this case and is the filter effective? My other thought is an Antec Sonata II also with a dust filter and it comes w/450w psu which would save a few $$.


Power Supply: 100241 - PS 550W - Antec True Power 2 550 SLI ATX $84.99 $84.99

Is this a good choice if I go with the Lian-Li case?


Case Fan: None

Do I need any additional fans for either case?


Motherboard: 110243 - Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E $109.79 $109.79

Any other suggestions? Looking for proven stability and I don't need sli.


Processor: 120241 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Dual-Core 1MB Per $469.74 $469.74

I really have an "itch" for this .....


Thermal Grease: None

Do I need this?


Heat Sink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except with RETAIL


Memory: 140226 - DDR (400) 3200 - 2 GB (2 pcs 1GB) OCZ Dua $251.74 $251.74

I really want 2gb but am open to suggestions as to brand/type. Again performance and stability are key.


2nd Memory: None


Hard Drive: 150939 - SATA3G - Western Digital Caviar SE 250 GB $126.71 $126.71

This drive seems like a good choice but I've read of lots of problems with it. Also I don't know if I should have two drives or not. Photoshop operates best when it uses a second drive as a scratch disk but I have no experience with what that actually means and what the best drive config would be. I have an external drive already. I'd also appreciate some partitioning feedback. I understand the concept but don't know what would be best.


2nd Hard Drive: None

3rd Hard Drive: None
4th Hard Drive: None


RAID Setup: None

I'm not doing a raid config.


CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/CD-RW: 160081 - DVD±RW - BENQ DW1640 16X DVD±RW DL (Black $51.85 $51.85

Good choice or any other suggestions? Will I need the cd-rw/dvd-rom software listed below?


CD-RW/DVD-RW: None


CD-RW Software: 210613 - Ahead Nero 6.3 Suite DVD+-RW Software (OE $15.99 $15.99


DVD-ROM Software: 210600 - nVidia DVD Decoder 1.00.58 (OEM) $15.97 $15.97


Floppy: 170108 - Mitsumi Floppy 7-in-1 USB Card Reader/Sma $46.75 $46.75


Sound Card: 180212 - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 7.1 24- $45.63 $45.63

I listen to music and have really great Klipsch speakers that are sensitive to input quality. Is this choice adequate?


Video Card: 190448 - eVGA GeForce 6800 GS CO 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/ $218.69 $218.69

This card seems ok for mid-level gaming but ATI cards seem to get the nod for 2d sharpness and color fidelity. Any thoughts?


Modem: None
Network Card: None

Round Cable: None

Should I get these?


Operating System: 210111 - Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/Servi $155.72 $155.72

Warranty: 800251 - 24/7 Tech Support, 2 Year $99.00 $99.00

Nero 7 Promotion: None
Molex Connector: None
Video Capture: None
TV Tuner: None

Sales Tax: $0.00
Total: $1,927.25

 

[GamerExpress]

Looks pretty nice.

 

[bruce ack]

Hey there ..... I realize all you forum folk grow tired of posts like mine but I really would appreciate some feedback on the specific areas where I have questions.

Once again, thanks for your help!

Bruce

 

[bruce ack]

Just so you know, this system will replace a trusty 7yo 800mhz Dell so I'm obviously a little behind on the techno curve. I feel like I'm trading in my Focus for a Ferrari!

 

[GamerExpress]

If you go with the Lian Li case, then I would go with something other then the Antec for your PSU....maybe something like a nice Fortron PSU.

Nice choice for MOBO if you are looking for stability.

Can't really say anything bad about the 4400+ (it's just awesome)

Thermal grease is up to you, if you do go with some Artic Silver 5

Memory I would go with some OCZ Platinum for a good mix of price performance and stability

I am a fan of WD drives so of course i say go with that drive

everything else looks good, nice choice on video card, you could go with an ATI card something in the area of an x1600xt.

 

[bruce ack]

Thanks for your input GE. So you think I'll notice a difference between my P3 800mhz and the x2 4400?

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: bruce ack

Thanks for your input GE. So you think I'll notice a difference between my P3 800mhz and the x2 4400?

ROFL, I think you will pleasently surprised!!!

 

[piasabird]

I dont think I would buy 2 1GB memory modules. I have a suspicion some motherboard may not like them. Maybe someone else has some experience with them. If you have 4 memory slots it might be better to use all 4 slots. Too bad you cant buy another chipset that can utilize DDR 500 I saw a report on them. I also wonder what difference using DDR2 would have on something like this.

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2676&p=2

I would want some proof that the new dual processor CPU's are actually better. I would also want to look at some photoshop tests for different processors to determing if there is a significant difference in the processors and what difference the size of the cache on the processor makes.



What kind of evidence is there that a dual core processor does better at photo editing large files? What do benchmarks say about that?

 

[bruce ack]

Come on folks ..... Chime in on this so I can put this to rest.

 

[bruce ack]

Just a bump to get some feedback from the morning crew and to thank those who responded already.

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: piasabird
I dont think I would buy 2 1GB memory modules. I have a suspicion some motherboard may not like them. Maybe someone else has some experience with them. If you have 4 memory slots it might be better to use all 4 slots. Too bad you cant buy another chipset that can utilize DDR 500 I saw a report on them. I also wonder what difference using DDR2 would have on something like this.

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2676&p=2

I would want some proof that the new dual processor CPU's are actually better. I would also want to look at some photoshop tests for different processors to determing if there is a significant difference in the processors and what difference the size of the cache on the processor makes.



What kind of evidence is there that a dual core processor does better at photo editing large files? What do benchmarks say about that?

HUH??? There is absolutely nothing wrong with 2x1gb sticks, it really wouldn't make much sense to go with 4x512 sticks for him. There is no need right now to look at DDR 500 with an AMD setup. Dual Processors are actually better, you don't have to go far to see that, personally I still see some areas where the dual cpu's have a few issues with current games. From what the OP was stating he would be using the machine for....there is no doubt that an X2 will work great for him.