Seeking advice on new i7 build.

[In2Photos]

I am in the process of considering new parts for a PC build. I thought I would run my specs by you guys to see what you think. Before I list the gear let me go over the questions from the sticky!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
This will be for photo editing (LR and CS2), some word processing, and surfing the web. One HD for OS and APPS, one for DATA, and one for Photos.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
~$1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US, likely Newegg.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
No major preferences but have used Asus and MSI in the past, Kingston for RAM, Lite on for drive, WD for HD, so that is what I chose.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I plan on using a 500GB drive that currently stores my photos but that is all.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Sort of - there is tons on info here and I am on overload.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably stock, but I might, so build should reflect the possibility.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Within the next couple of weeks.


OK, with that out of the way here is the list from Newegg.

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - $199.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - $289.99

Kingston 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K3/6GR - $119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $74.99


Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ? OEM - $39.99

ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Video Card - $29.99

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS222-06 - $51.98 (2)

Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P BK Dual 120mm Cooling Fans and Mesh Design Front Panel Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $29.99

Rosewill RP500 500W ATX12V v1.3/ EPS12V Power Supply - $54.99

Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port - $11.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - $99.99

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - $40.99

ZALMAN ZM-CS4A Socket 1366 Clip Support Kit for CNPS9500/9700 - $5.99


Total comes to around ~$1050

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Denithor]

Not certain about LR but CS2 is not multithreaded so you won't see any difference between a $500 e8400 build an a $1000+ i7 build.

Don't stick a crap PSU in there either way - go for the Corsair 650TX ($80AR at newegg).

You can get the WD6401AALS 640GB Caviar Black drive for $5 more (better performance & higher capacity for $5? yes please).

And grab the Xigmatek S1283 with 1366 mounting bracket if you decide to go i7. Cheaper & better cooling performance.

Honestly, though, I would probably build a cheap e8400 system instead for less than half the price.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Not certain about LR but CS2 is not multithreaded so you won't see any difference between a $500 e8400 build an a $1000+ i7 build.

I believe that LR2 is multithreaded and that will be the primary program run on this machine. CS2 is not, but I might upgrade to CS4 (or whatever is out at the time) at some point.

Don't stick a crap PSU in there either way - go for the Corsair 650TX ($80AR at newegg).

I didn't realize that PSU was crap. But I see the Corsair is highly regarded. Thanks for that!

You can get the WD6401AALS 640GB Caviar Black drive for $5 more (better performance & higher capacity for $5? yes please).

I don't know how I missed that!

And grab the Xigmatek S1283 with 1366 mounting bracket if you decide to go i7. Cheaper & better cooling performance.

Cool, I will check that out!

Honestly, though, I would probably build a cheap e8400 system instead for less than half the price.

I thought about it, but I skimped on my last build and regretted it. I don't want to make that mistake again. The i7 will likely be the rig I build.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Denithor]

Well, if you're set on an i7 (and trust me - there's no problem with that) go look at the combo deals on this page. There are a couple of deals for i7 920 + mobo + 6GB DDR3 for ~$500 after rebate. Which would knock a good bit off your build.

Why exactly are you buying two HDDs? Plus reusing another... Drives today are much faster than even a year or two ago. I would suggest two of the 640GB drives, set up as C: and D: with the first for OS/Apps and the second for storage & Photoshop scratch disk. That will net you the best performance you can get without investing your first-born in an SSD.

Enjoy your system, it's going to crunch through your photo work much faster!

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Well, if you're set on an i7 (and trust me - there's no problem with that) go look at the combo deals on this page. There are a couple of deals for i7 920 + mobo + 6GB DDR3 for ~$500 after rebate. Which would knock a good bit off your build.

Why exactly are you buying two HDDs? Plus reusing another... Drives today are much faster than even a year or two ago. I would suggest two of the 640GB drives, set up as C: and D: with the first for OS/Apps and the second for storage & Photoshop scratch disk. That will net you the best performance you can get without investing your first-born in an SSD.

Enjoy your system, it's going to crunch through your photo work much faster!

Thanks again, I will check out the combos.

As to the two drives, I think I might just settle for one actually. The two SATA drives that I already have are not that old (the 500GB was bought just a few months ago and may be the WD Black version, while the 160GB was bought about two years ago). The plan is to use the 160GB for OS and Apps (which should only take about 30GB of space tops!) and then use the 500GB for photos. Now I might use the 640GB for photos and use the 500GB for other Data and PS scratch disk. I started out thinking I could actually do this for around $800 using my case, PSU, and existing drives, but now I think I just want to use mostly new stuff. I am at $1100 right now and that is stretching it (my budget that is) though.

And yes, this machine will fly compared to mine now (a single core AMD 1900+ with 2GB RAM!).

 

[Denithor]

Ditch the 160GB drive. Seriously. Those older drives have considerably slower seek times & transfer rates and it will literally slow down your whole system if you use it as the boot drive.

Instead use the 640GB for OS/Apps and storage of finished work and the 500GB drive for scratchdisk and in-process data.

 

[In2Photos]

If I use the 640GB for OS/Apps I should still partition the drive, correct? I like having "separate drives". So I would have C for OS (~40GB), D for Data(~100GB), and E for Photos(~500GB).

I guess I just feel like I am "wasting" hard drive space for a scratch disk when using 500GB!

 

[Denithor]

Well, I would personally make the C: partition bigger so you can fit your apps onto it. And you could put your Data on the 500GB drive also I suppose. Really just however you want to organize things.

Another idea would be a 300GB Velociraptor for $200 or so as your boot/main drive. Then keep data & photos on the 500GB drive. Scratch disk on VR.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Well, I would personally make the C: partition bigger so you can fit your apps onto it. And you could put your Data on the 500GB drive also I suppose. Really just however you want to organize things.

Another idea would be a 300GB Velociraptor for $200 or so as your boot/main drive. Then keep data & photos on the 500GB drive. Scratch disk on VR.

I will probably make the C drive a little larger rather than spend the extra money on the Velociraptor.

OK, I am about to pull the trigger. Here is the final list. Anything that stands out as bad? I changed the case again. I prefer one that has the front panel connections at the top. This one also has the 3.5" bay at the top for a card reader. Since the case will sit on the floor this makes it easier to access.

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - $199.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - $289.99

STT D3-1333 6GB (3x 2GB) CL8 Triple Channel Memory Kit- $119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $79.99

ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Video Card - $29.99

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS222-06 - $51.98 (2)

Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port - $11.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $59.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail - $99.99

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail - $39.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - $99.99


Total is right at $1100, but I can save about $40 by ordering the mobo, CPU, and RAM from ewiz ($549 for the combo, with free shipping). I would rather order it all from Newegg so I plan on contacting them to see if they would price match.

 

[Denithor]

Looks good.

Kinda goofy to see a 3450 in an i7 build - but if you're not a gamer, that's all you really need, I guess.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Looks good.

Kinda goofy to see a 3450 in an i7 build - but if you're not a gamer, that's all you really need, I guess.

I know, it is cheap!

I have zero interest in games and I have always read that video cards in a photo PC just need to be able to hook up to your monitor basically. So that's where I went with it.

I ordered it today. Newegg actually lowered their prices and there was a combo price on the i7 920 and MSI mobo so I got everything from them for the same price as if I were using them and ewiz.

Total came in at just under $1100 before rebates ($35) and that included two additional 120mm fans.

Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate it!

 

[Denithor]

Keep us posted on how the build goes & how you like it.

 

[In2Photos]

Will do!

I ordered a Dell 2209WA to go with it. An IPS 22" monitor for $225! Couldn't pass that up.

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Keep us posted on how the build goes & how you like it.

Well, it is built and...

THIS THING IS AWESOME!

Man it is fast! LR simply is amazing on this machine. Way faster than my old rig. CPU temp hovers around 25C, System temp at around 31C. Nice and cool!

So here are some photos. They were quick snapshots during the build, that is all. All the shots are here.