Which way to go with this build?

[rb56]

Hi everyone, I'm still trying to decided on the finally parts for my new system. I've narrowed it down to the following for my buget build.

ASUS P5B-E
Core 2 Duo E6400
GIGABYTE GV-NX76T256D-RH GeForce 7600GT
Crucial DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB (x2)
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II
SeaSonic M12 SS-500HM
ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU
Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$1365

These would be the potienal upgraded parts that I would use.

Core 2 Duo E6600
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (PC2 6400)
XFX PVT71JYHF9 GeForce 7950GT
$1668

This machine will be used for Photoshop and video editing. I will overclock it but not to an extreme. Both video cards are fanless which I want. I know the power supply is ovrekill but the modular cabling is worth the extra money to me. The questions that I have are will the upgraded parts make a "big" difference in preformance. Does anyone see any compadability problems with any of the parts?

Thanks for your time,
rb56

 

[dBTelos]

http://tinyurl.com/prdnp
Enermax Liberty 400W w/ SLi

High quality, quiet, modular, and cheaper.

 

[pkme2]

Your video card is great for gaming, but just OK for Photoshop and video editing, IMO.
The C2D E6600 would definitely be a plus for Photoshop and video rendering.

 

[dBTelos]

Why do you need a high-end video card for Photoshop? or Video editing? Do you mean CPU not Videocard?

 

[rb56]

Thanks for the replies. I think I may go with the 6600. Not sure on the video card yet.

I'm wondering how much difference the better memory would make? Anyone have any thoughts?

thanks for your thoughts,
rb56

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Why do you need a high-end video card for Photoshop? or Video editing? Do you mean CPU not Videocard?

A better CPU is better for gaming, for sure. It also speeds up rendering on Photoshop & video editing.

 

[DLM]

here's what you need for a P/S C/S2 rig...

Processor, as much horsepower as you can afford (i'm using a C2D 6300)

Workstation Vid Card, vid card speed and 3D rendering capabilities not all that important, dual monitor support is though. If you want to spend the $$$, get a Matrox, FireGL or Quadro. Matrox is most popular. I'm only using an XFX 6800XTreme with dual DVI outs.

RAM, i'm using 3gigs of Corsair Value Select (latency, lights and heatspreaders are just for the benefit of the owner).

Storage, you have alot listed, but 10K Raptors aren't really needed. I use external PATA's in firewire capable enclosures. Whatever works for you though. YMMV

these are just my recommendation from my little bit of experience, i'm still trying to become fluent in P/S, but the hardware listed here is from experience and photo sites i visit.

 

[Knavish]

Originally posted by: DLM
here's what you need for a P/S C/S2 rig...

Workstation Vid Card, vid card speed and 3D rendering capabilities not all that important, dual monitor support is though. If you want to spend the $$$, get a Matrox, FireGL or Quadro. Matrox is most popular. I'm only using an XFX 6800XTreme with dual DVI outs.

AFIAC workstation video cards (FireGL and Quadro) are optimized for OpenGL performance. (The low end "workstation" cards are just for the business desktop with minimal performance in 2D or 3D.) I doubt they will offer any performance enhancement to Photoshop. Adobe does recommend a video card with more than 128MB of ram for Photoshop, but I don't see any brands endorsed. (I can't say that I've looked very hard).

I also doubt you'll see any performance gain using a Pro-level video card with video editing software, either. If you're a professional video editor who wants to include special effects and graphics (like with Adobe After Effects), a high end card might help. If you're not a serious professional, they're a waste of money. The Quadro / FireGL cards offer a few extra OpenGL features (good mainly for CAD programs), but the main feature is guaranteed driver support. The ATI & NVIDIA pro level are typically a hair slower and MUCH more expensive than the equivalent consumer card.

I personally wouldn't touch a Matrox card with a 10 foot pole. They're years behind ATI and NVIDIA on performance & do not currently support fully Windows Vista. Their main advantage is triple-monitor output. Perhaps video professionals use a PCI version of the Parhelia to output to video monitors while editing video on their non-matrox PCI-e cards.

P.S. If you're using fanless video cards, BE SURE you've got good air circulation in your case. They run HOT. Especially if you're overclocking the CPU.

 

[rb56]

Well here is what I ended up ordering, thanks to everyone for the imput. Now I just need to wait for UPS, hopefully I'll have it by the weekend!

ASUS P5B-Deluxe
Core 2 Duo E6600
GIGABYTE GV-NX76T256D-RH GeForce 7600GT
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (PC2 6400)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB (x2)
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II
ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W
ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU
Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$1522 shipped - rebates ($70) = $1452

thanks again,
rb56

 

[DLM]

rb56, sounds really good. One thing you might look into if you haven't yet is some hardware / software to calibrate your monitor and printer.


enjoy your new rig.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'd go with the hugher cpu and 2gb of ram, the upgraded video card isn't necessary, maybe one of the firegl, or matrox cards for workstation graphics

 

[rb56]

Originally posted by: DLM
rb56, sounds really good. One thing you might look into if you haven't yet is some hardware / software to calibrate your monitor and printer.


enjoy your new rig.

Thanks it's been almost 3 years to the day that I ordered the one I'm using now so I'm looking forward to "retiring" the old 2.8 P4 and it's been about a year since I've built a system so I'm looking forward to it! Hope I can remember where the video card and memory goes.

rb56

 

[Gautama2]

Originally posted by: rb56
I'm still trying to decided on the finally parts for my new system.

Surprised no one noticed this grammatical error. Gave me a good laugh. Lemme guess, you started out your sentence then went back and rephrased it and forgot to confirm verb agreement? Thats happened to me many times.


Sorry for this nonhelpful post, but I couldnt help but point this out.


EDIT: To make this helpful, I figured I'd throw in my opinion. I recall that photoshops uses a lot of ram... so 2gb would help but anything over that would be overkill. E6600 would definately help, 7950gt not so much.

 

[DLM]

Hope I can remember where the video card and memory goes.

you'll do fine, it's like riding a bike (if all else fails you can always read the manual...lol)

 

[rb56]

Just wanted to update, got the parts Friday, built the system Saturday, been enjoying Sunday. Picked up a second monitor and hooked it up this evening. This thing flys!

Thanks to those that gave me some help and ideas.

rb56