Comments on first custom build?

[funkpunk23]

Hi. I'm a designer/architecture student. I've been yearning for a new computer. I've just come into the money to afford one. I decided to spec out the system myself. This has plunged me into a obsessive, obsessive, technical world. I *think* I've finally figured things out.

Requirements:

I don't plan to do any over clocking with the New Boy. Nor will I be playing a lot of games with it. I get me jollies through CAD/3D modelling/graphic design (adobe suite) / a touch o' video work (premier)/ light programming (Processing and scripting in 3d applications) and what-not.

I'm in Toronto, so all prices are Canukian.

I don't want to deal with assembling myself, so I've decided to give a spec to a Canada Computers, a local chain who seem to be reasonably reliable and not *too* grossly overprice.

ASRock 775-Dual-VSTA Socket 775 VIA PT880 Pro: $74
Core 2 Duo E6600: $375
3D Fuzion by BFG GeForce 7600 GS: $110
2 gb of appropriate value RAM: $~250
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 400GB: $165
Thermaltake Matrix VD2000BNS Aluminum Mid Tower: $60
Appropriate PSU in the 300 - 400W range: $70 - $80
total: ~$1100 + tax

I'll still need to get peripheral, monitor, and I'll also be getting a DVD Read/Write drive, that I haven't spec'd out yet.

One of the major questions I still haven't been able to figure out is how important a graphics card is to non-gaming graphics applications. Will the 7600 treat me right? I've also heard tell that you can reflash the memory of a GeForce and change it into a Quatro.

Any comments or feedback would be *greatly* appreciated. Thanks!

FP23

 

[Theangryurchin]

Well it depends on how good of a program your using, and the depth of your rendering.

Verry in depth programs might take a little longer on that card. But it wont' be a major issue like it would be with gaming.

 

[akhilles]

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Socket 775 Intel 965 Express + ICH8 Chipset Dual Channel DDR2 533/667/800 Gigabit Lan Intel High Definition Audio PCI-Express x16 Graphics 6xSATAII All-Solid Capacitor Motherboard Design Support Core 2 Duo Processor

Canada Computers' Warranty: 1 Year (First 30 Days Direct Replacement)
Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years Yes $167.99 $167.99

OCZ (OCZ2G8002GK) DDR2-800 PC2-6400 Gold XTC 2GB (2x1024MB) Dual Channel Kit

Canada Computers' Warranty: 1 Year (First 7 Days Direct Replacement)


$239.99 after $30.00 mail-in-rebate Yes $269.99 $269.99

3D Fuzion by BFG GeForce 7600 GS 256MB PCI-Express

Canada Computers' Warranty: 1 Year (First 30 Days Direct Replacement) Yes $109.00 $109.00

Seagate (ST3250620AS) Barracuda 7200.10 250GB SATA NCQ 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache (OEM)

Canada Computers' Warranty: 90 Days Direct Replacement Only
Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years Yes $101.99 $101.99

NEC AD-7170A-0B Black 18x8x16x dvdr/rw / 8x dvd-r dl / 12x dvd-ram / 48x32x48x cd-r/rw Dual Layer E-IDE 2 MB 160ms DVDRW W/Software

Canada Computers' Warranty: 90 Days
Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year Yes $39.49 $39.49

Antec Sonata II Piano Black Quiet Mid Tower ATX Black 450 Watt Power Supply (ATX12V 2.01)

Canada Computers' Warranty: 90 Days
Manufacturer's Warranty: Housing: 90 Days, Power Supply: 1 Year

Sales and Warranty Condition: every day lower price Yes $108.99 $108.99


Select items to remove

Total $1,061.44

 

[funkpunk23]

"Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Socket 775 Intel 965 Express"

Thanks for the suggestions -- particularly the antec case. I'm curious about the mobo, though -- I know it's sort of, kind of important to the whole computer working thing, but is there a specific reason you recommended the gigabyte?

 

[akhilles]

Price. lol. The cheapest 965P board they have. And it overclocks like mad. Some forum members swear by it. Goes as far as 500fsb, just like 680i.