Another First Build Question

[orlowskij]

Hey everyone. I am planning on building my first system over the summer, below is what I came up with so far. I will mainly be editing photos and doing some 2D CAD work, but I will also be doing a little 3D CAD and after effects stuff as well. I'm at school for engineering now, so I have labs to go to for the really graphics intensive stuff. I don't do much gaming now, but I will probably get into it a little once I have a rig that can handle it. I also don't plan on overclocking it right away, but imagine i will start tinkering with it at some point. I would like to stay as close to 2 grand as possible with all my hardware and the OS. Let me know what you guys think, where I could save some cash and where I should drop more. Also, anything important that I'm missing (other than graphics card) that I would need to put this together? I'm a rookie builder so I don't want all of my parts to get here and a missing cable stop me from booting up the system. Thanks.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel - $50
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 - $227

Mobo: ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express - $193
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131028

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $159
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

GPU: No idea really, looking for some help on this one

PSU: SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply - $123
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817151027

HD: 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - $160
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

DVD Burner: Sony NEC Optiarc Black 18X DVD+R 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - $34
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152079

DVD-ROM: ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $22
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827135143

Monitors: 2 x ViewSonic X Series VX922 Black-Silver 19" 2ms DVI LCD Monitor - $490
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824116375

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM - $140
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116059

That puts me at about $1600 without a graphics card.

Edited to change OS

 

[EXT64]

Looks great, I'm glad you already did research and chose high quality parts.

As for the GPU, I suggest waiting at least until the 14th when ATI's R600 comes out. No benches are out yet, so we don't know its exact performance numbers. At least it will drive prices down a little. It's either the R600 or an 8800GTX/GTS for a high end system like yours.

 

[alcattle]

Looks like a nice system, couple suggestions
For 2 monitors I would go ahead and get the 8800 GTS 640mb, more than most people need but with 2 monitors, better to go with a little moe power.
I really don't think you need 2 optical drives, so unless you have a program that has to stay loaded, one would work.
The motherboard is also above what you need, but Wi-FI might be a kicker for you.
I think you can get XP Pro OEM version for less and with all the parts, the store will not have a problem selling you that version.

 

[orlowskij]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't even realize to get the OEM Windows version, but I will be buying everything at from the same place so that saves some cash. Looked around a little bit more, here's what I came up with now.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel - $50
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119077

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 - $227

Mobo: ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express - $193
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131028

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $159
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

GPU: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $390 (Is this overkill?)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130071

PSU: SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply - $123
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817151027

HD: 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - $160
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

DVD Burner: Sony NEC Optiarc Black 18X DVD+R 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - $34
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152079

DVD-ROM: ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $22
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827135143

Monitors: 2 x ViewSonic X Series VX922 Black-Silver 19" 2ms DVI LCD Monitor - $490
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824116375

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM - $140
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116059

Total is now at about $1900 with a few rebates, but I won't be purchasing for at least a couple weeks so the price on the GPU should drop a little. And as I asked in the first post, are there any other little things (other than keyboard and mouse) I need or should buy so that I can put the whole thing together? More fans, cables, etc.?

 

[alcattle]

The case comes with two fans which is all it holds. Not great but with out overclocking and high room temopatures, you should be ok.
There are a couple things you could do if you are worried and have the budget.
Still would drop 2nd DVD.

 

[orlowskij]

I had a question about the optical drives. I usually make a lot of copies of dvds I produce, can burning programs handle burning 2 simultaneously from the hard drive? I was thinking about stepping up to 2 burners. If not, I'm going to keep the second drive for straight duplication.

 

[scoot241]

I don't think the 640MB card is overkill in this case, with two monitors and I don't know how much the CAD depends on the video card.

I did notice that you're looking at the WiFi version of the P5B Deluxe, and I don't think getting the WiFi version is worth it. I don't know how you plan on connecting your computer to the Internet, but the board has two Ethernet ports on it. If you're really set on using WiFi, any number of WiFi PCI or USB cards will do the trick. If you have a particular router with a speed-enhancing feature, buy a card that matches it instead of the generic card that's included with the P5B WiFi. The "standard" P5B Deluxe is also about $20 cheaper.

Good choice on RAM; however, make sure you set the voltage and timings manually in the BIOS. The BIOS will set the RAM slower than it can go.

If you do decide to overclock, look into a nice heatsink. The C2D comes with a pretty decent heatsink, but doing a good amount of overclocking will require a better one. Thermalright's Ultra-120 is excellent.

Since you're in school for engineering, check to see if your school offers MS products at a discount or even for free. At LSU we get Vista Ultimate, XP Professional, Office 2007 Professional, and a bunch of other MS programs for free.

 

[lunyone]

I had a question about the optical drives. I usually make a lot of copies of dvds I produce, can burning programs handle burning 2 simultaneously from the hard drive? I was thinking about stepping up to 2 burners. If not, I'm going to keep the second drive for straight duplication.

I like to use 2 drives, 1 ROM and 1 Burner. This is so I can put source disc (ROM) in and desitination disc (Burnable DVD/CD) in at the same time. Then I can start my burn process and leave the computer and come back later, when I have more time. If you just sit at the computer during the burn process, than you can just use one, but that isn't what I do.

My 2cp

 

[billdcat4]

I would get either this monitor:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009089
24" 1920x1200 for 20 more

OR

one or two of the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116060

all 22" 1680x1050 displays


OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001095
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112006


not sure what you need 2 screens for? Could it be like photoshop or something? Like needing a second screen for toolbars and stuff?

Anyhow, I would go with 1 screen. Anyhow those 2ms "gaming" displays are way overpriced. You can almost get a 22" for the price of one of those.
If you are gonna spend that much but want extreme screen space get two 20" benqs for 380 dollars. More screen space than dual 19" squarescreens and less cash to boot.

 

[tach]

the dual optical drives is kind of pointless. besides you can only use a direct burn on music CD's as DVD's need to be decoded on to the hard drive because of CSS and sometimes need to be compressed to fit on most DVD media

save the cash and stick with one

 

[billdcat4]

the dual optical drives is kind of pointless. besides you can only use a direct burn on music CD's as DVD's need to be decoded on to the hard drive because of CSS and sometimes need to be compressed to fit on most DVD media

save the cash and stick with one

what if one breaks? I like having 2 drives bc I can keep a game disc in one.

Anyhow its fun

 

[tach]

the dual optical drives is kind of pointless. besides you can only use a direct burn on music CD's as DVD's need to be decoded on to the hard drive because of CSS and sometimes need to be compressed to fit on most DVD media

save the cash and stick with one

what if one breaks? I like having 2 drives bc I can keep a game disc in one.

Anyhow its fun

cant disagree with you there i use two ODD's myself. just to keep a game i am playing often in it. Having the second drive a non burning drive also allows you if you have burned copies of games that wont work in burners such as HALO. but if your trying to save money you could always buy a second drive later on.

 

[orlowskij]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to keep the second optical drive. I had 2 on my last computer and like the convenience of having a second one. For $20 I think it's worth it. As for the monitors, I'm definitely going to stick with 2 as well. For editing photos and videos it's really nice to have a second screen to keep clips etc. on. Bildcat, your probably right about not needing 2ms screens, I'm going to look into some of the others you suggested. Scoot, I don't need the wifi on the motherboard, I'm going to go with the regular P5B Deluxe. That's cool that you guys get such cheap/free software. At Penn State we get discounts on some stuff, but the only OS is the Vista upgrade. I'll probably post a revised list a little bit later.

 

[billdcat4]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to keep the second optical drive. I had 2 on my last computer and like the convenience of having a second one. For $20 I think it's worth it. As for the monitors, I'm definitely going to stick with 2 as well. For editing photos and videos it's really nice to have a second screen to keep clips etc. on. Bildcat, your probably right about not needing 2ms screens, I'm going to look into some of the others you suggested. Scoot, I don't need the wifi on the motherboard, I'm going to go with the regular P5B Deluxe. That's cool that you guys get such cheap/free software. At Penn State we get discounts on some stuff, but the only OS is the Vista upgrade. I'll probably post a revised list a little bit later.

mm thanks for listening about the lcds. Buy what you like, its just that those lcds are mad expensive. Personally the most I would get would be one 22" Samsung.

 

[Malaga93]

while reading i noticed that you are going to build in summer, in summer ATi and nVidia DX10 war will start, and big price drops, since maybe r600 will be a lot better in DX10.If r600 shows like a DX10 superior go with the HD2900xt, or HD2900xtx if you can afford, overall great quality products.

 

[orlowskij]

Ok, so I've updated a few things on my list. I haven't changed the LCDs yet, I'm going to the store later so I hopefully I can see a few in person.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel - $50

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 - $227

Mobo: ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express - $180

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $159

GPU: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $390

PSU: SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply - $123

HD: 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - $160

DVD Burner: Sony NEC Optiarc Black 18X DVD+R 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - $34

DVD-ROM: ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $22

Monitors: 2 x ViewSonic X Series VX922 Black-Silver 19" 2ms DVI LCD Monitor - $490

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM - $140

One more question. Should I get a sound card for what I'm doing? Or will the onboard sound be good enough?

 

[scoot241]

I can't tell you if the P5B Deluxe's onboard sound is good or bad; I already had an Audigy 2 ZS and stuck it in without even trying the onboard sound. I've heard of issues with it, but I'd recommend trying it out and if you're not satisfied then get another sound card.

If you do want a different sound card, Creative is the company to look at. Their newest cards are the X-Fi line.