QUESTIONS on New Q6600 Mutli Task Machine

[jeremysecondary]

I am building a system that is not used for gaming, but rather for heavy multitasking that includes lots of open windows with Photoshop, iTunes, outlook 2007, Firefox (usually at least 5 of them open at once), Acdsee, Audacity, word, etc. all running across two monitors. I am not sure about Raid 0 for the multitasking because I haven’t done it yet. I don’t think that I will be overclocking the machine initially. I need to error on the side of reliability as this is a work machine as well.
The questions I have are as follows:
1. Should I run it in Raid 0 or just run the OS on a good sata drive?
2. GPU, which one is sufficient for 2 X 24” monitors at 1920X1200?
3. What is a sufficient power supply for this machine?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817371002
4. Do I need a CPU Cooler?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223
5. Is a floppy necessary?

System thus Far:
Monitors:
2 X Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor 1920x1200 http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-5647

Case:
Antec P180B (already have)


CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017
$290
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050
$129.99
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
RAM: Patriot 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model PSD21G8002 (x4) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220088
$47.99 each GB (4GB Total)
or
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565
$140.00 for 4 GB

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102061
136.99
OR
SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102075
152.99
OR
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130082
$269.99
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
HD for OS: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (x2) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148142
$130.00 for both
RAID 0
Or
Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136033

Storage:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136
$119.99

DVD: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072
$39.99
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PSU: Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 100 - 240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941
$109.99

OS:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116059
$139.99
Or
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204
$114.99

Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 Black Card Reader
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223073
$9.99

 

[Dante_Jose_Cuervo]

Hmm... well it all looks quite well. I'd recommend having the OS and the apps on a raptor and then have your larger files on a big hdd. Other than that it looks like a pretty kickass system. That GPU is fine for what you're doing, now I would say that you should get like an 8600 or an 8800 GTS, but it doesn't seem like you're doing any gaming so just go with the Radeon for now. My only concern right now would just be getting a larger PSU, but other than that you're looking good.

I don't think a floppy is necessary, but if you want one I guess you can get one. Personally I'd use the card-reader in a floppy emulation mode, but that's really it.

 

[guanyu210379]

I think this RAPTOR series are not worth it, they are too expensive compares to the performance output and a little hot. You can also try the RAID settings if you like fast HDDs.

Floppy? why not? It cost less than 10 dollar.

VGA? I say go for 8800GTS.

CPU cooler? it depends on your uses, (OC or not, do you can stand it loud or not). For non OC and light OC than go for Artic cooling freezer, for medium OC go for zalman cnps9700, for heavy OC go for liquid.

More but unuseable power means a waste of monthly electricity bills. Not enough power will cost your own system.And also, it depends on your uses, (OC or not, do you can stand it loud or not) and future planning. For your plan I think go for 600W, this 550W gives no extra space if you want to add extra components (other new HDDs, extra RAM, drive, etc.)