Please: Help build a computer under $1200

[alexseven7]

Can anyone help me in configuring a computer. I will use it for Photoshop, illustrator, visual studio for programming. and i want to get into video editing in the near future. I do work with a lot of open applications at once. My current system is pentium core duo 3.0mhz with 2.5gb ram 500 mhz ddr 2 I beleive, nevida geforce6800 256mb, monitor resolution is 1920 x 1200.
Through my research i think i could buy a intel q6600, evga 8800gt, 3 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 - 1 TB on a raid. Thats all I have so far. I"m not sure if those are the best components, Can anyone help me configure a good machine, i probably will not overclock it since i dont know how and dont want things to get hot, and I'm afraid to water cool it. I need processor, video card, hard drives, memory, computer case, power supply recommendations. I can go over the 1200.00 a little if it is worth it. I really appreciate anyone that can help me. I've read a lot of reviews, but it is so confusing. Thanks in advance.

Also i'm running Windows xp pro now, should I upgrade to vista? Don't include the O.S. cost in the system. I have a 200.00 budget for an o.s. system separately.alexseven7
Gerbil In Training

 

[mexpedip]

here it is.

MOBO - x38 so you can, in the future, xfire at full x16 speeds.
GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

RAM - very good DDR2 800 @ 1.8v
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

HDD's total of 3
Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148335

Heatsink
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
and
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

GPU - may not need the 1gb version but I chose it because of the video editing. 512mb version would save $40.
SAPPHIRE 100242-1GL Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102759

PSU
OCZ OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

CD/DVD Burner x2
LG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X 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 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149

Case
Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042


The MOBO I selected can OC that CPU to 3+ghz by selecting "turbo" in bios and leaving everything else on auto. Pretty easy and the heatsink will take care of the heat. Total build price before mail-in-rebates and shipping = $1130.83.

 

[o1die]

Check fatwallet for a link to tigerdirect.com special. For $259 (no rebates), you get a quad core q6700 cpu (no heatsink), case with 450w ps, sparkle 8500gt video card, and 20x ide dvd burner. Staples has a maxtor 500gb hardrive for $50 (also linked at fatwallet), newegg has open box cpu coolers; get one with 92 or 120 mm fan mounted sideways. The egg also has some good deals on memory. 2x2b will run you about $75 less rebates for pc6400. Newegg has an asrock p43 twins 1600 board for around $78 shipped. And vista basic 64 bit is around $90 at newegg. Figure about $45 for the cpu cooler; total will be around $600 shipped.

 

[zenmaster]

Vista-64 w/8gb of RAM is really a must for this build.

#1 - If you are going to do development work, you MUST verify the software under both x86 and x64.

#2 - You can use VMWare for Virtual Machines for Testing. With a 64-bit Host you can have both 32-bit and 64-bit Clients. With a 32-bit Host you can only have 32-bit Clients. Therefore a 64-bit OS is required if you are serious about any type of programming.

#3 - If you are going to be running multiple VMs, more ram the better. 8GB is the most you can reasonably put in a system at this point in time.

#4 - I would Recommend Against RAID. Run Two Independent Drives and backup from one to the other. If you must run Raid, you still need at least one HDD that is outside of the RAID for backup. Neither RAID-1 nor RAID-5 is a substitute for a backup.

 

[dirtmountain]

For no hardcore gaming (single socket motherboard) with RAID, no overclocking, video editing here's my suggestions
Motherboard - Asus P5Q SE/R $103
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335
CPU - Q9550 $325
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
Memory - 2x2 GB DDR2 800 1.8v $57 after rebate might want 2x2x2x2 for more RAM for editing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731
Graphic card - HD4670 $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102792
Case/PSU combo - Antec Sonata and 500w Earthwatts power supply $80 (case is biased to quiet rather than cooling)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024
Hard drives - 3 of these 640GB at $80 each = $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Alternate roomier and cooler case choice -Coolermaster 690 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
Alternate power supply - PC Power and Cooling 610w $80 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
Alternate graphic card - HD4850 $140 after rebate for more power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

I'd go with Vista Home Premium 64