New PC - 2D - Review - $2000 CAN

New PC - 2D - Review - $2000 CAN budget

Long,Long time reader - first time poster

New system to support dual monitor setup - one old CRT (probably replace by Xmas with 24in) and one have 22in Samsung flat screen
- not really a game player

This build will be a graphics PC mainly 2D – Adobe Suite CS4 (when i upgrade) -- STARTING (learning) some 3D
-need wireless for broadband (G)

Budget $2000 – Canadian

I will use my old Kandalf Thermaltake box (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1273&ID=1411)
for the new system and buy the NTEC Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case to put my 3 yr old AMD X2 4400+ system into it.

Sites I have been looking @

http://cbit.ca/ - local store no shipping charges

http://www.newegg.ca/

and

most prices below from http://www.memoryexpress.com/ - local no shipping charges - unless noted prices below are quotes unless noted until Nov6-08


Intel Core™2 Quad Processor Q9550 2.83GHz w/ 12MB Cache
$364.99
Stated wanted EO stepping not C1 – not sure if I will OC but just in case
if i get a C1 stepping i will still go for it
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 4(ME).aspx

Corsair TX 750W Power Supply w/ 140mm Fan
Regular Price $114.99 Mail-in Rebate ($20.00)
Only $94.99 Save $20.00 (17.4%)

Got a extra $15 off – found an error on there website – split the difference with them
So after rebate Cost – $80.00
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 9(ME).aspx


RAM Getting 8GB total – OCZ 4GB PC2-8500 Reaper HPC 4GB Edition Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 2GB)
Regular Price $129.99 Mail-in Rebate ($30.00)
Cost - $200
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 2(ME).aspx


Thinking about getting:

MOBO – Asus P5Q Deluxe w/ DualDDR2 1200, 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, 1394, PCI-E x16 CrossFireX
Was $239 now $249 (on quote)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 2(ME).aspx

Is this the same product as above -- (P5Q DELUXE) (INTEL P45) INTEL SOCKET LGA 775 - http://cbit.ca/Product.aspx?ProdID=7826 - $217.95
I think it is but i could be wrong...


OR maybe for MOBO should get

Asus P5N-T Deluxe w/ DualDDR2 1200, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1394, PCI-E 2.0, 3-Way SLI
Regular Price $249.99 Mail-in Rebate ($30.00)
Only $219.99 Save $30.00 (12.0%)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 7(ME).aspx

What do U thing...

D-Link RangeBooster G Desktop PCI Adapter
$44.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 3(ME).aspx

CASE - ANTEC Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case as stated @ the beginning
ATX Super Mid Tower $109.99 -- for old AMD system
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 9(ME).aspx


Graphics Card – memoryexpress suggested

eVGA e-GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 SuperClocked 896MB w/ DVI, HDTV-Out
$329.99 -- Supports Open GL2.1

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 0(ME).aspx

Although I will eventually upgrade to Adobe Suite CS4 (not sure when) -- should be good for 3D rendering -- $329.00
--as stated though supports Open GL 3 and noticed the price popup up to 389.99 Oct22

Seems like a lot of horsepower - not a gamer


Was thinking something like

eVGA e-GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 1(ME).aspx

OR

eVGA e-GeForce 9800 GTX+ Super Clocked 512MB
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 8(ME).aspx

ANY suggestions...what do U think

HDD
Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 10,000 RPM SATAII w/ 16MB Cache
$309.99 -- Cheaper per GB

and probably WD640GB Caviar - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 7(ME).aspx
---------
HDD Configuration

1 physical drive

300GB VelociRaptor - partitioned (C and D)
C drive 10GB -- antivirus technique - virus look for C drive
D drive 290GB -- (vista 64-bit) and Apps


2 physical drive
E drive - 640 - 700 GB WD - DATA - Win Pagefile - WD640GB Caviar - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 7(ME).aspx

3 physical drives
also have 4 older 60 - 80 - 100 - 160 GB GB dives will add 3 addtional to the system

OS Vitsa 64bit

Has enyone every set up a Ram Drive...
any info. .. experiences..

Have my own Wacom Tablet but I have included this
Logitech Cordless Desktop® EX 110
$39.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 9(ME).aspx

$40 Assemble Hardware - 1 yr pars and labout warrenty

total roughtly - $1700 CAN without taxes
have not taken into account any rebates in price estimate


Thanks so much Guys-Gals

DonL

Lunyone's post is very good.

I would recommend an Nvidia GPU as CS4 is designed to work with their CUDA system, however you shouldn't need anything very powerful for the work you are doing so maybe look for something older and cheaper than the GTX 260.

Jeremy

I'd stick with the q9550 actually... the Cache actually makes a huge difference, thats actually a very big reason why it does better in almost every program compared to other processors... yes the architecture is significantly better... but the massive cache doesn't hurt it either

Thanks guys

Think I will stick with Q9550
and MOBO (supports 16GB) Asus P5Q Deluxe w/ DualDDR2 1200 is p45 based mobo, right -- I did suggest to sale person did not really need X-fire
I will take a closer look a different MOBO any suggestion from memoryexpress helpful - I do need dual monitor support, WIFI and the 16GB i need. I think stick with my old Kandalf Thermaltake box...

I suspect i will be doing some mild OC

Good idea with HDD 2 x 640 gb WD AAKS

GPU - Even the 4850 would be overkill, but if you game at all I'd consider the 4850 GPU. It outperforms the gtx260! Do U me something like HIS Radeon HD 4850 512MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out (NOT nividia based) - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Produ [...] 6(ME).aspx

Can U please recommend something on memoryexpress site - http://www.memoryexpress.com/ -- Nividia based

I will add a cheap burner - probably downgrade case to Antec 300 for old AMD system

Nividia based to support CUDA - for photoshop CS4

any further suggestions appreciated

DonL