Hello all.
I've never built a computer, and the extent of my hardward/software skills has been adding RAM, hard drives, and video cards to an existing system.
For this reason I'm looking at companies that let you custom build an order by web page.
What I'd like to do is show the specs/price here and get comments on components (so many choices for each piece, it's mostly Greek to me).
I started looking at Uberclok and wound up at Digital Storm.
First, I'll state my intended use:
I do digital photo processing from a serious DSLR camera using Nikon Capture NX2 (single thread application) and Photoshop CS3 (will be using CS4 on the new system).
The type of work I do takes too long on my current system, a P-IV 2.66 (non-hyperthreading) 2 GB RAM system.
I need lots of HD space, and would like to have 3 hard drives (1 for OS, 2nd for storage, 3rd for RAID 1 backup of 2nd hard drive).
OS- I want dual boot, with Windows XP (for my 32 bit software: Capture NX2, CS3, and Vista 64 bit for CS4 and other 64 bit software to come.)
I don't game much anymore, and certainly not seriously, so that's really of much smaller importance.
I had initially looked at getting a system based on an E8500/8600 dual core CPU as my my software Nikon Capture NX2 is singled threaded and thus extra cores don't do a thing to boost performance, it's all based on highest clock speed (mostly). What changed my mind was the 920 being overclockable to the high 3.X ghrz, and the wish to have a system based on the newer platform for possible upgrade options down the road.
Case, I don't care about look, my rig is behind a desk door, I just want cool temps with room to upgrade (I want to run eSATA too).
For budget, I'm trying to stay around/under $2500 or so (I am flexible).
So here is what I built online:
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,861.00
Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=229210 (using this you can go right to the set up page if you want to look at other available components to suggest)
Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Dual SLI or CrossFire) System
Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair XMS3 Power Supply: 550W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive Set 1:
Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: Configure Hard Drive Set 1 in a Raid 1 Mirror (Requires Two Hard Drives) Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x) Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 2x CrossFire Dual (ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Chassis Mods: 950Si Case Only: Processor & Video Card Area: Drill and Mount Two Side Window 120mm Fan Blow-Holes
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability Boost
Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: Yes, Overclock memory frequency (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Dual Boot (Windows XP Home & Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
____________________________________________________
Thanks in advance for any assistance
I've never built a computer, and the extent of my hardward/software skills has been adding RAM, hard drives, and video cards to an existing system.
For this reason I'm looking at companies that let you custom build an order by web page.
What I'd like to do is show the specs/price here and get comments on components (so many choices for each piece, it's mostly Greek to me).
I started looking at Uberclok and wound up at Digital Storm.
First, I'll state my intended use:
I do digital photo processing from a serious DSLR camera using Nikon Capture NX2 (single thread application) and Photoshop CS3 (will be using CS4 on the new system).
The type of work I do takes too long on my current system, a P-IV 2.66 (non-hyperthreading) 2 GB RAM system.
I need lots of HD space, and would like to have 3 hard drives (1 for OS, 2nd for storage, 3rd for RAID 1 backup of 2nd hard drive).
OS- I want dual boot, with Windows XP (for my 32 bit software: Capture NX2, CS3, and Vista 64 bit for CS4 and other 64 bit software to come.)
I don't game much anymore, and certainly not seriously, so that's really of much smaller importance.
I had initially looked at getting a system based on an E8500/8600 dual core CPU as my my software Nikon Capture NX2 is singled threaded and thus extra cores don't do a thing to boost performance, it's all based on highest clock speed (mostly). What changed my mind was the 920 being overclockable to the high 3.X ghrz, and the wish to have a system based on the newer platform for possible upgrade options down the road.
Case, I don't care about look, my rig is behind a desk door, I just want cool temps with room to upgrade (I want to run eSATA too).
For budget, I'm trying to stay around/under $2500 or so (I am flexible).
So here is what I built online:
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,861.00
Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=229210 (using this you can go right to the set up page if you want to look at other available components to suggest)
Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Dual SLI or CrossFire) System
Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair XMS3 Power Supply: 550W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive Set 1:
Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: Configure Hard Drive Set 1 in a Raid 1 Mirror (Requires Two Hard Drives) Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x) Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 2x CrossFire Dual (ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Chassis Mods: 950Si Case Only: Processor & Video Card Area: Drill and Mount Two Side Window 120mm Fan Blow-Holes
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability Boost
Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: Yes, Overclock memory frequency (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Dual Boot (Windows XP Home & Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
____________________________________________________
Thanks in advance for any assistance