Can I build a computer this powerful?

melorock

Distinguished
Apr 26, 2009
17
0
18,510
A computer to the specifics of a full topped out Mac Pro?

• two 2.26 - 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 (8-core)
• 32GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 memory (easy)
• 4 HDD slots - up to 4 TB memory
• four PCI Express 2.0, four USB, four Firewire 800 slots
• Mini DisplayPort and DVI (dual-link) for video output

I want to build a professional recording studio, and I want the ability to do album covers, art, and amatuer music videos. I wish to do some gaming as well. A major workstation that'll hopefully last me 5, 6, 7, or more years (albeit a few upgrades here and there).

But I don't want to pay 6 grand and up.
 

royalcrown

Distinguished
Maybe except for the 4 pcie slots, your gonna need a server board, and other than a skulltrail, I haven't seen any server boards with more than 2. Also I just priced out a server with dual 5500 xeons and 48 gig of ram and it was about 6 grand at newegg, so I'd say no. You gotta give up some slots I think or find some 2000 dollar mb if there is such an animal.
 
ok, so i priced what you want (give or take) to about $4200

Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X8DAH+-O Dual LGA 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182176
2 x pcie 2.0 16x, 4 x pcie 8x (1 in 16x slot), 1 x pcie 4x

CPU: 2 x Intel Xeon E5530 Nehalem 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117184

CPU Cooler: 2 x Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093
yeah, overkill, but it will keep those CPU's really cool

Memory: 4 x SUPER TALENT 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 SDRAM ECC Registered
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609459
48GB of memory with 6 more slots to fill :)

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R487D5-1GD Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125256
GT120 is OEM only, no retail, and if you want to make this a hackintosh, it's compatible

PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS910
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022
it's hard to find a low watt 2 x EPS connector

HDD: 4 x Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
fast, big, and reliable (good warranty)

ODD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
its a DVD writer

Case: Thermaltake Eureka
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133011

Firewire: 2 x StarTech 2 Port FireWire 800 + 1 Port FireWire 400 PCI Express Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158091

EDIT: added firewire cards, video card (needed displayport), changed CPU