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Windows 7 workstation - CAD, Adobe CS4, Multi-monitor

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP as soon as I get a good build list & windows 7 is available

BUDGET RANGE: It is the company's money so price isn't much of a factor, but I'd like to keep it reasonable for a workstation <$2500 ???

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Adobe CS4, AutoCAD, Multitasking, Network Administration

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard (G11), Mouse (Habu), 3 Monitors (DVI)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, CDW, Microcenter in person/online, USA online vendors

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel processor, dual/tri monitor setup (DVI)

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe if necessary

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe if necessary

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 3 monitors @ 1680x1050 via DVI currently. In the future I'd like to upgrade to one 24" monitor + 1 extra

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I would like to have the physical build completed by the time windows 7 is released. Quiet operation is a plus. I would like my programs to launch as fast as possible. I would like to try SSD for my primary + and additional fast drive for storage. I would also like to try dual nics either onboard MB or room for an add on card. I would like to have an upgrade path for the future. Upgrades along the way are not a problem, but getting a whole new system is like pulling teeth around here. I'm currently running a P4 from 2003.

More about : windows workstation cad adobe cs4 multi monitor

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definitely wait for the Radeon 5870, There's even rumors of a 5870 X2 by year's end. Though since your company and work is built around graphics tasks, shouldn't you be thinking about a workstation class card like a ATI FirePro or NVIDIA Quadro?

Since you're thinking about future upgrades, that definitely makes the x38 boards the best fit for you. An intel i7 950 would be a good choice, 920 if you want to be modest in what you ask for from the company.

for hard drives, best SSDs are the second gen of intel SSDs if you can find them. Next alternative would be the OCZ Vertex.

or snag a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... quad dvi output, and probably cheaper than the initial ati 5xxx series, although if you want the extra performance the 5xxx will be worth waiting on.

For the rest, I'd guess you're looking at an i7 system with 6 gb of ram (12 if you want to splurge). I've seen some motherboards with dual built in NICs but don't know of a specific one to point you at. I'd start poking around newegg for any combo deals and add them to this post if you want more input.
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Oh yeah, about the dual NICs, you have to be sure your board supports port teaming, port aggregation, or whatever the manufacturer wants to call it. Also, you need to be sure that you're connecting to a switch that supports this functionality too. If you're using stuff at work, it's probably a high quality Cisco one that will certainly have all the bells and whistles, but it would be worth confirming before you waste time on a feature that will never work.

So far... $1700

PSU: Core i7 920 Processor Boxed $199.99
MOBO: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $289.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1333C9 - Retail $269.99
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail $239.99
SSD: OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail $229
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full - Retail $288.99
PSU: SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail $149
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD502lJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM $55

Case: Full or Mid? Quiet if possible. Also, I work in a relatively dusty environment so it would be nice if the case was easy to blow out and/or more sealed.
Else?

There's no reason to buy a Spinpoint F1. The Samsung Spinpoint F3 is brand new and uses a single 500GB platter design, better performance with the higher data density per platter. the Spinpoint F1 uses 2x 250GB platters. Since the F3 is cheaper to produce, it's usually priced around $55 also.

As for cases, I'd go with a full sized tower since they are easier to work with. Antec 1200 is probably the current standard that all other full towers are judged against so I'd start looking there. there are nicer cases out there, but you will pay more for them.

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