Thanks in advance for checking out my build. I am looking to build a computer that will last me the next 3+ years (give or take).
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month.
BUDGET RANGE - 1400-1600 Max
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD Editing (Avid media Composer), CS4 Master Suite (AE and Photoshop mostly, Gaming (Mostly MMOs, WOW, SW: Old Republic, and games not available on my PS3)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, DVD Burner
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com and Amazon
PARTS PREFERENCES: Due to Avid system requirements, Intel CPU and NVidia GPU are required to maximize stability.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes. (to about 3.6ghz or so)
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not until my core programs support multi-gpu.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently, 1680x1050 - Looking to upgrade in the near future to dual 1920x1080)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just looking for the thumbs up to pull the trigger within the next month or so. Below is the list of components I've picked out so far.
CPU: i7 920 D0 stepping
MOBO: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58
RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
HSF: Thermalright CoGage True Spirit 4-Heatpipe Core i7 CPU Cooler
HDD: 3x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
PSU: CORSAIR 750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
GPU: PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case
Thermal Compound: AC5 (though read it takes quite a while for 'curing' and temps to stabilize. Open to suggestions for alternatives. (if that's even a big deal)
OS: Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate 64 bit
1400 and change with CPU purchased for $200 from Micro Center. (100 miles round trip to save $80 seems worth it to me)
Questions:
1) Is 6GB of RAM sufficient? Considering I do more than just game on my computer these days, I'm wondering if 12GB would be better.
2) If I go 12GB RAM (now, or in the future) I'd like to make sure the RAM I have picked out will occupy all 6 slots and still fit with the HSF I have picked out. Not sure how to figure that out, short of buying everything and testing it.
3) GPU has been the hardest for me to decide on. Avid system specs require a Quadro, but they don't perform well for gaming (which I'll be doing some of). Can't have both, so I'm open to suggestions on the GPU. The one I have down was chosen for its price/effectiveness/positive ratings. I'm open to any and all suggestions here.
4) Pretty sure the HAF 922 is wide enough to fit the HSF I chose (but not 100%).
5) I know I have a bottleneck by not going SSD for OS/Apps, but I can't afford it right now. (Or can I?) I'll wait til the price drops on the 120GB's.
Thanks again for helping me finalize my build.
Jason
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month.
BUDGET RANGE - 1400-1600 Max
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD Editing (Avid media Composer), CS4 Master Suite (AE and Photoshop mostly, Gaming (Mostly MMOs, WOW, SW: Old Republic, and games not available on my PS3)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, DVD Burner
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com and Amazon
PARTS PREFERENCES: Due to Avid system requirements, Intel CPU and NVidia GPU are required to maximize stability.
OVERCLOCKING: Yes. (to about 3.6ghz or so)
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not until my core programs support multi-gpu.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently, 1680x1050 - Looking to upgrade in the near future to dual 1920x1080)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just looking for the thumbs up to pull the trigger within the next month or so. Below is the list of components I've picked out so far.
CPU: i7 920 D0 stepping
MOBO: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58
RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
HSF: Thermalright CoGage True Spirit 4-Heatpipe Core i7 CPU Cooler
HDD: 3x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
PSU: CORSAIR 750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
GPU: PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case
Thermal Compound: AC5 (though read it takes quite a while for 'curing' and temps to stabilize. Open to suggestions for alternatives. (if that's even a big deal)
OS: Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate 64 bit
1400 and change with CPU purchased for $200 from Micro Center. (100 miles round trip to save $80 seems worth it to me)
Questions:
1) Is 6GB of RAM sufficient? Considering I do more than just game on my computer these days, I'm wondering if 12GB would be better.
2) If I go 12GB RAM (now, or in the future) I'd like to make sure the RAM I have picked out will occupy all 6 slots and still fit with the HSF I have picked out. Not sure how to figure that out, short of buying everything and testing it.
3) GPU has been the hardest for me to decide on. Avid system specs require a Quadro, but they don't perform well for gaming (which I'll be doing some of). Can't have both, so I'm open to suggestions on the GPU. The one I have down was chosen for its price/effectiveness/positive ratings. I'm open to any and all suggestions here.
4) Pretty sure the HAF 922 is wide enough to fit the HSF I chose (but not 100%).
5) I know I have a bottleneck by not going SSD for OS/Apps, but I can't afford it right now. (Or can I?) I'll wait til the price drops on the 120GB's.
Thanks again for helping me finalize my build.
Jason