Rate my Rig.

[maflynn]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within a month
BUDGET RANGE: 1,000 Before Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: vmware (linux and maybe osx), photoshop, Adobe LightRoom, web development.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com/microcenter.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US)
PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)
OVERCLOCKING: No
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Parts list:

Case: Antec 900................................................................100
Power Supply CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V.......110
CPU Intel Core i7-930.......................................................200
MotherBoard GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R............................220
Memory OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3 1600 OCZ3G1600LV6GK.....178
Video XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512MB.............140
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 500GB...............................50
Optical ????.......................................................................30

I'm really not sure about the graphics card. I'm not planning on playing games but I also don't want an anemic card. I'm not that choosy on the optical drive as well.

Overall, I'm looking for a rig to replace my MacBook Pro, it will be running Windows 7, vmware, photoshop, Lightroom and various incarnations of linux (fedora and ubuntu) in both vmware and as a boot option.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The build looks good, but can be improved in a couple areas. First, are you trying to leave the option open for SLI in the future? I would guess not since you're not gaming and your software doesn't benefit from it. If you're just going to use a single GPU then you don't need anywhere near 750W. This is an excellent PSU that will easily power your system and be a bit easier on the wallet:

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $69.99

I haven't had good luck with OCZ RAM lately, especially the "Gold" series. I would spend a little of the money saved on the PSU on some nice CAS 7 RAM like this:

G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI $189.99

You can currently get the new Antec 902 for the same price as the 900. Actually it's $10 cheaper because it has free shipping.

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $99.99

Here's a cheap 24x SATA DVD burner:

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R SATA OEM $21.99

 

[MadAdmiral]

+1 to all of that.

I'm going to offer another choice for the case. The Antec 900/902 is great, but I find it a little on the expensive side. I'd look at the Coolermaster 690 (with cheap SATA DVD burner), Antec 300 Illusion, or HAF 922.

 

[maflynn]

Great advice, I kind of figured that the case might have been over kill but I wanted to make sure I'd not run into any deep weeds with cooling.

As for the memory and PSU. thanks

 

[maflynn]

Best answer selected by maflynn.