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Student film maker's new 1st build (~$1700)

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week
BUDGET RANGE: ~ 1700 including monitor(s) Before Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: editing using probably avid, maybe premiere, other cs5 suite esp. photoshop, homework, hulu, limited games (favorite game is whatever ‘civ’ is hanging around.)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: mine? united states – san antonio, texas
PARTS PREFERENCES: us
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, seems scary
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, if worthwhile
MONITOR RESOLUTION: unsure

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am a beginning student filmmaker and tired of the lack of access that we have to the editing lab. I want to get a new computer as the one that I have currently is not up to the task. I don’t see myself using that much HD editing, as our school uses the canon xl2 almost exclusively. it shoots in dv in 24p but no HD. we use avid xpress pro at school on a mac and i guess that i am used to it, but i feel comfortable with premiere as well.
I’ve been looking at the following items, I got the suggestions from a mishmash of other posts I saw on the website. I hope that I could get some suggestions on it. I left some wiggle room for a monitor or two, or another GPU for sli or crossfire (if it helps with editing), or maybe something I totally overlooked. Never tried to build my own computer. Thanks for any help in advance.

Currently pre-selected components:

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119160

PSU: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active ...
Item #: N82E16817171036

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225

COOLING: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ...
Item #: N82E16835103065

MB: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128423

MEMORY: G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231260

GPU: ZOTAC ZT-20109-10P GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814500152

OTHER: LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106325

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151192


Current Subtotal: $1,394.90
Shipping: $16.54

More about : student film maker 1st build 1700

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I use photoshop as well and do a lot of editing with iMovie so this is what I'll do for you:

DVD Burner 20.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Case and PSU 195.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

CPU and Motherboard 478.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Harddrive 70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU and Memory 290.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Monitor its up to you and heres the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=19&n...

The total for the computer is: $1053.00

I hope you like the parts I picked out and this computer is fast enough for anything you throw at it. I picked a i7 and GTX 260!
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This is what I would go with. I like the six core for rendering. I forgot the power supply, but i'm under your budget enough that you could go with whatever one you want.


ASRock 890FX DELUXE3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:890FX DELUXE3
Item #:N82E16813157196
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$179.99 -$25.00 Instant $154.99

GIGABYTE GV-N250OC-1GI Rev 2.0 GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Model #:GV-N250OC-1GI Rev 2.
Item #:N82E16814125285
Return Policy:VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$149.99 -$5.00 Instant $144.99

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor Model HDT90ZFBGRBOX
Model #:HDT90ZFBGRBOX
Item #:N82E16819103849
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$309.99 $309.99

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9
Model #:TR3X6G1600C9
Item #:N82E16820145222
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$189.99 $189.99

SAMSUNG EcoGreen F2 HD154UI 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:HD154UI
Item #:N82E16822152175
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$109.99 -$10.00 Instant $99.99

ViewSonic VP2365wb Black 23" IPS LCD Monitor w/4-port USB hub, height&pivot adjustment
Model #:VP2365WB
Item #:N82E16824116421
Return Policy:Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$339.99 -$40.00 Instant $299.99

LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA Model WH10LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
Model #:WH10LS30 OEM
Item #:N82E16827136181
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$149.99 $149.99


Subtotal: $1,349.93

Best solution

It looks like you have a solid base build there.

For editing purposes, you don't need the latest and greatest graphics, but especially with the Adobe CS5 suite, you may benefit from CUDA support, so stick with the Nvidia card. I personally like XFX. I'd feel more confident in one of their models like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

You're going to want a LOT of harddrive space. Grab at least two of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Partition the first for OS and other programs / editing suite / personal files and use the other as your work / capture / storage drive. (You do have an external for back-up right?)

From what I've seen, the Adobe suite really likes the Hyper threading of Intel, so while I prefer AMD, Intel's probably the right choice here. I like your choice of CPU and mobo. You remembered to have Firewire for that camera. :D 

Since you're not working with HD, you really don't need that much RAM immediately. I'd start with 6 Gigs and add to it later when the need is there (and RAM prices are more reasonable.)

For project back-ups and eventual HD work, I'd suggest a Blu-Ray burner. You can never have enough back-ups of projects (and the footage.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I like your case choice and the the power supply should be adequate, but you may save some cash and have a more robust power base with this combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

From there, I would plan on two monitors. The improvement in your workspace is worth it. You should be able to fit two 22-24" monitors (with 1920 x 1080 res. of your liking) in for less than $400.

Finally thought, I know you said you have an OS.... but just make sure it's 64-bit. CS5 is FINALLY a 64-bit suite. I recommend 7.

thanks to everyone for your advice.

i really enjoy the amd system that i am on right now, and i was really thinking about the amd systems proposed. from everything that i had read about the preferences of the nles that i am working, i was leaning towards the intel system i initially started with. shane and shado's comments pushed me over the edge and i pulled the trigger on the i7-920 machine. i made some impulsive decisions but here is what i ended up with for better or worse. either way, i am excited about building my first system.

CPU AND MB COMBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930
Item #: N82E16819115225

MB: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128423

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197

MEMORY: G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231260

PSU: COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W ATX12V v2.31 SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817171053

COOLING: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ...
Item #: N82E16835103065

GPU: ZOTAC ZT-20109-10P GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814500152

MONITOR: SCEPTRE X270W-1080P Black 27" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824112019

HARD DRIVE: 2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EARS 1TB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136490

OPTICAL: LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA Model WH10LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136181

(FREE): Verbatim 25GB 4X BD-R 10 Packs Disc Model 96769
Item #: N82E16817130047


DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #381166 -$25.00
DISCOUNT FOR AUTOADD #12424 -$29.99

Subtotal $1,760.88
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 DAYS $38.99
Promo code -$50.00
Order Total $1,749.87

NOTES: i dropped out of the psu and case combo suggested in favor of this psu and a similar case that i found a $50 promo code for. the price turned out about the same, but i don't have to mail in any rebates, which i saw as a positive. the cpu and mb combo saved me a couple of dollars, i also dumped the dvd drives and used all that money for the blu-ray drive. i couldn't help myself with the RAM . . .

i went ahead and opted for the biggest monitor i felt comfortable paying for as opposed to the 2 monitor setup. i figured that this old crt monitor would do for now until i could raise enough for the second.

thanks everyone for the suggestions!
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