Hello all,
First, let my spell out my goals for this build and give you an idea of what kind of user I am:
I am not a computer enthusiast. To me, a computer is a means to an end.....I do lots of research online. While I don't even know how to spell "computer gaming," I want my new machine to be capable of the odd video editing task every now and again. I haven't enjoyed the process of researching what I need to know for this build, so I'm not afraid to spend some bucks on a machine I hope will take me 10 years before I need to repeat this process.
I'm planning on my new computer being a pure Linux machine.....I'm currently planning on using Debian Squeeze (which utilizes the 2.6.32 kernel). This keeps me from purchasing bleeding edge components.....you'll see that the components I'm considering have been around a while, but are still very capable (I hope).
With all of that in mind, here we go:
Approximate Purchase Date: Some time on the first two weeks of October 2011.
Budget Range: Not a factor....as I plan to amortize the costs over a ten year period.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Browsing (which can involve research sessions with 30 or more open tabs); standard word processing, email, and other light office-type tasks (e.g. making PowerPoint presentations); photo editing; machine must be capable of the odd video editing task, creating standard NTSC DVD-resolution movies (I guess I should plan on having HD capabilities here); no gaming; no movie watching; must be adept at viewing YouTube-type videos online
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS (planning to use Debian Squeeze....which shows you how conservative I am!)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Colorado)
Overclocking: Not currently, may be required in the future (remembering my 10 year timeline)
SLI or Crossfire: Not currently, may be required in the future (remembering my 10 year timeline)
Monitor Resolution: Currently 1600x900...which is very much suitable for my purposes....I can't imagine ever going to a multi-screen setup.
Additional Comments: In the interest of longevity, low temperatures are important to me, preferable attained with simple air cooling and robust component thermal margins. Quiet is nice, but my ears are shot, so I can live with some noise.
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My proposed build so far:
OS: Debian Squeeze
CPU: Intel Core i7-980 Gulftown
Motherboard: Asus P6X58D-E, but I'm leaning strongly toward the ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard, since it has true SSD Express Gate (something I think I would get a lot of use out of) and more robust cooling.
Graphics Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1371-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) FPB EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support
Memory: Two kits of Kingston 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7K3/12G for a grand total of 24GB.
Storage: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Optical drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
Card Reader: AFT XM-35U BLACK USB 2.0 Kiosk Card Reader (3.5")
Case: LIAN LI PC-9F Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Printer (already purchased): HP Photosmart Premium Fax e-All-in-One Printer - C410a
I will report here when I decide on a PSU.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few questions:
1. How am I doing on my component choices?
2. Re compatibility: If Debian Squeeze does not provide support for SATA III (which the above SSD is capable of), I'll just run it at SATA II until Wheezy goes stable. Comments?
3. I probably caused a few eyebrows to rise with my choice of 1066 RAM. I think this is the fastest you can go when using 24GB for the Gulftown processor (see above). Can anyone verify this?
4. Of the two mobo's I listed, which would be better for me?
Thank you all, in advance. I've posted my proposed build on my Debian forum and have gotten lots of help, but I think there is a higher general level of hardware expertise over here at Tom's!
First, let my spell out my goals for this build and give you an idea of what kind of user I am:
I am not a computer enthusiast. To me, a computer is a means to an end.....I do lots of research online. While I don't even know how to spell "computer gaming," I want my new machine to be capable of the odd video editing task every now and again. I haven't enjoyed the process of researching what I need to know for this build, so I'm not afraid to spend some bucks on a machine I hope will take me 10 years before I need to repeat this process.
I'm planning on my new computer being a pure Linux machine.....I'm currently planning on using Debian Squeeze (which utilizes the 2.6.32 kernel). This keeps me from purchasing bleeding edge components.....you'll see that the components I'm considering have been around a while, but are still very capable (I hope).
With all of that in mind, here we go:
Approximate Purchase Date: Some time on the first two weeks of October 2011.
Budget Range: Not a factor....as I plan to amortize the costs over a ten year period.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Browsing (which can involve research sessions with 30 or more open tabs); standard word processing, email, and other light office-type tasks (e.g. making PowerPoint presentations); photo editing; machine must be capable of the odd video editing task, creating standard NTSC DVD-resolution movies (I guess I should plan on having HD capabilities here); no gaming; no movie watching; must be adept at viewing YouTube-type videos online
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS (planning to use Debian Squeeze....which shows you how conservative I am!)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Colorado)
Overclocking: Not currently, may be required in the future (remembering my 10 year timeline)
SLI or Crossfire: Not currently, may be required in the future (remembering my 10 year timeline)
Monitor Resolution: Currently 1600x900...which is very much suitable for my purposes....I can't imagine ever going to a multi-screen setup.
Additional Comments: In the interest of longevity, low temperatures are important to me, preferable attained with simple air cooling and robust component thermal margins. Quiet is nice, but my ears are shot, so I can live with some noise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My proposed build so far:
OS: Debian Squeeze
CPU: Intel Core i7-980 Gulftown
Motherboard: Asus P6X58D-E, but I'm leaning strongly toward the ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard, since it has true SSD Express Gate (something I think I would get a lot of use out of) and more robust cooling.
Graphics Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1371-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) FPB EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support
Memory: Two kits of Kingston 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7K3/12G for a grand total of 24GB.
Storage: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Optical drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
Card Reader: AFT XM-35U BLACK USB 2.0 Kiosk Card Reader (3.5")
Case: LIAN LI PC-9F Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Printer (already purchased): HP Photosmart Premium Fax e-All-in-One Printer - C410a
I will report here when I decide on a PSU.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few questions:
1. How am I doing on my component choices?
2. Re compatibility: If Debian Squeeze does not provide support for SATA III (which the above SSD is capable of), I'll just run it at SATA II until Wheezy goes stable. Comments?
3. I probably caused a few eyebrows to rise with my choice of 1066 RAM. I think this is the fastest you can go when using 24GB for the Gulftown processor (see above). Can anyone verify this?
4. Of the two mobo's I listed, which would be better for me?
Thank you all, in advance. I've posted my proposed build on my Debian forum and have gotten lots of help, but I think there is a higher general level of hardware expertise over here at Tom's!