New Build + Advice needed
Posted: 28 Apr 2009, 10:53
Hey,
My Bday's coming up, and Grandma offered to pay for part of a new computer, so I wanted to start fresh as my current PC is 5 years old... heavily upgraded of course, and having an OS on for 5 years is starting to be annoying due to degradation.
) I need something pretty powerful as I'm an engineering student and will be doing CAD, Simulation, Maths and Coding on it.
) Media Server duties, HD Video Playback, HD TV, Music Management and basic Video Editing also to await the PC.
) Photoshop + Photography work. I've worked with very large Photoshop files and the E2180 chugs a fair bit, and the 2GB RAM runs out, lol. It's not a matter of chucking in a better CPU and RAM... my cheap Mobo doesn't support all that much, lol.
) Gaming of Course. I really have no doubts that this will perform well in that area. My current set-up runs games on high. It's CPU really screws the 3D mark over, but I can play all my games on it fine, lol.
++ It's in the study, so I want it to be fairly quiet so it doesn't annoy me when doing work, run pretty cool... and of course I want reliability!
The Parts: (buying from www.msy.com.au)
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP43 UD3L $155
=> I don't think It's worth extra money for a P45... isn't it just the ram speed you can run? Won't bother with SLI. Is there another alternative with the same specs that's cheaper? I wanted the DS3L, but they've been replaced.
CPU Intel E8500 $282
=> I've seen that the E8500 is very quick. I can get a Q8200 for $5 less, but I'm better off with the E8500 because of the extra power right?
RAM 4GB G.Skill - NT DDR2 RAM 800 $74
=> Need 4GB obviously. Don't need to spend too much. Easily upgraded when need be.
Master HDD WD SATA 500GB $86
=> For system + Programs. Will try and set-up dual-boot with XP and Vista.
About the dual boot... is 64-bit Vista worth it? What will I get out of it apart from more RAM, and what issues will I have? I can compensate for those by running 32-bit XP though on another partition right?
Seems worth it so I can use all the RAM that the system will have (Close to 5GB with graphics), especially with some of the stuff that requires a hefty PC.
Now that I've said that... what's a good partition arrangement? 250GB each system? or Get a 640GB and have 320 for each? Otherwise I can do a Vista 340 - 160 XP split.
What do all you guys do?
Secondary HDD WD SATA 500GB $86
=> For Documents, Music, Movies, Downloads, Pictures etc.
GFX Card Nvidia GTX 260 896Mb Gigabyte $315
=> Cheaper than a Gigabyte HD4870 now by $20, runs cooler, quieter than a generic HD4870, similar performance... marginal difference most of the time. Both do well enough at 1080p lol.Has PhysX. Better 3D mark Vantage scores.
However... I still am open to the HD4870 though.
DVD Burner Liteon DVD Burner $28
=> It reads and writes dics... Good enough.
Case Antec 900 $193
=> Good case. Does the 902 have filters though for the dust?
PSU Seasonic M12 700W $189
=> Overkill or not? Not sure if I can save money here by decreasing wattage, but I want enough for this setup.... + a bit extra if I add another HDD and upgrade graphics a couple of years down the track.
Audio Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio $72
=> Not strictly necessary, but I like my sound quality. I have good headphones so it won't be a waste I think.
OS Vista Home Premium 64-Bit $183
=> Mentioned before... already have 32 bit XP
Box 1464
Box + Windows 1647
Thanks.
My Bday's coming up, and Grandma offered to pay for part of a new computer, so I wanted to start fresh as my current PC is 5 years old... heavily upgraded of course, and having an OS on for 5 years is starting to be annoying due to degradation.
) I need something pretty powerful as I'm an engineering student and will be doing CAD, Simulation, Maths and Coding on it.
) Media Server duties, HD Video Playback, HD TV, Music Management and basic Video Editing also to await the PC.
) Photoshop + Photography work. I've worked with very large Photoshop files and the E2180 chugs a fair bit, and the 2GB RAM runs out, lol. It's not a matter of chucking in a better CPU and RAM... my cheap Mobo doesn't support all that much, lol.
) Gaming of Course. I really have no doubts that this will perform well in that area. My current set-up runs games on high. It's CPU really screws the 3D mark over, but I can play all my games on it fine, lol.
++ It's in the study, so I want it to be fairly quiet so it doesn't annoy me when doing work, run pretty cool... and of course I want reliability!
The Parts: (buying from www.msy.com.au)
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP43 UD3L $155
=> I don't think It's worth extra money for a P45... isn't it just the ram speed you can run? Won't bother with SLI. Is there another alternative with the same specs that's cheaper? I wanted the DS3L, but they've been replaced.
CPU Intel E8500 $282
=> I've seen that the E8500 is very quick. I can get a Q8200 for $5 less, but I'm better off with the E8500 because of the extra power right?
RAM 4GB G.Skill - NT DDR2 RAM 800 $74
=> Need 4GB obviously. Don't need to spend too much. Easily upgraded when need be.
Master HDD WD SATA 500GB $86
=> For system + Programs. Will try and set-up dual-boot with XP and Vista.
About the dual boot... is 64-bit Vista worth it? What will I get out of it apart from more RAM, and what issues will I have? I can compensate for those by running 32-bit XP though on another partition right?
Seems worth it so I can use all the RAM that the system will have (Close to 5GB with graphics), especially with some of the stuff that requires a hefty PC.
Now that I've said that... what's a good partition arrangement? 250GB each system? or Get a 640GB and have 320 for each? Otherwise I can do a Vista 340 - 160 XP split.
What do all you guys do?
Secondary HDD WD SATA 500GB $86
=> For Documents, Music, Movies, Downloads, Pictures etc.
GFX Card Nvidia GTX 260 896Mb Gigabyte $315
=> Cheaper than a Gigabyte HD4870 now by $20, runs cooler, quieter than a generic HD4870, similar performance... marginal difference most of the time. Both do well enough at 1080p lol.Has PhysX. Better 3D mark Vantage scores.
However... I still am open to the HD4870 though.
DVD Burner Liteon DVD Burner $28
=> It reads and writes dics... Good enough.
Case Antec 900 $193
=> Good case. Does the 902 have filters though for the dust?
PSU Seasonic M12 700W $189
=> Overkill or not? Not sure if I can save money here by decreasing wattage, but I want enough for this setup.... + a bit extra if I add another HDD and upgrade graphics a couple of years down the track.
Audio Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio $72
=> Not strictly necessary, but I like my sound quality. I have good headphones so it won't be a waste I think.
OS Vista Home Premium 64-Bit $183
=> Mentioned before... already have 32 bit XP
Box 1464
Box + Windows 1647
Thanks.