hikaricloud
Golden Master
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- 6,220
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The SSD is a good idea for the boot drive, no arguments there. Vista is about 10 - 15gb or so, if I recall. The Raptor will be loud no matter what at 10k RPM, but it's still a good drive. Won't match the SSD in speed though.
Instead of the quad series, you may want to invest in the i7 series. the Q6600 is a bit outdated, and while it is decently inexpensive, you can pick up the i7 920 for about 300 bucks, and you won't have to worry about performance issues for a while. Worth the extra $100+, trust me.
Core i7 920: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Now with the i7, you'll need to get a Socket 1366 mobo, which only supports DDR3. Both the ram and mobo is a bit more expensive, but it also won't be outdated for a while. DDR3 costs are starting to come down, and it's going to be the next standard. These mobos also support triple channel, so you can get 3x 2gb sticks for a total of 6gb.
Here's a comparison of ASUS mobos, so you can see the price differences. The lowest cost one there is still pretty good: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
As for RAM, this is a good set of DDR3 1333 that has a mail-in rebate, making it on par with cheaper models: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
For a storage hard drive, depending on what you are doing, you're going to want more space. The Seagate 1.5tb drives are about $130 on newegg. They have a high cache, and loads of space. It will take a while to fill one of those, no matter what you do.
1.5tb hdd: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - Internal Hard Drives
Now the video card is something really relative to what you want to do. But my recommendations would be between the nVidia Geforce 9800GTX+ 512mb, which is 190 with a 30 dollar mail-in rebate, or if you want something beefier, go with a nVidia GTX 260 core 216 896mb, which is about 250 or so.
9800GTX+ - Newegg.com - XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
GTX 260 - Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
For your PSU, you might as well grab something that will pump out some power. This PSU is 800w and is a good deal for the price, and it's rated pretty well:
PSU: Newegg.com - BFG Tech ES SERIES ES-800 800W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.92 SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified GTX 260
NVIDIA HYBRID SLI 9800 GX2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Power Supplies
For a monitor, you may want to go ahead and grab something larger than 19", but that would be alright too. A 22" would only run a little bit more...here's a good 19" and 22" to compare.
19" - Newegg.com - Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 (ACM) - LCD Monitors
22" - Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors
That's a nice case you've picked out, I have no complaints about it. It looks really slick, and it has a lot of airflow it seems, with all those fans. Good choice.
As for keyboard and mouse, it's really a personal choice for you, but I'll recommend a set anyway. And even if you don't like this set, I would go with Logitech either way, they have some nice stuff. This keyboard is ergonomic, but not in the way the old ones are with the giant gap in the middle. It still types like a standard keyboard, but it feels much better on your wrists.
Keyboard/mouse set: Newegg.com - Logitech 920-000264 Black 104 Normal Keys 14 Function Keys USB Cordless Ergonomics Desktop Wave - Keyboards
Speakers are pretty good...for that cost, though, you may want to look into some 5.1 systems. That's up to you though, Logitech makes good stuff, but so does Creative. Make sure you're going to be happy with a 2.1 system.
Vista Home Premium 64-bit will suit you fine, unless there's something in Ultimate you absolutely have to have.
You got the right idea for the system, good job putting the stuff together. Sorry I gave so many recommendations, but those are my opinions on good hardware for decent prices. Feel free to ask any more questions.
Instead of the quad series, you may want to invest in the i7 series. the Q6600 is a bit outdated, and while it is decently inexpensive, you can pick up the i7 920 for about 300 bucks, and you won't have to worry about performance issues for a while. Worth the extra $100+, trust me.
Core i7 920: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Now with the i7, you'll need to get a Socket 1366 mobo, which only supports DDR3. Both the ram and mobo is a bit more expensive, but it also won't be outdated for a while. DDR3 costs are starting to come down, and it's going to be the next standard. These mobos also support triple channel, so you can get 3x 2gb sticks for a total of 6gb.
Here's a comparison of ASUS mobos, so you can see the price differences. The lowest cost one there is still pretty good: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
As for RAM, this is a good set of DDR3 1333 that has a mail-in rebate, making it on par with cheaper models: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
For a storage hard drive, depending on what you are doing, you're going to want more space. The Seagate 1.5tb drives are about $130 on newegg. They have a high cache, and loads of space. It will take a while to fill one of those, no matter what you do.
1.5tb hdd: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - Internal Hard Drives
Now the video card is something really relative to what you want to do. But my recommendations would be between the nVidia Geforce 9800GTX+ 512mb, which is 190 with a 30 dollar mail-in rebate, or if you want something beefier, go with a nVidia GTX 260 core 216 896mb, which is about 250 or so.
9800GTX+ - Newegg.com - XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
GTX 260 - Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
For your PSU, you might as well grab something that will pump out some power. This PSU is 800w and is a good deal for the price, and it's rated pretty well:
PSU: Newegg.com - BFG Tech ES SERIES ES-800 800W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.92 SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified GTX 260
NVIDIA HYBRID SLI 9800 GX2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Power Supplies
For a monitor, you may want to go ahead and grab something larger than 19", but that would be alright too. A 22" would only run a little bit more...here's a good 19" and 22" to compare.
19" - Newegg.com - Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 (ACM) - LCD Monitors
22" - Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors
That's a nice case you've picked out, I have no complaints about it. It looks really slick, and it has a lot of airflow it seems, with all those fans. Good choice.
As for keyboard and mouse, it's really a personal choice for you, but I'll recommend a set anyway. And even if you don't like this set, I would go with Logitech either way, they have some nice stuff. This keyboard is ergonomic, but not in the way the old ones are with the giant gap in the middle. It still types like a standard keyboard, but it feels much better on your wrists.
Keyboard/mouse set: Newegg.com - Logitech 920-000264 Black 104 Normal Keys 14 Function Keys USB Cordless Ergonomics Desktop Wave - Keyboards
Speakers are pretty good...for that cost, though, you may want to look into some 5.1 systems. That's up to you though, Logitech makes good stuff, but so does Creative. Make sure you're going to be happy with a 2.1 system.
Vista Home Premium 64-bit will suit you fine, unless there's something in Ultimate you absolutely have to have.
You got the right idea for the system, good job putting the stuff together. Sorry I gave so many recommendations, but those are my opinions on good hardware for decent prices. Feel free to ask any more questions.