First post - First build - HT/Media/Multi-Task Build Reco's?

[saltynay]

The gpu has a inbuilt in sound processor nvidia gpu's have a spdif input that allows for sound input for hdmi and ati uses onboard sound processing units. Tbh I would consider the onboard hdmi output fine if you want to improve later when you have better funds then get the asus xonar d2x or the auzentech high def card which hasn't been released yet, depends how impatient you are .

Raid 5 adds data redundacy which means if one drive fails the you haven't lost the entirety of the data unless a second hdd fails within the time it takes you to order a new drive and "rebuild" the array. Samsung are the quietest drives and highly reliable company really can't fault.

As philbar said if you want true fast performance get a solid state disk that will be extreme, the raptors as of late from WD have been a bit dodgy it happens to all companies that they have a few months of dodgy products, imo OCZ make the best competitively priced ssd's. It only really makes a difference to start up times and perhaps your photoshop if your working from the os drive.

 

[1337_JohnN]

Here is my updated build. about $100 overall after rebate savings, $40 less on the corsair RAM

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $245

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler - Retail $40

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $120

POWERCOLOR AX4830 512MD3-H Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $113

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $74 ($40 after rebate)

LIAN LI PC-60APLUSII Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $110

ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card - Retail $90

Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1 32-bit for System Builders DVD - OEM $140

can someone recommend a good power supply for this unit now that i have what i need to power? quiet, good value, and enough to power everything? i was looking at some PC Power and Cooling and Corsair but wasn't sure which one to get...

Get a UD3P, Q9450, Sapphire 4830, PI black DDR2 RAM, and FFS 64 bit Home Premium.

 

[delirium330]

mis-posted, not sure how to delete this...

 

[delirium330]

Updated build. all prices are after rebate. total $1,094 - what else do i need? thermal paste (or do i not need it cuz i have the core contact cooler?) any wires, cables, etc.?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $245

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler - Retail $30

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $117

POWERCOLOR AX4830 512MD3-H Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $98

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $40

Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $150

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM $26 x2 = $52.

Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader - Retail $12

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM $100

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $50

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $80 x 4 = $240 with RAID 5 and 2.25TB useable space.

 

[saltynay]

You don't need the soundcard the 4830 has an onboard audio processor which will go down the hdmi like. Same speed but cheaper ram after rebate Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

 

[delirium330]

You don't need the soundcard the 4830 has an onboard audio processor which will go down the hdmi like. Same speed but cheaper ram after rebate Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

cool, i went back to that memory and scraped the sound card, i forgot we talked about the hdmi out which i like. i can always throw in a card down the road if needed. i also added two optical drives and a card reader.

i also switched cases. while i like the look of the lian, after reading reviews i think i may be better off with an Antec because this is my first time and the easier the better....

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I would change the motherboard to a Biostar Tp45HP, it's cheaper but is still excellent.

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

 

[saltynay]

He needs onboard raid puddle and thats the ICH10 not the ICH10R so isn't raidable without an add on card which would push the prices about equal

 

[delirium330]

what else do i need? cable ties for wire managment? anti static strap? additional wires? thermal paste? a new car?

 

[saltynay]

New car would help greatly nothing like V8 powered pc. Cable ties if you want I use some insulation tape and got a few cable ties with my psu. Case came with some wire channeling clips. Don't need anti-static stuff just don't moonwalk on carpet wearing your favourite teflon or all polyster outfit whilst holding components. If you want to be really anal get some wire and wrap it round your wrist and hooked onto the case frame, but that really is excessive. Touch the metal frame of the case to ground yourself before picking components up and out of anti-static bags. Core contact comes with preapplied thermal paste. You shouldn't need any additional wires.