Computer Gurus, please help with a build.

[BigBear]

Brother in law FINALLY got a job and will be moving out of my apartment (Thank God). Now we just need to work on the Mother in law... That being said, he is taking his desktop with him. I would like to replace it but honestly, have no idea where to start. Below is what I think I would like. Also, anything you would change, add, etc???

Desktop system (just the tower, I can get the periphrials by myself)

- mid tower case
- would like it to be able to run any games on high settings
- need good sound card for my music writing
- something that wouldn't "need" to be upgraded for a few years.


So here's what I'm thinking:

- Intel Core i7 960 processor at 4x3.3GHZ (8MB L3 cache)
- Coolermaster V8 cooling fan
- 6 GB DDR3-1866 memory
- NVidia GeForce GTX 285 (Single Card)
- ASUS P6TD Deluxe motherboard
- 1000 watt power
- 300GB HD at 10,000rpm (Single drive, not SATA/Raid)
- 22x Dual Format/double layer CD R/RW DVD R/RW (single only)
- 12 in 1 flash media reader/writer
- Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-fi XtremeGamer
- Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card
- Windows 7 OS with MS Office '07
- Other programs such as Finale/Sibelius, drill writing software, etc.


Lowest I can find this configuration is close to $2,900. Anyways to make it cheaper without sacrificing performance?

Thanks all.

[iamhunter]

Brother in law FINALLY got a job and will be moving out of my apartment (Thank God). Now we just need to work on the Mother in law... That being said, he is taking his desktop with him. I would like to replace it but honestly, have no idea where to start. Below is what I think I would like. Also, anything you would change, add, etc???

Desktop system (just the tower, I can get the periphrials by myself)

- mid tower case
- would like it to be able to run any games on high settings
- need good sound card for my music writing
- something that wouldn't "need" to be upgraded for a few years.


So here's what I'm thinking:

- Intel Core i7 960 processor at 4x3.3GHZ (8MB L3 cache)
- Coolermaster V8 cooling fan
- 6 GB DDR3-1866 memory
- NVidia GeForce GTX 285 (Single Card)
- ASUS P6TD Deluxe motherboard
- 1000 watt power
- 300GB HD at 10,000rpm (Single drive, not SATA/Raid)
- 22x Dual Format/double layer CD R/RW DVD R/RW (single only)
- 12 in 1 flash media reader/writer
- Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-fi XtremeGamer
- Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card
- Windows 7 OS with MS Office '07
- Other programs such as Finale/Sibelius, drill writing software, etc.


Lowest I can find this configuration is close to $2,900. Anyways to make it cheaper without sacrificing performance?

Thanks all.

Honestly I'd skip out on the I7 960, you're paying alot of dough for an small performance boost.

go for the Bloomfield 920
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...&defid=4472461

for the video card I'd go for a Radeon 5850.
A little less money, and their crossfire technology is amazing. With current video technology you only need one, but in a year instead of replacing your whole videocard, just buy another 5850 (which will be half the price buy then) and you'll be back at the top of the game... I'd imagine this set up will give you 2-3 years of life.... which is really good for a videocard.
If you really wanna spring you could get the 5870...

For cases I've always been a fan of thermal take... I personally like the thermaltake element s, but it's all personal preference.

the Killer Xeno looks cool, but seems really gimmicky to me. I'd rather just plug in to the router, which would also save you some money...

Those changes right there should save you $300-500 bucks and sacrifice little to no performance on your end.

[ronaldrwl]

Try CyberPower. I just got a similar system but not quite as crazy for 1,180. They have the best prices I've seen. I got the i7 2.66.
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

[Moviestar]

Sound card is kinda not needed. Most motherboards have built in hi-def sound cards, thats more personal preference. Network card is also not needed, I remember reading a review on those Kill Xenos..and the performance isnt worth price. Unless you're doing hardcore competitive gaming in CEVO or on the ESEA league, you won't need it. Video card is a good card, and will be able to play games mostly on high. For power I recommend a PC Power & Cooling if you can afford it, if not, a Corsair HX series is also pretty good. They are both expensive but if you're buying all the other high-end stuff, dont cheap on the PSU. I think that build will last you a while.


I second CyberPower, their prices are really fair.

[BigBear]

Sound card to me is important... I do write music and I do not like my trumpets sounding like kazoos! lol. I know a lot of it is the different "patches" of instruments, but I do find that a sound card does help... thoughts?

I've had several people push AMD for gaming scenarios... why?

Might axe the Killer Xeno according to several folks...

[iamhunter]

I've had several people push AMD for gaming scenarios... why?

Crossfire
Eyefinity
Better performance than Nvidia, at better prices.

[Hoosier]

Wow, it's almost difficult to spec out a $3k machine anymore.

Remember, you really see diminishing returns on things. In other words, you aren't going to get 6x better computer than one you pay $500 for. So if money is really a concern, you're much better off with a cheap machine, or even a laptop.

Are you a hardcore high-end PC gamer? If not, this rig is much more than you need. If so, what games are you playing?

I just rebuilt mine this summer, I just looked up the purchase, it was $650. Granted I had a monitor, case, keyboard, mouse, and video card that I re-used from a previous machine. I went with AMD Phenom x4, 4gb RAM.

Where are you getting your prices? Once you know the product, you can use http://pricewatch.com to see the best possible price. The vast majority of the time I get close enough to the best price from http://newegg.com to make buying everything there more convenient. They're also a great source for reviews and large images of the products you're looking at buying.

Hope this helps, and I'd advice against spending $3k on a PC unless you're living on it. Take it from someone with five computers running right now who spends 12+ hours a day on the damn things

H.

[Moviestar]

Sound card to me is important... I do write music and I do not like my trumpets sounding like kazoos! lol. I know a lot of it is the different "patches" of instruments, but I do find that a sound card does help... thoughts?

I've had several people push AMD for gaming scenarios... why?

Might axe the Killer Xeno according to several folks...

if you are using it for writing music yeah it would work. But if its for gaming/general use I would say it isn't needed. I had a xfi, but sold it because my mobos integrated card was the same quality.

and AMD is pushed more because they make better middle to middle-high end gaming stuff. I like Evga and Nvidia more because of the step-up program, and in my experience have been more stable.

[BigBear]

So if money is really a concern, you're much better off with a cheap machine, or even a laptop.

Are you a hardcore high-end PC gamer? If not, this rig is much more than you need. If so, what games are you playing?

Hope this helps, and I'd advice against spending $3k on a PC unless you're living on it.

Hoosier, good info. Money is a major concern. I want to stay away from laptop as the modularity and upgrade options often seem very limited.

Am I a hardcore high end PC-gamer... not exactly sure what that means but yes. I want a computer to run smootly even if I'm playing Crysis 2 on the highest settings possible. I do game some but I wouldn't say hardcore. Main game of choice is BF2 and expansions.

My wife appreciates your last sentence there in the quote HAHA. Those specs I got from a computer nerd aquaintence. He was looking at something called "I Buy The Power".

Music programs are Finale/Sibelius/ and some marching drill softare that is not too intensive on requirements. Again, I wanted a good sound system so that a trumpet sounds like a trumpet and not a kazoo or other misc instrument.

Your thoughts on build Hoosier?


MovieStar - Thank you for the info, I'll definitely check out AMD stuff. My aquantiance is a INTEL FANBOY apparently.


Lastly, I would be purchasing everything - Desktop, flatscreen - no more CRTs!!! moniter, mouse, keyboard, speakers (unless te moniter as a decent one in stereo). I have an external HD for backups and I also already have a printer.

[Dr_Fwd]

you're never gonna be able to keep up after the all high end PC Games, in 6monthes you won't be able to play new games even with the settings set on "medium" on your "today high end computer"