Hey all, time to build something for fun... mainly using this for everyday stuff photoshop, web, email, video watching, video editing, music editing etc (NO GAMING).

I am currently using a decent little HP computer m7760n but want to build something of my own a bit faster and more customized to what I want to do with it (more power more slots more options).


I already have the case in hand here ANTEC 900

I already have 4 acer 24 inch widescreen monitors with dvi input. (2 of which I am currently using with the hp system but will put all 4 on this new system i build).


FOR WHAT I WANTED TO BUILD
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I was thinking quad core system, dual pci 16x cards maybe something like geforce 8600's (for 4 monitor output via dvi), no gaming just want solid 4 dvi output support, probably 4 gig ram, maybe 2-250 or higher GB hard drives, a decent power supply and motherboard etc.

I am gonna buy this all within the next 30 days and build it soon but want to make sure what I get will all work together well no conflicts or oversights etc...


Cost wise I would like to stay under $1500 if i can, so far the case was $60 (after rebate if it comes thru).. from buy.com recently so I couldn't pass it up. I know the power supply being in the bottom area of the case might present a bit of issue for some but hopefully it will just be a good case for me.

Processor
Thinking Intel quad core. I run lots of stuff at the same time tho so thought quad core might make things go faster. Maybe this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017



Motherboard
Obviously something that will support the quad core processor and will have at least 2 pci express 16 slots for the dual cards. Mabye this one? (motherboards i get lost easily tho specs wise)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128326


Video Card
I already have one of these (see link) sitting here in the HP I could easily pull and let that HP use onboard for a single monitor (this hp will retire to the den for webkinz and web for daughter), so I was thinking order a 2nd one that way I would have 2 pci 16x dual dvi output cards in this system for my 4 monitors SO far no issues with this one card doing everything I do daily (no gaming) i realize this isnt a gamers card but im not even into gaming...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127310


Ram
Gonna try to load it up with like 4 GB if I can, but a lot depends on price and motherboard, is Patriot decent?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220241 this should work with that motherboard ddr2 1200 240 pin is there anything else I should check or make sure of to make sure they work together?




Power Supply
I dunno but something with the power to do it all maybe a good warranty and all the connections id need etc. Maybe this one?
http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/...uad-black.html



Hard Drives
Guessing sata3 right? Maybe 2 of these (one for programs one for in system storage)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148309

I don’t need a ton of in system storage I do have a 650 GB external usb drive I use to just store my bulk of data and music on etc.
M experience with hard drives was all with eide drives, so i am not UP ON all the new sata differences, sata3 is what I wanna look for right?



I do appreciate input and or opinions about what might or might not work together here, will probably load xp pro on it OS wise, one thing i did read was about something to do with the quad core processors not playing nice with nvidea chipsets? Is that something where I have to mate up the motherboard and processor carefully to run my dual nvidea cards?

Bill

Looks good to me. I think with your budget you can upgrade the CPU and the hard drives:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115027

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148136

Most new BIOS address any 'old' issues with quad core. The board you chose has an Intel chipset on board. There were some 'old' issues with Nvidia chipset motherboards. Not graphics cards.

You could go to an Nvidia chipset on the motherboard if you want such as:

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024

I did consider upping the processor and hard drive sizes, but that next up processor is almost 2x the $$ right now (would I really see a huge jump from the other?).

I might just do the larger drives only at this point.

Would that 750 watt pc power and cooling power supply run all this solid with some reserve if I ever did decide to jack up the two graphics cards to something with more PUNCH to them down the road?

I didn't add it in the mix above but I will be adding a dvd burner possibly two units since the case has lots of room, but just hoping that power supply would be "enough" and wouldn't have strain if everything was being pushed, I don't overclock or anything, just wanna make sure the parts I picked are well suited and compatable etc.

I have never used Patriot Ram but it semed priced well and I see lots of ads for it, is that decent / reliable ram?

Biil

But i did try to lay it out on paper before making big mistakes, thanks for the confirm no big red flags, as for that quad core/nvidea issue see i didn't even realize that was processor and motherboard related, thought it was processor and graphics card related, but yeah id probably just stick with a MB like what I picked out with the intel chipset etc.

I did notice on that motherboard i picked, the pci slots were

As to PSU the wattage should be fine and plenty. You could check out this calculator:

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/p...ulatorlite.jsp

I'd prefer this model however:

Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153039

As to RAM I've never used Patriot. Newegg only has four options for your criteria:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...1200+(PC2+9600)

I'd go with the Kingston myself. Also note that if you get two pair i.e. 4 GB a 32 bit OS will only use @ 3.5 GB.

The advantage of the Nvidia chipset is SLi. This does not relate to your graphics cards but if you ever upgraded and wanted to utilize SLi you need an SLi motherboard.

SLi basically runs the two cards as one and greatly increases performance.

As to the CPU yes it is a big step up and worth twice the price.

I bought the same CPU a year ago and it was $1,200.

So you see how prices fall. As Intel brings out its new generation you will see the current prices fall as well.

I do like the modular idea on that thermaltake and it has decent reviews and warranty, I had just read on the pc power and cooling site how the modular connectors was a big loss of connection, full connections no modulars is what they sell) and how 4 rail systems were less effective in powering systems (single rail is what they push).

Not sure how much is true or hype to get you to buy a pc power and cooling unit i was just going by folks in general saying they make good products etc.

I love seagate but are those newer Perpendicular Recording drives turning out to be reliable and in general I will google it but are they somehow faster vs standard drives like what I had picked above originally? I did notice the cache was lower 16 vs 32 would that be something I would notice or is the Perpendicular Recording such a plus it is worth that smaller cache feature.

I didn't know if i went with 4 gig of ram in a 32 bit OS that I would only get 3.5 out of it that bites, thats vista 32bit as well as xp pro correct?

Still not sure on which MB I will get, that nvidia chipset and sli support but also compatability with the quad core are my biggest concerns so I don't get the wrong matchup or stuff that just doesn't work well or right with each other.

I do see the video cards at this point being the most limiting factor in the system, so i might want to beef those up down the road, but for basics of what I do this one card running 2 dvi monitors seems to work great, so figured why not save a few $$ match up a second card for it to get quad monitors going for now, then later i might upgrade to two better cards if I get an itch to try a game or two.

I will do some more digging on that thermaltake power supply tho, i like that modular idea, but again reading the pc power and cooling faqs page it seemed the way to go is wired with single rail vs the thermaltake being 4 rail with modular plugs unless thats all pc power and cooling hype to make you buy their product vs other guys.
Bill

Well your research is very good.

Not being more than a 'hobbiest' myself I have little to add except links and personal experience.

As to the PSU:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...f8&q=psu+rails

As to the RAM (this is a mathematical limit):

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...b+32+bit+limit

As to the hard drives I did not notice the 'perpendicular' aspect and do not know anything about it at this time.

I would suggest 500GB drives or at least 320GB which should be economically viable compared to anything less.