$2,800 budget - all purpose computer

[DarkPacMan77]

I'm 18 and may be moving out soon, so I was wondering what kind of computer I should build. I came to the conclusion that I want to have it all. I want the computer to be able to be my source of TV/ games/ music/ everything (and perhaps get a projector to go along with it later).

I have been reading about motherboards that have two processor slots...like this (http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/AMD_Gaming122606/index.html) and that got me interested. I think I would like that kind of power. I would also want dual- monitors, perhaps more (17 inch is fine I think). I want it to have enough RAM to fully utilize anything I throw at it (perhaps high speed ram like this ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227184) or this ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227091)). I was also thinking about liquid cooling. I would like to have 2 terrabytes of space to fully future proof my system and run SLi with some great graphics cards.

Big question is... can anybody come up with something for me?

[Stuey]

What do you use the system for? TV, games, music, everything?

A fairly modest system can handle TV music and almost everything else, and for games you would just need a beefier video card.

What would you possibly want a dual processor motherboard for? If you go down that path, things might get complicated cooling wise, and you'd need a beefier PSU.

2 Terrabytes to future proof your system? A HD is something that can always be added later on. MY 3 year old systems can still take the newest SATA drives w/o any issue.

As far as monitors go, for little more than the cost of two 17" monitors, you could always go for a 20 or 22" Samsung. Or you could spring for two 19" monitors. I'd like to suggest Ergotron branded monitor stands, especially if you plan on using one of your screens as a TV screen.

I'm a little behind the times, so I'm not comfortable making any specific suggestions except for what I covered, and HDs. The biggest bang for the buck and a popular option these days seems to be this Seagate 320GB drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140). You can fit four drives comfortably in a small case and a few more in a larger case.

You can allocate an entire drive to TV recordings, an entire drive to music/recordings you want to keep, a drive for the OS and applications, and maybe a drive for games? I don't know if that's how I'd do it.

Do you plan on getting Vista? If you want to stick with XP, or want a 3rd part front end for TV recording/viewing, I recommend Beyond TV4 with a firefly remote.

For TV cards, I have the ATI TV Wonder w/ the 550 Theater chip and it's low profile and works well. I believe the newest one is the 650 series which may or may not support hi-def channels. A lot of people are also satisfied with Hauppage's line of TV cards.

I know this is not quite exactly the reply you were hoping for, but seeing as how it's 3:42 am EST, you might not get too many replies until morning so I wanted to leave you with something to think about for now.

[DarkPacMan77]

I have been running some numbers by and I understand that I will not be able to purchase ALL of it at once, but that is fine. 320gb hdd to start isn't bad. That particular motherboard (with the best processors for it) comes out to over $1,500, which is fine, but I am interested in checking out other motherboards that have dual cpu abilities as well.

I will also have to settle with one monitor for now, so 20'' will be wonderful for a start.. but again, this is getting hard to fit into budget. With the ram of that motherboard, it uses DDR2 800 so I found some G. Skill ram (2x 1gb) that will be fine. All of this is tentative, but I am looking into building a system like this in time.

I think it is smartest to stay with windows XP for a build like this as well, b/c it's just a sad shame that Vista seems to support very few drivers.

I'm out of the loop about tv tuner cards/ raid setups (if I even want to do that)/ dual monitors... so information on that stuff would be appreciated.

~~~ odd questions~~~
Are there any motherboards that support dual-cpu that are Intel core 2 duo compatible?

Should I get a smaller/ faster hard drive for the operating system/ games to be installed on?

What do I have to do to be able to turn on my entire computer with just a remote?

What type of power supply would I be needing? I was thinking an SLi certified 720W by Thermaltake but I was also thinking that I might want to future proof at 1000W... suggestions?

What motherboards support HIGH END ram? I can't find any that are dual-cpu compatible as well.

Good references to quality liquid cooling systems? ~ smarter to make it custom?

Overclocking - even though I wouldn't need it, I think I want to ;)

How to hook up a projector to computer? ~ supplies needed?

Perhaps even a nice big computer desk... I could make my own as well, but do any of you know of a place to get good quality desks?

I'll cut the questions there... this thread seems like it will go for a while as it is.

[glc]

Core 2 Duo is not multiprocessor capable, multiprocessor is for servers and high end graphics workstations, not general purpose and gaming boxes. You also need a professional or server OS for multiple sockets. Why not just get a Q6600 quad core at the end of April when the price drops to the low $500's? MUST you have SLI? Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 is as high end as you will ever need on ram.

[eaglestrike7339]

agreed, getting a quad core cpu would simplifly your system over a dual multicore. Simplified cooling, a cheaper mobo, and everything on the bright side.

[DarkPacMan77]

I was looking at the asus dh deluxe wifi/ ap for a motherboard (and router I suppose). Is the quad core really going to drop to under $500??? that low??? Is that to compete with AMD's quad core plans or no?

I think I will wait until then. Also, I don't NEED SLi, but I WOULD like to buy a motherboard that I can upgrade to SLi if I feel it starts getting older.

I want a sleek black case also. I was looking at the p180. Looks great, but what power supply should I pair it with?

thanks for your help guys

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would suggest something like a Coolermaster Stacker 810 or STC-T01 for these kind of builds. Ample space and high quality. Will also fit a bigger powersupply. The P180 isnt up for that.

The P5N32-E SLI would be a good choice for SLi motherboard. Just a warning though, the raid controller on the 680i boards isn't all that great. So if you have plans for raid, I would go with a add on raid card.

FYI, ATI's new DX10 line should be releasing around late march/April. And they will use new 8Pin style connectors. Not 6pin like normal.

[DarkPacMan77]

yea I think I will wait until I can stick a nice quad core cpu in there with a good dx10 card. I think I will delay this thought for a while.

thanks for all the helpful advice guys

[Katreat]

FYI, ATI's new DX10 line should be releasing around late march/April. And they will use new 8Pin style connectors. Not 6pin like normal. Mr. Ferrari, could you explain this statement a bit more. I am planning on a build with a future upgrade to an x10 card, what connector are you talking about? Do you need to do something with the build today to make sure you have an 8 PIN style connector avaliable, or are they standard?

[Staren]

If you have a link to where you got that from, I'd really like to look at it. I could see them using dual 6pin PCI-E connectors, but if they do go to something else that could be an issue.

[glc]

No, not UNDER $500 - INTO the $500's. I think they said something like $535 for a Q6600.

The P5W DH is not SLI, it's Crossfire. It is quad core compatible with the latest bios.

[DarkPacMan77]

I was just suggesting the p5w dh b/c I like the features of the motherboard. I'm starting to think that I don't need crossfire/ SLI. I DO think that the quad core sounds pretty darn nifty though... knowing me... that will last me for the next ten years.

Intel has been running on the LGA 775 socket for a long time... do they plan on switching to a newer socket? Just wondering...

[glc]

They will be switching, but I don't think anytime soon enough to worry about it. If you only need a single slot mobo, the Asus P5B series is a winner.

[Cac0]

Make sure that all of the parts you have selected are of the highest quality possible and that you buy the best PSU you can find. You will have the... GODPUTER

[Mr.Ferrari]

Mr. Ferrari, could you explain this statement a bit more. I am planning on a build with a future upgrade to an x10 card, what connector are you talking about? Do you need to do something with the build today to make sure you have an 8 PIN style connector avaliable, or are they standard?

The card will come with an adapter. The word is that the top of the line cards will have a 8pin and 6pin connectors. And will come with an adapter to convert 6pin to 8pin. No worries.

The next gen. of Nvidia cards will also have these connectors. They basically allow for more power to be given to the card. In fact..twice as much. Instead of having 4 6pin connectors on the card, you can just have a 8pin or two. Less clutter.

Just trying to say you should pick a appropriate powersupply in terms of power. And as far as the connectors go, a few manufacturers have started implementing. But you should see it more in the upcoming months.

[DarkPacMan77]

really seems like now just isn't the time to build a permanent in-home system. I still have my eye on the p5b though ;)

I will come up with something else in a while I'm sure.

-DarkPacMan77-