Build Suggestions Please

[peekaboo]

I'd like to build a new computer for myself.
I do not play any games.
I use the Adobe Creative Suite applications, MS Office applications , Matlab (a bit), Tex (texniccenter + miktex), uTorrent, Skype, currently using Unigraphics but hopefully won't be needing it later on, VMware, FireFox with many tabs open, VLC.

Budget is around $1000 CAD (taxes extra) for hardware, not including a monitor.

I also need recommendations for a monitor. Lag is not important as I don't play games. True colors and wide viewing angles are important.

Part recommendations are appreciated. Links to specific parts at NCIX.com even more appreciated.

Thanks

[XenaWP]

For the monitor, I'd go with one that's highly recommended here: http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-fo...egory=Monitors

That would likely be a NEC or Eizo.

[flanzig1]

Would look to a quad core CPU like the Intel E6600, 2-3 gig of ram if using XP and go with 4gigs if going with 64 bit Vista. Corsair XMS DDR2 800 CAS5 will work fine. For video card, an ATI 3450 are in the $30 to $45 range, for dual DVI outputs, the ATI 3470 is about $10 more. Motherboard: Asus P5Q. DVD: LiteOn.
HD: Seagate 7200.11/pick the size you need.

[peekaboo]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 Would look to a quad core CPU like the Intel E6600, 2-3 gig of ram if using XP and go with 4gigs if going with 64 bit Vista. Corsair XMS DDR2 800 CAS5 will work fine. For video card, an ATI 3450 are in the $30 to $45 range, for dual DVI outputs, the ATI 3470 is about $10 more. Motherboard: Asus P5Q. DVD: LiteOn. HD: Seagate 7200.11/pick the size you need.

Isn't the E6600 a discontinued dual core?
I'd like to avoid Vista and stick with XP.

[vtfanmv5]

He meant Q6600. If you would rather have duo, E8400 is a good choice. There's also a combo deal on newegg with the P5Q and E8500 I believe.

Why avoiding Vista?

[peekaboo]

Originally Posted by vtfanmv5 He meant Q6600. If you would rather have duo, E8400 is a good choice. There's also a combo deal on newegg with the P5Q and E8500 I believe. Why avoiding Vista?

I don't know what I would rather have. Any reason to prefer duo over quad?
I'm in Canada so newegg is irrelevant.
I tried Vista and it annoyed me. Maybe I'm just too lazy to learn as I know my way around XP (sort of).

[vtfanmv5]

Sorry, forgot you were in Canada.

The E8400 generally games better than the Q6600, but the quad is better with multiple applications, or applications which can utilize four cores. I would personally go for the quad but many people prefer the duo.

[peekaboo]

Originally Posted by vtfanmv5 Sorry, forgot you were in Canada. The E8400 generally games better than the Q6600, but the quad is better with multiple applications, or applications which can utilize four cores. I would personally go for the quad but many people prefer the duo.

I do not game at all.
I don't want to start any Intel vs AMD argument, but is it generally accepted that Intel is currently leading in performance?

[shadowpr]

I do believe Intel currently has the lead right now in performance.

That build that Flanzig suggested is good.

Just get the q6600 if you go for quad, or the E8400 if you want dual.

[peekaboo]

Okay, so since I'll be buying my parts from NCIX, I've got:

Case: Antec Sonata III
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
CPU: Q6600
HD: Seagate 7200.11 640Gb
RAM:Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB
On the Corsair configurator (Corsair)I found TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX listed to be compatible with Asus P5Q Pro. The RAM I listed from NCIX is TWIN2X4096-6400C5 No DHX. Is it not compatible? Can you recommend something else? (NCIX)

Couldn't find the ATI GPU on sale and users are saying it gets very hot. Any info on this? Any other suggestions?

NCIX also not big on LiteOn for some reason any suggestions from them (NCIX DVD's)?

No need for software, mouse, KB. What am I missing?

[vtfanmv5]

That RAM should be fine.

As for the GPU, which are you looking at? I know the 4800s do have some driver related heat issues

[shadowpr]

DVD: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=Liteon
or: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS

That ram should work perfectly fine.

As for the video card: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Diamond

[peekaboo]

Originally Posted by shadowpr DVD: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=Liteon or: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS That ram should work perfectly fine. As for the video card: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Diamond

Why did you suggest those two dvd writers?
that Asus one you linked to is more expensive than any on this list . What's so special about it?

Did I forget anything I need?

Thanks.

[shadowpr]

I was just giving you options. Those brands have worked good for me, as well as many others. They are proven.

I would get the lite-on.