Graphics PC Build

[jplanet]

This will be my second build...this one is for a friend who is a graphics professional. They need fast CPU and plenty of RAM to spare for Photoshop/Illustrator/Quark/Indesign. They also like to do a lot of CD burning and require a lot of disk space. There is no need for 3D power.

I would also like to make sure that I can use the front USB ports on the case...I had the case for it on my first build, but my choice of MB didn't support it.

My first build was an Intel Dual Core. I hated mounting the CPU fan - it was a pain to get it in securely and I snapped a few of the plastic feet that go into the board the first time around. I wonder if the Core 2 Duo's are any easier? I'd rather go Intel than AMD, if for only that I know the CPU will shut down if I mess up mounting the fan, and I'm afraid I might fry an AMD. If these fears are unfounded, and the cost/benefit ratio is worthwhile, i might consider an AMD build.

Here's what I got so far - I went with 1 2GB stick in case the user ever wants to upgrade to 4GB:

Case:
XION Onyx XON-303 Black/Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz

Power Supply:
Athena Power AP-MP4ATX47FE 470W MicroATX

RAM:
G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

HD - OS and Programs:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

HD - Media and Storage
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s

DVD Burner:
LG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech Black SATA Model GH20NS15

In addition to any comments on the above choices, I am looking for recommendations for motherboards. I would like good expandability, fastest video (not sure if AGP is still the way to go)...

As for video cards, I am also looking for recommendations. I always seem to have headaches with any ATI card I've ever owned, so I wonder if there are any good nVidia options. The important thing is pro 2D performance, the user is not at all into games.

[Alaron]

Good start.

I'd swap for an FSP power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104037 Better quality for a better price. Plus that Athena is MicroATX, not standard size for your case.

As for the motherboard, go with Asus. The P5Q series is the popular choice right now. AGP Slots are old tech. Video cards now use PCI-Express.

I'll let a graphics person help with the video card.

[jplanet]

Thanks Alaron!

I've updated my list as follows:

Motherboard:
ASUS P5Q SE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Power Supply:
FSP Group AX500-PN Max: 450W Peak: 500W ATX2.2 Power Supply - Retail

[Khalil]

you might want to consider the E8400 instead of the E7200.

I have tested both, the E7200 is good but the E8400 is awesome specialy when you dealing with really big files such as Video Media and Photoshop. Intel really scored with these E8xxx processors. The difference in price is $50 but for big performance boost it is worth it for sure.

[jplanet]

Originally Posted by Khalil you might want to consider the E8400 instead of the E7200. I have tested both, the E7200 is good but the E8400 is awesome specialy when you dealing with really big files such as Video Media and Photoshop. Intel really scored with these E8xxx processors. The difference in price is $50 but for big performance boost it is worth it for sure.

Thanks for the recommendation - if the budget allows, I'll definitely go for it!

So far, my list totals only $535, but I still have to add the video card and a sound card...if I can keep those both under $100 total, I can probably pursuade the end-user to upgrade the CPU - would it change any of the other requirements? It looks like it'd be ok with the motherboard and the PS will be more than adequate...

Would love any feedback on Nvidia cards if anyone has any thoughts...

[Khalil]

Nvidia makes great cards, so does ATI.

I have not recently used any of the Nvidia FX series graphics cards which is what your friend would need if you went with Nvidia, however about 6 months ago I did use 26 ATI Cards in an order for an Engineering firm in Indiana that does a lot of steel sheet design for Ford.
Here is the card I used in the 26 systems, it was reasonably priced and performed really well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814195045

Just as an FYI for those systems I used AMD Opteron 1216 processors and according to the clients they are almost over kill. I also used Asus M2N-LR professional motherboards with 3GB of DDR2 667 ECC memory.

Good luck with your build!

[BGHS]

Originally Posted by jplanet Thanks for the recommendation - if the budget allows, I'll definitely go for it! So far, my list totals only $535, but I still have to add the video card and a sound card...if I can keep those both under $100 total, I can probably pursuade the end-user to upgrade the CPU - would it change any of the other requirements? It looks like it'd be ok with the motherboard and the PS will be more than adequate... Would love any feedback on Nvidia cards if anyone has any thoughts...

You (or he) can try out onboard sound and save some money. Then, if he wants something better, he can add a soundcard.

[XenaWP]

For a graphics pro I would definitely go with an ATI board. I have used 3 now and haven't had an issue with any. Their 2D performance has always been better than nVidia. The 3850s and 4650s are excellent values right now.

Also there is no reason on earth to put 2 GB of RAM in any new build. RAM is so cheap they're practically giving it away. Definitely put 4 GB of RAM in a PC for graphics use. All the programs you listed are RAM hungry.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

[jplanet]

Originally Posted by XenaWP For a graphics pro I would definitely go with an ATI board. I have used 3 now and haven't had an issue with any. Their 2D performance has always been better than nVidia. The 3850s and 4650s are excellent values right now. Also there is no reason on earth to put 2 GB of RAM in any new build. RAM is so cheap they're practically giving it away. Definitely put 4 GB of RAM in a PC for graphics use. All the programs you listed are RAM hungry. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

I found this ATI card, it's very well-reviewed. The consensus that I find on the Photoshop forums is that for 2D, little difference is to be seen in cards over $50...

SAPPHIRE 100236L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire

Now that I've found ATI tray tools, I'm more comfortable with ATI since I won't have to install the dreadful Catalyst Center. With the end-user's past machine, he experienced some messed up display issues whenever he was running a Java application, and I once went through a painful Ubuntu install only to find that it wouldn't recognize my ATI card. But, the consensus does seem to be that ATI hardware is the way to go...

As for 4GB, I recently installed it on my own system, and I find that some things act oddly with the 3GB switch in XP Pro. I use my own machine for pro audio, so I needed the extra RAM to load large sample libraries, but since I did so, I find that simple things, like just opening my web browser, seem to take much longer...the end user is not a techie, so it's not an option if he has to play with boot.ini settings to get things stable. I've also heard of font managers, and some other applications that might be critical, that do not support the 3GB switch...

My thinking is, sometimes a good spec on paper can be a disadvantage in practical use...There's so much conflicting information when going beyond 2GB in Windows...

[XenaWP]

That Sapphire card looks fine for the purposes you describe. You probably don't even need ATI Tray Tools either. On my photography PC I uninstalled Catalyst Control Center because it conflicts with display calibration profiles. I tried Tray Tools but didn't find they did anything that I needed on that PC. So I just periodically download and install the display drivers only. Works just fine.

[jplanet]

Originally Posted by XenaWP That Sapphire card looks fine for the purposes you describe. You probably don't even need ATI Tray Tools either. On my photography PC I uninstalled Catalyst Control Center because it conflicts with display calibration profiles. I tried Tray Tools but didn't find they did anything that I needed on that PC. So I just periodically download and install the display drivers only. Works just fine.

I got by without Tray Tools for a long time - it wasn't until I started having weird issues whenever playing videos in Windows Media, and I found a thread where it was recommended to turn off the WMV Acceleration, which I tried, and it worked! (although, I do think there is a way to do this with a registry tweak)...

[jplanet]

Originally Posted by Alaron Good start. I'd swap for an FSP power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104037 Better quality for a better price. Plus that Athena is MicroATX, not standard size for your case. As for the motherboard, go with Asus. The P5Q series is the popular choice right now. AGP Slots are old tech. Video cards now use PCI-Express. I'll let a graphics person help with the video card.

All parts have arrived - I have a feeling that the power supply you recommended does not work with the P5Q...it appears that the main connector on the FSP is much smaller than the main power port on the P5Q...should I send this PSU back? Is it safe and/or wise to try to use it as-is?

[minsonngo]

Originally Posted by jplanet All parts have arrived - I have a feeling that the power supply you recommended does not work with the P5Q...it appears that the main connector on the FSP is much smaller than the main power port on the P5Q...should I send this PSU back? Is it safe and/or wise to try to use it as-is?

The power supply you have should have the 20+4 pin connector that will plug right into the motherboard. It is above ATX 2.0 so that PSU will have the correct connector.

It should look something like this...

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...o/atx24pin.jpg

[jplanet]

Ah! Thank you! Yes, I saw the four pin deal that was bundled together with the main power connector, now it makes sense - first time I ever saw two cables go into one port, so it threw me for a moment...

Otherwise, I must say that I loved doing this build - the P5Q is a great MB, very clearly labeled, and the little bit for plugging in the led/reset/power all into one piece that plugs into the MB is a brilliant move...too bad I can't fire it up tonight and test it out as I don't have a DVI cable and the video card has no analog output for me to test it with, so I must sadly leave it until the stores open tomorrow...