New Build

[CL Dave]

OK, any comments would be appreciated. This may be way over kill but it should last for many years.

Current System: Compaq
AMD, Athlon Processer, 901 MHz, 768 RAM
Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Ser Pack 3
DVD/CD-ROM Drives: Compaq DVD-ROM DVD-115
Lite-On LTR-49125W
Disk Drive: WDC WD800JB, 80 GB HD, Partitioned C (Programs….), D (System)
Maxtor 52049H4 – 20 GB HD
Maxtor External 300 GB, 270 used.

Proposed System:

CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106

CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202
Newegg.com - $279.99

MOTHERBOARD - ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail, Xtreme Phase, 3-Way SLI & Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131359
Newegg.com - $239.99

RAM: Kingston 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K3/6G – Retail Newegg.com - $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134852

VIDEO CARD: ASUS EAH4670/DI/1GD3/A Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Newegg.com - $90.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121305

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Newegg.com - $75.00x2 = 150.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

CD/DVD: LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe
Newegg.com - $28.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=IHAS422-08

FLOPPY/CARD READER: Rosewill RCR-FD400 74-in-1 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive
Newegg.com - $35.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820223111

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
Newegg.com - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...601%20-%20700W

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM Pre-Order special, offer ends 10/20
Newegg.com - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116752

Thank you

[AMGrbaowska]

Just a few minor suggestions:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive Its still a WD Black, its larger, and its cheaper.

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card Great Video Card, much better than 4670, $5 more out of pocket, $5 less after rebate.

[glc]

I would recommend you save some money and gain some stability and go with a P55-based board and an i7-860. This will take dual channel ram instead of triple channel. Suggested motherboard is Asus P7P55D.

Either way, there is no longer a floppy controller on the motherboard. If you want a card reader, get a dedicated card reader - and if you need a floppy you will have to use a USB floppy.

[CL Dave]

Originally Posted by AMGrbaowska Just a few minor suggestions: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive Its still a WD Black, its larger, and its cheaper. SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card Great Video Card, much better than 4670, $5 more out of pocket, $5 less after rebate.

THANKS GLC, LOOKS GOOD.

AMGrabowska - THE REVIEWS ON THE SAPPHIRE AREN'T TO IMPRESSIVE. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS FROM THE MEMBERS. I WANT SOMETHING RELIABLE. I DON'T PLAY A LOT OF GAMES. I'M MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN EDITING VIDEO AND SUCH (NOT SURE IF THE VIDEO CARD AFFECTS THIS?)

THANKS AGAIN.

[glc]

If you don't game, save some money and get a HD 4650.

[CL Dave]

I don't mind spending a few more bucks on a good card, but it's difficult to determine a god card.

Is there a big difference between ATI and NIVIDIA? This one has great reviews and is reasonably priced;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130435

One other question, Newegg has combo deals on various items. If you by all your components from them do they automatically give the discounts on any combo deals, or do they even give you a say 10% discount??

[flanzig1]

For general purpose video use, a middle of the road card from either maker is fine. But if the card is going to be used for specfic uses such as gaming,CAD, photo/video work, there are brands that are better for each particular use.
I believe that Newegg will give the combo price even with different combos. They do give discounts on volume purchases.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by CL Dave I don't mind spending a few more bucks on a good card, but it's difficult to determine a god card. Is there a big difference between ATI and NIVIDIA? This one has great reviews and is reasonably priced; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130435 One other question, Newegg has combo deals on various items. If you by all your components from them do they automatically give the discounts on any combo deals, or do they even give you a say 10% discount??

There isn't that big of a difference between ATI and NVIDIA, however right now, ATI has better bang for the buck graphics cards than NVIDIA; for example the HD4850 which costs the same or less than the 9800GT is a good amount faster and is a newer model, whereas the 9800GT is a rebadged 2007 model (8800GT).

[glc]

The 9800GT is old technology and there are considerably better cards for the money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824

[CL Dave]

OK, got the video card set.

So now looking at RAM for the MBO;

MOTHERBOARD - ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail, Xtreme Design w/ CrossfireX, 12+2 power phase/T.Probe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131404

The manual for the MBO says if using 32 bit Windows, which I was planning on, you shouldn't use more than 3GB. The issue is I can't seem to find 3 GB RAM that is listed on their QVL. I was looking for DDR3 1600, 3X1 GB, and the only one at Newegg isn't in stock (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145225). Shouldn't there be more choices? Or do I just go ahead and order 4 GB @ 2x2 GB? But even these don't match up exactly on the model #s?? Many of the model #'s don't match regardless of manufacturer.

Thanks in advance.

[glc]

Get a 2x2 kit. The triple kits are not for the P55. 1333 speed is enough unless you overclock.

[CL Dave]

GLC,

Thanks for the input but it still seems there are no QVL approved RAM for this MBO. Newegg only shows one 1333, 2x2 in all their offerings (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145251). Will this work?

The main question here is does the RAM model number have to match exactly to what the QVL recommends? For instance for 1333, 2x2 they list Corsair # BoxP/N:TW3X4G1333C9DHX (CM3X2048-1333C9DHX)Ver3.2. At Newegg they offer TW3X4G1333C9A G. Would this work?

Even in the 1600, 2x2 they list Corsair # BoxP/N:TW3X4G1600C9DHXNV (CM3X2G1600C9DHXNV)Ver4.1. At Newegg they offer TW3X4G1600C9D G. Would this work?

I see the DIMM timing and voltage specs, but these seem to be the same for the most part, so what the differences? It seems the suffix's are just a bit different.

Thanks for the patience.

[glc]

Either one of those should be OK.

[CL Dave]

Thanks to everyone who commented and help me with my FIRST build. It went very smoothly, even set up a RAID drive.

The worst part, trying to figure out W-7 and the darn Libraries! XP was so simple. Any suggestions on where I can learn more on how this new filing system works? The Public Folders are locked and they won't let me in, even if I try to change the security level.......

Once again thanks so much, couldn't have done it with out you all.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by CL Dave Thanks to everyone who commented and help me with my FIRST build. It went very smoothly, even set up a RAID drive. The worst part, trying to figure out W-7 and the darn Libraries! XP was so simple. Any suggestions on where I can learn more on how this new filing system works? The Public Folders are locked and they won't let me in, even if I try to change the security level....... Once again thanks so much, couldn't have done it with out you all.

Make sure your account is set up as administrator, otherwise you may not have access to Public Folders. I've set my Win 7 installation so that it acts similar to XP in that I don't get constant prompts and have access to all files; I'm using an administrator account and have turned off UAC.

[CL Dave]

It's been awhile since I built my rig and everything is running well, EXCEPT when I start running video. I initially had lock ups when I ran multiple U-tube type videos over say 30 minutes. The computer would lock up and I'd have to do a hard reset.

I spoke with Mushkin and they sent me a different RAM set (996746) and that seemed to help relative to wathcing U=tube videos (no lock ups since the change). However recently did some video with Windows Live Movie Maker and it locked up. Yesterday I down loaded ~300 video clips from a HD video camera, and then going through the file I'd watch and delete files I didn't need. After deleting and watching several dozen clips it locked up.

The frustration is that every time it locks up, the RAID has to reconfigure which takes a couple of hours.

Any suggestions?

W-7
Raid-1
SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express
ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996746 - Retail

[glc]

Windows Movie Maker is crap. It locks up my XP machine too. I had to install Nero Vision Express to get my video work done.