Help Me Build A Computer!

[MDC]

All right, so before I found this forum I had a lot of wild ideas on saving up a couple grand or so and building the ultimate machine for all of my needs, both present and future.

And actually, that hasn't changed. But what has changed is that I am no longer set on doing it all by myself. After reading through this forum, I've decided that the experts and members would be a thousand times better at helping me build a computer than I would be on my own. I hope you all can help!

So here's what I want to do. I want triple screen set up (one to browse, one to game, one to watch movies/baseball via MLB.TV. Baseball Everywhere. | MLB.com: Subscriptions), preferably all at the same time. I also plan on downloading/burning a lot.

I'd also like to build a relatively (I know this is wishful thinking) future-proof computer, that could go for a couple of rounds of upgrades before having to build new again.

Money really isn't a issue, but I would like to keep it under 3-4K. I'd like an intel processor, an ASUS mobo, and Western Digital HDD. I like to game (WoW, Starcraft, etc.) so a higher-end GPU and sound card would also be ideal. I really do not know much about monitors, but I want three of the same size, of pretty good quality. That's about it. I appreciate the help.

[Nikon]

not going to link it all, glc knows the best intel componoent, but something along these lines aught to do you well:

intel core i7 860 (socket 1156)
asus p7p55d pro
a-data ddr 1600 ram (2x2gb)
antec cp-850 850w psu (sli certified) (this means its good for sli too usually)
wdc black 1tb HDD sata 6gb/s
video card options:

EDIT: removed due to misleading/incorrect information.

soundcard : un-necessary unless you really need more than 8 channels of audio that come on that board.

just a basic idea, im the amd guy, so wait for glc's approval. obviously there are things missing, this was just to get the 'guts' of the computer out there.

[MDC]

Is dual channel memory enough for everything I want to do? I was leaning towards triple channel memory, or at least 2 x 4gb.

Also, does that mobo support usb 3.0? Isn't that the 'wave of the future'? Sorry if these are dumb questions, I'm still quite the n00b.

[Khalil]

Triple Channel memory is worthless unless you are using software that can utilize it, nothing you mentioned you want to do in your initial post requires or uses triple channel, unless you get into high end rendering software you really do not need triple channel.
Cheers!

[David M]

You are not going to be using triple channel RAM anyway unless you are using an LGA 1366 socket/ X58 chipset. You do not want to go there because of unreliability problems. Go with a P55 chipset/ LGA 1156 rig. What you want for that is DDR3, dual channel RAM.


This is my favorite kind of build...lots of screen real estate, fast and expensive. Don't worry though, we won't waste your money. That's not what this forum is about. There are plenty of ways to cut back on the cost of this rig. I put something together that falls between the $3000 and $4000 that you budgeted.

Boy I wish I had this computer.....

Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I7870

ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-482-_-Product

You will not need a sound card. The above motherboard comes with an excellent sound card...I have one.

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8

CORSAIR Professional Series AX750 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Professional Series AX750 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

DIAMOND 5970PE52G Radeon HD 5970 (Hemlock) 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Dual GPU Onboard CrossFire Video Card w/ Eyefinity
Newegg.com - DIAMOND 5970PE52G Radeon HD 5970 (Hemlock) 2GB 512 (256 x 2)-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Dual GPU Onboard CrossFire Video Card w/ Eyefinity

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1501FASS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-592-_-Product

Three of ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1
Newegg.com - ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers w/ component connector

LIAN LI PC-B10 Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-B10 Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ZALMAN CNPS9900 NT 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS9900 NT 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Optical drive. You pick. I don't know if you want to be able to play Blu-ray movies or not. You will need some sort of optical drive like this...
LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - CD / DVD Drives

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

Rounding the numbers up to the nearest dollar comes out to $2815 before tax.



If you are going to spend this much then get an excellent computer sound system. Games, movies, TV or other media with mediocre sound just doesn't cut it if you want the whole entertainment experience. I have both the speakers and the headsets. The sound of both is fantastic.

Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Digital Speaker System
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d+5500&x=0&y=0

Just in case your better half does not like all the noise late at night.
Turtle Beach TBS-2114 Earforce HPA2 5.1 Surround Sound Headset with Amplifier and Removable Microphone
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product

After adding the two noise makers, you are at $3230 before tax, within your budget.

[glc]

Nikon, you shouldn't even be thinking SLI or Xfire when you are talking about a triple monitor setup. You want one very strong Eyefinity card, which David has picked up on.

Also, please do not recommend the CP-850 PSU unless you specify a matching compatible Antec case. That's a proprietary CPX form factor PSU and there aren't too many cases out there that it will fit in.

[Nikon]

thanks for the insight GLC. i didnt even notice the different formfactor.

ive never dealt with tripple monitor setups, so i was just taking a wild guess, my apologies. ill edit out my other post.

[MDC]

David M, I love the build suggestion.

glc, do you have any suggestions on David's build, does it all look compatible to you?

And what is your thoughts on this case? i love the all-clear look.

9-Bay Acrylic Case-Sunbeamtech provide the best acrylic case pc for gaming and modding

[glc]

David's build looks fine to me. Are you looking for advice on things to cut back on to save some money?

[rwest]

Awesome system. But I have a question. You'll have three monitors and one graphics card that supports eyefinity. I'm not sure how eyefinity works but does one of the video ports support two monitors? Or do you need two cards? Three video ports.

[QUOTE=MDC]I want triple screen set up (one to browse, one to game, one to watch movies/basebal... preferably all at the same time.[\QUOTE]

[glc]

To use the 3rd monitor with EyeFinity, you have to use a DisplayPort to VGA adapter. (Yes - VGA.....not DVI - unless you want to spend $130 on the adapter)

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE Active DisplayPort to VGA Adaper 100916 DisplayPort Interface

An active adapter is required, a standard DisplayPort adapter won't work. The other option is buy a monitor that has a DisplayPort.