GIS desktop build questions

[Grenwyck]

Hi all,

This will be my second build. Primary use is as a work desktop slanted for statistics and GIS. I have some parts already (DVD drive, OS, monitor, GPU) and budget is around $600. I am NOT planning on buying everything at once, but over the next month or so. I'm looking for this build to last at least 5 years, with the possibility of its primary use changing after the wife finishes doctoral program. I had originally thought to go with an i5 to reduce costs, but am guessing that GIS (ArcGIS 10) will benefit from a better processor with hyperthreading capability.

Processor: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
Mobo: Newegg.com - MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard(currently a combo with the processor...otherwise I'd look at something else)
RAM: Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 Green
GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800gt (plan to upgrade later)
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Case: Newegg.com - Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan
SSD: Newegg.com - OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
HDD: External Seagate 500 GB via USB (will upgrade later to internal drive)

(EDIT: I see that GSkill is not highly regarded currently, so I'm not set on this. I've used Corsair previously. /EDIT) I know some of this is going to push over the budgeted amount, but I'd rather go a bit over for quality that will last longer. Advice is gladly welcome. Thanks in advance.

[jdeb]

The i7 is overkill based on the hardware requirements for ArcGIS 10 but that is entirely up to you.

Have you considered the Z68 boards?

Cosair Vengeance 1.5V ram is the preferred memory for stability and performance.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

I can not comment on that OCZ SSD as I only build with Intel 320 and 510's.

[Grenwyck]

Thanks, jdeb.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

I had quickly looked at a couple of the Z68 boards. I used an ASUS in a previous build, and their products have been good to me. I know GIGABYTE is reliable, but I don't remember seeing ASRock the last time I seriously looked at things.

Mobo: ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68?
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

or maybe GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68?
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

I'll take your suggestion on the Corsair RAM. I went back and changed it to their model with the heat spreaders. Everything else about it looked the same.

I bought an Intel 320 120GB for my desktop a few weeks ago. I may go that route again, it's been great for the short time I've used it.

[glc]

I would get the low profile ram without the heatspreaders to allow for possibly installing an aftermarket CPU cooler if needed.

I'd get a 40gb Intel SSD and a standard hard drive and use SRT. You may be able to use the onboard graphics for that use.

[Grenwyck]

Thanks for the input, glc.

Yes, I'll go with the low profile ram. I think I meant to say that before I saw jdeb's post, I had changed it to the model with the heatspreaders. I didn't think to look for the same model without them.

Also, interesting timing on the post. Newegg is running a shell shocker deal today, but this isn't the one jdeb linked to. Is there any difference between (other than color):

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
and
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

Also, double checking, if I went with the Challenger-U3 case, would I have a problem plugging in the 20-pin USB 3.0 cable to the ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68? I'm pretty sure I saw the USB 3.0 onboard connector in a photo, and I saw it listed on the ASUS website.

[jdeb]

The board has two ports for USB 3.0 on the back panel. It also has one 20-1 pin USB 3.0 connector on the motherboard for a front panel case connection.

[glc]

Same ram, go for the shellshocker deal.

[Grenwyck]

Wanted to say thanks for the input one last time. Got it all put together on Sunday without a hitch. The better half seems to be really happy with it.

I went with the ASUS board. The USB 3 ports required a software install from the motherboard disc to recognize anything (I guess that's standard at this time, though).

It was kind of difficult to do a really clean cable management job with the case. The motherboard butts right up against the top case fan. It would have been nice if I could have routed some cables behind the mobo, but it'll do.