PC build

[Alecs]

Hey guys, I've been looking through the market for ordering a new PC here in the next month or so. I want to run WAR at max settings for the next few years . I'll also be using CAD applications like Solidworks and Autodesk, for school.

I've made a computer on buydirectpc.com and my specs are below. Let me know what you think.

The main reason I'm posting here, is to search for advice on how to save money. If anybody knows a much cheaper road for me to go (another site to look at, or comments on building from scratch), then any comment will be helpful. Currently this pc will run me about $2,200 with Vista 64-bit.

Thanks for any comments/advice you can offer!

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3GHz x 2 1333MHz FSB 4MB cache

Motherboard
ASUS P5N32-E-SLI (nVidia nForce 680i SLI) x16+x16 SLI

DDR2 Memory
4GB Dual-channel: 2 x 2048MB DDR2 800MHz PC6400

Hard Drive
320GB 16MB cache 7200RPM SATA2

Hard Drive #2
320GB 16MB cache 7200RPM SATA2

Serial ATA RAID None

Optical Drive
20x DVD Burner (20x8x16x DVD+R 20x6x12x DVD-R 12X Dual-Layer) with Software

Video Card (PCI Express x16)
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB Dual-DVI/HDTV-out

Removable Storage Device(s) Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader

Sound Card On-board high-definition sound system

Network Card
Integrated LAN with 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet Controller

Input/Output capabilities
Refer to the motherboard chosen.

Power Supply
Quiet 750 Watt SLI/Crossfire-approved PSU with APFC

CPU Cooling
Level 2 upgrade: Aftermarket multi-heatpipe heatsink with 92mm fan

[Pedro]

Looks pretty good, my concern is the case that you haven't listed might not provide enough air circulation to keep that CPU cool when you're using CAD.

We can build you a system template probably much better for less money, question is, any specific needs? like you prefer 2 PCI-E x16 slots, doesn't matter, or you really like Intel over AMD, etc...

[Alecs]

Hey man, thanks for the reply.

Actually, they listed that motherboard having a good integrated sound, (I like to record my guitar, but don't care enough to get a decent sound card) and I think there's some kind of benefit of having those 2 PCI-E x16 slots, if I want to add another video card. So those things together were enough for me to upgrade to that motherboard.

I have no preference over brands, actually every pc I've ever owned has been a AMD machine and my initials are AMD so I've always gotten them for the novelty bonus. The exception is that I don't like ATI, because I've had trouble with their drivers and linux, and I think nVidia has better support.

I'll research what makes a good case, thanks for the heads up.

[Pedro]

All right, you also mentioned comments about building from scratch, so thinking about the CAD you'll be doing...

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors
$153.00

GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
$84.99

G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$85.98 (for w)

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel
Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
$119.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
$139.98 (for two)

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
$22.99

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, ULC, CE, CB, RoHS - Power Supplies
$149.99 ($30 mail rebate not included)

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$299.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems
$99.99

ASUS Arctic Square 92mm
Newegg.com - ASUS Arctic Square 92mm Vapo Bearing CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
$44.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease
$5.99

SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1 - Floppy Drives
$6.99

For a system with technically the same stats as the one you mentioned for a total of $1214.87 without S&H and Tax depending if you live in a Newegg hub state.

That's almost half than the one you were looking, so if you know how to build and troubleshoot (in case parts arrive DOA or malfunctioning) then you can do it yourself and save almost a grand. Of course we're here to help with troubleshoot (look at some of the threads, Pwn and Fluffy doing a great job at it) if you ever need it.

Now, why I picked what I did:

1.- CPU: Always loved AMD (I'm so bias), they are not as fast as Intel but pretty close for a lot less.
2.- Mobo: Same, Gigabyte has never let me down (while ASUS burned 3 different cards) and considering that you wanted 2 16x I had to go with Dual core chipset, I wanted to give ya Tri or Quad core CPU but atm the mobo for those are a shot in the dark and the only ones with 2 PCI-E x16 were getting horrible reviews.
3.- Case: Best case there is for air movement, no question about it, think half if not more of the PC builders in these forums use this case.
4.- RAM: Best bang for the buck, not to mention that 2 of these means you can get two more later on because you're not sticking 4 1gig sticks.

Everything else is just good quality parts. Now many people ask me why a floppy drive? that's obsolete, well it's still the most reliable and widely used (no matter the ae of the PC) backup device, not to metion you taking CAD means yer in school, and I know CAD files won't fit in there but probably other school projects will.

Now the cooling, usually with this case you don't need an aftermarket CPU heatsink, but you will be using CAD thats a lot of processing power which generates extra heat, so this should help

Oh and you mentioned liking to record your guitar on the PC, well the mobo has a 7.1 integrated sound card

Another thing we don't put in PC templates is keyboard/mouse/monitor unless requested.

All right, I'm hoping some of the other guys drop in and trow other templates (usually better than mine) and hopefully help you further.

*leaves the floor*

[Pwnzilla]

For CAD applications you do not want a "desktop/gaming" GPU. You want a "Workstation/CAD" card.

The Autodesk "Certified" Graphics Hardware List (for WindowsXP/Vista/Vista-64)

Autodesk - AutoCAD Services & Support - Graphics Hardware List

The Newegg link to PCI-E format Workstation Graphics video cards

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

Basically, don't expect a gaming GPU to perform CAD work well, or a CAD GPU to perform gaming tasks very well. The applications are quite different.

[Alecs]

Pedro you are the man!
Thank you very much, I will get this pc as soon as I start driving buses. And of course, I will continue research and take in any other advice, if anybody else posts.
By the way, in today's day and age of everything being a portable mass storage device, I'll be good with my m33 psp, iPod, flash drive, remote desktop, external HDD. I had to list them because, this is the 2000's man. and I won't be repairing XP with my 40 floppys.

Pwnzilla, I realize that there are differences, but this is primarily a gaming machine, and any CAD activities will be done when I'm to busy to get to the campus labs (all nighters). I'll be using MATLAB the most for work on this PC. So I should be good. If I ever really need a workstation PC, I'll better have a sponsor.
I checked out the links you sent, thanks for your input. Knowledge is contagious.

[Grum]

Or instead of the x2 6000+ Pedro mentioned you can get the x2 5000+ black edition and overclock it beyond 3ghz on air cooling and it's only $87
I've always been a fan of AMD as well. I refuse to spend all that money on an overpriced intel chip.

[Pedro]

Not a big fan of overclocking, more heat, less product life.

[Grum]

Originally Posted by Pedro

Not a big fan of overclocking, more heat, less product life.

The black editions don't produce extra heat. From the article:

"This refined processor stepping allows the processor to stay stable at higher clock speeds without requiring an increase in core voltage. The obvious benefit is that you can put an inexpensive overclocked AMD processor into your PC, and the CPU fan won't need to run at speeds that make it sound like a turbine. Thus, thanks to the low thermal power dissipation, you don't need to spend extra money on a complex cooling solution."

AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition : Introduction - Tom's Hardware

[Pedro]

Still shorten's it life