$3k Budget - Good Performance PC - Recommend Pls

[markbensona]

Hey Hi guys n gurlz

I have $3k budget and I want to build a good performance based PC, I am not into gaming but I tend to have a lot of applications running, few firefox windows and some other applications in the background.

I pretty much never play any game. I want to build a pc that will load things faster and handle good amount of multi-tasking with heavy software in the background like --

Firefox's
Photoshop
Few CAD stuff


If you could help that would be great. I wouldn't mind a decent sound card and a decent GFX Card, but I am not much into gaming, but I want the best parts out there. And I want to buy i7 920 not interested in other ones.

I want to build it ASAP.

Thank you

 

[markbensona]

Hey Geo
How do I use multiple monitors I have like 3 at home but I wanna use 2, but how do u make it so that you can see 2 different windows in those 2 monitors?

 

[geofelt]

Hey Geo
How do I use multiple monitors I have like 3 at home but I wanna use 2, but how do u make it so that you can see 2 different windows in those 2 monitors?

Every video card I know of has at least two connectors for monitors. You just attach a monitor to each connector.
The video driver will let you configure how you want to use the monitors. It will look to you like one large window. You can drag windows around as you like. To use three monitors, you would just need to add a second graphics card.

 

[markbensona]

Hey Rocky

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) – with installation kit Retail $299

This product aint there anymore.

I wanted to know your views about these cases..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

Thanks

 

[rockyjohn]

Rocky sorry for bugging you again, but you 100% positive I should go for that cheap heatsink you mentioned? I am just worrying that it might not keep cpu that cool. I can spend some cash to go for a better one if u have any..

Did you read the reviews I had linked earlier showing it the HSF I recommended in the top five of 120 HSF? Or the other review.
If not just read the review linked above by geofelt - which also included in within the top 5 for high temperature overclocking projects. Or you can pick any of the other ones on the list if you want. The low price does not mean it is not a great HSF, as I said before.

 

[geofelt]

Also look at the Antec 902, an improved version of the 900. $95 delivered after rebate, and less if you use code emcmmp42:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

 

[markbensona]

Hey Geo
i like this case too i have added it actually in cart, only thing remaining is the

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) – with installation kit Retail $299

 

[markbensona]

I guess I will pass this SSD one and just go with old GOOD sata I can get it anytime later anyways.

Thanks everyone

 

[geofelt]

I guess I will pass this SSD one and just go with old GOOD sata I can get it anytime later anyways.

Thanks everyone

Look at mwave.com, I think they have X25-m gen2 at reasonable prices.

 

[markbensona]

I have never done shopping at Newegg.com I usually do at TigetDirect. It looks like I cant make an order from .com version of Newegg if I am not from states.

Is there a quick way to find the same items in NewEgg Canada?

 

[rockyjohn]

Here is another second generation Intel SSD at about the same price - frankly I don't know what the difference is between the two models but guess it is minor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016

Regarding the cases, the Antec Nine Hundred is an extremely well regarded and popular overclocker gamer case because it has, among other things, excellent air flow. I personally don't choose it because I don't care for the styling- with all the mesh and because I want a relatively silent case and don't have heavy air flow demands. You might also want to look at its big brother the 1200 - although everything you are planning at this point will easily fit within the 900 -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

I am not familiar with the NZXT Apollo but I did google a review for you (don't know if you aware but you can usually find good reviews on mainstream products on google just by searching on the name and word "review" or "comparison") from an excellent source;

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nzxt_apollocase/

The styling is a little much for me but other wise the case seems exellent with a great design for toolless install and lots of room. Infact I don't know why they call it a mid tower - newegg lists it at 22.13" x 8.33" x 20.53" compared to the one I recommended which is good size too but only 19.47" x 8.31" x 19.53". The Antec 1200 is 20.20" x 8.40" x 22.90" and the 900 is 18.60" x 8.60" x 19.40" . Generally I would say larger is better as long as you have the room for it.

So both of the ones you selected are good - just gets back to a style choice again.

 

[rockyjohn]

Newegg Canada only has generation one (G1) SSD and not G2. You want G2. Tiger Direct has G2 but only the 160 GB version at $655.

I really hate to see you not put this in your original setup - as long as it meets budget - because it will have a major impact on performance and your loading times will astonish you. But I know there are schedules too. Any other vendors to check?

 

[markbensona]

I would go with NewEgg if I can find the same components in the Newegg.ca or may be tigerdirect.ca.

Well I was reading some reviews about SSD and it looks like there was some update and there has been damages.

What you think about tigerdirect?

 

[rockyjohn]

ZipZoomFly has the SSD? Can you order from them? Are you in Canada then?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010803

 

[markbensona]

I am in Canada ya. But I want to buy all the components and I am not able to find them on newegg.ca the exact ones you have mentioned.

 

[rockyjohn]

tigerdirect.ca does not cary any Intel SSDs.

 

[markbensona]

what about all the other parts?

 

[rockyjohn]

have you found any of them?

 

[rockyjohn]

I7-920
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

mobo –
They don’t have the UD5P only the UD3P, I would have to review again the differences before recommending the UD3R.

Memory – but don’t get till mobo confirmed
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145253

HSF
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163121

PSU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090058%2050001459%20113142558&name=701%20-%20800W

Video
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143198

Sound
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

HD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

DVDs
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129015
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129045

Paste
They did not list the thermal paste for installing the HSF but any good computer store will have some – Arctic Silver preferred

 

[markbensona]

Thanks Rocky. I will wait till you confirm the MOBO before I add it to cart. Btw if you have doubts about the same you can always recommend another one price is not an issue just want good quality..

thanks

 

[rockyjohn]

No, you probably don't want the Gigabyte UD3R board as it only has 4 memory slots. So go with:

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $339.99 or here is combo deal with i7-920 that saves $20:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292041

and Use this RAM

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail $165
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Note this mobo ships with enought SATA cables so you don't need to purchase any extras as in the other list.

 

[markbensona]

lots of love and thanks dear Rocky.
So this mobo is as good as the other one u recommended earlier at start?

 

[markbensona]

Hey Rocky

Here is my shopping cart please add your comments

Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129063

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129063

I know in your list you had another one, but this one kinda got my attention. Looks nice tbh..

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

BFG Tech BFGEGTX260MC896OC2DE GeForce GTX 260 OC2 MAXCORE 55 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143198

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

I will have to remove this if I am going with the Antec Case as there is one 750W already attached, what do you say?

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Combo Deal Details Mobo and i7

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292041

 

[rockyjohn]

Yes - its a tossup between the two with parties arguing in favor or each side. I prefer Gigabye but can offer no hard support why it is better than ASUS - only reviews and opinions which can be matched by the same for the other side. Since Gigabyte has given me years of good support and consistently rank in the reviews with ASUS as one of the best boards (sometimes one winning, sometimes the other), I see no reason not to continue recommending them.

On the other hand, if you look on the newegg USA sight, you will see the ASUS board is the 3x Winner of Customer Choice Award - Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

 

[rockyjohn]

Your list looks good except for one issue - newegg does not list what PSU is combined with the Antec case. Most likely it is an Antec PSU as well, and Antec makes pretty good PSUs - in fact I chose Antec Earthwatts 500w for a smaller build. But you really should check with newegg and get confirmation on what it is first. If it is the Antec Earthwastts 750, which is most like, then no problem. If it is another Antec, we should check the specs. If another brand - just depends on which.

 

[rockyjohn]

And don't forget to add your operating system to the list, unless you already have it. It must be 64-bit to take advantage of all the memory.