Looking for a custom builder

[nreiter]

I'm ready to upgrade my current development system, my present Asus A8V system is getting a bit tired. The builder I used last time (GX Computer) seems to have disappeared so I'm looking for custom builder that will work with me to spec out, build and test a new system. I want to build around the Asus P6T Deluxe mobo and the I7 920 CPU, but the rest of the system is still undecided. I need help in choosing a CPU cooler, graphics card, and memory (I've always used Kingston and/or Crucial). I'm not sure my case with one large fan is up to cooling a new, hotter, system so probably will need a new one as well. This means a new PS although I have a PC Power&Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V that would be adequate, but can't afford to shut down to swap it out so it will become a spare.

There are no white box stores in my area as I'm about 30 miles north of San Antonio and have no problems working via email with a builder anywhere in the country. I just can't afford the down time to assemble and test a system myself so prefer to pay someone else to do that part. I have all the drives, monitor, KB and mouse.

Any suggestions as to builders?

Thanks,

 

[xthekidx]

Ibuypower.com or cyberpowerpc.com will do it for you, but it takes them a couple weeks unless you pay $100 to rush order. I think its definitely worth taking the time to do it yourself, but if you don't have that time, then I would look at them, they have pretty decent prices.

 

[nreiter]

Thanks, I'm looking at their web sites now.

 

[aford10]

+1 I have heard a lot of good about Ibuypower.com.

In the time it will take them to put it together, you could do it yourself and save some cash.

 

[nreiter]

I haven't ruled out doing it myself, but we live in our motorhome and there isn't a lot of space to do system building. If I can get it built and tested for a reasonable price, that would be preferable.

Both sites I've looked at offer the P6T Deluxe but don't list the V2 board. I want the V2 for the 24GB memory capability and dual network ports.

 

[Helloworld_98]

you'll only get to 24GB if you can find 4GB DIMM's though.

 

[nreiter]

I'm planning for the future This is a software development system and I plan on running multiple virtual machines, so will need a lot of RAM.

 

[aford10]

If you are that specific about a component, you will likely have to build it yourself. Or buy it and pay someone local to do it for you.

Have you thought about server board?

 

[nreiter]

If you are that specific about a component, you will likely have to build it yourself. Or buy it and pay someone local to do it for you.

Have you thought about server board?

There isn't anyone local, closest would be in San Antonio and that's at least 30 miles away.

Do you have any particular server board in mind?

 

[xthekidx]

The ASUS website lists the P6T nondeluxe as supporting 24gb of ram.

 

[nreiter]

So it does, thanks. I was looking at NewEgg and the only version, according to them, supporting 24GB was the deluxe V2. I should have gone to the source.

 

[aford10]

This may be a bit overkill, but i'll throw it out there
max of 128Gb memory and dual xeon processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182155

 

[nreiter]

Yes, that is a bit over the top I think I'll stick with the i7 systems and a max of 24GB.

 

[Shadow703793]

@OP: Any reason you absolutely need 24GB of RAM?
You could save quite a bit of money by going with a X58-UD3R($185) versus P6T v2($289) based on Newegg prices.

As for dual network, you can always add a PCI card.

 

[nreiter]

No, I don't need 24GB of RAM today, but I tend to keep systems for 4 or more years and who knows what we'll need down the road. Price isn't the primary criteria, performance and availability is. And insuring that all the components are properly matched as to power, cooling, etc.

I don't need the dual network adapters right now either, but I can see a need for that in the future. That's not my major requirement, but is a nice plus.

 

[xthekidx]

You won't get much more performance from 24 GB of ram than you would from 12gb. 12 is more than enough for just about anything. Your CPU and GPU will limit your system much more and your money would be better spent upgrading those components instead. 4GB modules are very expensive for DDR2, and they will be extremely expensive when they are available for DDR3, I don't think they are available yet. I wouldn't bother with going that route, the price will not be justified by performance.

 

[nreiter]

The RAM isn't for performance but for virtual machines. The way RAM prices have gone over the past several years, what is expensive today will be cheap tomorrow. Moore's law still rules However, all this discussion has me rethinking my project. Perhaps a lesser machine today and upgrade it again in a couple of years when the next greatest round of processors hits the streets.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[nreiter]

I have speced out the following system from IBuyPower for $907:

Thermaltake Armor+ MX Middle Tower Gaming Case w/420W Power Supply
Intel Core i7 Processor 920 (4x 2.66GHz/8MB L3 Cache)
Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink
Asus P6T Intel X58 Chipset
6 GB [2 GB X3] DDR3-1333 Triple Memory Module (Corsair)
NVIDIA GeFOrce 9500GT 512MB
1 TB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache]
LG 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive
Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3200 Laser (MX3200 Cordless Keyboard + MX600 Cordless Laser Mouse)

The only question I have now are do I need a better CPU heat sink? I don't plan on any overclocking. You have also convinced me that I can live with 12GB RAM for the foreseeable future

Any suggestions or comments?

 

[Shadow703793]

The RAM isn't for performance but for virtual machines. The way RAM prices have gone over the past several years, what is expensive today will be cheap tomorrow. Moore's law still rules However, all this discussion has me rethinking my project. Perhaps a lesser machine today and upgrade it again in a couple of years when the next greatest round of processors hits the streets.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Ahh... yes. For VM (depending how much you do with it) then yes, 24GB may be needed.

 

[xthekidx]

Get a different PSU than the one that comes with the case. Get the Corsair 650tx, ibuypower offers it as an option.

For no overclocking then the heatsink that comes with your computer (it will be the intel stock heatsink) will be sufficient for your CPU. However they actually have a great deal on the Thermaltake V1 heatsink for only $44, so I would get that because it opens the door to overclocking in the future, which you can do without serious risk to your system. It is very easy on the i7. Even if you didn't overclock the better heatsink would lower your temps and make your CPU last forever, well into the future when it will be veiwed as archaic.

Don't buy a lot of memory from them, just get the cheapest set they have and then buy your own memory to put in. They make huge dividends by overcharging for memory. You can sell the memory that they put in the machine and then put in your own and have a better deal.

The thing about buying from them is that you can't be sure of the value you are getting. They tell you 1TB HDD, but there are huge differences in the different 1TB HDD's available on the market right now. I would call them up and make them give you brand and model numbers of all the parts that would go into your system before I bought from them so you know you are getting a good deal.

 

[nreiter]

I have a PC Power&Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V PS in my current system that will go in the new case.

Good advice on the cooler, I'll upgrade to the Thermaltake.

Also on the memory, I'll price out Crucial, I've used them for years and have always been satisfied.

Perhaps I'll just order the smallest HD and get my own 1TB drive. I have 2 500GB drives with my current OS and programs to put in the case as well. I'll also get model numbers on all the hardware.

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

 

[Shadow703793]

Get the XIGMATEK S1283, about the same price as V1 but better.
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2292&page=5
V1 (high fan speed)= 24.4C over ambient
S1283 (high fan speed)= 16.8C over ambient
150W load.

If it's not an option where you buy it from, you can always do it your self.

 

[xthekidx]

Get the XIGMATEK S1283, about the same price as V1 but better.
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2292&page=5
V1 (high fan speed)= 24.4C over ambient
S1283 (high fan speed)= 16.8C over ambient
150W load.

If it's not an option where you buy it from, you can always do it your self.

Yeah, but doing it yourself defeats the purpose of buying a prebuilt system because you will have to remove the mobo and then redo everything...you might as well build it yourself if you are going to do that and save time and money from ordering it from ibuypower.

 

[nreiter]

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I placed the order this morning for basically the system I described above. The configurator didn't compute quite the correct price, the final price was $1048 plus shipping. Now I just have to decide how to handle the OS and software, start fresh with 64-bit Windows (Vista, XP, or 7 beta) or try to migrate my existing XP install.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Jump on to Vista x64. That way you can upgrade to Win 7 easier. The Win 7 is still has issues.