Need Advice on New Build for Web Development / Computer Programming

[gfergo]

Good Morning Everyone,

I would like to get some feedback on this new build ... specifically want/need to know if anything that I have selected is totally wrong (i.e. INCOMPATIBLE).

My primary use for this computer will be Web Development (ASP.NET / Visual Studio 2010 / SQL Server). I would also use it for basic things like surfing, e-mail, watching videos (YouTube), and uploading photos (Picasa).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!!! 🙂

Glen



Approximate Purchase Date: This month (want to order the parts before the end of January)

Budget Range: $1,500 to $2,500

System Usage:
Most Important: Web Development (ASP.NET / Visual Studio 2010 / SQL Server)
Least Important: Surfing; Watching Videos (YouTube); Listening to music (iTunes)

Parts Not Required: N/A (need everything)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com

Country of Origin: United States

Parts Preferences: I like Antec, Gigabyte, Intel, and Samsung (but I am open to all suggestions)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1600x1200 or better

Additional Comments: Noise level is not (very) important to me. Performance and *STABILITY* are extremely important to me.


SELECTED PARTS:


OPTICAL DRIVE
1 x LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335


CASE
1 x Athena Power Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043


HDD (Planning for RAID 10)
4 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185


MONITOR
1 x SAMSUNG XL2370-1 Charcoal Gray 23" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor Slim Design
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001380


VIDEO CARD (GPU)
1 x MSI N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510


POWER SUPPLY
1 x CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011


KEYBOARD
1 x Logitech 920-000914 Black USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043


MOUSE
1 x Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105185


MEMORY (RAM)
2 x CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224


MOTHERBOARD
1 x GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423


CPU
1 x Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211


OPERATING SYSTEM
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758

 

[sadams04]

Good build. The only thing I would tell you is to wait a few weeks and go with Sandy Bridge (LGA 1155). For the same money as the LGA1366 build you can get a little better performance out of SB, and have a CPU upgrade option down the road. Otherwise you are on the right track and have quality parts!!

 

[gfergo]

Hi Sadams04,

Thank you for the feedback. I really appreciate it!

I wouldn't really call myself a 'system builder' ... so I had no idea Intel was about to release something completely new.

The thing is ... the system I spec'ed out is approx. $2,150 (not including sales tax and shipping). I don't want to spend too much more than that.

I am guessing that a Sandy Bridge CPU will cost more and require a newer -- probably more expensive -- motherboard.

I don't mind waiting 4 - 6 weeks ... but I don't want to go over the $2,500 mark.

What do you suggest?

Thank you!

Glen

 

[sadams04]

The costs for SB should be in line with what you are looking at today. The stuff you are looking at today is expected to drop slightly in price (as the new stuff takes its place). The only things that really change for a SB build is for a P67 LGA1155 MB and either a i5 2500 or i7 2600 CPU. The "K" at the end of some processors designates an unlocked CPU making overclocking possible. If you don't have any interest in OCing, then ignore this when selecting a CPU.

Just noticed your RAID10... The Spinpoint F3 is a good drive, but think about going with 2TB drives (not an F3). 2TB drives are not much more than 1TB drives and would double your space (maybe at a small cost to speed)...

 

[2135]

Also, I hear many programmers and developers find a dual-monitor setup very useful.

 

[gfergo]

2135,

I have two 19" monitors on my desk at work. I don't love it.

Part of the problem (I imagine) is that they are not quality monitors. The color is only so-so.

Another part of the problem is that I am using Visual Studio 2005 -- which has only limited dual monitor support.

I have read that Visual Studio 2010 has MUCH BETTER dual monitor support, so you may be right -- I may be better off with two 19" monitors instead of one 23" monitor.

I will definitely consider this! Thank you!

Glen