This is not my first home-build, but I’m always sure to check the specs here in the forumz before I purchase. This build will be my primary work machine. I’ve been researching for about two months, and here are my requirements:
- I work professionally as a web/graphic designer and do some freelance VHS to DVD transfers
- I have another machine for over clocking and gaming (No OC, no Gaming)
- Will run XP Pro until I’m ready for Vista
- My target price range is $1,500
CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail ($49.99) Link
MoBo: ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail ($150.99) Link
PSU: COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CSA, TUV – Retail ($49.99) Link
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor – Retail ($221.00) Link
CPU HSF: included Retail HSF (If I decide to OC then I’ll buy another HSF)
RAM: OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (ATI CrossFire Certified) – Retail ($285.99) Link
- Realize I should go with lower speed since I’m not OCing, but lower speeds are only $50-60 less in most cases…
HDD: (2x) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM ($119.99 X 2 = $239.98) Link
VIDEO: SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card – Retail ($154.99) Link
VIDEO Cooling: ARCTIC COOLING Accelero X2 Fluid Dynamic VGA Cooling Fan with Heatsink – Retail ($19.99) Link
SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card – OEM ($27.99) Link
DVD-RW: SONY Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner – Retail ($49.99) Link
DVD ROM: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SHD-16P1S – OEM ($19.99) Link
DISPLAY: SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers – Retail ($199.00 w/ rebate)
- May move to dual monitors when I can afford another display Link
Current Total: $1,470.88
Final thoughts:
I already have two large capacity IDE drives and I’m considering adding a PROMISE ULTRA133TX2 PCI IDE Controller Card. Thoughts?
I didn’t research the monitor too much, but read a few posts that it was a good deal on a great display…
Any thoughts, suggestions & advice would be welcome, thanks! - PL
- I work professionally as a web/graphic designer and do some freelance VHS to DVD transfers
- I have another machine for over clocking and gaming (No OC, no Gaming)
- Will run XP Pro until I’m ready for Vista
- My target price range is $1,500
CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail ($49.99) Link
MoBo: ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail ($150.99) Link
PSU: COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CSA, TUV – Retail ($49.99) Link
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor – Retail ($221.00) Link
CPU HSF: included Retail HSF (If I decide to OC then I’ll buy another HSF)
RAM: OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (ATI CrossFire Certified) – Retail ($285.99) Link
- Realize I should go with lower speed since I’m not OCing, but lower speeds are only $50-60 less in most cases…
HDD: (2x) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM ($119.99 X 2 = $239.98) Link
VIDEO: SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card – Retail ($154.99) Link
VIDEO Cooling: ARCTIC COOLING Accelero X2 Fluid Dynamic VGA Cooling Fan with Heatsink – Retail ($19.99) Link
SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card – OEM ($27.99) Link
DVD-RW: SONY Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner – Retail ($49.99) Link
DVD ROM: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SHD-16P1S – OEM ($19.99) Link
DISPLAY: SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers – Retail ($199.00 w/ rebate)
- May move to dual monitors when I can afford another display Link
Current Total: $1,470.88
Final thoughts:
I already have two large capacity IDE drives and I’m considering adding a PROMISE ULTRA133TX2 PCI IDE Controller Card. Thoughts?
I didn’t research the monitor too much, but read a few posts that it was a good deal on a great display…
Any thoughts, suggestions & advice would be welcome, thanks! - PL