new system

[bassnut]

Hardcore Multi Media ..... BLU-RAY conversion and some other video app's. Typ[ically when I am shrinking a BLU-RAY you will see the processors peged at 100% for the 2 - 4 hours it is being done.

For hooking up to a LCD display it is as simple as running a HDMI cable from a dongle to your TV inputs ..... in your video settings there is an option to add a second monitor where you can drag other programs to work or watch.

I take a peek later as there are pleanty of cases available with beter cooling.

 

[Lavarock]

Buy a Mac Apple will also sell you what you need not upsell you what you don't need. Finally, you get the best of both worlds as you can run your PC applications or stay in the native Mac OS world.

Once you go Mac you won't go back.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Buy a Mac Apple will also sell you what you need not upsell you what you don't need.

Surely you jest!
A Mac i7 with specs listed above will run you over 4 Grand!....

My Dell i7 cost $1,019 last Nov and is phenomenal.

 

[bassnut]

A couple more case suggestions ....

1) Coolermaster Scout ...... lots of cooling but will run you about 150 without a power supply and might be a bit big for the space you have.

2)Cooler Master Elite 430 Black Mid Tower Case (RC-430-KWN1) more of a basic case but has lots of room for additional fans .... optional 2 X 120 top, 120 rear and 12 / 140 side if need be. More of a traditional case like you stated and a bit smaller than the Sonata III cost $55 + some fans at least 2 120's up top .... about 10 - 12 each

3) you can add a 120 mm fan to the Sonata III that may help a bit and from what you said about your expected use it might be enough as you will not be stressing the CPU very much.

I did a rough price and some things were guessed at abut you are looking at 1500 without tax + opperating system .... Win 7 Pro $150, Win 7 Home $102

I am sure there are some discounts for buying form a shop and he might be using some sheaper parts than I priced ...... I allowed 300 for your 8 gig of Ram as I didn't know what you were looking at. You can save about 300 - 400 on the system by going with the AMD PII 965 and won't be that far behing preformance wise on the i7 870 you decided to go with. 180(965) vs 310(i7) thats just the processer you can save a bit on the MB and the ram as well. The 1366 i7 Socket is where the big difference in preformance really is between the 2 though there is a difference with the 1156 Socket it's not as big as some think.

here's some thoughts for you and either way you will have a nice system.

 

[Danolo]

A lot of great suggestions, guys... thanks a lot....

Still pending decisions:

Case: <<<<Looking now at your further suggestion...

AMD vs I7 <<< I'm still considering the cost benefits...

Video.<<< Good suggestions on the video cards.. I'm gonna research them today and tomorrow...

SSD<<<<< Hmmm. don;t know much about them, going to inform myself. If I use a 80GB SSM for Win7 and a HD for data, does that not require a fair bit of folder manipulation to make D: my data drive? And what about installing new software... onto the SSM or the data drive?

Blueray Drive.<<<< I don't have a blue ray player yet, so this may be somethng I can easily add later.

RAM<<<< several suggestions to reduce ram to 4 GB to save money... I may do that because its fairly easy to add later if I need it, right?

Thanks a lot for all your inputs... please feel free to add anything else you can suggest...

 

[WoodPeckr]

SSD<<<<< Hmmm. don;t know much about them, going to inform myself. If I use a 80GB SSM for Win7 and a HD for data, does that not require a fair bit of folder manipulation to make D: my data drive? And what about installing new software... onto the SSM or the data drive?

W7 will automatically assign any extra drives a letter as it detects them. There is no complicated folder manipulations involved.
You can put your programs on C or D drive as you desire. They of course will load and run faster on the SSD. You simply drag and drop between your drives as if they were separate partitions.

Those SSD reviews I posted above will give you a lot of info on SSDs and what they do.

RAM<<<< several suggestions to reduce ram to 4 GB to save money... I may do that because its fairly easy to add later if I need it, right?

RAM can always be easily added later. You can never have too much RAM. RAM prices are dropping. DDR3 is cheaper now than last year.
FWIW I'd go for 8 GB rather than 4 GB.

 

[Danolo]

Well, one decision made - the case...

Cooler Master Elite 430 Black Mid Tower Case (RC-430-KWN1)

Based on the reviews I've read, this is a less expensive case, without a lot of fancy lights and bells and wistles that is built sturdy and will fit my needs. That is my final antler.


Now, Power Supply...

bassnuts (brassnuts??) suggested this power supply:

Enermax EPR525AWT PRO82+ 525W Power Supply - Excellent review at
(http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Enermax-PRO82+-525-W-Power-Supply-Review/551/10 ) -
Tiger Direct $150

For a hard core gamer:

XFX Black Edition 850W - this power supply gets good reviews...Tiger Direct $155.

Corsair Professional HX850 850W Power - also well reviewed - Tiger Direct $203.00

Thermaltake Purepower Rx 600W Modular Power Supply - well reviewed with minor cable problems - Tiger Direct does not carry this one - they do have the 700W ($113) and a 430W ($45) which still would need to be researched.

The above reviews coming from: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com

Coolmax 600-Watt Modular Power Supply - PCI-E, 120mm Fan - Tiger Direct $57.00 ...
Review at http://www.rbmods.com/content/7851/testing-and-conclusion.aspx suggest minor issues with short cables, no cable sleeves and not enough cables, but excellent performance.



That'a about all the work I've done so far on Power Supplys - So far I'm leaning towards the Enermax - As always, I'd be happy to hear your input.

 

[bassnut]

Enermax EPR525AWT PRO82+ 525W Power Supply .... did I hear you right ...... tiger direct wants 150 for this ..... check the link below. They have a couple stores around the Toronto area.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/adva...WT+PRO82++525W&sid=9lcbutkq49fc124pa9jmdbs3u5

Corsair has some good review but depend on a single rail ....... some feel it is not as dependable as the new Multi Rail power suply's ..... this can sound like the old Microsoft vs Apple argument some people like to use but you can get a better power supply for that kind of money.

The power supply that I currently am using and has proven very dependable regardless how hard I push it overclocking is the Coolermaster Silent ProM 850. Suposto be able to handle up to 3 Top end video cards .... This is not a top of the line unit but very sturdy ..... $140. I didn't recomend this earlier as I was sticking to your specs.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=026508

you might weant to check out Canada Computers when you make up your mind what you want to buy ...... http://www.canadacomputers.com/

Stores in ...... Brampton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Markham Pacific Mall, Mississauga, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Toronto Kennedy, Toronto North York, Vaughan, Waterloo and Ottawa

 

[Danolo]

Enermax EPR525AWT PRO82+ 525W Power Supply .... did I hear you right ...... tiger direct wants 150 for this ..... check the link below. They have a couple stores around the Toronto area.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/adva...WT+PRO82++525W&sid=9lcbutkq49fc124pa9jmdbs3u5

Corsair has some good review but depend on a single rail ....... some feel it is not as dependable as the new Multi Rail power suply's ..... this can sound like the old Microsoft vs Apple argument some people like to use but you can get a better power supply for that kind of money.

The power supply that I currently am using and has proven very dependable regardless how hard I push it overclocking is the Coolermaster Silent ProM 850. Suposto be able to handle up to 3 Top end video cards .... This is not a top of the line unit but very sturdy ..... $140. I didn't recomend this earlier as I was sticking to your specs.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=026508

you might weant to check out Canada Computers when you make up your mind what you want to buy ...... http://www.canadacomputers.com/

Stores in ...... Brampton, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Markham Pacific Mall, Mississauga, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Toronto Kennedy, Toronto North York, Vaughan, Waterloo and Ottawa

I know... Canada Computers has great prices... will they assemble a system? cost?

I'm almost thinking I could assemble one myself... I haven't done so since it was an AT system... but nowadays I have the internet to help...

 

[Danolo]

I just phoned Canada Computers...

If I spec out the parts they will assemble for $49.95 and install Win7 for an additional $30. Also offer 1 year warranty for $20.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

I just phoned Canada Computers...

If I spec out the parts they will assemble for $49.95 and install Win7 for an additional $30. Also offer 1 year warranty for $20.

Canada Computers is where i purchase all my computer parts. highly recommended.

 

[bassnut]

I find the Ottawa store great for prices but have been disapointed about the knowledge of some of the counter staff. Never had to deal with thier techs mind you. I go there when I know what I need. I remember when I bought this system they were 50% cheaper for the ram than the other store where I had first bought part ...... that was when I started shopping there.

 

[basketcase]

Canada Computers is where i purchase all my computer parts. highly recommended.

Sadly the one near me just burnt down.

...

Now, Power Supply...
...

600W is way too low, especially if you plan to play games or upgrade components later. I'd say minimum 800W but more would be better. Remember that many graphics cards need to be plugged in to the PSU . You might also want to check it the PSU you pick is compatible with your MB as well (as in does it have the proper pin configuration).

Now if you really want to put some thought in, get a PSU with modular cables. That lets you connect only what you need and allows more air flow through the case.

 

[Danolo]

Sadly the one near me just burnt down.



600W is way too low, especially if you plan to play games or upgrade components later. I'd say minimum 800W but more would be better. Remember that many graphics cards need to be plugged in to the PSU . You might also want to check it the PSU you pick is compatible with your MB as well (as in does it have the proper pin configuration).

Now if you really want to put some thought in, get a PSU with modular cables. That lets you connect only what you need and allows more air flow through the case.

Yes, I've seen some of the PS's with modular cables.. sounds good... thanks for the info.

 

[AnimalMagnetism]

Toms Hardware is always a good source of information. here is a $1000 enthusiast PC they put together and benchmark.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overclock-components,2735.html

 

[Danolo]

Ok, decision on Power Supply is final.

Here's my choices so far:

Case
Cooler Master Elite 430 Black Mid Tower Case (RC-430-KWN1)

Power Supply
Coolermaster Silent ProM 850


Now Video Card:

My original choice was:
ZOTAC VIDEO CARD GT240 1G DDR3 RTL 128B DVI VGA HDMI FAN RETAIL

However, bassnut tells me this is older technology and his choices, shown below would be more current for about the same price. Here's what he chose.

Sapphire Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI-E ....... Reg: $149.77 CAD
PowerColor AX5750 1GBD5-PDHG Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI-E ........ Reg: $153.77 CAD
XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI-E ....... Reg: $158.77 CAD

So, my questions about these cards are:
1.What is the difference between them? They are all about the same price, each one has 1 GB ram, and they are all Radeon. What is the best one? I'm gonna do some of my own research, and if you guys know any factors here, I'd be glad to hear from you.

2. Will any of these cards work in BOTH the AMD and the I7? I have not yet finally decided on the motherboard/processor yet, because I want to do a side-by-side comparison of two really good systems. So, will these video cards work with both processors?

Any finally...any other suggestions on a video card around the $150 - $200 range? I know I could spend a lot more, but I gotta exercise SOME restraint, don't I? Don't I?


Ahhh what fun.. thanks guy for all your ongoing help...

Next terb party I'm buying...

 

[Danolo]

Ohhh my head hurts!!! I've been looking at Video cards and their reviews and still haven't come to a final decision on the three noted above. Each one of them have pros and cons...

Then I made the big mistake and looked at the specs of some of the higher end cards around $300-500.... oh oh

But for my use, I cannot justify a screaming video card...

 

[Danolo]

Toms Hardware is always a good source of information. here is a $1000 enthusiast PC they put together and benchmark.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overclock-components,2735.html

Thanks AM... you are right, I've been to Tom's and they are great. As for the $1000 system, I think I've broken that budget a while back

 

[Danolo]

i suggest getting a Blu-Ray drive ($100), a different video card a middle of the range ATI 5xxx series (~$200) and getting windows 7 professional (OEM). Windows 7 Pro especially if you plan on using something like Daemon tools.

Thanks asn...
I'm looking at blue ray, as you suggest... and drooling over the Daemon Tools...

 

[Danolo]

Putting in a SSD boot drive is something you make want to consider.
You can then use the HDD you selected above (2 X HDD1TB Western Digital GREEN Hard Drive) for storage.
SSD drives have dropped in price quite a bit and they have far better performance than traditional HDDs.

Here's what SSDs are going for in the US, not sure about cost in Canada.
Here is a highly rated 80 GB SSD which is perfect for a boot drive with Win7.
They come in all sizes but cost more the bigger you go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023

Here are some reviews to peruse of the SSD to give you an idea of what they deliver to a system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...rue&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

Thanks Woodpecker... SSD sounds like a good idea and its in my list for future decisions.