Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum  

Go Back   Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum > Non Cigar Specialty Forums > Misc > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-17-2011, 12:51 PM   #1
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default I need some computer building geek help, please.

I have to build a new computer for my office. My last build was from around 05, and she's done me good.

What I'll be doing is photoediting, maybe some gaming (and I say that knowing I never will play anything unless I go back to some old titles), possible some light videoediting.
Mainly I'll need opengl support for some CAD-ish stuff as related to designing wood projects.
I need at least 5.1 for my music.
I need AT LEAST 3 MONITOR SUPPORT with and option to expand if I so chose, up to six monitors. (Up to six is not even really necessary, but 3 is an absolute. I'd like to add a fourth at minimum).

I would like to use AMD AM3 4 or 6 core on an ASUS AM3 mobo with ATI video cards. (I am an asus/amd fanboi. I've had huge success with their stuff for lots of years.)
I do not need cutting edge screamer anything, but I would like my mobo and cpu to provide a little future flexibility.
I like to have lots of storage capacity, so room for 4 sata hdd's is a must. 6 or more would even be better.
I'd like a HUGE tower that provides tons of room to move air. I like to run two dvd burners, so two large bays is enough, although a few extra would be great.
Oh, I need a good gaggle of usb ports, too.

I can't think of anything else offhand. Anything you guys can suggest will help. It'll get me headed in the right direction and help me start getting a parts list together.
Thanks You!!!
Any suggestions on parts would be awesome,
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 03:03 PM   #2
Bill86
Snob
 
Bill86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
First Name: Bill
Posts: 6,704
Trading: (67)
Cohiba
Bill86 is a name known to allBill86 is a name known to allBill86 is a name known to allBill86 is a name known to allBill86 is a name known to allBill86 is a name known to all
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

For a case you might look into the CM stacker (cooler master) it's a big SoB with 4 usb ports on the front another 4 or so on the back. Very large case, all metal too. http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=14

Speakers Logitech Z-5500 are very nice. I like logitech products. http://reviews.logitech.com/7061/224...ws/reviews.htm

Monitors I'd go samsung with however large you need them to be I like the 16:10 widescreen.

Processor I use a AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, you could go with the 6 core version.

Probably get 8-12 gigs of RAM, that ones up to you

It depends on how much gaming and whatnot you are going to do but right now I run an Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT (one of my weaker pieces of hard ware) but it will still run every game that is out now on near MAX - MAX settings. So if you are looking to save some coin this is where I would do it.

I would get a solid state hard drive (the largest you can afford) and then 2 regular 1 TB or 2 TB hard drives for space. Again the SSD will only be your windows drive with all your programs, so don't feel the need to get an insanely large SSD but don't get a 50 gig either. Get whatever will hold everything you need + 25% or so for future expansion.
Bill86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 09:19 PM   #3
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Bill, I carted a Coolermaster 840. It meets my needs and it's real expandable, plus it supports dual psu's which is perfect.
Thanks for recommending coolermaster, that's what I'm using right now and never thought of it.
I already have a Denon receiver with Klipsch 5.1 surround speakers, so that's good. I just need decent onboard sound.
I already have 3-19" Samsung monitors. I may add one more. In a land of dreams I'd add three more, but it'll never happen. One more is reasonable and it'd be nice if I can match the other 3.
I had the 965 6-core carted already, this is kinda getting scary now.

I carted the Asus M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 board. I'm not at all sure it'd got enough options, or if it'll handle the 6 cores. If you have any other ASUS recommendations (or anyone else does), I'd love to take a look.

I'd like to go ATI on the video cards, and I sure don't need nearly that much wee-yoo. I'm thinking 4 monitor support in the $150-200 range for each card? I haven't really looked, but you gave me a good starting point.

I need a memory and psu recommendation, too.

SSD HDD's are out of the question. I'm not gaming, and to waste money on the speed is silly. I make every one of my drives redundant. I'm currently running 3TB with 3TB worth of backup. The drives are 1 for 1, each hdd has a backup hdd. I'll continue that.

I may or may not rape my current system. I may let in run and use it for a media server. My mind isn't made up yet. I'll likely just rape it for the parts and toss the rest to save money. I can serve media from my new rig, right?

Thanks for all the help, brother. Talking to you really has the wheels turning.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 09:40 PM   #4
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I should have said I had the 965 quad core carted. I went and carted the six core now. I'm trying to make my wish list public. I gotta go get Nikki to help me do that, I think.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 09:45 PM   #5
aich75013
Feeling at Home
 
aich75013's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
First Name: Adrian
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 774
Trading: (25)
Montecristo
aich75013 will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shilala View Post
I need AT LEAST 3 MONITOR SUPPORT with and option to expand if I so chose, up to six monitors. (Up to six is not even really necessary, but 3 is an absolute. I'd like to add a fourth at minimum).
I'm no help on the build as my last one was built in 2001.
I used to get teased at work for having two monitors but once people see how nice it is they get jealous.
I do CAD work for integrated circuits and four would be awesome, but it took some convincing just to get two.
Posted via Mobile Device
aich75013 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 10:45 PM   #6
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by aich75013 View Post
I'm no help on the build as my last one was built in 2001.
I used to get teased at work for having two monitors but once people see how nice it is they get jealous.
I do CAD work for integrated circuits and four would be awesome, but it took some convincing just to get two.
Posted via Mobile Device
I think I'd snap if I had to use your computer.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2011, 10:49 PM   #7
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I don't know if this will work, but I made my parts list public so I can show you guys what I picked so far. Some things are duplicates till I decide which part to go with.
Here's the parts list.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 11:40 AM   #8
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shilala View Post
I don't know if this will work, but I made my parts list public so I can show you guys what I picked so far. Some things are duplicates till I decide which part to go with.
Here's the parts list.
Need some help bump.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 11:43 AM   #9
poker
1:11
 
poker's Avatar
2
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Kelly
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,280
Trading: (7)
Cohiba
poker has disabled reputation
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

the link leads to newegg, but it asks for log on info.
__________________

Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro


Character is what you do when no one is watching
poker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 11:49 AM   #10
boonedoggle
The Search is ON
 
boonedoggle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Jimmy
Location: CHARLESTON, SC
Posts: 631
Trading: (19)
RA AirForce (Active)
boonedoggle will become famous soon enough
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I got a new crappy Gateway (yea, they are still around) laptop for super cheap at Best Buy. I didn't know, at the time that the audio system was so crappy. I picked up some Philips SPA7210/17 Multimedia Speakers from Overstock for 43 bucks because they had some decent reviews. Don't know if this is here nor there, but if nothing else, here's another bump!
__________________
Dr. Hibbard: Is that the love of a man for a woman, or the love of a man for a fine Cuban cigar? (chuckles
boonedoggle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 12:34 PM   #11
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by poker View Post
the link leads to newegg, but it asks for log on info.
I'll try to figure out the link for the public cart. Thanks, Kelly.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 01:34 PM   #13
nofeardiver
Feeling at Home
 
nofeardiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
First Name: Dan
Location: Florida
Posts: 561
Trading: (4)
nofeardiver will become famous soon enough
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

holy crap, yeah that is sick... that would be a nice gaming machine... wish i lived close enough to help you with the build, i use to love building machines, now i have laptop, i aint going to even try building them...lol

good luck i want to see pics of that up and running...
nofeardiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 01:38 PM   #14
poker
1:11
 
poker's Avatar
2
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Kelly
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,280
Trading: (7)
Cohiba
poker has disabled reputation
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Sounds like a pretty massive box there Scott. I guess the bottom line is to get the most for the money in your budget.
Have you checked prices with other places like Tiger Direct?
__________________

Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro


Character is what you do when no one is watching
poker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 02:06 PM   #15
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I haven't checked Tiger Direct, I never really cared for them. I should check mwave, though. They can usually whip newegg's ass pretty good on some stuff.
The mobo and six core are pretty future-proof, I was thinking. Antec and corsair stuff lasts forever. That case has some sick cooling, so maybe it'll keep that ASUS mobo from frying. It's the weak link, I think. But as far as motherboards go, I have the best luck with them.

What's the deal on the eco green hdd's? Do they just shut off all the time, or something like that?
I wasn't planning to use them as my boot and boot backup, just storage. So it's not an issue, just wondering.

I suppose I wanted to make sure I didn't have something selected that doesn't make sense, ya know? The 5570 was just plain cheap, and I needed a video card to compliment my onboard graphics to give me 4 monitor support.

I'll check some prices. If you guys can think of anything else I should add/replace, please let me know your thoughts.
(I even looked at bluray burning, it isn't ready for prime-time yet. I hate to buy first gen burners, they suck. It might be a good idea though before they get all drm'd.)
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 02:38 PM   #16
357
Will herf for food
 
357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Mike
Location: Home is where I park it
Posts: 4,075
Trading: (9)
VR
357 is a splendid one to behold357 is a splendid one to behold357 is a splendid one to behold357 is a splendid one to behold357 is a splendid one to behold357 is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

pricewatch.com lists dozens of other site's prices, it can help save some money.

If you're going with Win 7, I would recommend Pro. It offers Windows Virtual PC as a freebie, and gives you a free XP Pro Virtual Machine. It can be handy for legacy apps, or when you need to do testing/etc. Also, Home edition cannot authenticate to a domain, so if you're using this in a work environment, I would highly recommend Pro x64 rather than Home Premium.

The hardware looks pretty nice. I would suggest running your disks in RAID 1. It is faster than a stand alone drive or RAID 5. Plus, it does provide a mirror copy of your data for some level of redundancy. You lose 50% of the total capacity you buy, but it's worth the speed and reliability in the long run. The math of RAID 1 is pretty simple. If you need 2 TB, buy two 2 TB drives.

Just my geeky
__________________
“Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain
357 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 02:47 PM   #17
poker
1:11
 
poker's Avatar
2
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Kelly
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,280
Trading: (7)
Cohiba
poker has disabled reputation
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I've also heard (never tried it mind you) that folks are doing clean installs with just the Windows 7 Pro Upgrade disk instead of the full program disk without issue.
__________________

Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro


Character is what you do when no one is watching
poker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 03:46 PM   #18
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

I will go see if anyone has a coa available for pro or ultimate at Anandtech.
I hate to make the move from xp, but at this point, I guess I have no choice.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 05:18 PM   #19
klipsch
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shilala View Post
I will go see if anyone has a coa available for pro or ultimate at Anandtech.
I hate to make the move from xp, but at this point, I guess I have no choice.
You can always do a duel boot to keep an XP partition on the HD. I did that when I loaded 7 Pro on my laptop. But...I've found that I can pull full access programs from the XP partition into 7 Pro 64. I don't mean through the virtual machine (which I found myself never using) either. I'm able to pull the .exe file from the XP partition and pin them to the taskbar in 7 Pro to launch from.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2011, 07:49 PM   #20
shilala
Dear Lord, Thank You.
 
shilala's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Posts: 13,721
Trading: (252)
Cuaba
shilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond reputeshilala has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: I need some computer building geek help, please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by klipsch View Post
You can always do a duel boot to keep an XP partition on the HD. I did that when I loaded 7 Pro on my laptop. But...I've found that I can pull full access programs from the XP partition into 7 Pro 64. I don't mean through the virtual machine (which I found myself never using) either. I'm able to pull the .exe file from the XP partition and pin them to the taskbar in 7 Pro to launch from.
I dual booted 7 and xp all the way through dev. Did the same with vista.
The lack of drivers made it useless to me, but it sure was purty.
Brilliant idea on pinning the .exe file across partitions, Walt. I'd have never thought of that in a million years, Thank You!!!
I have no idea what virtual machine is, or how I'd use it to my advantage. I'll definately look it up and see why I want it. (That's not entirely true. I recognize it and know I used it, but I'm currently clueless and I need my brain jogged.)
I don't do a lot with my computer anymore since I retired. Not like I did a few years ago, anyhow. Lisa does, and she's excited for me to stay ahead of the curve for her. She's very savvy herself, but she doesn't do as much as she used to, either. She's not going to be doing the IT work for her firm anymore, either. If I'll get off my ass and apply myself, there's no end to what we can do together, so I suppose I should get on the ball.
A decent machine and getting more familiar with 7 is as good a place to start as any, cause I'm REAL rusty.

After this, I want to build, set up and host a server, just for learning's sake. It's a must for Lisa's work, and something I should have learned years ago.
__________________
shilala is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
All content is copyrighted jointly by Cigar Asylum and the content provider.