Azisien's Super Computer Build!!
 

I've been saving up since November for my graduation present, a brand-spankin' new desktop computer that will blow away any desktops I've had in the past, even adjusted for technological progress and prices! This will also be the first full computer I build from the ground up alone (I've swapped parts for my previous desktops, etc) and the first I own alone (parents usually purchased one or other hardware). I've even upgraded my internet connection to blazingly fast in preparation for this monumental occasion that, I hope, will arrive in early to mid May.

Coincidentally, a close friend of mine also needs a new desktop, so we decided, hey, let's build desktop twins! We've been researching on and off, learning the lingo, etc, for a few months now. But while we're still green in the computer building field, I figured why not present desktop configurations to NPF to be ripped to shreds, or approved of?

Websites we're using to order parts from:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca
http://www.ncix.com
http://www.newegg.ca

The following hardware I present is from tigerdirect, but we have also found close analogs OR slightly better prices at NCIX or Newegg.

CASE: NZXT Tempest ATX Mid-Tower Case

POWER SUPPLY: ThermalTake ToughPower PSU (NOTE: Probably going with the 1000W model, but it's been temporarily removed from the website)

GRAPHICS CARD: BFG Geforce GTX 280 OC Edition 1

PROCESSOR: Intel Core i7 2.66ghz

MOTHERBOARD: Asus P6T Deluxe Motherboard

RAM: Corsair i7 Dominator RAM (3 x 2GB)

HARD DRIVE 1: Seagate Barracuda 1TB hard drive (Note: May upgrade to 1.5TB model by May)

HARD DRIVE 2: Patriot Warp 128GB SSD

DVD DRIVE: Lite-ON DVD Drive (Note: Would love a nicer one but don't know crap about these drives)

MONITOR: Samsung 24" LCD Monitor (Note: Or something similar. I'm looking for 1920x1200 gaming resolution, so am open to suggestions on monitors)

OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition. From what I've seen I'd much rather Windows 7, but it isn't coming fast enough. I will probably switch to Windows 7 though.

So, whatcha think?

As far as future-proofing goes, I figure the 1000W power supply is more than enough. I've also looked into i7 heatsinks from local shops, the RAM can be doubled to 12GB eventually, and there's plenty of room to add more SSDs and storage drives, thus allowing RAID and other pretty functions.

My main worry is the monitor limiting the power of the hardware. I can only play what I can display, after all, but it is beyond budget to go for a $1300 monitor.

Windows XP is much better than Vista if you have a choice. Vista does weird things. EXAMPLE: My Vista will randomly decide to disable devices (Like my sound or my VGA) on its own, with no input what so ever from a person. This can also corrupt your drivers (Like my VGA).

Sadly, XP is going out, but yes, Vista is INCREDIBLY tweaky. I can't wait for Windows 7 to swing in on a golden rope and give the major computer market the product they were promised in the first place. (Note: this comment meaning a version of Vista that actually works. Win7 is more of an upgrade than a new OS.)

As for your DVD drive, I'd suggest this as an alternative: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136153 . Because I really don't trust Lite-On.

Or, if you want to go with a more adventurous choice, there's this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136133 .

Or the Fuck Money edition: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136137 .

Well, looks someone is going for the "screw you I have money edition" of desktop building.

On the tech side, everything seems to match up night nicely. I would wait for either the 290 or 300 series jump, as they should come roughly April. Also triple channel 12 gigs of DDR3, as you might as well make full use of the six slots there. Do you even have a money cap here?

But on the OS side, you should really get Vista 64. It is stupid fast with what you have listed and you should never notice any slowdown nearly ever. Unless you plan on plying lots of really old games, this beast of yours will conquer. I'd get a netbook with xp if you really want to play old school games.

Also go with the blu-ray DVD drive blues mention. Then you computer is now a bitchin' blu-ray player to boot. Also SSD? Nice. Good lord I am jealous of you right now.

EVILness, it is worth noting that XP-64 is worse than Vista-64, and a 64-bit is necessary if you want to utilise more than 4 net GB of system memory.

Thanks for the input so far.

Fuck Money edition will have to wait. I don't have much need for a blu-ray reader either, I don't even have a player for the TV yet. I picked such a generic, cheap drive initially because I am near budget limit. Thanks for the other alternatives though.

Yeah, Vista is a necessary evil because I plan on starting with 6GB. The motherboard was chosen specifically to allow an eventual upgrade to 12GB, but there ARE budget limitations as of right now. And I'm pretty much at them given the hardware above. As I said, saving since November, fuck money edition is a go!

My main points of concern are a really solid Power Supply, and peripherals I haven't thought of, like an additional heatsink for the i7? I figure the other hardware above will destroy...uh...graphics settings.

Other hardware upgrades I have considered is the Creative Labs Sound Blaster sound card, because it looks awesome and I found a matching gaming headset at my local Best Buy. Ahem, when I have money.

What does the RAM have going for it that I can't see? Seems it should be going for $150-200.

It's shiny.

It's DDR3. It's actually much more expensive for a comparatively small performance boost, from what I hear.

Come to think of it, is that motherboard DDR3 compatible?


Edit: Ah! Yes, it is! That's good, because the technology is pretty new, and DDR2 boards still rule the market.

The more important part is the amount of gigs of RAM to be running this baby. The whole tri-channel DDR3 thing is just...well...shit man you read reviews about this stuff for months and it just looks so damn pretty, and RAM really isn't that expensive compared to the other hardware.