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Please critique my box...

post #1 of 96
4/21/10 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 
Building a workstation for my gf. Please review my newegg wishlist and give comments! I haven't kept up with new hardware in years, and may have chosen some bad shit, but honestly it looks good to me. I'm just mainly concerned about bottlenecks. Of course I'll be running Ubuntu and guess bite the bullet and get Win 7. I doubt my 32 bit copy of XP is going to do much good on a quad core. She's going to use this as an audio/video editing box mainly, so I think opting for quad core over dual is justified, since the few applications that actually support quad core are the ones we'll be using. http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=18447408
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post #2 of 96
4/21/10 at 11:00am
Your box is missing graphics. For audio/video editing, get Win7 64 bit and load up on RAM, i.e., 8Gb. And did I mention graphics? You need a decent graphics card. There was a decent deal on a Radeon HD 4850 card recently (check slickdeals).
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post #3 of 96
4/21/10 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
Well we aren't going to be doing any openGL editing or gaming, so I was planning on using the onboard Nvidia.

Also, even if I did choose to eventually get a video card, it would never be ATI due to Linux driver issues. Gonna have to be Nvidia all the way heh.

Thanks though.
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post #4 of 96
4/21/10 at 11:24am
No CPU cooler (other than the stock one)? I assume this means you won't be overclocking it?

I would also add a second hard drive (external) for backup purposes.
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post #5 of 96
4/21/10 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 
Ace, I don't plan on overclocking, at least not for a while. I can eventually get a good cooler down the line. As a matter of fact, I'm downgrading the RAM right now. Not going to mess with overclocking to keep my RAM from downthrottling from 1600 to whatever. Going for 1333 DDR3 since that's what the Mobo I selected natively supports. Also, as far as cases go, I'm going to get a 19.99 black mini tower from the local computer store. No need for a fancy windowed case anyway, since she's likely to cover it with stickers. I think the onboard video is more than sufficient for the little bit of gaming we do (every once in a while we might fire up quake 3 or halflife counterstrike). Honestly the only thing I REALLY need OpenGL for is Compiz effects in Linux, and that onboard should more than suffice. It's better than the Geforce 6200 AGP 4x I have now, and that suits me fine so...
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post #6 of 96
4/21/10 at 11:53am
Don't do the discount case! I used to use them until I got one of these: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129017

Once you have worked in a case where someone actually *designed* it (rather than made a metal box and said "oh, maybe we need something to hold a hard drive over here...") you will never go back. No sharp edges, everything fits together great and its easy as hell to work on. The panels are all triple layered and dampened....its an SF-worthy case for sure.

I might step it down to something with similar workmanship but a less extreme design if you don't want to keep it quiet...the one I bought is pretty big so that it can do things like keep the PSU in its own separate "zone" but there are smaller cases that are just as easy and well made.
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post #7 of 96
4/21/10 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otc View Post
Don't do the discount case! I used to use them until I got one of these: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129017

Once you have worked in a case where someone actually *designed* it (rather than made a metal box and said "oh, maybe we need something to hold a hard drive over here...") you will never go back. No sharp edges, everything fits together great and its easy as hell to work on. The panels are all triple layered and dampened....its an SF-worthy case for sure.

I might step it down to something with similar workmanship but a less extreme design if you don't want to keep it quiet...the one I bought is pretty big so that it can do things like keep the PSU in its own separate "zone" but there are smaller cases that are just as easy and well made.

I have that P180B too. It's a great case, but a bit of a PITA because the front panel covers the drives and power button. Otherwise it's sleek and very quiet (albeit heavy as @#(&).
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post #8 of 96
4/21/10 at 12:30pm
Thread Starter 
Woah crap, very nice! I never knew such a beast existed that separated like that. Too bad its discontinued. Makes me want to reconsider the mATX form factor and perhaps give ATX a more serious look, that way I may actually be able to get 8 gigs of ram in there without it costing my left nut having to buy 2x4 gig sticks. (Instead letting me opt for 4x2g sticks) Although, I'm sure just 4 gigs would be fine. Hell, I'm running an Athlon XP2800+ with 2 gigs of DDR for these tasks now. As far as Windows, honestly I hate it. I am only getting 7 to run Sony Vegas, Neuwav, Photoshop, Vdub, Green Screen, etc. All of our "normal" computing like web browsing, downloads, and apps is going to be on a Linux partition. Hell, all of my encoding work will probably be done in Linux too, b/c I think mencoder is the BEST. Still, she's the artistic one, and needs the Windows apps for her stuff. The only two apps I demand that are Windows only are AnyDVD (to make legal backups of my DVDs ahem), and VirtualDub. Although....I hear Avidemux is a pretty strong contender, I may drop VDub and try that one out.
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post #9 of 96
4/21/10 at 12:46pm
I don't mind building a PC around a discount case, although when building for myself I usually go Lian Li. I was thinking about going with something like this for my parents. Can usually be found with free shipping, supports 120mm fans, Micro ATX, unassuming looks, INEXPENSIVE, and good reviews.

Go with 1600 ram, you can always have it run at 1333 and will more easily OC when you want to bump up the Proc (unless you get a Black Edition which has unlocked multipliers). The 1600 is around the same price anyways...

That PSU is overkill as far as Wattage, also I would never buy anything Raidmax... Modular is definitely a must when going Micro. This OCZ ModXStream is a good deal, no ghey LED fan, modular, better reviews than the Raidmax, and has a combo with the same exact Lite-On DVD burner, saving you $18 before the $25 rebate.

Good call with the Propus, however I'd probably get a different Mother Board. I'm not a big fan of the Nvidia Chipsets on AMD boards. You can get a great deal if you don't mind taking a trip to a Micro Center; they're currently having a sale, buy an AMD CPU (either a 555, 630, 720, or 965) and get a free MSI mATX mobo (similar to this one). The only issue I see is that both mobos (the Asus you have and the MSI from Micro Center) is that both only have 2 DIMM slots...makes it harder to get 8gb of ram if you want to go that route.

Personally, I'd go with the 720 BE, and an AMD SB710 or SB750 South Bridge, and try to unlock the 4 core. L3 Cache and greater overclock potential ftw. I built a budget gaming rig for my brother with a 550 BE and an Asus with the SB710; unlocked the 3rd and 4th cores while overclocking to 3.6ghz, smooth and rock stable. However this unlocking business is not guaranteed... Also, most of the Asus boards with the AMD chipsets support 4 DIMMS of DDR3.

*edit* oops, I just realized that I overlooked a couple of things.

Linux: Get the nVidia chipset....ooorrrr get a discrete nVidia card....orrrrrr use W7 (I actually like it a lot) and you'll be ok with the ATI stuff.

MSI mobo: Only supports DDR2 memory...very minor performance hit compared to DDR3 for the most part, but is definitely not what you want going forward.

Case: they still have similar Antec cases...check the P182 or the P183 revisions.
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post #10 of 96
4/21/10 at 1:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I was actually planning on getting the case from MicroCenter since the prices are comparable and will save me shipping. That's a lot to digest, thanks again. What exactly do you not like about the Nvidia chipsets? And what do you think about OCZ ram? I can save a few bucks opting for that over G.Skill. edit: BTW, I have two external HDs already. One 750 gig Maxtor, which I hate and wish I never would have gotten due to the damn thing always corrupting my shit and having to run chkdsk every month, and a small portable 360 gig Toshiba for data files too important to entrust to the Maxtor. edit 2: Man, as much as I want to save money, the MicroCenter combo deals are iffy to me. One, being that the brand is MSI and I'd rather go Asus or Gigabyte. Two, onboard ATI s a big no no, for reasons already explained, and 3. No DDR3 hehee. If it comes down to it, I'd rather get a mobo with NO onboard video at all and get a 60 dollar Geforce something or other for the PCIE.
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post #11 of 96
4/21/10 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
Wish list updated... Going for faster DDR3 for a few dollars more and included heatsink. Can't afford 8 gigs DDR3 now, so will get the best fastest 4 gig I can. Latency only 7, not bad. With the mail in rebate on the PSU and Liteon combo (thanks!), this should put me right at 400 bucks for everything, cheap case from MicroCenter included
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post #12 of 96
4/21/10 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by javyn View Post
Thanks, I was actually planning on getting the case from MicroCenter since the prices are comparable and will save me shipping.

That's a lot to digest, thanks again.

What exactly do you not like about the Nvidia chipsets?
I never liked the audio and was always disappointed with the OC performance.

And what do you think about OCZ ram? I can save a few bucks opting for that over G.Skill.
I LOVE OCZ ram, however I'd be VERY hesitant to go with 90% of their DDR3 offerings. The reviews on Newegg are pretty scary...To be honest most of the reviewers don't seem to know that they have to set the frequency, voltage, and timings correctly in order to get the advertised performance...I've been happy with the DDR and DDR2 OCZ ram that I've used. However I've also used G.Skill and been pleased as well. Your call, personally I'd rather not deal with the potential headaches of an RMA.

edit: BTW, I have two external HDs already. One 750 gig Maxtor, which I hate and wish I never would have gotten due to the damn thing always corrupting my shit and having to run chkdsk every month, and a small portable 360 gig Toshiba for data files too important to entrust to the Maxtor.
Maxtor? For real?!?!

edit 2: Man, as much as I want to save money, the MicroCenter combo deals are iffy to me. One, being that the brand is MSI and I'd rather go Asus or Gigabyte. Two, onboard ATI s a big no no, for reasons already explained, and 3. No DDR3 hehee.
I've never had an issue with MSI, however my preference lies with Asus. Onboard video shouldn't pose an issue if you get an nVidia card, just disable the integrated graphics. No DDR3 is kind of a deal breaker for you, but for someone with extra DDR2 lying around, it's a great way to save money

If it comes down to it, I'd rather get a mobo with NO onboard video at all and get a 60 dollar Geforce something or other for the PCIE.

See bolds
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post #13 of 96
4/21/10 at 1:42pm
Get a Lian Li case - they run very cool and have taken air flow into account in the design of the case, this will help performance and save you down the line as all your components will be running in a less stressed environment.
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post #14 of 96
4/21/10 at 1:44pm
Very misleading thread title. I want my money back.
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post #15 of 96
4/21/10 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard View Post
Very misleading thread title. I want my money back.

That's what I thought when I first entered
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