NewPC build

MarxoGouch

I've read through various threads and tried to gleam any valuable info regarding my own self build, however since my desires differ from those of others on this forum I'll list what features are important to me and hopefully some of you will be able to help me out...

CPU -
I'd like a decent CPU - something that will see me through 2 years(min) of normal dtp work. I don't know which is better in this respect AMD or intel.

Graphics -
Priority is 2 dvi connections for twin screens and the ability to perform well using adobe creative suite of products. I'm a guessng 128MB card will do this - but have no idea of compatability etc..I won't be gaming as a rule although it'd be nice to have the option. Mainly heavy graphic scene rendering, etc..

Storage -
I'm looking to have atleast 2 hd's in the machine (Maybe three if I decide to have a hotswap backup drive) Will have multiple drive have heat/noise implications? if so what can I do to minimise this?

Memory -
I'm not sure what I need here but would ideal like a min of 1gb with a view to upgrading the amount every 6months( if necessary)

Motherboard -
No preference & no idea - all suggestions will be honored.

Connectivity -
Atleast 6 USB ports (I realise I can buy a pci card for this so I'm just mentioning it for mention-sake). Wireless lan card( I have a netgear usb wifi connector that drives me nuts and is very difficult to setup with my current wi-fi network).

Power -
I want a really silent system. Ideally the PS will (at peak) power 3 hdrives simultaneously and yet have a very very low noise output.

Sound - Any decent soundcard recommendations? My one ask is that the soundcard filters out the cycles of the machine when playing music at low volumes. ( not sure how to describe this, but you know that background/white noise that is emitted when the music is played at low volumes?)

Case -
Something discrete - no crazy lights etc.

Cooling -
is it necessary? If so what do people recommend?

Many thanks all, sorry about the length on this post..
-Richard


EDIT*****
Forgot to add budget - 800

RuggieBear

What's your budget?

MarxoGouch

RuggieBear wrote:

What's your budget?

800 - I updated my original post to reflct this.
cheers.

uberpixie

Ok bit of a darenia allen on this one. (copy and pasted from a post i made earlier)

Have a look at the intel 2.8 ghz dual core chip.

It's 265 euro on komplett.

Cheapest amd 64 dual core is the 3800+ X2 which is 355 euro. An AMD 64 rig will roughly cost 100 euro more than the sample spec.

sample spec:

cpu: intel 2.8ghz dualcore. (€265)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=309926&s=sc

mobo: Abit ALV8-V (€127)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311343&s=sc

1 gig of bog crucial ddr2 pc3200 (€95)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=302988&s=sc

antec sonata case with 380 watt psu. (€110)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=305069&s=sc

GFX:ATI X1300 256mb pci express (€104) (only 1 DVI!)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=314137&s=sc

harddrive: smasung spinpoint 200 gig (€99)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=307912&s=sc

DVD recorder: LG lite scribe drive black, retail (€56.80)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315627&s=sc

Total: €856.80 ex shipping
All prices as per komplett.ie on 11/1/06


800 euro is a very tight budget. How hardcore are you into DTP?

The above spec is farily good for what you want to do and at the price!

As regards future proofing, not that great. THe chip you buy now will prolly be your last.

Intel change sockets every drop of the hat, so when you do want to upgrade the cpu you will find them hard to get.

AMD are usually better for upgrade path as they usually drag the most amount of time possible out of a series of cpus before they change sockets.
(although they will be changing socket at some stage this year to socket M2)

And even after they change sockets you can usually get the best of the old stuff much easier than you would for intel.

AMD cpus also use less power and generate less heat meaning less intensive cpu cooling so less noise....

If you are very heavily into DTP I would up the budget to 1200 EURO.

I would buy 1 fast western digital raptor that you would use for your os and your most used programmes and then use a normal big harddrive as storage.

I would also think about buying 2 gig cas 2.0 ram (around 300 EURO)

I would also go AMD 64 dual core. Or wait and see how the new socket M2 or new intel stuff turns out.

At the end of the day how hardcore do you want to go?

K.O.Kiki

There's an Upgrade kit (CPU, RAM, mobo) which'll save you €45: http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=312038&cks=PRL
Als, I think a GeForce 6600 may better than a Radeon X1300: http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311566&cks=SER (think you'll need a VGA-to-DVI adaptor for that second monitor)
As for sound, Komplett have the Creative Audigy SE (bulk, €30) and Audigy 4 (€50)
Also bear in mind that most mobo's have only 3 or 4 RAM expansion slots, so you can't upgrade indefinitely