Hi guys! I need some advice on building this pc. I plan to use it for HDV editing with programs like Liquid Edition, After Effects, and Photoshop. I also enjoy playing video games, although I can only play the games in bits and pieces (half hour bursts at most) so a modern game can last up to a month with me...the price of being a dad...! I realize Nehalem is coming out soon, but I can't wait a year for prices to become reasonable so this build is supposed to last me at least 3-4 years... after that maybe I can retire it as an HTPC. This is what I have compiled so far...: 1. Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_g...&field-keywords=Gigabyte+GA-X48-DS4&x=14&y=22 2. DDR2 Ram Kingston 2GB 1066MHz http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-1066...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042182&sr=8-1 OR 1A. Intel DX48BT2 Extreme Series X48 http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DX48BT2...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042255&sr=8-1 2A. 2GB Kit 1800MHZ DDR3 http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technolog...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042358&sr=8-1 3. 2 Seagate Barracudas 7200.11 ST3500320AS http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barra...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042668&sr=8-1 4. Ocz 780W Modxstream Psu http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technolog...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042751&sr=8-1 5. Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Quad-Core Processor http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Quad-Co...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042823&sr=8-1 6.NZXT TEMPEST Enthusiast Steel http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-TEMPEST-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214042886&sr=8-1 7. Graphics card: I'm thinking of going with the new ATI's either the HD 4850 or the HD 4870 depending on their prices. This is my first build. My current PC is a P4 3ghz with an 7600GT AGP card and 2GB of DDR ram. That's why I need to buy everything, and not just upgrade slightly. So given all the cash I will have to spend: Should I go x48 and ddr3 or save some money and go ddr2? Like I said, I really need this PC to last me a couple of years, I won't be able to afford another build soon and Nehalem seems like a long way away.... I haven't tried overclocking as my P4 is locked, More importantly I would prefer a stable system with overclocking as a last resort to squeeze out some more juice. Any thoughts and suggestions please would be greatly appreciated as I can't afford to buy a wrong item... I have to buy all these parts in like bits and pieces as it is... a few things each month so its should take me max 3 months to get all the components under one roof!
I'd stick with the X48-DS4 and the DDR2 - there's very little to be gained from using the Intel board - the Gigabyte will most likely be a better overclocker.
Thanks sammorris. You just saved me a couple of bucks. Any other opinions or ideas you might have are greatly welcomed.
The rest of your components are pretty solid, but you should go with a Corsair PSU over the OCZ, they're better designed and more reliable - you also don't need anywhere near that much power. Unless you're going with two GPus the 520W HX will do, and if you are, get the 620.
Yeah, I thought it might be overkill even with a second video card added further on down the line which should be the only upgrade I might make eventually. How about this pc power and cooling S61EPS Silencer 610W ? http://www.amazon.com/Cooling-S61EP...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214065942&sr=1-2
